Opinion
HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING: SENATOR KAWU SUMAILA TAKES ACTION TO DELIVER PEACE IN KANO SOUTH
By Dalha Isa Fagge
Leadership is best measured not merely by promises made during election campaigns but by the actions taken to address the challenges confronting the people.
This principle appears to underpin the approach of Distinguished Senator Suleiman A.
In what could aptly be described as hitting the ground running, the Senator convened a security stakeholders’ meeting at Guest Pride Hotel, Kano, on 3 September 2026. The meeting brought together critical stakeholders, including members of the National and State Assemblies, Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, heads of security formations and leaders of voluntary organisations.
The gathering was more than a routine political engagement. It provided a platform for examining the security situation across Kano South, identifying areas of concern and developing practical strategies for strengthening the collective response to emerging threats.
Recognising that insecurity cannot be effectively addressed by government or security agencies acting in isolation, the Senator emphasised the importance of cooperation, intelligence sharing and sustained engagement among relevant stakeholders.
At the end of the deliberations, six major resolutions were reached to reinforce security management and community protection across the district.
These included the institutionalisation of regular security stakeholders’ meetings; strengthening collaboration between the Kano and Bauchi State Governments; establishing a security task force; ensuring the prompt reporting of suspected informants; placing identified kidnapping hotspots under watertight security surveillance; and maintaining a team of lawyers on standby to provide necessary legal support.
These resolutions reflect an understanding that sustainable security requires a coordinated approach involving political leadership, traditional institutions, communities and professional security organisations.
Beyond convening the meeting and facilitating deliberations, Senator Kawu Sumaila also demonstrated his commitment through practical support to security formations. The provision of working materials and financial assistance was aimed at strengthening their operational capacity and enabling them to discharge their responsibilities more effectively.
Such interventions underscore the importance of complementing policy discussions with tangible support. After all, security agencies require not only institutional direction but also the necessary resources, equipment and cooperation to protect lives and property.
Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of the initiative is its recognition of the relationship between security and development. No community can fully realise its economic and social potential in an atmosphere of persistent fear. Farmers cannot cultivate their lands freely, traders cannot conduct business confidently, and children cannot enjoy uninterrupted education where insecurity remains a constant threat.
Therefore, the pursuit of peace in Kano South is not simply a security objective; it is also an investment in economic stability, social development and the collective prosperity of the people.
The initiative further reinforces the need for community participation in security management. Residents possess valuable local knowledge that can assist security agencies in identifying suspicious movements, preventing criminal activities and providing timely intelligence. Their cooperation, however, must be supported by responsible reporting and confidence in the institutions entrusted with protecting them.
While the challenges of insecurity cannot be eliminated through a single meeting or intervention, the willingness to bring stakeholders together, agree on actionable measures and provide support represents an important starting point.
Ultimately, effective representation is about making public office count in the everyday lives of the people. It is about moving beyond political rhetoric to practical engagements that respond to pressing public concerns.
For Senator Kawu Sumaila, the security stakeholders’ meeting and the accompanying interventions offer an indication of a representative who understands the urgency of the challenges confronting his constituency and the importance of collective action.
The task ahead is to sustain the momentum, monitor the implementation of the resolutions and ensure that the benefits of these interventions are felt across the communities of Kano South.
Peace is not achieved by declarations alone. It is built through commitment, collaboration, preparedness and consistent action.
And in the pursuit of peace in Kano South, the message is clear: leadership must not wait for tomorrow when the people need action today.