“Lead the change you want to see”
–Anonymous
Six months is too short to assess a government, but when a government shows signs of excellent performance, six months is a good time to assess it and offer suggestions. We maybe right that Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa state understands the problems he is up against including all necessary reforms. He should be reminded that, he will lead the state up to 2027 In-sha-Allah. We hope the confidence reposed in him by the people will be the motivating force in all his deliberations, programmes and activities, towards meaningful developments, which the people of Jigawa enjoyed in the previous administrations, especially that of Dr. Sule Lamido.
Governor Namadi’s stewardship so far has been characterised by expectations, criticisms, appraisals and all that. There are six priority areas of Malam Namadi identified for Jigawa which attracted many people’s attention. The first is education. The recruitment of new and more J-Power (J-Teach) staff and making or confirming the previous casual staff as permanent workers. The resuming of primary 1, JSS 1 and SS1 students in the first day of resumption in first term which in the past, it wasn’t like this, they resume in second term. The payment of teachers salary on the 25th of every month. The increments of school feeding allowance of boarders. Then the scholarship issue is also another extolling move, etc
The second is health sector. The revisiting/renewal of pregnant women and children under five years free medical package The employment of 2,000 health workers. The visitations to hospitals by the governor and other policies introduced to improve health care delivery are commendable. The third is employment and empowerment. The initiative in 2024 budget to create some ministries and government agencies like Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy Agency, Jigawa State Hisba Board (Establishment act already existing), Jigawa State Tsangaya Schools Management Board, Jigawa State Residence Identity Management Agency, Jigawa State Anti-Corruption Agency (Establishment act already existing) is proper and in the right direction. This will also lead to division of labour in work places it will reduce over workload and there will be efficiency and commitment among the staff and the leadership of all sectors. It will also create jobs and eradicate poverty.
Agriculture is the fourth. The provision of tractors, seedlings and the 40% subsidy on fertiliser is a commendable. Also, the technical and preventive measures to control flood are reassuring. The fifth is revisiting pension package. The sixth issue is farmers/herders conflict resolution. However lt is pertinent to use this avenue to make six appeals:
During his tenure, Governor Sule Lamido provided streetlights to the 27 Local government headquarters of the state which made them look like big cities and enhanced security of lives and properties in the towns. The lights also motivated the people to carry out their businesses, events and ceremonies and move freely at all times even during rain and Boko Haram’s activities without any fear of intimidation, victimization, humiliation, deprivation and attack. But even before the coming of this administration, the streetlights in some places like my home town, Kafin-Hausa, have been epileptic. We urge Malam Namadi to look at that aspect add provide more solar light as former Governor Abubakar Badaru did (started).
The second is on agriculture. As this government shows commitment to agriculture, we hope that farmers in the state will continue to enjoy maximum support in crop production, including the use of mechanised farming. This will encourage livestock farming which will go a long way to reduce or stop farmers/ herders clashes.
Third is health sector. We hope the governor will continue to look at health sector which is very important, as he promises more clinics/hospitals would be built for us while existing ones t
would be renovated. We hope all will be maintained with adequate equipment, drugs and qualified and sufficient medical staff with their incentives given or paid promptly. How we wish his excellency will revisit the Haifuwa Lafiya scheme.
Fourth is social security
(a) Allowance: There was an allowance which was given monthly to the physically challenged persons across the state. 100 people were selected from the 27 L.G.As of the state based on merit, their high degree of challenges and old age which a stipend was paid to them. So, there is a need to revisit and review the package and probably increase the number of the beneficiaries and also to replace those who died.
(b) Windmills:
These are over 50 modernized solar water pumps fixed or constructed across the state in the bushes during Lamido’s tenure which provide drinking water for animals of the herdsmen and other citizens during dry season. But closer observation has shown that, most if not all are not working/functioning now. Please do something urgent about this issue.
(c) Towns and streets encroachment:
In some major towns in the state, encroaching streets, path and ways by people to expand their houses and business places are very common and spreading all over the state which makes the towns look tiny, congested and overcrowd. The state government should revisit the township planning act, instruct LGA chairmen with the collaboration of security agencies, traditional rulers and community associations to report, stop and arrest anybody with this act and also religious leaders should be intimated to engage in preaching by bringing out the consequences of land encroachment based on religious perspective.
Number five is unemployment. It is a serious menace in the state. Many youth (graduates) are roaming the street, willing and ready to work but do not have work to do. Even the empowerment/employment programme (J-Power or J-Teach) was not properly implement because proper modalities of its actualization and stability is lingering since its formation in the previous administration.
Governor Namadi administration should give serious attention to the state varsity. (Sule Lamido University, Kafin-Hausa) because the is a great need to build or establish more faculties/departments most especially that of medicine in the varsity to reduce or stop sending Jigawa indigenes abroad to study medicine and other courses in order to save cost and improve the varsity which will go a long way to attract or get more income for the state in which non indigenes can come there to study various courses of their choice because Jigawa state is one if not the safest, secured and affordable state in the country. And the varsity has many facilities on ground that can attract everyone as student or as a staff to live there which it can also compete with many if not all Nigerian universities. So, there is need for the governor to do something urgently in the varsity in order to move the varsity and the state forward.
Sixth appeal. You should welcome criticisms, opposition and problems that come your way. It is good to continue to be honest, faithful and dedicated to accountability and transparent as the focus of your government. We still appeal to Malam Umar to be on the lookout, because there are certain groups of people who want to sabotage his effort, advice him on unpopular policies, disorganise the state and people, create enmity, hatred, and encourage envy, hostility. You should do everything possible to have a peaceful, united and a progressive Jigawa.
Remember, united we stand divided we fall. And coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress while working/living together in peace is a success and we want you to be successful. We want to also remind Governor Namadi to know that, one of the major factors that made the previous administrations successful was their good relationship with the state legislature, the advice from the traditional institutions, the elders and the Ulama, etc. The Jigawa people are praying and hopeful of sustaining this good start by Governor Namadi. May Allah help and guide our leaders aright.
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa state.
