Sharia Information and Documentation Project (SIDOP)

SIDOP BULLETIN No. 1, July 2003

Governor Shekarau's Civil Society Connections

Governor Ibrahim Shekarau is said to belong to numerous civil society organizations of both an Islamic and secular nature. They include the Muslim Students Society (MSS) and the Hudaibiyya Islamic Foundation where he is a member of the Board. He is also a founding member of Inuwar Kano (Kano Forum. Furthermore, he is a member of International Council on Education for Teaching (IET). For two terms he served as the National President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS). In 1994 he received a certificate of merit and was inducted as a life membership of ANCOPPS. Governor Shekarau is also a patron of the Giginyu Development Association.

Hudaibiyya Islamic Foundation is noted for its commitment to women education and welfare activities among the needy in the society. In addition, the Foundation attempts to reconcile differences arising among Islamic groups in the state. Governor Shekarau is also linked to the Muslim Students Society (MSS). The MSS is one of the oldest Islamic civil associations in Nigeria. The association is mostly visible among students in post primary and tertiary institutions. Its activities range from organizing seminars, members camps, debates, networking with similar groups in different parts of the country and helping indigent students.

The Kano Forum (Inuwar Jama'ar Kano) is a secular non-governmental organization that was established in the late 1990s. The Kano Forum is an organization in which Governor Shekarau is very active. He is a founding member and is also a member of the board of trustees. One of the Forum's aims is to enhance education in the state, particularly for the girl child. The Forum assists primary to tertiary educational institutions in the state by providing them with instructional materials and teaching aids especially public schools located in the rural areas.

Giginyu Development Association is a community based organization. It is a secular organization committed to grassroots development. Governor Shekarau lives in the Giginyu community and takes an active part in the Organization's activities. For example, in 1994 the Giginyu community presented Governor Shekarau with a certificate of honor in recognition of his contributions to the educational development. Governor Shekarau was also a recipient of an award for meritorious service by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council in 1998.

For many who know Governor Shekarau, his membership in civil society organizations with strong social welfare programs and traditional/ religious roots is indicative of his concern for alleviating human suffering as well as his preference for working at the community level.

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