By Musa M. Buba Damaturu
It has become a norm in Nigerian politics that those elected into offi ce during the second term do not work towards the provision of social amenities or infrastructure to the ir electorate, nor do they deliver the dividends of democracy as expected.
Th is is because they served their eightyear tenure and will no longer seek for votes in that capacity any longer. But here in Yobe, a state that got trapped in the insurgency war for years, the story is diff erent. Th at is the common position among stakeholders. When the journey gets tough, it is only the tough that gets going. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam within the two years of his second term, has touched the peoples’ lives in many regards. But for the insurgency that brought some setbacks, Yobe would have by now be competing with most of the older states of the federation. Blueprint had a vox-pop with some top civil servants, political appointees and also from a lawmaker on how the Gaidam administration fared in the last two years of his second tenure. Campaign promises fulfilled In his view, Lawan Shettima Ali, Commissioner of Works, Transport and Energy, teh governor has given the state more than he promised during teh electioneering.
“I have travelled to many parts of the country and have seen things for myself and wish to say whether you like it or not, Gaidam has done excellent job in Yobe. To me, if the law will permit, he should continue beyond 2019, we do not have any regret for that. If you calculate kilometres of road constructed by previous administrations vis-a-vis that of Ibrahim Gaidam, you will agree with me that he has done excellently well and far more than what his predecessors did put together. “Look at the township roads in Potiskum, Gashua, Geidam, Nguru, Machina and Damaturu, the state capital, you will be convinced that Ibrahim Gaidam has fulfi lled more than he promised during his campaign ahead of the 2015 general election,” Ali said.
. A trail blazer For Engr. Umara Mustapha Goniri, GM, Rural Electrifi cation Board, Governor Gaidam has blazed the trail. Vox pop “His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam has done beyond expectations, look at the approval granted recently for construction of additional roads in the state capital just few weeks ago, work has commenced in earnest.
Also, the linking of some communities to national grid which was also approved, clearing of site has commenced which has created job opportunities to the youths in those areas. Gaidam is a man of his words, I wish him well and long life,” Goniri concluded. Shows concern even for animals To Mustapha Goggobe, Programme Manager, ADP, the governor is a leader that has concern for the well being of every resident. “
You can just imagine, all animals in the state, including those coming from Tchad, Niger Republic and Cameroon, he ordered for their vaccination free of charge to prevent any outbreak. He spends over N49million to provide the returning IDPs with farming implements and another N38 million for tractor repairs. He went extra miles in providing animal food supplements in addition to free fertiliser and land given to IDPs for farming. So, for us in the agricultural sector, we will continue to pray for him and wish him well in his political career and hope that he will sustain the tempo as he still has two more years ahead of him.
Health sector feels mire impact Also in his verdict, Dr. Muhammad Bello Kawuwa, the state Commissioner, Ministry of Health & Natural Resources, the state has greatly advanced in helath sector. According to him, “since creation of Yobe State, the health sector has been receiving the top most priority, but the recent ones done by Ibrahim Gaidam is a total transformation. Permit me to say, Yobe has become a health tourists centre. Th e facilities at Yobe State Teaching Hospital can compete with any hospital in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Th e Teaching Hospital has since started welcoming referrals cases across States of the federation.
“We have seen total transformation in the health sector during the administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam namely hospitals in Potiskum, Gashua, Geidam and Damaturu. Accident victims, children from 0-5 years and pregnant women get free medication. I tell you that’s wonderful.” Smooth executive/legislature relationship A state lawmaker, Hon. Bunu Zanna Bularaba, representing Gulani at the State House of Assembly, describes the governor as a winner. “In every game, you would like to identify yourself with a winner and every winner does not get his crown for nothing, he worked for it. So, when you hear people praising Gaidam, search and see, he did his best and all the projects are there on ground for everyone to see.
You need not to be told, especially, if you are in Yobe, that is the reason why you hardly hear Yobeans complaining in the media. Projects are there, salaries are paid regularly while pensions and gratuity have also been settled. In fact, the relationship between the executive and the legislature is cordial because due processes are always followed in the governance. What do we say then (Allah ya saka) God bless,” he added 5,000 motorised boreholes -RUWASA In his view, Muhammad A. Bukar, GM, RUWASA, says , “you as a journalist you have seen things for yourself, it is not a hearsay. Th e cheering news is everywhere as Governor Gaidam continues to beautify Damaturu, the state capital. He took over when the whole state capital had just a single roundabout but today, the town now boasts of fi ve roundabouts located along the four major roads of the town.” “Damaturu has never had it better than now as Governor Ibrahim Gaidam continues to add beauty to the town. Apart from constructing four major roundabouts, the major one in the heart of the town has also been given a facelift. Like we in the water sector, over 5,000 motorized, solar and hand pump boreholes were drilled, Gaidam will be remembered for his too numerous legacy after the tenure offi ce,” he added.
