By Abba Anwar
It is constitutionally acknowledged through Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that, Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin represents Kano North Senatorial District, in the 10th Assembly /Senate. The Deputy Senate President (DSP).
While it is so amazing to know that his legislative efforts, apart from meaningful contributions during plenary sessions, as expected of each Legislator, are visible as manifested in the kind of Bills he sponsors for immediate benefit of all parts of the country, he still maintains respect for all Distinguished Senators and commands same.
This brief piece is not only looking at the Bills he sponsored within a period of two years, but the piece is only celebrating his second year as a Distinguished Senator of the 10th Assembly /Senate. So cited Bills are picked from pool of many years back.
Understanding the nature of Bills he sponsors, speaks volumes towards a particular direction that, he fits national elective position, not Senatorial District. This, is just my personal opinion. Which is guaranteed by our Constitution. You may have yours. You may decide not to have any. Is a personal choice.
As clearly observed by many, his main concern, from day one, was and still is, Nigeria, Nigeria, Nigeria, as one indivisible political entity. He does that out of patriotism and nationalism. Just examine the kind of Bills he sponsored within the span of two years. And other Bills he sponsored before he became the Deputy Senate President.
Landmark Bills that aimed at national cohesion, transparency, accountability in governance and all-embracing engagement of all segments of the nation, for national development, are his major concerns.
While I present some of the landmark Bills, but not in chronological order, let me begin with the Bill for his primary constituency, Kano North Senatorial District. Meaning Federal Polytechnic, Kabo (Establishment) Bill (2023). He did that with the intent of aiding technical education in the Zone. He understands clearly that, skills are the other wing of national development bird. The Institution is there on ground in Kabo, for my readers' perusal.
For the development of his geo-political zone, North West, he sponsored an all-important Bill and followed same to its logical conclusion, as it was assented by the President. This is North West Development Commission (NWDC) Act (2024). It was established to critically address developmental needs in the Northwest.
As abandonment of projects becomes government's habits, at all levels, as his heart "bleeds" for that out of true patriotism, he sponsored Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill (2023). A Bill that aimed at checkmating abandoned projects scattered around the country. With this Bill the era of abandoned projects would now become history.
With the advancement of modern technology, as criminal - minds turn their effort into cyber spaces, the Deputy Senate President believes that government should do something visible to curtail the menace, he therefore sponsored Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Bill (2023). Apart from strengthening our digital security framework and mechanism, Nigeria's image is automatically strengthened at the global arena.
We praise Almighty Allah that, this national material is from Kano state. With President Tinubu as his Boss.
Without any hesitation or ethnic jingoism, the Distinguished Senator sponsored Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron Bill (2017). His belief in strong economy through enhancing maritime education, influenced his choice to sponsor such a Bill. He always sees the nation before him, not a fraction of it. As a detribalised political leader of substance.
DSP's mind goes up to the South South for strengthening technical teacher training, in far away Bayelsa state, as he sponsored Federal College of Education (Technical), Aghoro Bill (2019). His role in the Senate reminds all that, we have at our disposal, a leader who believes in the development of the country at all cost. Without marginalization of any type. A quentissential political icon.
Like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's deep sense of diversifying national economy, with, among other things, concentration on solid minerals, DSP sponsored College of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk Bill (2019), to critically aid Tinubu's line of thinking in this strategic area. Which will ultimately support our mining industry, for global competition.
Barau's political exposure and analytical mind encouraged him to think that, putting in place Colleges of Education, was not the only thing that could make them excel, hence the need for a strong framework. He immediately sponsored Federal Colleges of Education Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill (2019). With the sole intention of putting in place, reforms for good governance, transparent and efficient administration in Colleges of Education across the nation.
His unwavering effort in making sure that our students get access to higher education, with transparent process, he sponsored JAMB Act (Amendment) Bill (2019). Where admissions and its entire process becomes more transparent and efficient. Barau for all, as students and potential students have their good place in his mind.
His major concern and feeling for all Nigerians prompted him to sponsor Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogbaru Bill (2019), in far away Anambra state. Ogbaru is a Local Government Area with its headquarters in Atani. When you visit the place you would come to term with me, how brilliant is the Senator in understanding Nigerian states. The Bill was rightly sponsored to promote Aquatic Sciences. An institution needed long time before now.
To also make closer, university education and rural or semi-urban settlements, the DSP sponsored Federal University, Uga Bill (2019). A remote place located in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Uga people celebrated Senator Barau when they heard about his effort in sponsoring the Bill. They appreciated that access to university education would be improved in their local communities, courtesy Senator Barau Jibrin representing Kano North Senatorial District.
As at 2024, the Deputy Senate President was the highest Bill sponsor with over 21 Bills to his credit. This tells us how prepared he was even before he was elected to be a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. People with vision, foresight, action plan, who are ready to serve not to be served and who are well prepared for the job.
With his political maturity, acceptability across North, his detribalised-mind for serving all sections of the country - Bills he sponsored attest to this- his good working relationship with his colleagues and his absolute confidence in President Tinubu's administration, his absolute loyalty in Tinubu as a man, Tinubu as an institution and Tinubu as Nigeria's President, give me fresh perspective to visualize him as being much closer to President Tinubu in 2027, for national assignment. Whatever that means.
Barau's excellence in the art of administration, with deepest sense of humor and appreciative political participation for better spaces and time, were some of the leading indices, if you wish, that were measured for his election as Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.
So even at sub-regional level, the Deputy Senate President's contribution to the survival of democracy, peaceful Africa and promotion of good governance is acknowledged.
Anwar wrote from Kano and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
24th May, 2025
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