One of the crucial attributes of a good leader is information. He needs to be well informed about everything within his purview. With this, it will be difficult for him to be misinformed or under informed. And when a leader is well informed, the chances of him making a reckless decision or being misled by sycophants is slim. Interestingly, one of the most informed persons on earth are journalists. They don’t know everything but they know something about everything.
This is one of the reasons I consider Honourable Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, OON member of Federal House of Representatives (Kano Municipal), and the most ideal gubernatorial candidate in the fourth coming election in Kano State.
Prior to his voyage into politics, he was a journalist with Freedom Radio Station, Kano, where he left an indelible mark in many departments. Little wonder, President Muhammadu Buhari snatched him from the radio station after assuming the helm of affairs in 2015. I doubt if the station has been able to fill that vacuum.
Sadly, Nigeria is riddled with insecurity and Kano State is not an exception. The need for leaders with deep knowledge on security and defense to govern a state like Kano cannot be overstated. And this is where the expertise of Sha’aban is required to secure Kano people. He is the current Chairman of House of Representatives’ Committee on National Security and Intelligence. This position has enhanced his capacity on security policies, military, among others.
In addition, Kano people cherish Sha’aban and they never fail to exude this whenever the opportunity presents itself. It was the reason even after buying the Expression of Interest and Nomination form for him to contest the primary election under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) and his mandate as the APC flagbearer was allegedly scuttled, the people of Kano asked him to contest under Action Democratic Party (ADP). More so, it was the same Kano people that called him to contest for Federal House of Representatives Election in 2019 while he was serving as a Special Adviser to President Buhari on Broadcast Media.
Furthermore, one of the things one cannot deny about Honourable Shaaban is that he likes empowering people. He believes that it is better to teach people how to catch fish than to give them fish. Thanks to him, countless numbers of his constituents are now standing on their own rather than begging for alms or constituting nuisance in the society. Women, children, youths, orphans, widows and others are beneficiaries of his constituency projects. Just recently, he empowered over 10,000 of not just members of his constituency but residents across the 44 local government of the state. Some of the items distributed are 300 motorcycles, 300 grinding machines, 80 cars, 600 bicycles as well as N5, 000 capital to 800 women.
As they say, the reward for hard work is more work and I can say confidently that Shaaban is ready for more work.
Emmanuel Onoja Is a Journalist and public affairs commentator.
