Shehu Sani facts for kids

Shehu Sani (born October 29, 1967) is a Nigerian senator, author, and human rights activist. He is known for leading the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN). He also chaired Hand-in-Hand, Africa. Shehu Sani played a big part in bringing democracy back to Nigeria. He was arrested and jailed by military governments in the past. He was set free in 1999 when Nigeria became a democracy again. In 2015, he was elected as 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 on October 29, 1967, in Tudun Wada, Kaduna. He went to primary school in Badarawa, Kaduna, from 1975 to 1980. After that, he attended Government Day Secondary School in Kagara, Niger State, from 1980 to 1984. He then studied at the Kaduna Polytechnic from 1984 to 1993. There, he earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering.

Becoming an Activist and Union Leader

During his time at Kaduna Polytechnic, Shehu Sani was very active in student unions. He was the Chairman of the Central Mobilization Committee for a PAN-African Student Organization. He also served as President of the African Democratic Youth Congress. He was the social director for the Kaduna State Students Union.

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 the New Nigerian Newspaper for 30 years. He also worked as a printer for the Daily Mail in Kano. From 1976 to 1979, he was the government printer for Sokoto State.

Shehu Sani's father had many books, which helped him learn a lot. He was especially interested in books about socialism and left-wing politics. This was a time when many books from Eastern Europe were available. Reading these books helped shape his ideas and his view of life. It also showed him the problems caused by military rule. His mother, a community women's leader, also influenced him. He was inspired by leaders like Aminu Kano and the radical politics of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and the People's Redemption Party (PRP).

After college, Sani became a national activist. He joined the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a big pro-democracy group in Nigeria. Activists like Femi Falana and Beko Ransome-Kuti introduced him to the group. He later became the Northern Coordinator and National Vice-Chairman of the CD.

Fighting for Democracy and Human Rights

Shehu Sani was first arrested in July 1993 by the government of General Babangida. He was arrested because he supported the results of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. This election was won by the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola. Sani was accused of trying to cause rebellion.

During the temporary government of Ernest Shonekan, Sani was arrested again. He was held for two weeks and then charged in court for the same reason.

Under General Sani Abacha's government, Shehu Sani was linked to a supposed coup attempt in 1995. He was sentenced to life in prison, but this was later changed to 15 years. He was held in different prisons, including Kirikiri, Kaduna, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, and Aba. His charges included being involved in a plot against the government and leading an unlawful group (the Campaign for Democracy).

Before his arrests, Sani helped start the Movement for Unity and Progress. He worked with other northern leaders like Abubakar Dangiwa Umar and Balarabe Musa. They fought for the annulled June 12 presidential election results to be accepted.

Shehu Sani is known for helping poor and disadvantaged people with human rights issues. This often led to disagreements with security forces and powerful people.

During difficult times in Kaduna in 2000, he was one of the few human rights activists who spoke out. He condemned the violence happening. In 2005, he was asked to help reshape civil society at a national conference. Some traditional leaders at the conference wanted him to stop speaking. This was because he suggested that they should be dissolved for supporting military rulers in the past. However, the chairman of the commission, Justice Niki Tobi, did not agree to their request.

During the conflict in Kaduna, he helped give out aid to people. He also visited dangerous areas when it was very risky to do so.

Activism and Peace Efforts

Shehu Sani has organized and led many protests, including:

• Against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
• Against the Israeli war on Gaza in 2008.
• Against the visit of George Bush and Tony Blair to Nigeria in March 2010.
• Against the Israeli raid on the Gaza aid ships in June 2011.
• Against the Congolese Government for holding two Norwegians, Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland.
• Against the removal of fuel subsidies.

He also focused more on peace activism. He wrote books about peace and organized rallies and bicycle races to promote it. He started the Shehu Sani Annual Prize in 2013 for people who promote peace in their communities. He also publishes a newspaper called "Peace."

To help with security problems in Nigeria, Sani helped arrange a meeting. In 2011, former President Olusegun Obasanjo met with the family of the late Boko Haram leader Muhammed Yusuf. This meeting started important discussions about peace. In 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan asked him to join a government committee. This committee was meant to talk with the Boko Haram group. However, Sani turned down the offer. He felt that his earlier advice had not been used.

National Responsibilities

Under President Olusegun Obasanjo's government, Shehu Sani had many important roles. He was a member of the African Union African Peer Review Mechanism. He was also part of the United Nations Reform Committee. The Nigerian President appointed him to committees on prison reforms and controlling violent crimes. He also served on committees for petroleum product prices and resolving conflicts. He was a member of the Niger State Judicial Commission of Inquiry. He participated in the National Political Reform Conference. He was also on the Charles Taylor Investigation Committee. The Nigerian Government also appointed him to the board of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI). Sani was 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

• Poverty in Northern Nigeria
• 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

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

Political Career Highlights

• In 2003, Shehu Sani 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). He lost in the primary elections.
• In 2015, Sani finally won the Senate seat. He first defeated Senator Sani Saleh in the primary election. Then, he won against Senator Muktar Aruwa in the main election.
• On September 4, 2015, he became the first Nigerian Senator to publicly share details of his wealth.
• On October 20, 2018, he announced that he was leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party. He then joined the People's Redemption Party (PRP) in Kaduna.

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.