Shehu Sani facts for kids

Shehu Sani was born on October 29, 1967. He is a Nigerian senator, a writer, and a human rights activist. He leads the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN). He also used to be the Chairman of Hand-in-Hand, Africa.

Shehu Sani played a big part in helping Nigeria become a democracy again. He was held by past military governments for his activism. He was set free in 1999 when Nigeria became a democracy. In 2015, he won the election to become a senator for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District. He ran with the All Progressive Congress party.

Shehu Sani's Early Life and Education

Shehu Sani was born in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, in 1967. He went to primary school in Badarawa, Kaduna, from 1975 to 1980. After that, he attended Government Day Secondary School in Kagara, Niger State. He also studied at Government Science College School in Kagara.

From 1984 to 1993, he studied at Kaduna Polytechnic. There, he earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering.

Becoming a Voice for Change: Activism

During his time at Kaduna Polytechnic, Shehu Sani was a very active student leader. He was the Chairman of the Central Mobilization Committee for a PAN-African student group. He also led the African Democratic Youth Congress.

Family Influences on His Path

Shehu Sani grew up in a middle-class family. His father was a production manager who trained in the UK and Germany. His father worked for a newspaper for 30 years. He also had a large library at home.

Shehu Sani learned a lot from his father's books. These books helped him think about fairness and how society works. He also saw how military rule affected people. His mother, a community leader, also influenced him greatly. He was inspired by leaders like Aminu Kano who fought for people's rights.

Fighting for Democracy in Nigeria

After college, Shehu Sani became a national activist. He joined the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a big group that wanted democracy in Nigeria. He became a leader for the group in northern Nigeria.

He was first held in 1993 under General Babagida's government. He had spoken out for the results of an election that was canceled. He was accused of trying to cause trouble.

Later, under General Sani Abacha's rule, he was held again. He was accused of being involved in a plan against the government in 1995. He was sent to prison for a long time. He was kept in different prisons across Nigeria.

Before these times in prison, Shehu Sani helped start the Movement for Unity and Progress. He worked with other northern leaders to fight for the canceled election results. He also helped poor people and those who were treated unfairly.

Promoting Peace and Dialogue

Shehu Sani is known for helping people who need support for their human rights. He often spoke out against violence. During religious riots in Kaduna in 2000, he was one of the few activists who condemned the killings.

In 2005, he was asked to join a national conference about civil society. He spoke strongly about the role of traditional rulers. He even suggested they should be changed because they had supported military leaders in the past.

Shehu Sani has led many protests, including:

• Against the invasion of Kuwait.
• Against the Israeli war on Gaza in 2008.
• Against visits by George Bush and Tony Blair to Nigeria in 2010.
• Against the Israeli raid on a Gaza aid ship in 2011.
• Against the detention of two Norwegians in Congo.
• Against the removal of fuel subsidies.

He also focused on promoting peace. He wrote books about peace and organized events like bicycle races for peace. In 2013, he started an annual award for people who promote peace in their communities.

Shehu Sani also tried to help solve security problems in Nigeria. In 2011, he helped arrange a meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the family of a Boko Haram leader. This meeting started important discussions. In 2013, he was asked to join a government committee to talk with Boko Haram. However, he turned down the offer because his earlier advice was not used.

Important Roles in Government Committees

Under President Olusegun Obasanjo's government, Shehu Sani was part of many important committees. These included:

• A member of the African Union African Peer Review Mechanism.
• A member of the United Nation Reform Committee.
• A member of the Presidential Committee on Prison Reforms.
• A member of the Presidential Committee on the Control of Violent Crimes and Illegal Weapons.
• A member of the Presidential Committee on Petroleum Products Prices.
• A member of the Presidential Committee on Conflict Resolution.
• A member of the Niger State Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
• A member of the National Political Reform Conference.
• A member of the Charles Taylor Investigation Committee.
• A board member of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
• A member of the Presidential Committee on National Security and Civic Responsibility.

Shehu Sani's Writings

Shehu Sani has written many books, plays, and poems.

Books by Shehu Sani

• Killing Fields, 2007
• Poverty in Northern Nigeria
• Political Assassination in Nigeria, 2007
• Youth as vanguard in the Battle against corruption
• Scorpion under pillow, 2007
• Civilian dictators of Africa, 2008
• Always wrong, can Yar’adua get it right, 2009
• Betrayal and Society, 2009
• The Children of Kaduna, 2011
• The Children of Jos, 2011
• Protest and Freedom, 2012
• Rebellious ideas, 2013
• Nigeria and Ethiopia: An analysis of historical ties, 2013
• Hatred for Black People, 2013

Plays by Shehu Sani

• Phantom Crescent, 2009
• Thugs at the Helm

Poetry by Shehu Sani

• Prison anthology, 2007
• The poem of peace in the season of bloodshed

His Journey in Politics

Shehu Sani has run for the Senate several times.

• In 2003, he ran for the Senate with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) party. He did not win that election.
• In 2011, he tried again for the Senate with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) party. He lost in the primary elections.
• In 2015, Shehu Sani finally won the Senate seat. He first won against Senator Sani Saleh in the primary election. Then, he defeated Senator Muktar Aruwa in the main election.
• On September 4, 2015, he became the first Nigerian Senator to publicly share what he owned.
• On October 20, 2018, he left the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) party. He then joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Kaduna.

His Role as a Senator

As a senator, Shehu Sani was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local & Foreign Debts. He also served as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.