Many see the new Wazirin Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Muhammad Ida, as someone who excels in all fields of endeavour he sets his feet in. He is a man of sound education – banker, lawyer, economist, cerebral politician, astute public servant, renowned businessman, philanthropist, an epitome of humility and a highly respected traditional titleholder with national and international connections. These qualities made him a perfect choice for the coveted position of Wazirin Katsina, which is literally a prime minister in the traditional institution. On this occasion of his turbaning as the new Wazirin, with candor but a great sense of modesty, Senator Ida shared some of his driving forces in life and how he intends to use his experiences and connections to render services to the emirate, his state, the country and humanity in general.
Distinguished senator, please take us through your background.
My father’s nickname is actually Maisa’ida; that is how the Ida came about. I was born in Katsina town in January 1949. I had my primary and secondary schools here in Katsina. In December 1967 I went to Kano to pursue my advanced level, it was called Higher School Certificate at the time. From then on I proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where I read Economics up to master’s level with specialty in Finance and Banking.
I went to the UK and studied banking professionally. So, obviously, my first career was in banking. I worked for the Central Bank, transferred to Bank of the North, and subsequently, because both in Central Bank and Bank of the North were scheduled service under the Pensions Act, when I moved into the civil service, it was not as a new employment but rather a transfer of service.
In the civil service, I rose through the ranks until I became a permanent secretary in 1993. As a permanent secretary I served in various ministries and the presidency. I was permanent secretary, economic affairs in the office of the president for almost five years, during which I did a lot of ad hoc duties, including vision 2010 programme. I also formed and saw to the establishment of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), apart from being the public sector representative at the commencement of economics summit, which we still have up till today. In addition to this, I also had some ad hoc duties. I moved from the Ministry to Ministry, culminating in the Ministry of Defence, where I went in 1998 until I retired in 2000.
How has it been combining public service and business?
The interesting thing was that all along in my life, I always nursed a hope that I would not wait until I reach retirement age before I leave service. I wanted to leave when I was strong enough to start something and make good of it.
After retiring from service, I went back to school to study law. I became a lawyer after a fulltime study from the University of Abuja. I went to law school where I qualified as a barrister. So, in terms of educational background, I would say I have background in economics, money and banking and law.
How did you venture into politics?
When I retired from service, I started two things at the same time – pursuit of the law degree, as well as starting a business. I did not start politics immediately; I was invited by my mentor, my late friend and our late president, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, who was my classmate in junior primary school. When I retired, he invited me to join politics as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and I did. And as a member of the party, I gave it all I had so much so that within no time, I became really a trusted and active participant in Katsina, and subsequently, at the national level as well. It was in that stance that in 2006 I contested for a senatorial seat to represent Katsina central. And I won, by the grace of God and the support of the people. I served in the Senate from 2007 to 2011. While in the Senate, because of my background as a one-time permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, I chaired the defense committee throughout.
It was very challenging, inspiring, demanding, but also very rewarding because happily enough, most of the top generals I related with as chairman of the defense committee were people I was already acquainted with.
You are also a successful businessman, how did it start?
Alongside politics and studies, I was also establishing business. And by the grace of God, the business also flourished so much so that within no time, by the grace of God, I was able to really be fully on my own.
Indeed there is a lot to learn from your life, experiences and success stories, what has been your driving force?
I would rather say driving forces. The first one is my family background. My father was a policeman (Yan doka) at that time before it was converted to the Nigeria Police Force. So from him, I learned how to really control my urges and emotions, as well as know that there is no perfect crime; hence you will pay for whatever you do wrong. He was always telling me to be an honest person.
If God has destined you to be rich, you will be rich without having to compromise on your integrity. The other thing is my mother, who was, as they say in English, a real slave driver. She was very resolute and determined. Whatever she set herself to do, she would always succeed in it through sheer hard work, integrity and purpose of life.
I also had a good fortune of marrying very early. I loved the girl I married and I resolved to make a good life. She has also been a driving force.
But most importantly, is my faith. I believe in Allah (SWT) and I am very committed to my religion. And as much as humanly possible, I try to live by the tenants of it. A good Muslim will always know that it is not so much about what you have, but what you do with it. A personal consumption is virtually a waste. The utilisation of your resources to alleviate the suffering of others is what should really be the objective and aspiration of every good human being.
So, I will say that these are the factors that really tailored my life to this level. There has been a lot of ups and downs, but I have always believed that everything has a reason, and that in the ultimate. If you have faith in your God and work very hard, success is always within reach.
Tell us about your link with the traditional institution.
My relationship with the traditional institution has been a very long one. My family has had a link with the royalty. My father was very close to the house of Dikko. He was very close to the late emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman.
I was made Danmajen Katsina in 1994. I was in service at the time and it came out of my obedience and respect to the house of the traditional institution in Katsina.
I also tried to be one of the emir’s children, so much so that honestly speaking, I was made the Danmaje without actually knowing that it was going to be so. I took it very seriously, such that whatever responsibility assigned to me, I did with sincerity, conviction and purpose. It was not long before the emirate council came to recognise me, so much so that I was assigned certain responsibilities and sent on errands to represent the emir here and there. I was always doing my best.
