Quite visible it is that government is doing well to some extent, although the priority is much directed to the so called government reserved areas (GRA) in fact the entire developmental project is much more visible and central there. Was it because those are the areas where local and foreign visitors can easily pass through? As such the so called local-city or crowded areas been neglected (though they are closer to the emirate palace) the realisation of these unfair sidelined areas by government may be give birth to the proposal, that government should provide enough donkeys for the donkey work in penetrating the old city of Kano. Like many people in Kano the first time I heard about what I can call fairy-tale, I strongly couldn’t believed my ear instantly I put the issue under hat. As the fact like rumour remained static, with much consideration of globalization, I sow it is a pity that world is moving forward and we are at an accelerating rate, and we are trying to move backward. Some developing countries are now using robot for service in organisations and other places for they are cheap and economically wise compare with peoples’ services, which at the end of the day can claim an entitlement after retirement age.

Although some people supported the idea, believing strongly that it is another means for creating jobs, to the people so also we are not yet develop to the level that we can abandon donkeys in our day to day running in the metropolitan, others emphasising donkeys are presently in use while on and up loaded with sands and some building materials to the places where tipper might find it difficult to get through into the city. But to me the rational behind is baseless it is just “an article of no commercial value” although individual is really entitled for his opinion. Job opportunity indeed! For those who gave birth to the idea, to carry the sand with donkey was occasional today people prepared wheelbarrows because it’s cheaper and friendly and healthy to the crowded environment. Saying that we are not yet matured for development it just a trash because development is about dedication, rational thinking in looking forward not backward and of course by been creative not by advertising ignorance. As such, before taking a wrong or rather urgent decision in supplying donkeys, the state government has to consider that. First it has to start by employing people who wish to work as donkey riders in accordance with the number of donkeys at its disposal, considering the nature of animals that use to shit anywhere, donkeys while running with dust it carried on its back I really wonder what instruments might be appropriate to be used in cleaning up the shits done by those donkeys, this mean that it will be nice and neat if each donkey has two persons attached to for its guidance and the other as the servant i.e. man serving donkey. Secondly, government has to consider the feeding (in its annual budgets) of those donkeys and its servants, so that the expected donkey work will be done properly. Thirdly, after carrying out its daily sweeping of the city it need to rest so there is a need for accommodations. Fourth, the number of doctors in Kano state is not appreciative not to talk about vat nary doctors, so there is a tremendous need for providing enough veterinary doctors and drugs as those donkeys might fall sick. Fifth, at the end of the day government should think of cemeteries for burying the dead donkeys, ironically this will help our environment became friendly, attractive and unique. It will be a marvellous if they deserve pension and gratuities. Yes this might sound funny but that is the way cookie crumbles. For the sake of peace why government not think of providing enough wheelbarrows and employ a large number of youth at those sidelined areas. By so doing government directly or indirectly will develop the business of the self employee like welder and mechanics. This will help in reducing the unemployment rate. They will than start thinking for their future alone without engaging in drinking all sorts of alcoholic drinks, this will keep them busy and gave our great politicians time to rest and think positively for development and the state will be great again. With due respect and apology, in the absence of a better word, I must say blind ignorance, irrational and narrow minded people can only come up with this idea. It is the societal up bringing which we do believe has played a decisive role in influencing the visions and interactions of an individual. Living in a community were donkeys the are only instrument often used in a day to day activities will never prevents parson who find himself in an area where those domestic animals are not useful from revisit his child hold and say “let us not forger our past, we should better use donkeys in the state capital” particular to the so called congested areas without intellectually much consideration to the negative consequences. It will therefore, be a nice idea if those who nursed the idea (of supplying donkeys for sweeping the state capital) to resign. With people like them I wonder when Kano state will move forward as far as developmental issue is concern. I am not in any position to sound pessimistic against personal character of any body but I am jus trying to call a spade a spade.

Abdulkadir Badsha Mukhtar, (badshamukhtar@yahoo.co.uk)