By Yusuf Suleiman
“If there was a fourth term, Lamido should have been asked to run… The Dutse International Airport is one of the best if not the best in this part of world…” – Sultan Abubakar III, Dutse, September 6, 2014
Barely eight months to the end of Governor (Dr) Sule Lamido’s tenure, the governor has added another feather to his cap. September 6, 2014 would remain indelible in the history of Jigawa state. It is the day the 2014 airlift of pilgrims from the newly built Dutse International Airport was inaugurated. The relative calm and scenic atmosphere of Dutse was checked with the throng of eminent personalities from within and outside the state to witness the historic event. All roads leading to the airport was jam-packed. Among them were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nurudeen Muhammad, Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar, Shehu of Borno and the Emirs of Kano, Hadejia, Suleja, Ringim, Funai, Daura, Kazaure, Gumel, Kaltungo, Maradun and the Oba of Lagos and this year’s National Amirul Hajj Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale.
As somebody who is been working in the governor’s office since 2007, the mammoth crowd reminded me of Governor Lamido’s maiden promise of airlift of Jigawa state pilgrims from Dutse International Airport last year. Though some that time thought it was a rhetoric or political statement that is unrealistic, I held the statement that very firmly knowing fully the pedigree and character of the man Sule Lamido. Let me say that for benefit of those who are not following Jigawa events; this is a man whose declarations are concrete and realistic. He built the best state secretariat in Nigeria, best NYSC orientation camp, best high court complex, built the best road network, of cumulative distance of over 1500 Kms, best college of nursing and midwifery, best rally ground named Aminu Kano Triangle, best television and radio stations, best local government secretariat, best school for gifted, and is building best state university at Kafin Hausa, best residences and offices of deputy governor, speaker and deputy speaker, local government chairmen, chief judge and grand khadi, best housing estate for civil servants, and best emirs’ lodges. In fact, best has become a household name in Jigawa and Lamido’s second name.
Dutse International Airport was completed in less two years of conception and turned out to be best. The project which began on October 5, 2012 after ground breaking ceremony by President Goodluck Jonathan has recorded tremendous success and it is been recorded as the best and fastest airport project in Nigeria. The solid structures of Dutse Airport were built on five kilometres radius piece of land. at 10. 4 kilometres distance northwest from Dutse town. Architecturally beautiful, the airport is strategically sited to connect Jigawa state with the rest of the world. The N13 billion edifice compares with any modern structure in the world. The terminal building, tarmac and runway, seven-storey control tower, fire service station, apron and car park and access roads, arrival, departure, protocol sections fully air conditioned are masterpieces and pride to all Nigerians. The 3000 by 60 meters runway tarmac constructed with careful attention to quality is the best global standard as attested by the German pilot Capt. Ripp Christian who led 3-member crew to inaugural flight of Dutse Airport on October 5,2013. He said, “I have gone round most of the airports in Nigeria but I have never had as smoothest runway as this one. It is of international standard”.
On Security, the airport is fully fenced. There are three brand new fire trucks of category 9 standard (basic requirements for the landing of 747-400 series aircraft) with intimidating feature and combined water stock of 37,500 litres, the first of its kind in Nigeria, stationed for emergency. Body scan machines, conveyer belt, the high resolutions Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) which records movements in the whole of the airport sections are all being installed and functional.
Similarly, the state-of-art air navigation equipment, doppler, the voice communication and control system (VCCS) and the conventional very high frequency omnidirectional radio range (CVOR) housed in the 7- storey control tower establishes communication from all direction with aircraft at the distance of 180 nautical miles from the Dutse International Airport. The CVOR is the latest best air navigational equipment in the world manufactured by Thales. The airport’s landing aid instruments: Localiser which guide the aircraft to centre of the tarmac, the glide slope that provides glide angle, the distance measuring equipment(DME) and non directional beacon were all artistically and carefully installed to give pilots and passengers a pleasant experience while landing at Dutse International Airport. Pundits on air navigation attest that the facilities at Dutse International Airport are the best in Nigeria. So, fly to joy that pleasant experience of our airport and other facilities. There are numerous opportunities in Jigawa.
Sule Lamido’s remarkable achievements in Jigawa state underscore his determination and dedication to any project he embarks on. It is not surprising the phenomenal transformation of Jigawa state under eight years has left many, especially those familiar with development challenges, guessing on the secret behind the success. Lamido left all Nigerians and non-Nigerians, who visited the state gaping, wondering how he was able to do so much despite the lean resources of the state. This is why the state has now become a theatre for visitors from within and outside the country to take the advantage of its numerous investment potentials.
Jigawa state, once said to be the most backward and grappling with so many challenges, is now being transformed. The state is now moved from obscurity to limelight, from degeneration to regeneration, from being the last to becoming the first. The state has now found its bearings; excellence has now broken through the state. The answer to the magic is found in the way the people at the helm of affairs in the state think; at the head of this think tank is Dr Sule Lamido.
Suleiman is an editorial and media relation officer, Government House, Dutse, Jigawa state.
