Rimi was fearless and dogged. He lived a life worth emulating. He was a vocal politician who cared and assisted the ordinary man.
Rimi fought for the common man, which was why before his death he was regarded as a true disciple of the late Malam Aminu Kano. His legacies will remain in the hearts of many. He was elected as the governor of Kano State on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (P.R.P) in 1979 and he did a lot to improve the state.
He gave education special attention and introduced adult education in Kano in 1980, the initiative was later replicated in other northern states. This program was recognized in 1983 as one of the best adult education programmes on the African continent by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Rimi also established the Kano State Television station known as C.T.V (City Television) and the Triumph Publishing Company. Women were not left out, because he was the first governor to appoint a female commissioner. This gave women a sense of belonging. During the tenure of Rimi, there was massive road construction and rural electrification projects among others.
Also when he was the chairman of the Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative Bank (N.A.C.B) he assisted the common man with loan to boost businesses. Rimi provided many local government areas in the country with the International Direct Dial (IDD) telecommunication stations when he was the Minister of Communications.
Many of his legacies cannot be mentioned. He was a very close associate of the Jagoran Talakawa, Dr. Sule Lamido, the former Jigawa State governor, another courageous, committed leader and disciple of late Malam Aminu Kano.
I remain indebted to the late Abubakar Rimi. May Aljanna Firdaus continue to be his abode. Amen.
Adamu Muhd Usman wrote from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.
