A councillor in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, has named 18 Special Advisers to support his drive for stronger grassroots representation.
Malam Sunusi Hashim, elected to represent Kinkiba Ward in Soba Local Government Area, said the appointments reflect his commitment to inclusiveness and community-driven governance. Speaking to reporters in Zaria on Tuesday, he noted that Kinkiba remains underdeveloped and requires broader participation to close the gap.
The advisers will be drawn from four key zones of the ward – Tamba, Marwa, Fagachi and Kinkiba – with guidance from village leaders. Unusually, Hashim pledged to finance their stipends personally, insisting that his monthly allowance would not be used for the initiative.
“I want my people to feel a direct connection with governance by participating in it,” he said.
In his first 100 days in office, Hashim organised a medical programme that treated 200 children free of charge, secured scholarships for five disadvantaged students, and began discussions with an agricultural company to equip farmers with inputs and machinery.
One of the appointees, Aina’u Kabir, has been assigned as Special Adviser on Women’s Affairs, marking a deliberate step to incorporate gender perspectives in local governance.
