By Musa Na Annabi. Sokoto

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has visited the residence of the first civilian Governor of old Sokoto state, late Alhaji Shehu Mohammed Kangiwa, located at Kagara Street, in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the state capital.

The visit came at the instance of a report by the 21st century chronicle. Com (an online platform) alleging that the family of the late Governor was abandoned.

Governor Tambuwal said he was contacted by several well meaning leaders when they read the write – up, where it was alleged that forty years after governments of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, where the late leader, Alhaji Shehu Mohammed Kangiwa served as Governor have abandoned the family.

” I wish to state and make it categorically clear that the property under reference, which is his house, out of the inheritance of the estate of late Shehu Mohammed Kangiwa, our leader and former Governor, was inherited by members of his family. I have done a very thorough investigation the house does not belong to any one individual member of the family. It belongs to several of those who inherited it; and, as you could see to your left, it has been carved-out, and it has been sold out by those who inherited that part.” Tambuwal said

The government of Sokoto state was not approached. I am sure that is the same thing with the governments of Kebbi and Zamfara, on whether they are ready and willing to buy or acquire it; and, use it for public good, to kind of immortalize late Shehu Kangiwa. As you know, in Sokoto alone, we have Shehu Kangiwa Square and Shehu Kangiwa Secretariat. He has been immortalized by previous governments and we are still praying for the repose of his soul.

” I know, for sure, that we have been in touch with two members of the family. I normally ask if there were any issues and there was never a time when I was told anything.” Says Tambuwal

“When I came in, we met a situation whereby a former Governor of the state, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa was not paid his pension and gratuity. Based on the law passed by the state House of Assembly, I constituted a team under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, former Deputy Governor of Sokoto state, to compute the benefits of former Governors and Deputy Governors of Sokoto state. From the report, I was advised that late Shehu Kangiwa, Dr Garba Nadama, may Allah have mercy on him, who at that time was alive, and Mallam Yahaya Abdulkarim, were not enjoying or deriving their pensions or gratuities from the current or present Sokoto state.

According to Tambuwal, Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and their Deputies, who are still part of Sokoto state, were paid their gratuities and pensions by this administration. We have not finished paying that of the Deputies. We have paid part of it. That is the record I have. Says Tambuwal

He said from his interaction with the Governor of Kebbi state, he has also reached out to family members of the late Governor .

” So, Mallam Abba is here. I will task him if there are records that shows that the death benefits of our late leader have not been paid. We are under obligation to look after them. Anything, that you want. I have been talking to Mukhtar periodically and he has never shown me they needed anything. There were one or two issues he raised with me and we addressed them.” Tambuwal explained.

He said When the state Ministry of Land approached me that there was an encroachment on the thoroughfare here, from this property, as you can see, I said they should allow it. I told them he is our leader. They should leave it.

I was not aware of any concern as I said. This property does not belong to one member of the family. If the family now agrees that they want the government of Sokoto state to take over this property and use it as a library, museum or as whatever that will further immortalize him, we are willing to do that.

” Anything that the family wants, they don’t have to go to the press. You are our brothers. Shehu Kangiwa was our brother, benefactor and leader. And, we will continue to support him and his family. We will continue to pray for his family and the repose of his soul. Tsmbuwal Added