On Friday, President Bola Tinubu forwarded a fresh ministerial nominee from Kano State to the Senate for confirmation.
One of the nominees is Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, a former Commissioner of Higher Education under Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration. The Kano Times presents the profiles of the two ministerial nominees.
Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo
Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, a former gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, was born on September 23, 1960, in Koyar Getso, in the Old Gwarzo Local Government area of Kano State. He completed his early primary education at the renowned Gwarzo Day Primary School, obtaining his primary school leaving certificate in 1977.
In 1982, he completed his secondary school education at one of Kano state’s science education project secondary schools in Dawakin-Kudu, obtaining the senior secondary certificate.
He pursued Textile Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, earning a Bachelor of Science (Tech) degree in 1988. During his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 1988-1989, he gained practical experience at Asaba Textile in the Old Bendel State.
Upon completing the NYSC scheme in 1989, Abdullahi Gwarzo joined the political activities of the third republic, aligning with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He served as the Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government Council from 1991 to 1993 and as the Executive Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government Council during various periods, including 1997-1998 (NCPN) and 2004-2007 (ANPP), during which he also served as the State ALGON Chairman.
In 2007, he was appointed as the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kano State on special duties. Later, in the same year, he became the Deputy Governor of Kano State, serving until 2011. As the Deputy Governor, he supervised the state ministry for water resources and played a key role in the construction of the Watari water works and the reticulation of the greater Kano water project, earning him the title ‘RUWA BABA.’
He later joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and contested as the party’s Gubernatorial candidate in the 2011 governorship election, which he lost. Presently, Abdullahi Gwarzo serves as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Zaria, a position he has held since April 2021.
Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure
Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure is a medical doctor and the current Commissioner for Higher Education in Kano State, Nigeria. Born in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State in 1976, she attended Bunkure Gari Primary School and GGASS T/ Wadan Dankadai for her junior secondary education. She then graduated from Girls Science College Garko in 1995 and completed her IJMB at the College for Remedial Studies in 1996. In 1997, she gained admission to study Medicine at Bayero University Kano and later became a consultant in family medicine at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, Dr. Bunkure is a highly accomplished medical professional and a member of the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Physicians. Alongside her medical practice, she actively serves as the Commissioner for Higher Education in Kano State since 2020, overseeing the state’s tertiary education system.
Dr. Bunkure is a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment and education, actively participating in various women’s organizations. Her dedication to education for girls and women makes her an exemplary role model for young women in Kano State.
Married to a businessman, Dr. Bunkure is a devoted and passionate public servant, committed to improving the quality of education and providing opportunities for the youth to succeed in Kano State. Her successful career in medicine and public service, including positions as a Consultant in Family Medicine at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Commissioner for Higher Education in Kano State, positions her as a promising force in Nigerian politics, with the potential to make a significant impact on the future of Kano State.
