Profiling Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin -By Abba Dukawa

WEDNESDAY morning’s long expected for friends, colleagues in the red chambers and well wishers waiting for the proclamation of the 10 National Assembly which would pave the way for Senator Barau I. Jibrin, representing Kano-North Senatorial District to became a Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Especially when he accepted to serve as deputy president of the Senate his nomination by Senator David Umahi (APC-Ebonyi) and seconded by Salihu Mustapha (APC-Kwara).has brought a sigh of relief in the Red Chamber.

A true believer in qualitative representation, took an active part in every debates on the floor of the House and was fast recognized as one of the most brilliant minds in the both green and red chambers of the National Assembly. The deputy senate president Senator Barau I Jibrin is a seasoned parliamentarian with vast legislative experience at House of Representatives and Senate considering his experience gained from House of Representatives and the Senate. accorded him to serve in critical committees.

Before his emergence as the a senate deputy president Senator Barau Jibrin proved himself as political heavyweight and grassroot politician in the Kano-North Senatorial District in slowing Kwankwasiyya tsunami down in the district during presidential and parliamentary elections.

Lead ruling governing party in his senatorial district to achieved success against the tsunami that flared like a wild fire to defeated his closest challenger, Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi of the New Nigeria Peoples Party at 2023 election at the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. This was possible for Senator Barau because he has become endeared to his people owing to a patriotic philanthropy who gave back generously to society and was always on the front line leading efforts to solve the problems of people both within his political domain and beyond.

Barau’s journey began when he contested in elections in 1999 to the House of Representatives to represent Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State which he won. While in the House of Representatives, he served as the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations. He was also a member of the House of Representative’s Committee on Power during that period. Senator I Jibril was appointed in 2001 to serve as a member of a committee set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to review the Nigeria’s Budgetary process.

In 2003, lost reelection bid for the second term due to his stand on the tenure elongation of then-president Obasanjo’s ambition. Sanetor Maliya as he was fondly called demonstrated his true passion for issues concerning his constituent and Nigeria as a whole; worked passionately to address matters of great concern to him and quickly earned a reputation as a true and brilliant legislator among his peer from Kano state. In later years, he served as the Chairman of the Kano State Investment and Properties Ltd; a Company owned by the Kano State Government. He was one-time Commissioner of Science and Technology in Kano State and also appointed by the Kano State Government as a member of the Kano State Business Incentive Committee; a position in which he acquainted himself credibly.

Barau’s ardent dedication to his people’s on his return to the electoral contest in 2015, Senator Barau contested won the election to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015 election. Since 2015, Senator Barau has initiated and executed almost uncountable interventions and projects in both his constituency and other parts of Kano State, which have directly impacted the lives of the common people positively.

Some of the projects and programs he has successfully implemented include the construction of the multi-billion naira Kabuga- Dayi Road, the establishment of Kabo Federal Polytechnic, the construction of access roads in all the 13 local governments of Kano North, the construction of five (5) General Hospitals in Kano North, securing employment for hundreds youths in both state and federal levels as well as empowering thousands of women and youths in different trades. Senator Barau Jubrin, donated many 18 patrol motor vehicles to Kano state police Command. Hundreds of motor vehicles to party Exco, leaders, supporters, hundreds of motorcycles. Various Kano state students union and Islamic sects received a donation of donate buses to facilitate their movements and ease their activities.

He was appointed same year as the Vice Chairman Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) of the Senate, and subsequently became the Chairman of the same Committee. In the later part of 2016, he was reassigned to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETfund as the Chairman of the Committee. Additionally to this Senate Portfolio, he is a member of the Committee on Niger Delta, Industries, Land Transportation and Appropriations.

Born in the ancient city of Kano holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s certificate in Financial Management and pricing, a master’s certificate in Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He also holds a certificate in Financial Management for business decisions from the prestigious Cornell University, United States.

A former chairman of the Kano State Investment and Properties Ltd, and commissioner of science and technology in the state, In fact, currently, he is among ranking senators from north-west and Kano state, a 4th termer, who has sponsored bills and motions with unequal legislative experience. In 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander Of The Order Of The Niger (CON) was conferred on him by former President. He is also the Secretary of Northern Senators Forum.

Dukawa writes from Kano can be reach at abbahydukawa@gmail.com