The appointment of Muhammad Tajo Othman, a 66-year-old retired Customs Officer as chairman of the Social Media Committee of the Kwankwasiyya Movement has generated mixed reactions among members of the group.
The Kwankwasiyya movement is led by former Kano state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
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A frontline member of the movement, who asked not to be named, told Daily Trust that the appointment was inappropriate and not welcomed by many because it was supposed to be given to a youth with social media presence.
“We are not happy about it. It is a position supposed to be held by someone within the youthful age, someone that has established a strong social media presence,” he said.
When asked whether they will reject the decision, his response was that the ideology and system on which the Kwankwasiyya movement operates is no different from that of the military.
“We are ever loyal to the decision of our leaders, most especially Kwankwaso. You know, God has done one thing for Kwankwaso, his decisions are never questioned. So, we are taking it like that,” he added.
However, while many expressed dissatisfaction behind the curtain, some members of the ‘Red Cap’ movement took to social media to defend the appointee.
Among them was one who said the retiree is not just a master of the job but also a technology expert and a technocrat.
Ibrahim Abdulrazak Salihu said, “It is not completely out of the way if the new chairman is an experienced and influential manager.”
Musayyib Kawu Ungogo said, “Tajo is not a complete novice when it comes to social media, technology and communication because he was an Assistant Controller General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernization”
Ahmad Muntaqa said he believes that it is all about delivery.
“The retired officer is a certified librarian and information manager professionally trained to effectively and efficiently manage information,” he said.
Nuruddeen Isyaku Daza said, “If you know the custom officer very well, you will understand that he has the capacity to achieve any related goal. It’s all about commitment.
“Whoever is appointed by Madugu to lead or to regulate our activities on social media is with our endorsement,” said Hussein Idris Abdulkareem.
Reacting to the development, the Coordinator, Kwankwasiyya media centre, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Tajo is fit and qualified for the job, describing him as the master of the trade.
“Whoever knows Muhammad Tajo Othman will attest to the fact that he is the right man to handle this job. After establishing all that we are seeing today at the ICT Modernization at the Nigerian Custom service, he is an ICT consultant with vast experience in the field.
“It is an ad-hoc committee he is heading now.”
