The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jigawa

  • INEC declares APC’s Badaru winner in Jigawa

    INEC declares APC’s Badaru winner in Jigawa

    The All Progressoves Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mohammadu Badaru has been declared winner of the gubernatorial election Jigawa State.

    He defeated his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent, Mallam Aminu Ringim by 648,045 in 23 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the State to 479,447 in four LGs.

    Collation Officer, Prof James Ayatse made the declaration early Monday morning following the completion of collation of results from the 27 LGAs.

    The incumbent governor, Sule Lamido, who is serving his second term lost in his Birni kudu LGA, as APC had the upper hand with 45,258 votes to PDP’s 31,166 votes.

    PDP gubernatorial candidate, Malam Aminu Ringim had a slim victory with 32,861 over his APC opponent, Mohammadu Badaru, who had 30,984 in Ringim LGA.

    Badaru however defeated his opponents with a wide of margin of 36,911 votes to PDP’s 18,542 votes his Babura Local Governments Area.

    The break down of the governorship result is as follow:

    Roni
    PDP 9,882
    APC 15,273

    Gagarawa
    PDP 11,696
    APC 12,382

    Kiyawa
    PDP 22,818
    APC 22,628

    Gwaram
    PDP 29,378
    APC 38,655

    Hadejia
    PDP 5,798
    APC 28,143

    Babura
    PDP 18,542
    APC 36,911
    Total registered 85,825
    Accredited 59,884
    Total valid 55,616
    Total cast 57,288

    Auyo
    PDP 18,081
    APC 19,254
    Total registered 57,017
    Accredited 39,469
    Total valid 37403
    Total cast 38,105

    Buji
    PDP 17,220
    APC 13,570
    Total registered 46,183
    Accredited 32,913
    Total valid 30, 884
    Total cast 31,690

    Gumel
    PDP 6,197
    APC 19,921
    Total registered 43,700
    Accredited 27,951
    Total valid 26,222
    Total cast 26,788

    Miga
    PDP 13,531
    APC 20,993

    Gwiwa
    PDP 15,842
    APC 13,547
    Total registered 47,272
    Total accredited 31,420
    Total valid 29,417
    Total cast 29,900

    Taura
    PDP 18,912
    APC 24,448
    Total registered 65,515
    Total accredited 47,268
    Total valid 43,474
    Total cast 44,670

    Kafin Hausa
    PDP 25,983
    APC 33,045
    Total registered 95,693
    Total accredited 63,472
    Total valid 59,203
    Total cast 60, 963

    Ringim
    PDP 32,861
    APC 30,984
    Total registered 97,197
    Total accredited 68,952
    Total Vaud 63,936
    Total cast 65,481

    Dutse
    PDP 24, 462
    APC 38, 437
    Total registered 115,664
    Total accredited 67,951
    Total valid 63,131
    Total cast 65, 170

    Birni Kudu
    PDP 31,166
    APC 45,258
    Total registered 130,312
    Total accredited 80,420
    Total valid 76,713
    Total cast 79,208

    Jahun
    PDP 26,563
    APC 29,285
    Total registered 88,129
    Total accredited 59,262
    Total valid 55,953
    Total cast 56,974

    Malam Madori
    PDP 14,485
    APC 25,458
    Total registered 64,618
    Total accredited 42,532
    Total valid 40,013
    Totalcast 40,969

    Kiri Kasamma
    PDP 16,931
    APC 19, 659
    Total registered
    Total accredited
    Total valid
    Total cast

    Yankwashi
    PDP 6,393
    APC 12,089
    Total registered 31,538
    Total accredited 20,789
    Total valid 18,540
    Total cast 19,249

    Kaugama
    PDP 14, 403
    APC 23,737
    Total registered 61,006
    Total accredited 40,617
    Total valid 38,247
    Total cast 39,385

    Kazaure
    PDP 7,004
    APC 24, 828
    Total registered 59,945
    Total accredited 35,334
    Total valid 32,355
    Total cast 33,497

    Guri
    PDP 13,898
    APC 15,343
    Total registered 47, 571
    Total accredited 31,075
    Total valid 29,257
    Total cast 29,730

    Maigatari
    PDP 18,242
    APC 20,649
    Total registered 57563
    Total accredited 41,104
    Total valid 44512
    Total cast 39,846

    Sule Tankarkar
    PDP 19,863
    APC 23,964
    Total registered 68,301
    Total accredited 48,136
    Total valid 43,922
    Total cast 45,662

    Garki
    PDP 22,458
    APC 27,161
    Total registered 72,149
    Total accredited 53,957
    Total valid 49,704
    Total cast 50,549

    Birniwa
    PDP 16,838
    APC 22,423
    Total registered 62,288
    Total accredited 40,850
    Total valid 39,347
    Total cast 39,961

    Kirika Samma
    PDP 16,931
    APC 19,659
    Total registered 59,540
    Total accredited 38,546
    Total valid 36,646
    Total cast 37,178

  • APC wins in Jigawa

    APC wins in Jigawa

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the three senatorial seats in Jigawa State.

    The party’s standard-bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, won the presidential election in the state.

