COMRADE WAIYA: THE INDEFATIGABLE PEACE AMBASSADOR
By Aishatu Haruna
Who else remembers catapult? At least, the Y-shaped type we are more familiar with. And, who else has noticed, that it only takes a Y-shaped stick to make the catapult?
Now, in the choice of Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya by Governor Yusuf to oversee the organization of a special prayer for divine intervention as a first step towards countering insecurity and maintaining peace in Kano State, is a message that says it all.
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That in the person of Comrade Waya, His Excellency finds the right person to lead and champion a cause which demands not only a sense of urgency, but commitment and genuine exhibition of purpose, adequately supported with a tirelessness that is itself a trademark of it’s very source.
There are times in the life of a society when peace becomes an urgent project, one that must be consciously defended, patiently negotiated and wisely sustained.
Kano State, with its ancient pedigree, vibrant plurality and ever-evolving political rhythms, stands today at such a juncture. And in this delicate terrain, one public servant that has steadily remained Governor Yusuf’s chosen Ambassador of peace and probably security, is Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs.
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The choice of Waya, who has since distinguished himself as a voice of calm, reason and peace-building is neither accidental nor ornamental. It is a choice well informed by a living process of tests and resultant trust, which have come to define his public service, elevating his role beyond the conventional boundaries of a Commissioner into that of a Peace Ambassador in both temperament and action.
From the outset of his appointment, Comrade Waiya has approached governance with the rare sensitivity of one who has walked with the people long before stepping into office.
A product of principled activism and years of civic engagement, he brings to government a deep appreciation of Kano’s social fabric, its traditions, its institutions and, most importantly, its shared values.
This grounding has enabled him to engage not merely as a government official, but as a trusted interlocutor among diverse stakeholders. Central to his peace-building strategy has been deliberate and sustained stakeholder engagement. At various times,
Comrade Waiya has convened and participated in consultative meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, security chiefs, media executives, civil society organisations, youth groups and community leaders.These meetings are not symbolic gatherings, they are working sessions that were frank, inclusive and solutions-driven, all designed to douse tensions, defuse misunderstandings and reinforce collective responsibility for peace and security.
In these engagements, Waiya’s style is instructive. He does not posture. He does not inflame. He listens attentively, speaks thoughtfully and responds patiently. The missions he relays are guided by the conviction that peace imposed is peace postponed, and that sustainable harmony must be co-owned by government and citizens alike. This approach has earned him respect across political, religious and professional divides.
As Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Waiya has also demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the power of information in shaping public mood and social stability. In an era where rumours travel faster than truth and misinformation can ignite unrest, his stewardship of public communication has been marked by restraint, accuracy and responsibility. Under his watch, information dissemination has served as a stabilizing force, clarifying government actions, dispelling falsehoods and reassuring the public during moments of anxiety.
More significantly, he has repositioned information management as an extension of peace-building. By fostering constructive engagement with journalists and media practitioners, encouraging ethical reporting and maintaining open channels of communication, he has helped reduce the trust deficit that often fuels tension between government and the governed.
This explains why his recent recognition by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Chapter, resonated beyond professional courtesy. It was a validation of his consistent commitment to truth, transparency and mutual respect.
Comrade Waiya’s peace efforts also align seamlessly with the broader vision of the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration, which recognises that development cannot flourish in an atmosphere of fear or division. Infrastructure may be built, policies may be designed and programmes may be launched, but without peace, progress remains fragile. Within this framework,
Waiya has emerged as one of the administration’s quiet stabilisers, ensuring that the civic environment remains conducive for reform and renewal.
What makes his contribution particularly compelling is its indefatigable nature. Peace work is rarely glamorous. It demands patience, emotional intelligence and the willingness to absorb criticism without losing focus. Yet, Comrade Waiya has remained steadfast, engaging tirelessly, mediating persistently and responding promptly to emerging concerns. His constancy sends a powerful message. That peace is not an episodic intervention, but a continuous duty.
In a national climate often characterized by polarisation and hardened rhetoric, Kano’s experience underlines an important lesson. That leadership anchored in dialogue and empathy can still make a difference. In Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the state has found not just a Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, but a bridge-builder, a consensus-seeker, and a custodian of civic harmony.
To describe him as The Indefatigable Peace Ambassador is therefore, not a rhetorical flourish. It is an accurate reflection of service rendered. His work reminds us that the most enduring legacy of leadership is not noise, nor confrontation, but the quiet preservation of peace upon which all meaningful progress stands.
