Hafizu Kawu, Council of Ulama’s Effort in Taming Social Media Misuse By Politicians : An Apparaisal
By Abba Anwar
Former member House of Representatives, from Tarauni Federal Constituency, Hafizu Kawu under the auspices of Hafizu Kawu Media Team, in collaboration with the Council of Ulama of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, are all out to cleanse misuse of social media platform by politicians and their proteges.
The first effort of its kind by an individual politician. It comes a long way, as another strengthening process, after the powerful and straightforward call made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governorship Candidate, Murtala Sule Garo, for past governors in the state to put heads together for the development of the state.
Kawu and the Council gathered social media people from APC, New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), among other parties, in a Two-Day Seminar on Social Media Summit and Sensitization, held at Islamic Forum of Nigeria National Headquarters, in Kano, to purposely aimed at reforming and promoting decency in modern political practices, particularly on social media platforms.
A very interesting outing which says a lot in Hafizu Kawu’s clear intention and commitment towards promoting political cohesion and understanding among political parties in the state. Particularly within the ranks of their social media users. Who proved, many times, to be in disarray.
A Dual-Professor, Abdallah Uba Adamu, was the Guest Speaker at the all-important event. At the presence of a renowned scholar Shaykh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Kano Branch.
While popular politicians from Tarauni local government, like Alhaji Talle Mai unguwa, who came with a group of who is who in Tarauni APC, former member of State Assembly from Tarauni, Abubakar Zakari, with his large entourage stormed the venue and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Kabiru Muhammad.
Other politicians from APC were the Tarauni local government APC Chairman, Maikudi Ali, with Wards Chairmen all with smiling faces. Signaling their endorsement of this important effort of cleansing social media space jointly introduced by Hafizu Kawu Media Team and the Council of Ulama.
Former Speaker Tarauni Local Government Council, Ali Madu attended the event with former Councilors of the local government. Alongside many other political juggernauts from Tarauni graced the big occasion.
Though the effort was initiated from Tarauni, but it called the attention of political parties across the state. Which makes the move to be for state benefit. An initiative, which, if processed properly, will be for public morality and cleaner engagement.
From the way I observe it, both the Team and the Council, are deeply engaged in promoting saner and safer political discussions among political actors in the state, as a whole.
The most interesting part of the event was, though it was organized by Hafizu Media Team and the Council, but the participation cuts across the state. Many social media users from across APC, PDP and NNPP, attended the first of its kind event.
As Prof Adamu explained with all clarity, the necessary paradigm shift from misuse of social media platforms by party promoters, Shaykh Khalil, referred participants to always put Allah first before engaging in anything towards promoting their political interest.
Other speakers called on social media users to always understand their principals for them to work effectively and efficiently.
This and similar efforts can promote peace and stability in the polity. It is obvious for all, that without peace no development is possible, workable and reachable.
Anwar, former Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
19th January, 2025.