By Yusuf Shaibu Yusuf
Recently, I tumbled on a question on social media on the political weight of Kabir Dakata especially when he was appointed by His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf as a Director General to Kano State Advert & Signage Agency (KASA).
I was so flabbergasted by the question and what came to mind was, those asking the question were either not Kano indigenes or new on social media, in fact, this was what sparked off this short note about this gentleman.
Kabiru Dakata, born and brought up in Kano state, came into limelight during his undergraduate days in Bayero University Kano between 2006 to 2008. He was one of the most prominent contributors on Freedom Radio programmes, a radio outlet with the largest number of listeners in Kano at that time.
He was particularly famous when he contested for SUG Presidential seat having had the laverage to express his manifestoes live on Kano radio stations a feat never achieved in students politics till now. Though Dakata was the most favourite and popular SUG Presidential candidate, the result of the election was controversially ruled out against him. Dakata’s loss in that election remains a mystery till date.
A decade ago when the name Kabiru Dakata was mentioned what normally came to mind was student activism, civil society. Later, Dakata has become an outstanding advocate for good governance and combating corruption.
Dakata has been fearless and uncompromising in combating corruption and corrupt politicians in Nigeria especially, in Kano State. His stance against the previous and allegedly most corrupt government in the history of Kano is a testimony to how Dakata detests corruption in all its ramifications.
Dakata will always be remembered as one of the few individuals who has boldly and sacrificially fought the corruption of the Ganduje’s administration leading to its unpopularity not only in Kano but in Nigeria.
Dakata’s advocate for good governance and unapologetic stance on corruption and corrupt leaders has endeared and made him a friend to many people among whom is His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, and attracted him many enemies in the past government who falsely accused him of being baised and that his actions were hired and politically engineered to undermine their government’s achievement.
He was believed to have survived many threats and intimadation by some corrupt politicians who saw his actions as imminent threat to their government and its policies.
Dakata’s concern for the political atmosphere in Kano triggered him to take part in public politics, for the first time, thereby giving his unreserved and unwavering support for Abba Kabir Yusuf in the past two gubernatorial elections.
Despite his immense contributions to the success of NNPP government, his sound educational background, his vast experience in leadership, Dakata chose to maintained a low profile at the time when many party members were scrambling to be rewarded with political posts, until when Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf saw him worthy to head KASA.
Though he hasn’t yet assumed duty, Dakata has already met with various stakeholders for professional and experienced advice.
Recently, Dakata has paid a courtesy visit to Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, FRPR. Kankarofi is a Kano State indigene who has made a name in news broadcast and adverts in Nigeria. The visit is one of the efforts made by the DG to seek advice from experts in order to put his agency on a firm footing.
Alhaji Kankarofi was one time a boss in APCON now Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). As a former managing director of Kano State Broadcasting Cooperation and veteran journalist, Kankarofi has given expert advice to DG on how to run the the agency in the light of law and order, honesty and trust.
On his part, Comrade Dakata has expressed gratitude over the warm reception and the professional and experienced advice given to him. He also reiterated his determination to always seek advice from the people with vast experiences and expertise such as Kankarofi while heading KASA.
Kabiru Dakata has also paid a similar visit to Ministry of Commerce, Investment and Industy. During the visit Dakata has met with Commissioner Shehu Wada Sagagi and discussed the pressing issues as they relate to KASA.
This visit is one of the measures to ensure collaborative effort between Kano state ministries and KASA in executing Abba Kabir Yusuf government’s policies to take Kano to a greater height.
Dakata paid yet another similar visit to Hon. Alhaji Abduljabbar Umar, a Commissioner in the Ministry of Land and Survey, on Friday evening, 25th July, 2025.
The visit was courtesy one and to ensure collaboration between the Ministry and KASA being one of its offshoot.
On Tuesday, 5th August,2025, on one of his social media handles, Kabir Dakata expressed his immense gratitude to his Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf for finding him worthy to play some important roles at different occasions since the inception of this government. Dakata was a member in the following committees:
1. Rapporteur, Commerce and Investment Subcommittee of the Transition committee
2. Secretary, Special Committee on Special Assignment,
3. Member, Paliative Compliance Committee,
4. Member, Judicial Commission of lnquiry for the Recovery of Misappropriated Public Properties and Assets,
5. Member, Tax Reform Bills Committee
6. Member, Special Investigation Committee on the Alleged Involvement of the Hon. Commissioner of Transport in Standing Surety for Dan’wawu the report of which they duly submitted on Tuesday, 5th August,2025.
Dakata was specially grateful to his Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf for appointing him as a Director General Kano State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KASA), on 4th July, 2025.
Dakata also uttered his determination to serve the good people of Kano and the Kano State government with trust and diligence.
Kabir Dakata highlighted the roles of KASA, the synergy between the agency and the Ministry of Land and Survey, Local governments and the Federal government. This was aired on Tuesday morning, 5th August,2025, during a live interview in Barka da Hantsi, a popular programme on Freedom Radio.
Yusuf writes from Kano and can be reached via: 07035176671
yusufshuaibuyusuf@gmail.com