Jigawa: An X-ray of Gov.Namadi’s giant strides in first 100 days
By: Sani Abubakar
Jigawa like 28 other states that swore in new governors on 29th May, 2023 would have been hoping for their leaders to turn out better than most. In a nation where some leaders do not account to the people, no one can blame Nigerians for keeping their eyes peeled. And although, the first three or so months of a four year’s journey may be considered not enough period for an in-depth inquest, Nigerians nonetheless take a very serious visage of the first 100 days in office. After all, the Hausa saying that a Friday that will turn out good begins to show itself on Thursday’ has never failed to serve as the basis for serious caution or high expectations.
As a very passionate indigene of Jigawa, I must confess that I also reigned in my enthusiasm, and who will blame me. However, having lived through his excellency Governor Umar Namadi’s first three months, I can now say confidently and without any fear of contradiction that if the man continues as he has started, the people of Jigawa will end up having the best dividends of democracy.
For Nigerians outside Dutse, this bold assertion may come off as preposterous, but I won’t care. I have seen enough to convince myself that, for the first time in a long while, the leadership of Jigawa state is in the hands of a capable and really passionate pilot who knows exactly where Jigawa needs to be taken to.
Although I have set out to retrace the governor’s steps since his swearing in, let me warn that the beacons I will be touching on are by no means exhaustive. As a purist, my focus perhaps may be different from that of others who may prefer quick actions. Therefore, any attempt to engage with this piece using the typical Nigerian “sharp – sharp” medicine approach will completely derail from the intendment of the piece.
My interest in Jigawa’s journey under governor Mallam Umaru Namadi’s stewardship got piqued when he started entering into strategic partnerships with strategic knowledge-based agencies for the building and upskilling of the capacity of Jigawa people with in-demand skills. I followed his engagement with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) very keenly and I can’t but be impressed with his frank take on the importance of such agencies towards changing the fortunes of a people.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ITF, Governor Namadi posited that “the security challenges, disturbances, and other social vices (bedevilling the nation) are products of poverty and unemployment, and maintained that, with emphasis on skills training and empowerment, the narrative can be changed for good. I can’t agree less. Indeed, this move was in keeping faith with one of his 12-point agenda which aims at upskilling youths to become self-sufficient. This initiative has seen to the training and equipping of over 5000 youths all in this first 100 days period. Amazing! Imagine how many more will be upskilled in four years!
Another engagement I found really timely was with Medecine Sans Frontiers (MSF) otherwise known as doctors without borders. In that meeting with MSF, governor Namadi reiterated the state government’s commitment to its 15 years long partnership with the International NGO which has culminated in the construction of a world class Clinic in Jahun LGA that has positively impacted the provision of quality medical services, while playing the role of an internationally acclaimed medical training institution.
Then he hosted the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on a thank you visit with respect to a piece of land that the state government had allocated to it. In that meeting, the zonal manager informed the governor that the land will be used towards the construction of a Halal standard Lab, the first in the country.
Without making it too obvious, the common denominator for all these engagements is knowledge. This fuses seamlessly with the governor’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy, one anchored on innovation and leveraged on Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Of Mallam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda, pursuing a knowledge-based economy makes the most sense considering the states very young population. In this endeavour, the commitment of the state government to reviving the Maigatari Export Processing zone is also a major milestone. An agreement with the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Agency has recently been reached. The plan is to turn the MEP zone to a potent economic weapon for IGR generation and youth employment.
There’s excitement in the Agricultural sector as well. Besides the empanelling of a 20-man committee to check incessant farmers – herders clashes that has been hampering full productivity, farmers have started enjoying a 40% rebate on the prices of fertilizer. This is in addition to the construction of 100 kilometres long embarkment to combat floods that have been eating deep into both residents and farmlands.
Then comes education where I know that efforts are well underway to recruit so many teachers to close the deficit in the system. The governor has also committed to reviewing the Tsangaya education system, to reintegrate it into the formal system in order to make the system very productive. This is in addition to the recent upgrading of the state’s College of Health among several initiatives like the resuscitation of 7 skills acquisition centers spread all over state.
For those who want the sharp – sharp turnaround, over 1000 women and youths have been empowered with a minimum of fifty thousand Naira each to engage in Businesses for which they have been sufficiently trained to undertake. Over ₦5 billion has also been expended towards cushioning the adverse effects of fuel subsidy removal even as the pension and gratuity of pensioners has been offset to the tone of ₦2 billion.
A careful review of governor Namadi’s blueprints so far will reveal a systematic focus on the six sectors of education, agriculture, healthcare, employment, revenue generation and welfare. This covers the governor’s 12 points all-encompassing plan that cuts across major sectors that directly impact the lives and economy of the people of Jigawa State, such as agriculture, education, health, employment, information and communication technology, and environmental issues.
According to the governor, this comprehensive plan lays out his vision for sustainable economic growth, modern, efficient, and profitable agriculture, youth empowerment, employment, and productivity, an improved quality education system, an innovative, accessible, and affordable health care system, a comprehensive social security arrangement, as well as an enhanced security system. It is perhaps a testament to this commitment that the state governor has appointed 6 technical advisers to man the critical sectors of health, education, agriculture, environment, power and renewable energy, information and communication technology (ICT), and the digital economy.
It’s no surprise then that the Governor has set himself and the people of Jigawa the bold vision of minting at least 150 new millionaires before his four years run down. While people may look at the quick fixes and empowerments as the path to this audacious endeavour, I believe the real path to reaching that milestone is true knowledge. These first 100 days have shown just how the governor is mainstreaming a knowledge-based economy leveraging on modern tools that offer possibilities never before imagined. These 100 days have given us a peep into the future of Jigawa and it’s beautiful to behold…
