BY CHINEDU NSOFOR
Alhaji Idi Faruk MFR is one Nigerian politician of northern origin that has his political tentacles and friendship cut across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
A detribalised Nigerian political leader and a true democrat. Born in Kano State on 14th of March, 1949, however a native of Dako Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Idi Faruk had his primary school education at CMS Primary School Kano between 1955-1961 and his secondary school education from a Christian School(St. Paul’s College Wusasa Zaria) which obviously could have contributed to his level of religious tolorence though he is a devoted practicing Muslim.
Idi Faruk thereafter proceeded to commence his career as a District Clerk at BP Supergas Nig. Ltd. He thereafter proceeded to work at Kingsway Stores Kaduna also as a Clerk/store Keeper.
By 1958 Idi Faruk became an Airman in the Nigerian Air Force and by 1974 he had a leap in his career path by becoming a Director at News-Lab Advertising Agency and Public Relations Consultants.
By 1983 having gained sufficient work experience from the private sector, Alhaji Idi Faruk launched a career path into the public sector as a public servant by becoming a permanent secretary liason at Kaduna State Government.
He thereafter became the Chairman/Administrator of Kaduna Local Government Council from 1986-1987. After his service as Chairman of Kaduna Local Government Council, Alhaji Idi Faruk became a Permanent Secretary in Kaduna State Ministry of Information.
By 1990 Alhaji Idi Faruk was nominated as a member of the Federal Government’s Delegation to a Summit on information, Non-Aligned Nations in Havana Cuba.
By 1994 Alhaji Idi Faruk became the Chairman of Kaduna State Constitutional Conference Forum, it was in this capacity he coordinated a workshop on the draft constitution for Northern Emirs and Chiefs. He also became a member of election committee of Kaduna State Constitution Conference.
Same year 1994, Alhaji Idi Faruk was appointed Honourable Commissioner Kaduna State Ministry of Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Kaduna State. By 1997, he became Director of Programmes Sani Abacha Foundation Abuja. By 1998 he became the Chairman of Abuja People’s Consumers Shop Ltd (FCDA Owned). Also in 1998 he became the Director of Chams Nig. Ltd (Computer Engineers Supercards).
From 1999-2003, Alhaji Idi Faruk became the Chief of Staff Kaduna State Government House. From 2000-2005 he became a member of the Governing Board of Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti.
From 2001-2003 he also became a member of the Governing Board of Peugeot Automobile Nig. Ltd. In the year 2000 Alhaji Idi Faruk was also the Chairman of North-West Zone Enlightenment Committee on the review of 1999 Constitution.
In July 2003 Alhaji Idi became the Director General of the National Orientation Agency; having gotten several experience in information and communication, both in public and private sector.
His service to the Nation in that capacity brought him to National political limelight and Idi Faruk became a house hold name in Nigeria. He brought alot of innovations to the Agency and pioneered a lot of programmes at the Agency some of which includes:
A youth orientation programme called the Apparent which he is still involved with today. Beyond his tenure at NOA, Alhaji Idi Faruk hopes to develop a reality TV show which is called Super-Farmer, it is aimed at addressing the youths to see farming as a business.
He is currently working on this project with Obasanjo Farms and P.I. Consults ( Peter Igho ) and hopes it hits the screens soonest. This package according to him is beyond TV coverage, as he plans to establish through this programme, a 360 degree media coverage that will open doors for a lot of unemployed youth.
In the plan also is partnership with NTA, AIT, FRCN, Raypower, Silverbird and Multichoice to ensure maximum national reach on radio and television.
Also in 2003, Alhaji Idi Faruk became a member of the Joint Intelligence Board, office of the National Security Adviser. Same year he became a member of the publicity sub committee of the National Council on Privatization, a position he held till January 2012. In 2011, Alhaji Idi Faruk was appointed the Secretary of Presidential Committee on Public Awareness on Security and Civic Responsibility a position he held till January 2012.
In Politics Alhaji Idi Faruk has blazed the trail as a collosus and has been very active in national politics since the third republic. From 1991-1993 he was the Director of Organisation, National Republican Convention (NRC). In 2002-2003 he was the Deputy Director-General, Obasanjo/Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation. In 2015 Alhaji Idi Faruk was Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee
Kaduna State APC Governorship Campaign Organisation and was member,
Kaduna State APC Governorship Campaign Council . In the same year he was also Chairman
Media and Publicity Committee
APC Presidential Campaign Council (North-West Zone) and Deputy Director of Admin and Finance
APC Presidential Campaign Council. Alhaji Idi Faruk has over the years played the politics of National integration and has always believed in Equity, Justice and Fairness as the bedrock for the sustainance of Unity in Nigeria.
With his style of politics, Alhaji Idi Faruk has built Bridges across the Length and Breadth of Nigeria, from the far South East to the Far South West and South South, he has his strong political allies in every part of the country thus he remains one very few detribalised and true democrat in Nigeria.
In November 2015, Alhaji Idi Faruk became the Chairman Board of Directors of New Telegram Newspapers (a renouned National Newspaper in Nigeria).