By Ahmad Sani Daneji
In the lives of many, birthdays are usually periods for sober reflections.The period for stocktaking. Numerous personalities with eyes on the verdict of history use such occasions to reflect on their contributions to the betterment or otherwise of their society’s.
For Senator Rufai Hanga, he silently allowed the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary to be passed on 18th August 2024 in strict compliance with his natural humility and simplicity.
But this not an ordinary man, Senator Rufai Hanga is an experienced legislator since the aborted 3rd Republic when he was elected as member of the federal House of Representatives .He was former National Chairman of defunct CPC and currently the Senator representing Kano central senatorial district as well as the deputy minority whip of the senate.
Sen. Rufa’i Hanga was born on 18th August, 1954 at Hanga Quarters of Kano Munincipal Local Government. A graduate of Accountancy with over 30 years’ experience in public service. Sen Rufa’I Hanga started his political journey in 1979. He was an active member of People’s Redemption Party (PRP) under the late Mallam Aminu Kano.
From that till now he is always at the progressive side of politics. Sen Rufa’i Hanga was one time Member of the Federal House of Representatives in 1992. He was elected as a Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial zone from 2003 to 2007. During his time as law maker in both chambers he chaired several Senate and House Committees.
Senator Hanga who doubles as the deputy minority whip is one of the few legislators who stood firm to ensure that they are not swallowed by the position they occupy, or the power they muster, the chance they got, the excuses they may give, the financial status they may possess, and the institutions they may have as defenders.
Many others in his shoes, got intoxicated by the unlimited paraphernalia of power and ultimately got swallowed shrewdly by their positions thereby, forgetting their roles as servants and representatives of the people who sincerely elected them.
The senator, whose district covers 15 Local Government Areas, is an accountant who has been representing Kano Central since 2023, on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party. He was at the senate from 2003-2007 with impressive legislative strides during his first stint at the National Assembly.
In 2023 when the Nigerian Senate searches for the best man to take the deputy minority whip, one name is usually ringing the bell for this serious legislative task. He was a Senator Rufai Sani Hanga a ranking senator.
He is a delightful humanist, seasoned administrator, eloquent orator, pragmatic strategist, phenomenal legislator and parliamentary manager whose entire life is propelled by progressive ideas.
The Deputy Minority Whip is truly a representative of the people going by the amount of work he was able to do for the overall benefit of his constituents despite having some health challenges that control his output. In fact, it is worth elucidating that the Kano Central Senator was able to touch the lives of the people since his resumption to legislative duty 20 years after his first stint.
Senator Hanga’s constituency development credentials and landmarks speaks volumes.
The highlights of which were stellar achievements of constructing and rehabilitating schools and re-positioning the educational sector in the more definitive, radically, progressive and futuristic manner, not to mention the expansive provision of basic welfares amenities for the citizens in water resources, healthcare, power and the greatly improved living standards for his people in terms of capacity building, empowerment and educational scholarship for his people, all shone brightly for both his admirers and detractors to access.
Baba Hanga as fondly called by his admirers’ commands a lot of respect from his colleagues, largely due to the way he articulates his ideas and thoughts each times he speaks on the floor of the house as his colleagues listen with rapt attention whenever he contributes to any debate or table a motion which comes in regularly. His calmness and maturity has earned him the nickname “the stabilizer” ,amongst friends and colleagues, many of whom consult him for advice which has come in handy more than a few times.
He has also been a constant, stabilizing factor in the 10th Senate, following his numerous behind the scenes interventions and meditations on critical national issues. He has a big dossier of constituency outreach that reflects his close touch with his constituents. He has utilized the opportunity given to him through projects he attracted to his constituency and his name is registered in the heart of his people.
So far, he has proved to be one of the few federal lawmakers that people are happy with the impact of their representation. No matter what anyone would say, the number of dividends of democracy that this parliamentarian was able to bring to the door step of the people he is representing is unmatched.
The visionary parliamentarian should be celebrated by all and sundry as he clocks 70 years of valuable contribution to humanity.
Daneji wrote in from Kano.