Tanko Yakasai

Tanko Yakasai OFR (born 5 December 1925) is a Nigerian politician, human right activist and former Liaison Officer to President Shehu Shagari. He is a founding member of Arewa Consultative Forum.^[1][2]

Yakasai was born in the northern Nigerian city of Kano and is of Hausa tribe.

Personal Information

Date of Birth: 5 December 1925.
Place of Birth: Kano city.
Religion: Islam. 
Tribe: Hausa.

Education

1933-1937: Gidan Sarkin Gini quranic School, Yakasai.

1937-1939: Tsangayar Mallam Musa Dankore Quranic School, Hardawa, Bauchi.

1939-1940: Mallam Idi Quranic School, Tudun Jaba, Yakasai, Kano.

1940-1942: Alhaji Balarabe Kofar Mata Quranic and Islamic Studies School, Kano.

1941-1946: Shahuci Elementary School, Evening Classes , Kano City.

1952-1955: British Council English Tutorial Classes, British Council, Kano.

1956: Ibadan University, Collage, Extra Mural Department Certificate Course on Comparative Federalism, Ibadan.

1959: Ibadan University Collage Extra Mural Department Certificate Course on Problem of Independence and Development, Ibadan.

1963: Wilhem Pieck Youths Higher Institute, Bogansee, German Democratic Republic, GDR.

Work Experience

1954-1960: Hausa Editor, Daily Comet, Kano.

1966-1967: Sales Manager AGIP Nigeria Ltd, Kano Area Office.

Public Offices Held

1967-1971: Commissioner for Information Kano State.

1971-1972: Commissioner for Forestry, Community Development and Cooperatives Kano State.

1972–1975: Commissioner for Finance Kano State.

1973-1975 & 2012-2015: Member Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

1979-1983: Special Assistant to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria on National Assembly Liaison.

Traditional Titles Conferred

2013, Kauren Ganye conferred by Gangwari Ganye on the recommendation of Ganye Traditional Council, Adamawa State.

2014, Odosiobodo of Ogbunike, conferred by HRH Igwe John Umenyiora, Ezedioramma, Igwe of Ogbunike, Anambra State on the recommendation of Ogbunike Traditional Council.

Positions Held In Political And Civic Organisations

1952-1955: National Secretary, NEPU Positive Action Wing(PAW)

1954-1960: National Publicity Secretary, Northern Elements Progressive Union, NEPU

1954-1956: National Chairman, NEPU Youth Association

1955-1958: National Secretary, Northern Elements progressive Union, NEPU

1959-1961: National Chairman NCNC/NEPU Youth Association

1961-1962: Secretary General, Sawaba Party of Nigeria

1961-1964: Deputy National Chairman, Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC

1963-1966: Deputy National Secretary, Northern Progressive Front

1966-1975: Founding Member of Board of Governors, Kano Community Commercial College, KCCC

1970-1975: Founding Member of Governing Council of Kano State Education Development Fund(KSEDF)

1969-1973: Chaiman Nigerian Chapter Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization(AAPSO)

1974-1976: National Chairman Nigeria-Soviet Friendship and Cultural Association(NSFCA)

1971-1975: Nigerian Representative on the Executive Committee World Peace Council

1978-1982: Deputy State Chairman , Kano and Member National Executive Committee, National Party of Nigeria(NPN)

1974/1975: Founder Constitutional Conference Delegates Consultative Forum

1977/1978: National Coordinator Northern Patriotic Front

2003-Date: Founding Member and Member Board of Trustees Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF

2013/2015: National Chairman Nigeria National Summit Group

2014: Member National Conference Consensus Building Group

Conferences & Meetings Attended With Dates

1956: All-Northern Nigeria Political Parties Conference, which worked out modalities for a hitch free visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's official tour to Northern Nigeria during her state visit to Nigeria in 1956. The conference was convened by the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello and was presided over by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa The Prime Minister.

1958: All-Africa Peoples Conference, Accra, Ghana, where African Freedom Charter for the liberation of Africa from colonial rule was adopted.

1960: All-Africa Positive Action Conference against French Atomic Test in the Sahara, Accra Ghana.

1960: Led a six member first ever unofficial Nigerian delegation to the International Conference for solidarity with the struggles of the Algerian peoples for independence from the French Colonial Rule in Peking, People's Republic of China.

1967: Delegate to the Northern Leaders of Thought Conference in Kaduna where Northern Nigeria's stand on the 1971 Nigeria's constitutional crises was adopted.

1967: Member 16 member Northern Consultative Committee set up to advise the Military Governor of Northern Region.

1967: Member Northern Nigeria Advisory Committee on the creation of states in Nigeria.

1969: Leader Nigerian Delegation to the emergency meeting of Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Conference, Khartum, Republic of Sudan.

1970: General Meeting of World Peace Council, Berlin, German Democratic Republic, GDR.

1994/1995: Nigerian Constitutional Conference.

2014: Delegate Nigerian National Conference.

2014: Member National Conference Consensus Building Group.

Some Special Contributions Made & Recognitions Received

1970: Life Patron Award by the Nigerian Union of Journalists Kano State Chapter.

2005: National Honor Award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR.

2007: National Television Authority (NTA) Prominence Award for Northern Development & Integration.

2010: Kano State Government Achievers Award: Most Influential Personality of The Year.

2013: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Life Member Award.

2014: National Conference Award of All Time Democrat.

1962-1966: Due to passionate interest in promoting education in Nigeria, he used the opportunity to secure free scholarship for 12 Nigerians not related to him personally to undergo degree courses in various universities in the defunct Soviet Union. Following are the beneficiaries of the scholarships:

i. Dr. Muhtari Ahmed Kura, Kano.

ii. Dr. Muhammad Achimalo Garba, Kano.

iii. Tanko Yaro Mahmud, Plateau.

iv. Hamza Ahmed, Plateau.

v. Garba Dorayi, Kano.

vii. Muhammad Nasir Ahmed, Sokoto.

viii. Malam Sidi Kwaru, Kano.

ix. Bello Sule, Kano.

x. Baba Jimeta, Adamawa.

xi. Ado Gwadabe, Kano.

xii. Nuhu Muhammed, Niger.

xiii. Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Yakasai, Kano.

Publications And Extra Curricula Activities

2004/2012 Author: 1004-pages two volumes autobiography titled Tanko Yakasai: The Story of a Humble Life, an Autobiography.

Delivered numerous lectures on various topics both at home and abroad on many national and international issues.

Public Affairs commentator for over six decades.

Travelled Widely, visited more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America including United States of America, Russia, United Kingdom, France,Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, India, People's Republic of China,South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Burma, Taiwan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Togo, Republic of Niger among others.

Married with 19 children and 59 grandchildren.

Although Tanko Yakasai is not privileged to receive a formal education, as a self made person Tanko Yakasai worked hard to acquire an education for himself.

Political Persecution Suffered

Between 1953 to 1986, Tanko Yakasai was one of the most persecuted politician in the history of Nigerian political activism, as Tanko Yakasai was subjected to many arrest and detentions on ten different occasions ; 4 during colonial era, 4 in the First Republic, and 2 during military regime: one each under the (1983 to 1985) regime of General Muhammad Buhari and (1985 to 1993) regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Hobbies

• Learning.
• Astronomy.
• Volley Ball.
• Travelling.
• Interacting with people.

References