Gov Namadi’s one year of dramatic infrastructural revolution in Jigawa State
By Aliyu Maigida Sauwwan
The best nature’s gift to any community or organization is having an astute, polyvalent, egalitarian and down-to-earth political leader who gives of his time, talent, comfort and reputation to charitable causes.
A good political leader who typically possesses the combination of qualities including the ability to develop and articulate a clear and compelling vision for the future of his people, a leader with strong moral principles and ethics, demonstrated through transparent and honest decision –making process and his ability to navigate complex challenges and landmines, adapt to changing circumstances, and bounced back from setbacks.
With these traits and characteristics, an inference could be indisputably drawn or rather an appraisal be made to the glaring facts that Jigawa state is today among, if not the luckiest states in the whole country endowed with such a democratically elected leader who builds trust, inspires confidence, and effectively serves the good people of the state without contempt or disdain.
I owe it a duty as a bonafide indigene of the NEW WORLD to categorically and without mincing words to mention here that Governor Mal. Umar A. Namadi is running government that is characterized by the due process of checks and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial arms of the government.
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The dutiful and ever transparent governor believe in an open door policy of governance. This he practically and conspicuously demonstrated in his quest toward prevention of abuse of power and the Democratic decision making processes, access to information by deploying the mechanisms for holding public officials accountable; emergence of strong, overhauled public institutions that serve the public interest; as well as effective and efficient public service that provide full access to qualitative and efficient services, like education, healthcare, and social welfare.
The ‘OPTIMISTIC AND RESILIENT’ people of Jigawa state had availed themselves with a unique opportunity of having a LEGEND like ‘PHRYGIAN KING’ who is given the power of turning everything he touches to gold.
Such endowments are conspicuous in the character and the characteristics of governor Danmodi, a political juggernaut, a man of timber and caliber and a political CRUSADER, very courageous and dynamic politician with glaring difference which surpasses his equals.
Governor Danmodi’s ‘Midas TOUCH’ in Jigawa state is a clear testimony of his political polymorphism, polyvalence and benevolence. It is known by all and sundry that he has an unblemished reputation of honesty, SCRUPULOSNESS AND SAGACIOUS disposition which proved to be his guiding attributes geared towards liberalising and emancipation of Jigawa people from the psychosomatic torments they suffered prior to his foray into the exalted office of the executive governor of Jigawa State.
Let me, ipso facto, graphically outline some of the laudable achievements recorded by the Governor Danmodi administration within one EPOCHAL year of governance.
Governor Danmodi’s obsession about the general health of his people is something that one cannot easily overlooked or disregard, hook, line and sinker. Our governor attends to all health issues remonstrated to him passionately. He addresses the scourge of manpower shortages in the health sector by offering permanent and pensionable appointment to casual members of staff serving in J – Health programme, amounting to about two thousand qualified youths of Jigawa extraction, coupled with the sponsorship and automatic employment of all qualified doctors, Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, and Nurses and Midwives who are Jigawa state indigenes from all the colleges of Nursing Sciences in the state. Most interestingly, plans are underway for the development of the permanent site for the College of Nursing Sciences, Hadejia, as well as the establishment of school of Midwifery on the same campus.
This giant stride will, in no small measure, combat manpower deficiency in our health sector. And for the first time in history, N1 billion was earmarked for the general care of the elderly persons in the state, in order for them to live comfortably, safely, and with dignity.
The appointment of Dr (Alh) Abdullahi Muhammed Kainuwa as the Commissioner for Health is a step in the right direction because Kainuwa is a round peg in a round hole. He is an international icon with vast experience in health politics and administration. The way and manner Jigawa state health sector is being transformed and sanitized by the Commissioner is worthy of commendation. He uses his past knowledge about the ministry of Health MOH in reforming and reshaping the ministry to restore its lost glory, credibility and reputation.
He is the kind of politician who promptly addresses concerns and needs, and prioritizes the public interest over personal gain.
The Jigawa state education sector is one area that has recorded gigantic achievements within the one year of Governor Danmodi’s administration under review. His education reform aims to create an inclusive, equitable, and quality education system that that prepares Jigawa state citizens for active participation in democratic society.
Notably, we have started witnessing an educational policy that ensures teacher autonomy and professional development through encouraging teacher creativity, collaboration, and ongoing training to stay updated on best practices. Our primary, secondary and tertiary education systems have qualitatively and gainfully improved within the year under review through timely recruitment of additional teachers, provision of instructional materials, infrastructural renewal, adequate provision of funds for research activities and emergence of more training programmes for teachers. Danmodi Education Change Agenda Policy is implemented fully to ensure universal coverage across our educational institutions.
