“You can become blind by seeing each day as similar one. Each day is different one; each day brings a miracle of its own. It’s just a matter of paying attention to this miracle” — Paulo Cogh
One of the beauties of democracy is the freedom of expression that is why no one can stop one Lawal Kaugama for his article which appeared in some dailies in respect to Jigawa state government. When this present administration came to power in 2007, Jigawa was at the peak of political, social, economic and even mental degeneration. But within a short time the state has restored a new social life for the people by providing succours that change the social, economical and mental thinking of the people of the state.
Before the coming of Governor Lamidos led administration, just few days to expiration of Saminu Turaki’s tenure, Jigawa was sunk in stupendous financial recklessness and moral ineptitude that people began to wonder whether the state was governed by a sane person. You cannot imagine seeing the condition of our schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructures which were in total state of dilapidation. The case between EFCC and Saminu Turaki which is still before federal High Court Dutse is testimonies of the kind of embezzlement and damage done by the rampaging governor.
Well, there seems to be an oppressive tendencies of desperation, ingratitude, falsehood and deceit on the psyche of some people, like Lawan Kaugama, if not that, how can someone compare and extol Saminu’s tenure than that of Lamido and even accuse Lamido of foisting a successor on the people of Jigawa state? Let me remind Kaugma that, despite the so call monies distributed during Saminu Turaki era in the name of Financial Support (Kudin Kwati) to people, that didn’t wave the them from poverty, because, in 2007 jigawa state was ranked the poorest among its peers in the federation by Professor Chukuma Soludo’s led Central Bank. Also the state was either first or second on Maternal and Infant mortality rate index, there was massive students’ failure in SSCE and other exterminations conducted. However, all these challenges were reversed, owed to purposeful leadership led by Lamido. The entire populace is convinced that the political gladiators in the state if not in the region cannot produce a match to Lamido in terms of his ideologies, credentials and achievements.
Lawal’s assertion that, the 486 northerners arrested in Abia were mostly from Jigawa and it was the level of poverty that led them to go searching for better economic prospects, It is not true. The holistic approach of jigawa state government in tackling poverty is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria, because everyone with sense of history knew that the state hosted first ever Talakawa Summit in the country in 1998, the outcome was the presentadministration’s giant strides in the area of poverty alleviation for women, youth, and the physically challenged with the aim of improving and enriching their lives by making them more productive. The Harmonization of the exchange of ideas at the second Talakawa Summit of 2009 gave rise to the Skills Acquisition Programme and Empowerment Programmes. The state established Six Skills acquisition programme Centres in Kazaure, Birnin Kudu, Dutse, Hadejia and Gumel and equipped with state of the art teaching and learning tools, in these centres over 10,000 youths were trained a settlement tools and grant were provided for them.
It is gratifying to say the government also has embarked on construction of 24 more Skills acquisition centers which are on the finishing stages. In these centres, located across the state, Youths and eligible adults are trained in various aspects of skills, from carpentry, bricklaying, mechanical, electrical, craft, welding works, and sewing to hairdressing and catering – all vocations to offer them an opportunity to live a good working life and be empowered thereby with a means of livelihood even without a university education.
In fact, under the present administration’s rule, Social Security law was enacted, the first state to do such, this law gave a legal backing for payment of N7000 stipend to the most deprived layer in the society -Physically Challenged Persons. This program has brought a lot of succour to the society’s most vulnerable elements namely the blind, deaf, crippled and those afflicted by leprosy. As at today over 4, 107 are benefitting from across the 27 LGA’s of the state. Unlike what obtains in many states, these persons no longer roam the streets in Jigawa State begging for alms. Instead, with their basic needs largely taken care of, many of them have since become very productive members of the society.
For the establishment of State University which Lawan Kaugama opposed, any right thinking person, is aware of the centrality of Education to the socio- Economic live of any society. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia to mention but a few use education to emancipate their people from poverty. The government of Jigawa State saw wisdom in establishing its own university to allow more access of its indigenes to this importance sector because everybody knew that there are serious deficit in this area to an extent of more half of students who are eligible to gain admission into Nigerian universities haven’t had the opportunity annually. But, now with these stride more will have such golden opportunity to be enrolled.
Similarly, in the last seven years, Governor Lamido has transformed all sectors established schools, hospitals, roads, water Schemes etc, the people are now into economic activities and productive venture, there is prosperity in land, therefore the government is preparing state is for industrialisation, a such to make the state investor haven, there is need for facility like Airport in order to ease movement of goods and services in and out of the state. This will bring more prosperity and economic independence which as at today hitherto attached to Kano. So, all these efforts are geared toward improving the lives of Jigawa State people.
Lamido’s Political antecedence as great stalwart of the old PRP, the party with a unity of purpose, intense camaraderie, feverish party activity, sharp political focus and rigorous internal democracy are some of the elements that this PRP old timer and one of the PDP founding father stand for. And all he does are in consonance with these democratic tenets including aspiration, contesting and election.
Of cause, Lamido will leave office in 2015 with his experience, foresight, oversight and of course the wisdom of old age, who is to succeed him? That is the crucial and the biggest question in Jigawa politics coming up any moment from now. Imposing candidate will not be the criteria based on Lamido’s political ideologies. Sule’s assertion that, by August the candidate may emerge and that process will carry all the people along in this decision. Some people may not want to see a vigorous person who can hold the tempo in which the present administration tackles issues of development.
But how this will happen depends entirely on Sule Lamido as far as PDP is concerned, and for APC one cannot predict as the party is not yet on the ground to assess its activities. Sule Lamido is regarded as the strongest man in Jigawa politics will do everything possible to see a good and legitimate person emerge. Lamido should be commended, appreciated as the best administrator Jigawa ever had, an ancestor of politics and he should be given a breathing space because he has made a lot of sacrifices for Jigawa and the country at large. His contributions have re-united and re-awakened Nigeria which can never be quantified.
Finally, knowing the very nature and structure of our social, economic and political system which make it difficult if not impossible for our people to courageously tell the truth no matter how bitter it is. If not that how can we forget so soon how Saminu Turaki squandered public funds to an alarming point through wasteful or uncompleted projects, over inflation of contract, naked stealing, meaningless foreign trips, irreligious and un-holistic gifts and his unnecessary presidential campaign. If not because of Lamido and time heals who are they to come and talk about Jigawa? Please! Bear in mind that, you cannot solve our problems with the same thinking and approach you used when you created them
Adamu is Special Adviser to Jigawa state governor on Media.
