Posted By Babandi Gumel

January 10, 2008

As human beings with emotions we all have different kinds of taste equally the media outlets were not left in making their choice according to their tastes. Different Newspapers and other Media Organisations decided to choose whom they like best as their men of the year.

General Muhammadu Buhari the former Head of State for example was chosen by the Leadership Newspapers as their best example therefore was voted as the man of the year by the Paper. As far as the governance was concerned the same paper voted for the Governor of Lagos as the Governor of the year.

As for the Guardian Newspaper it chose Nuhu Ribadu the Chairman of the EFCC slated to go on course that generated lots of controversies majority against and some in favour as its champion of the year. The Paper chose him for his enthusiasm and energetic desire to drive terror in the minds of what it termed petty crooks in the society.

So sometimes we need such people like Ribadu to discipline the untouchable sort of crooks who only gain leadership for their own selfish desires. As human beings we have our different desires making our own choice. Individual writers were not left behind in this trend of making choice the best man the perceived as qualified to be their man of the year. Dr Aliyu Tilde a famous Columnist chose Governor Sule Lamido as his Governor of the year although one writer Kabir Nata’ala in a rejoinder as human being disagreed with Dr Tilde. So some ones hero is another person villain depending on your choice.

Although I am not holding brief for Dr Tilde neither am I criticising Malam Kabir Nataala .But to be fair to Dr Tilde Malam Kabir should have been more lenient and soft to Dr Tilde whose article he commended which even he described as an excellent piece. As human being Nataala was of the opinion that adulation on the Jigawa State Governor by Dr Tilde was a bit too exaggerated and ostensible which he thought had a dual motive.

Anyhow I don’t want go in details about comments of Dr Tilde’s article or Malam Nataala’ rejoinder posted in Gamji by both writer with differing divergent views making the debate very lively. As human beings we have different approaches and perceptions to different things expressing emotions sometimes sentimental making us human beings of different characters. These different divergent views tastes and temperaments bringing good favourable and sometimes unfavourable comments or criticisms make us the human beings with different characters. It is left for the people to decide not me or anybody. With due respect even Malam Natala acknowledged Dr Tilde’s piece as an intellectual work comparing it to George Orwell even though according to him they differ in principle and sincerity we may agree or disagree with the two writers.

Notwithstanding it is my assertion that the Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has tried and is still trying his best to please the people of Jigawa making him one of the real achievers in the field of governance. He helped carried Jigawa forward within shortest possible time which hitherto could not be achieved bringing Jigawa back on its feet competing with other States.

After unfortunate eight years of neglect by the previous Administration Governor Lamido made a spectacular move which was never seen in history introducing a monthly allowance for the physically disabled people throughout the State. I think this is sufficient enough to justify the showering of such praise on Governor Sule Lamido. I foretold in my article sometimes in February last year even before his party chose him as the gubernatorial candidate that he would make a good governor only if...putting a question mark. My forecast became true and within a few months since he came to power he brought a kind of mini revolution in Jigawa State making the citizens started feeling proud.

Unlike the previous Administration which left so many people disillusioned and disappointed for the corrupt tendencies leaving the treasury empty making governance means of enriching oneself. This Administration of Lamido purely focussed on good governance transparency bringing back the lost legacy. Governor Lamido as a former Foreign Minister diplomatically and carefully changed all the previous evil traits which earned more praises.

Anyhow he is still trying his best making lots of differences. Similarly the former Military Leader and the ANPP Presidential Candidate General Muhammadu Buhari who has consistently and steadfastly been pursuing for justice in the Country earning him encomiums and praises from all sides making the Leadership Newspapers chose him as its man of the year 2008.

Shari’a Law was reintroduced in some parts of Northern part of Nigeria with the coming and introduction of democracy in 1999. Former Governor Sani of Zamfara State now a Senator could not be forgotten as the initiator of the Islamic Legal Code operated in about ten States. He remained the pioneer and real champion of Sharia legal Code. He remained steadfast in the face of hardship with the zeal and determination to ensure the successful introduction of the Islamic legal code system in the State.

Soon other States followed suit. Apparently now since the introduction lots of people were complaining that so many states were not serious as regards the real implementation of the system in their States making it a kind of political Sharia. Many of the former Sharia Governors like their secular counterparts competed with each other in amassing wealth making no difference to the lives of the ordinary citizens. It was unfortunate seeing some of the Governors supposed to be exemplary as symbol of piety due to the introduction of Sharia turning to be among the worst .Instead they have become so corrupt with no project to show worth mentioning thus making them no difference as if Sharia has not been introduced in those States.