This policy alone is ensuring equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or ability, with targeted support for disadvantaged groups. With this in mind, our Jigawa youths are currently studying in various countries across the world including Cyprus and India, in order for them to gain real – world experience to become better citizens in future.
At this juncture, I must commend the Hon Commissioner for higher education, Dr Isah Yusuf Chamo, because he is the pacemaker of this educational development. Apart from sustaining the present drive of infrastructural renewal in all our tertiary institutions, Dr Chamo is also ensuring that all programmes (including new ones) are fully accredited by relevant statutory agencies.
Furthermore, Dr Chamo is the brain behind the extermination of mismanagement and misappropriation of human and material resources in our tertiary institutions in the state, thereby creating an enabling environment to enhance teaching and learning process, with adequate provision of instructional materials. This great but herculean task is a tribute to his ingenuity.
The state universal basic education has also robustly gained some modest achievements within the past 365 days of Governor Danmodi administration. In the recent past, more than 3,233 J – Teach workers were converted to permanent and pensionable staff following series of scrutiny by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). In the same vein, more than 10,000 primary pupils benefitted from free uniforms and some writing materials across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Professor Haruna Musa is the figure championing the successes of his organization, vis-à-vis his titanic experiences as an educationist. The policy of encouraging Urban to Rural Movement of Teachers through the Rural Teacher Incentive Programme has taken up perfectly and efficiently as a considerable number of interested teachers have shifted to rural areas along with their social amenities and rural allowances to make them feel homely and comfortable in their places of work. Education for life skills programme was also delivered or adopted by Danmodi administration when it came on board that targeted all primary and secondary schools in the state for the acquisition of technical and vocational training, being part of the Jigawa state Human Capital Development Drive.
So far, preparations for the take up of this programme have reached more than 90% completion in the majority of our schools and teachers are receiving training, capacity building and motivation to enhance their efficiency, competence and resourcefulness.
Revamping agricultural production in the state through the expansion and sustenance of CLUSTER FARMING and funds and fertilizer allocation to small and medium scale farmers is a giant stride born and supported by the magnificent effort of Danmodi administration.
Significant number of Farmers’ Associations across Jigawa state are beneficiaries of this scheme consequent upon which the state, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, now produces 5,854.8 metric tonnes of wheat (17.69%), which places it in the second position of wheat producing states after KANO STATE in this country. Prompt implementation of Farm Security Plan by this government has ensured security of farms and make farmlands safer and accessible for all farmers for food production.
His Excellency should also be applauded for reserving or safeguarding our forests for animal grazing against any illegal encroachment by some bad elements in our societies. Danmodi agricultural transformation agenda has taken up with full force within the last one year which led to maximum land utilization for irrigational facilities in the state.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning the fact that only valorous and LIONHEARTED leader embraces ‘CONTINUITY OF INHERITED PROJECTS’ to be a vehicle for transformation and one unique way of wastage minimization. To buttress my point, Gov. Danmodi has continued with the road network projects he inherited from the previous government, most of which were handed over at about 5% completion. Within the one year under review, such inherited roads have reached over 70 – 80% completion and they include Buji – Gantsa – Sara road, Sule tankarkar – Amanga – Maitsamiya – Jigawar Dan’ali road, Darai – Gilima road, Maigatari – Dangwanki road, Kiyawa – Jahun – Hantsu road rehabilitation, to mention but a few.
Rural/urban solarisation project with solar components is one area observed to have recorded gargantuan achievements within one year of Danmodi democratic governance. Fully completed solarisation projects include Fanisau – Pentagon dual carriage way, about nine places in Dutse metropolis, Insha ruwa village in Babura LGA, Salori in Garki LGA, and Jawo in B/kudu LGA. It is fascinating to have quoted the Hon Commissioner of Works and Transport, Hon Gambo S. Malam, as saying ‘forty-two roads have been awarded for construction sizing about 800kms across the state’, in order for Jigawa to maintain its first position in road networks in Nigeria.
