Mohammed Babagana Abubakar
Security is the bedrock upon which all development is built. Without a safe environment, the “Kano First” vision of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf cannot reach its full potential. Recognizing this, the Federal Government recently launched the Safe Nigeria Initiative in Abuja, a strategic program aimed at tackling the root causes of insecurity through youth empowerment, vocational training, and social inclusion.
In Kano State, the successful localization of this national priority rests on the shoulders of Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs.
As the Limamin Kano First, he has become the primary translator of national security goals into community-led peace and stability.
The “Safe Nigeria” Initiative represents a shift from purely kinetic (military) responses to a focus on prevention.
By targeting 11,000 vulnerable youths nationwide for skills acquisition and psychosocial support, the program aims to make young people resilient against the lure of crime and extremism.
Comrade Waiya has championed this philosophy in Kano, arguing that an empowered youth with a job is a youth who will protect his community rather than disrupt it.
His office has been instrumental in ensuring that Kano’s youth organizations are not just aware of these opportunities but are actively positioned to benefit from them.
In the digital age, insecurity is often fueled by rumors and misinformation. As the head of the state’s information machinery, Comrade Waiya has turned the Ministry of Information into a fortress of truth.
By providing timely, accurate information about government activities, he has closed the space for those who wish to create chaos.
His leadership ensures that the “Safe Nigeria” message that peace is a collective responsibility reaches every one of the 11,222 polling units in the state.
Through his engagements with the Ulama, Kannywood, and trade unions, he has built a “Human Security” network that acts as an early-warning system for the state.
During the presidential launch of the initiative in Abuja on 3 February 2026, it was clear that the success of federal programs depends on state-level coordination.
Comrade Waiya’s presence and subsequent actions in Kano have shown that he is the bridge between Abuja’s policy and Kano’s reality.
He has successfully argued that “Kano First” and “Safe Nigeria” are two sides of the same coin: you cannot have one without the other.
By advocating for the safety of schools, markets, and neighborhoods, he is protecting the very infrastructure that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is building.
A true “Limamin” does not just lead in times of celebration; he leads in times of challenge. Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya has proven to be a guardian of the peace.
By integrating national security initiatives into the local “Kano First” agenda, he is ensuring that the state remains a safe haven for commerce, education, and family life.
Through empowerment and clear communication, the Limamin Kano First is building a wall of security that no element of instability can penetrate.
