TRIBUTE TO LATE DR. MUHAMMAD ABUBAKAR RIMI.

(1940 – 2010)

BY:

MUDASSIR ALIYU YUNUSA

Mudassiray@gmail.com

 

     Monday 5^th April 2010 was the fateful day of mourning not only to the people of Kano State but to the entire people of Nigeria following the announcement of a sudden death of Kano based international political magnate, the all time political friend and god father of the masses, an active political activist as well as one of the agent of Nigerian democracy. This is nobody but Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Abubakar Rimi(CON), the first executive Governor of Kano State, a very pleasant and respectful person with a great sense of humour and self assertive, the man of the masses, the people’s best political key player in Kano who dedicated his time towards salvaging  the plight of his masses subordinates, whose voice and saliva mostly dried up in his effort to fight and change the political scenario  to go in accordance with standard international political order.

     The gentle, courageous and industrious person has sacrificed much of his time despite facing serious political thugery, blackmail and sabotages in ensuring masses redemption. Alhaji Abubakar Rimi also posses masses centred political ideology and principles in the sense that his political actions are geared towards the provision of societal welfare and development of masses politically, socially and economically. He was a strong hearted and humble politician who is always campaigning against money politics which is the order in today’s political system, but rather urged for displaying pure political ideology.

       He was called “ Limamin Canji”  meaning “ The Apostle of Change” because of his firmed ideals toward transforming the political system with the aim of attaining positive changes that may eventually guarantee individual liberty, accountability and better representation of masses by their leaders. It took to the extent that Limamin Canji is well known in Nigeria on his dedication and endurance in serving the masses towards attainment of political fairness, justice, equity and development. He always tasked and pressurized both military and political leaders to be responsible and accountable to their subordinates particularly in the provision of basic life requirements. Indeed, wherever there is injustice, aggression, tyranny and oppression, Alhaji Rimi would go in extreme parallel against them.

     Moreover, what impressed me most with Me gida  Rimi was the way he used to opposed and challenged any injustice and oppression even if it comes from his party or a government in which he was an active participant. In fact, he was also known for that popular attitude of legal and legitimate opposition on any policy and programme of government which will not directly or indirectly benefit the masses.

    Born in 1940 in Rimi, Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State. He started his primary education in Sumaila Central Primary School, he proceed to Government College Birnin Kudu where he obtained his Secondary school certificate. He then went to Sokoto for an Accounting course. He obtained his First and second Degree in International Relation. He started his career as a class room teacher in Congo, Zaria and he also served the government of Nigeria in different capacities (especially in Nigerian embassy in Cairo).

     As a Governor of old Kano State (now Kano and Jigawa States), he ruled the State with heart full of commitment and dedication, sacrificing his time and talent with determination to transformed the state and take it to greater height. His achievements as a Governor are many but to mention a few among others are:-

     Construction of 14 storey building of Kano State Investment and Properties (Gidan Ado Bayero), construction of sketches and roads in Farm Centre, building of trade fair complex Zoo Road, construction of Magwan Water Restaurant which  presently is not in possession of Kano State Government. Construction of Kano State House of Assembly in the State Secretariat, construction of Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Road popularly known as Mandawari sabon Titi, construction of Hausawa Court Road, construction of many rural feeder roads across the state etc.   

      In the field of agriculture, he established Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) and Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) to cater for farmers towards the provision of modern agricultural tools, equipments, seeds and fertilizers in the state, and their offices and stores were spread to all local governments and other towns in the state. In his administration, agricultural product taxes and poll taxes (Jangali) were lifted during his administration.

     In the provision of education, he was the first Governor that developed the idea of mass literacy in the whole Country. This led to the establishment of Agency for Mass Education which accorded him higher recognition and award from the United Nation (UN) for his tremendous effort. Apart from mass education, he built many primary and secondary schools across the state, he equally established Kano State College of Education Kumbotso which was named after his late wife Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education. He also sponsored many students in the state to study both within and outside the country in order to improve the level of education, skills acquisition and manpower development in the state.

     In the supply of electricity, before his arrival as a Governor, there are less than 10 towns that were fully equipped with power supply. But on taking the mantle of leadership, just within 4 years about 180 villages and towns in the present Kano and Jigawa States were supplied with power which up to this day residence in those areas are immensely benefiting from.

       Health sector was hermonized per excellent, where he established about 66 health centres together with building of School of Nursing, Dental clinic and Aminu Kano Hospital which was later took over and converted to Bayero University Teaching Hospital by the federal government.

     In the area of mass media, he established state owned television station the CTV 67, Triumph Newspaper Company in order to uplift the level of public enlightenment and awareness.

     Moreso, In the Traditional arena and Chieftaincy affairs, in order to bring people closer to the government he created emirate councils and upgraded the title holders in Karaye, Gaya, Rano, Ringim and Auyo to become Emirs.

     In early 1983 as a result of some serious intra party political crises in PRP he decamped to NPP and voluntarily step down from his appointment 5 months to the end of his tenure as Governor for what he considered to be gross injustice to his people and former party PRP as against the attitude of today’s politician who decamped to another party while on their political seats won on the platform of other parties.

     That enviably handsome man, was also a Chairman of Nigerian Agricultural Development Bank (NADB) during IBB’s regime where he served the Bank with absolute dedication, and provided soft loans at low collateral across the federation.

     Nobly generous Rimi was also appointed as the minister of communication during the military government of General Sani Abacha GCON. He made a tremendous effort in the provision of NITEL network service in all local government headquarters in Nigeria. He also made another good effort of recovering the bad debts individual and organisations owed NITEL through forcing the public including high ranking people to pay their NITEL dues.

     His last appointment with government was the chairman of Nigerian Security Minting and Printing under the civilian government of Obasanjo in 1999 – 2003.

     The highly articulated man was devoted to religious etiquettes. He sponsored many Islamic programmes in Radios and Televisions for the benefit of the general public.

     With respect to his efforts and achievements it goes without saying that Rimi was dedicated, hardworking and responsible politician who was always trying to wipe away the tears of his subordinates. He died at the age of 70 and at a time when the people are in dear need of his wealth of experience and service to humanity.

     May Almighty Allah direct his gentle soul to Jannatil Firdausi and give us the courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable lost of our dear friend, brother and father.

Allah ya jikan maza. Amin .

 

 

MUDASSIR write from NTA Network Centre Maiduguri.