Jigawa State Youth Empowerment/Employment Agency (JISYEEA) was established last year to empower our youths with essential skills, opportunities, and resources, with a view to combating hooliganism and insolent behaviours among Jigawa youths through meaningful employment and skills acquisition. This difficult task is entrusted to a very strong, vibrant and proactive youth in the person of Dr Habib Ubale Kanya, as the Director General of the Agency. With him leading the journey of empowerment, more than 20119 youths have been empowered so far, and more than 2418 have received training on various capacities including solar installation, ICT programmes, tricycle empowerment, etc.
Also, the Danmodi-led administration entrenches a mechanism of ‘RESOLUTENESS AND CAUTIOUSNESS’ on assumption of office, which in turn has reaffirmed his principle of efficiency and zero tolerance for misappropriation of funds or outright embezzlement. The economic PARASITES are seriously ALLERGIC to this because there is no grazing ground for them.
In order to make life more meaningful and more sanctimonious for civil servants working in Jigawa state, Gov. Danmodi’s dividends of democracy were extended to them through payment of palliative and provision of thousands of bags of rice during the last Ramadan fasting. Such philanthropic gesture was made through the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), and interestingly, colossal number of workers were seen flying with several bags of rice to their respective homes in a happy mood.
I must also hail Governor Namadi for maintaining a vibrant STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY(SEMA) in the state through adequate funding for philanthropic assistance to victims of flooding, fire outbreaks, building collapse, and other natural or artificial disasters happening from time to time in the state. The SEMA boss (Dr Haruna Mairiga) is indeed a man of similar tastes and dispositions with the governor, vis –a-vis his timely interventions in all reported cases of catastrophe.
Most interestingly as well is rather an indefatigable fact that workers in the state continue to enjoy prompt payment of monthly salaries and other emoluments, which is not obtainable in many states of the federation. A worker in Jigawa state does not know the terrible agonies and trepidations of delayed payment of salaries or non-payment at all. ANOTHER SCENE OF HILARITY here is the governor’s alacrity in the implementation of the age-long agitated N615,000 Minimum wage as soon as it is approved by the federal government.
In a significant move to alleviate the housing shortage in Jigawa state, the Executive Council has approved a 6billion naira project aimed at constructing 1,500 housing units across various locations. This was made known by the Hon Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Alh Sagir Musa in the last four months. He further disclosed that the funds would be used to support the development of three-bedroom standalone and two-bedroom semi-detached flats.
This is in line with Governor Umar Namadi’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible housing for the residents. Every Jigawa resident is a living witness that this housing scheme was launched by HE Governor Umar Namadi in Dutse, and construction works have reached appreciable status in our various local government headquarters in the state. To be more precise, the housing initiative is strategically distributed, with 600 units earmarked for Dutse, 200 for Hadejia, and 100 for each of Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim, and Birnin kudu local government areas. Babura and Kafin Hausa LGAs were set to receive 150 units each, addressing the pressing need for accommodation in these areas. This singular effort is highly commendable and is crucial step in the right direction in realizing the state’s vision of providing quality housing for its citizens.
Maintenance of peaceful political atmosphere and civic tranquillity, as well as observance of the rule of law in the polity also holds me spellbound. Opposition parties have freedom of expression without intimidation from the government.
One good thing I foresaw in JIGAWA STATE AND ITS PEOPLE is that ‘WE ARE LOVED BY GOD AL- MIGHTY ALLAH’, because He is always coming to our favour or rescue by blessing us with reliable, credible God – fearing, industrious, patriotic and credible leaders in every political dispensation. Governor Umar Namadi is blessed with one important attribute which not everybody is aware of, that is, his religious orientation and trustworthiness in character. This is what makes him more outstanding among his political counterparts. He does not have ‘AFRICAN TIME IN HIS CALENDAR’, HIGHLY EDUCATED BUSINESSMAN AND POLITICIAN WITH PROVEN INTEGRITY AND EGALITARIANISM. Let me be bold and audacious to mention here that if he succeeds, it is Jigawa that succeeds because it will benefit more from democracy than his person.
In conclusion, let me emphasize that democracy thrives better where good governance is the rule not exception, and when the citizens are positively influenced by government, confidence and legitimacy on that government significantly increase, which is a key ingredient of democracy. I am of the conviction and firm belief that governance is more about meeting the needs of the people in an on-going basis. This is what prompted me as an individual to appreciate the good deeds done to us in the state. My clarion call is that all hands must be on deck to ensure overwhelming success of DANMODI government so that we can continue to have uninterrupted dividends of democracy forever.
Aliyu Maigida Sauwwan is a public affairs commentator