There was no serious attempt to correct the anomalies as people were not encouraged to follow the Deen as preached by the Sharia nor their lives changed for the better. Instead the so called Sharia leaders continued to enrich themselves amassing illegal wealth becoming easy prey targeted by the EFCC the Anti Graft Commission pursuing all known corrupt leaders. Not all governors share the same unfortunate evil traits.

Although it is said no one is pure however Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano is one of the few transparent Governors like Sule Lamido dedicated towards bringing good changes and human progress in their States despite the ups and downs here and there. He excelled in the real implementation of Sharia in their States with the call on the Federal Government to declare 1st of Muharram in the Muslim Calendar as Work free day to enable the Muslims enjoy and celebrate the new Islamic Year.

With the successful introduction of Sharia the Administration of Governor Shekarau who broke the jinx record of being returned to power for the second time introduced among others the Sharia Commission which oversee the successful implementation of the Sharia in the State. In addition the famous A Daiddaita Sahu the Societal Re-orientation Commission and the Hisbah and the Zakkah were among the few Commissions established. They are dedicated towards the proper implementation of Sharia thus helping to enlighten the society of the whole concept of Sharia Legal System.

The Administration of Governor Shekarau was in the forefront and has excelled in the implementation of Sharia among all the ten States operating Sharia in their domains. Kano State is among the few States that enjoy work free day during the new Islamic Year known as Hegira in the Month of Muharram. In his message to the people of the State marking the commencement of the new Hejira Governor Shekarau directed the Sharia and Hisbah Zakkah and Hubsi as well as the Anti corruption Commissions to intensify their efforts to help enlighten the people on the Islamic teachings thereby rendering more services to the people of the State.

Among the new things to be introduced soon included the strengthening of the Hisbah Commission to enable it undertake the duties of ( Amar Bil Ma’aruf wa nahuna anil Munkar) enjoining what is good and forbidding evil. At the same time this would allow people to channel their complaints and other grievances through the Societal Re-Orientation to help assisting the State to fight corruption. Governor Shekarau is well known for his desire to see the total implementation of Sharia in the State acknowledged by all and sundry.

Unfortunately so many States where Sharia have been introduced have not been making serious concerted effort like Governor Shekarau in the implementation of the Islamic Legal system in their respective States. No doubt some States like Jigawa have excelled in human endeavour but are still far behind when it comes to the question of proper implementation of Sharia as seen in Kano introduced by Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

The Governor is seriously devoted to making Kano State a Model Sharia-complaint State worthy of emulation to unborn generation. As Dr Tilde decided to make Sule Lamido his Governor of the year there is the need to find a Sharia Governor of the year. In my opinion as human being such Governor should be a person who is consistent with the implementation of the Legal System in his State.

If we look around we cannot find a person or Governor fitting this cap more dedicated and sincerely trying to fully implement the Sharia Legal Code in his State than Governor Shekarau at this moment. His Government is the only Government that has been declaring the 1st of Muharram as Work free day among all the Sharia States in the Federation producing Islamic Calendar distributed free of charge to be used alongside the Gregorian Calendar throughout the State.

With all these and many other achievements not mentioned Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano deserved to be crowned the Sharia Islamic Governor of the year 1429 Hijira corresponding 2008 of the Gregorian Calendar. It is my contention that no Sharia Governor surpasses Shekarau in the real serious implementation of the Sharia legal systemat the present moment. I stand to be corrected thus making him the Best Sharia Governor of the Islamic New Year which has just commenced.

So as for my friend Governor Lamido the Comrade is a challenge he can be a better Governor and become even more popular if he uses his influence to implement the full Sharia in Jigawa State which was deserted and shunned by the previous Administration which was only there for lip services. They say to err is human and n body can be presented pure before Allah but as far as our knowledge goes Alhamdu Lillahi Malam Shekarau has tried his best and is still trying Sharia wise. May Allah accept his and all our efforts and the effort by other people serving the Deen and the humanity like Sule Lamido.

Once more we congratulate Governor Shekarau for his dedication and real achievements Sharia wise which would surely bring good and benefit in this life and the hereafter making all sincere people especially the Muslims and the Ummah proud of him. So we can say Jazakallah Khair for all these achievements exhibited and practically demonstrated by you thus entitling you to be the best Sharia Governor of the Year 1429 Hejira coinciding with the new year 2008of the Gregorian Calendar.

May Allah make it a means of hidayah guidance Barkah progress bringing prosperity to the entire Ummah thus moving us forward helping raise our status in both Duniya and Akhira Amen.

WA Akhiri Daawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen.

©  EsinIslam.Com

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