The award giving ceremony according to the state governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, was aimed at recognising the eminent persons as well as to appreciate their efforts for the selfless service rendered the country. He congratulated recipients of the awards and assured them of the state’s continuous support at all times. He also said the state will forever remain grateful for the enormous contributions of the past leaders.
The award which was made in different categories included the category of veterans who contributed to the fight for the independence of the country which comprised Malam Aminu Kano, Alhaji Muhammed Inuwa Wada (Magajin garin Kano), Alhaji Yusuf Miatama Sule (Danmasanin Kano), Alhaji Magaji Dambatta and Alhaji Mudi Spikin.
Another category of the award recipients was that of the two Kano indigenes who served as military heads of state, Generals Murtala Mohammed and Sani Abacha. Others were former governors of the state: Colonel Sani Bello, Group Captain Ishaya Aboi Shekari, AVM Hamza Abdulllahi, Brigadier General Ahmad Mohammed Daku and AVM Mohammed Ndastu Umaru.
Other former governors who received the awards were Major Genaral Idris Garbam, Architech Kabiru Gaya, Brigadier General Dominic Oneya, Colonel Aminu Isa Kontagora and Dr Rab’iu Musa Kwankwaso. Deceased Alhaji Audu Bako, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Audu Dawakin Tofa, Alhaji Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo and Colonel Muhammed Abdullahi Wase were also honored.
The state indigenes who served as governors in other states were also honoured. This category included, Major Generals Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar, Bashi Salihi Magashi, A.A Abdullahi, Garba Mohammed, Colonels Habibu Shu’aibu, Yakubu Bako, Datti Abubakar, Brigadier General Lawal Jafaru Isa as well as Group Captain Rufa’i Garba.
Alhaji Abbas Sunusi (Wamban Kano) and Alhaji Muktar Adnan received the awards for distinguished traditional leaders whereas professionals like Professor Shehu Galadanchi was awarded first Vice Chancellor and elderstatesman, Justice Abubakar Bashir Wali was honored for emerging the first lawyer in the state while Justice Maryam Alooma Mukhtar received that of the first Supreme Court Judge in the state and Dr Halima Isyaku Kiru was awarded the first female doctor in Kano.
The first executive council members of the state were also honored during the event. This category comprised Alhaji Hassan Lemu who was the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, Alhaji Inuwa Dutse, Alhaji Mukhtar Adnan and Alhaji Tanko Yakassai.
Some of the eminent sons of the state were also immortalized as the state renamed some facilities including schools and streets in the state after them. Science Secondary School Dawakin Kudu, was renamed Sani Bello Science College, Science Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa is now Ibrahim Ayagi Science College while Girls Science Technical Collage Kofar Nassarawa is now Mairo Tijjani Girls Science and Technical College.
Former Zoo Road was renamed Magaji Dambatta road, Race Course road was renamed Sir Mohammed Sanusi Road while CBN Quarters Road is now Justice Bashir Wali Road, former UDB Road was renamed Bashir Magashi Road and new Karkasara Road which is to be called Inuwa Dutse Road.
Also speaking during the event, Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero applauded the initiation saying it is an indication that the state government is conscious of the contributions of the past leaders. He congratulated recipients of the awards and urged them to continue to support the state and country at large in order to attain sustainable development.
Bayero who spoke through Wamban Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi, urged Nigerians in all parts of the country to ensure peace and unity not minding religious or ethnic differences. He said that was the only way through which the country will not fall apart.
He further advised politicians to fear Allah and at the same time urged members of the public to elect credible leaders come the 2011 general elections. He said when unity among the populace is ensured and at the same time credible leaders rule the nation, Nigeria will attain sustainable development in years to come.
Former military governor of the state, Brigadier General Ahmad Mohammed Daku, spoke on behalf of the recipients of the award. He expressed their gratitude and appreciation over the gesture and pledged continuous relationship with the state support. He commended the initiation saying, it has accorded them the opportunity to meet one another.
The award giving ceremony paved way for other activities marking Nigeria at 50. Like in other parts of the country, a special parade session led by the Nigeria Police Force in Kano was observed. Other para-military, aids groups and students also marched in honour of Nigeria’s independence.
Delivering his speech, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau began with a prayer, thanking God for resting the destiny of the nation in the hands of its citizens and for the hope and dignity the independence returned to the country and the promise of independence as contained in the nation’s old national anthem.
Shekarau paid tribute to leaders of the country saying, “independence is very much about the leaders of the First Republic who made independence possible and who could not possibly be here to celebrate with us, nearly every one of them have gone forever. I wish to pay tribute to them all for the sacrifice they made so that the Federal Republic of Nigeria can be. This is a special day for us, I see it as a day dawning with a new beginning for our country,” said Shekarau.
He said at the state level, his administration’s contributions focused on openness, consultations and citizen participation as ways to plan for development. He said ensuring the prevalence of shari’ah legal system along side societal reorientation with the objective of restoring good values and sense of brotherhood among all citizens has also played a key role in the development of the state during his years in office.
Shekarau further said that the successes recorded by his administration so far were not unconnected with adopting long term plans and giving due consideration to developmental plans initiated by previous governments. He added that he has so far succeeded in reconstructing and expanding 13 major roads within the state capital, an ultra modern ICT park and tremendous progress in the area of agriculture.
He also pointed at the creation of over 6,000 jobs for women and youths as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and youth restiveness. He further said a steady progress in revenue generation has been maintained, noting that the total IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) for last year has almost doubled that of previous years among other things.
Immediately after the parade, the governor proceeded to Katsina road where he laid the foundation stone of the golden jubilee monument. Essence of the monument he said was to install the legacy of 50th anniversary of the country’s independence and to serve as history to generations to come.
The monument was conceived to be 20 meters high with a logo of the Holy Qur’an, signaling the prevalence of shari’ah legal system in the state. Construction of the monument was scheduled to be completed within six months at an amount of N40 million. The 50th independence anniversary was rounded up with a grand walima at the Sani Abacha Indoor Sports hall.