In 2018, it pleased the Emir of Katsina, the son of the late emir, to upgrade me to the position of Sardaunan Katsina. It came to me as a surprise because I knew the last Saudauna of blessed memory, Alhaji Ibrahim Comassie, was an elder brother, mentor and a role model. So, when I was conferred with that title, I was really apprehensive as to whether I would measure up to the expectation. But I took it as a challenge and made sure that I did whatever I could to uphold the honour and glory of that particular title, as well as the household of the emir, the emirate council and the emirate as a whole. Perhaps that was also what encouraged the emir to consider me worthy of being given this exalted title and position – the Wazirin Katsina.
The Wazirin Katsina is a de-facto prime minister. He is a chief advisor and the right hand man of the emir. The wishes of the emir are commands to him. And in his capacity as an advisor, it falls within his domain to think how he could champion the cause of the emirate, how he could champion the cause of the emir, champion the cause of the whole of Katsina. Indeed, he is in the process of championing the cause of Nigerians and humanity in general. Now to be candid, the title came to me as a surprise.
Were you apprehensive when you got the announcement of your appointment as Wazirin?
To be candid, I was not even in the country when I got the call that this was what was being considered and I should pray. I did and God answered the prayer because, from the time I learned of the move to make me the Wazirin, to the time it pleased his royal highness, by the will of God, to make me one, was very short. So many things are being said, but it pleased the emir and the emirate council to consider me worthy. I also have the requirements for appointment into this exalted office.
What does it mean to you?
It means a lot to me. It means honour, prestige, upliftment of the entirety of my family, but it also poses a challenge; indeed, many challenges, such as having to ensure that the confidence reposed on me by the emir is justified. And I can only do that by ensuring that I try my best to find out what is best for Katsina, what is best for our people and doing it.
Secondly, from time to time, I will be asked or commanded to represent the emir in some endeavours. It challenges me to ensure that I give good representation, good posture and I report back, and by the grace of God, I hope I would measure up to expectations, perform my roles creditably and justify the confidence of the emir, the emirate council and those who had a say in ensuring that I am made the new Wazirin.
Your new traditional role transcends the Katsina Emirate and even the North, to the whole country. Considering the challenges the country is facing, particularly Katsina State, going by your experiences, what should the people expect from the new Wazirin?
First of all, by the virtue of what I have done in life and my modest achievements, my reach is wide. I have been within the administrative sector of the security architecture of the country, and I believe there are lots of things I can do towards the wellbeing, security and welfare of not only Katsina people but Nigerians in general. It behooves on me to consider contemporary issues, regard them in all ramifications and prepare an advice when I am asked, or even before I am asked, because like Hausa saying goes, “Zama lafiya yafi zaman dan sarki” (To live in peace is better than being a prince).
Indeed, Katsina and Nigeria are facing issues of security, poverty and other challenges of social vices amongst our youth. Now, there is a correlation between the economic and social condition of the youth and the general security situation in the country. Most of those that engage in social vices are young people. They are the ones involved in drugs, kidnapping, highway robbery, banditry, cattle rustling and what have you. So I have to use my experiences in life to see that I assist both the emirate council, the state and the federal government.
As a first step, it has pleased the emir to establish a trust fund, a foundation into which Katsina people are invited to contribute resources, not begged, but rather asked to contribute so that such resources could be used to alleviate the sufferings of our people. Hardly a day passes without hearing about one negative incident or another happening that creates displacement of people from their own natural habitats with all attendant social and economic consequences. Now, resources are needed and should be judiciously utilised.
It behooves on me to use my background, education, training and exposure to see that I pull resources inward. I reach out to high net worth entities – individuals or companies – and get them to come to Katsina and invest so that the people, especially the youth, would be gainfully employed. And within the small resources I have, it also behooves on me to establish something in which people can get gainful employment. So, the challenges are really many, but the determination is there. And it is my hope that by the grace of Allah (SWT), the emir would find justification in giving me this opportunity to serve my people in this very high capacity within the traditional institutional framework.
Finally, what message do you have for the people of Katsina?
First of all, let us be more God-fearing and respect the tenets of our religion. Let us go by the don’ts and dos of our faith. Let us respect our elders, leaders, contemporaries, as well as our juniors, those that are below us. Let us know that any position of responsibility is bestowed on us by God. It is one of God’s attributes reflected on us. Let us hold and cherish it so that we use it to improve the lot of our people, not ourselves. Let us not be self-serving. Let us be conscious of the fact that there are so many below us and not very many above us within the social ladder. Let us ensure that we make that ladder available to those below us so that they can rise up.
No society prospers if it has very few high net worth individuals. We will have an equitable society if so many people are wealthy, just and harmonious. That is my message.
Let us aspire to attain a situation where our society is politically stable, socially just and culturally harmonious. Let us be our brothers’ keepers. Let us be good role models to our children and grandchildren. Let us prepare to leave this world better than we found it. And let us assist those below us to surpass whatever positive things we are able to create within the society.