    Declaring the presidential election result, the Returning Officer, Prof. James Ayatsa, vice chancellor of the Federal University, Katsina, said Gen. Buhari polled 885,988, while President Goodluck Jonathan scored 143,904.

  • APC wins Jigawa elections

    APC wins Jigawa elections

    ALL Progressive Congress (APC) has won all the three Senatorial seats contested in last Saturday general election in Jigawa state.

    The APC’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election in the state.

    Declaring the presidential election result, the returning officer – Professor James Ayatsa – who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Katsina, announced that General Buhari scored 885, 988 while President Goodluck Jonathan scored 143, 904 votes.

  • Sule Lamido and the Jigawa narrative

    Sule Lamido and the Jigawa narrative

    ON May 29, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido will bow out of office after eight years of compelling stewardship. Navigating with an old school discipline and the panache of a 21st Century diplomat, this Bamaina-born visionary from Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state has simply proven that when human resolve is wedded to genuine vision, critical transformation of the human condition occurs. For Jigawa State this is what Governor Lamido has done.

    What is the inaugural vision behind this transformation? The state’s chief helmsman captures it succinctly: “To create a secure and just society full of opportunities where the people are sufficiently empowered to participate in decisions and processes that affect their lives with an enabling environment for sustainable growth and development.” Against this backdrop it was perhaps not surprising what he achieved.

    Tracking back, on May 29, 2011, Governor Lamido spoke to his beloved Jigawa citizens during his second-term swearing in ceremony at the Mallam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, a structure he built in honour of the “Talakawa Struggle”. His words: “Exactly four years ago on May 29, 2007, I stood at this very ground though not in this shape and form and took the Oath of Office as the Governor of Jigawa State. That was after being formally sworn-in to run the affairs of what I then described as “uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment called Jigawa State’’.

    “I then went on to narrate the ‘’utter difficulty of deciding which of the many nightmares of the common people could be consigned into the dustbin of history’ arising from this case of underdevelopment. I also stated the ideological framework by which I was going to confront this underdevelopment in a way that could satisfy the yearnings of the vast majority of our people whom poverty and misery have reduced to conditions unworthy of human beings.

    “That is the ideological framework which defined the Talakawa struggle founded and led by the late Mallam Aminu Kano. This ideology simply means democratising love, care and compassion so as to benchmark humanity in terms of diginity and respect.”

    Unhesitating with his gift of speaking with alarming frankness when the situation demanded, Dr. Lamido described the Jigawa he inherited from his predecessor as a “uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment called Jigawa State’’. Eight years on the saddle, Governor Lamido has fundamentally rewritten the development script of his state.

    From the outset, Governor Lamido targeted seven priority arenas: education, health, agriculture, economic empowerment, water, infrastructure and public accountability. The conceptual clarity of his governance approach and ideological framework were game-changers.

    With these he was able to confront Jigawa’s alarming underdevelopment in a way that was satisfactory to the yearnings of the vast majority of his constituents.

    Perhaps his erstwhile portfolio as foreign affairs minister exposed Governor Lamido to the deeper meaning of education in the 21st Century and he made a particularly intensive effort in this critical theatre to change his home state. The disheartening cow sheds that passed for class rooms were immediately destroyed and mint new spaces for imparting education were erected. In his first term he constructed 1,061 classrooms across the state and purchased 62,981 classroom furniture.

    Out of the 779 dilapidated schools he inherited in 2007, Lamido’s administration renovated and restored 648 to full standard and equipped most of their laboratories to WAEC standard. He also established 21 new Junior Secondary Schools primary schools. Turning to nomadic education he constructed 216 nomadic schools across the state approved 64 schools and the renovation of 27 others, projects tackled with gusto during his final term. A total of 600 teachers have received various training for this purpose and he also initiated a scholarship scheme for 100 best students in the sciences every year to overseas universities.

    Perhaps the high point of his education sector accomplishments was the building of the Jigawa State University which has already impressively set sail. In Jigawa’s Health sector, statistics in 2007 showed that Jigawa State had the highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the country and hospitals and other health institutions were simply imaginary structures.

    At press time, Governor Lamido has developed an effective and impressive health care system under the Gunduma Health Care system with a bottom-up approach from primary health care to the secondary and the tertiary. The Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, the most modern hospital in Nigeria stands in testimony of this.

    Jigawa State today offers free maternal services covering delivery and the child’s life up to the age of five.

    An agrarian society, in Jigawa agric accounts for over 90 per cent of its peoples’ preoccupation but the old fashioned way. The introduction of improved and high yielding seeds, subsidized tractor prices/hiring, loans facilities for work bull and appliances, farm extension services, crop fumigation and aerial spray against pest, opening of Fadama irrigation in suitable local governments for the youths and government’s purchase of excess harvest as incentive to grow more led to dramatic improvements in the sector.

    His innovative economic empowerment policy led to the construction/reactivation and equipment of six skills acquisition centres in Birnin Kudu, Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, Ringim and Kazaure to train Jigawa’s youth in various trades and services, ranging from shoe making, cell phone repairs, chalk making, paint making, photography, tailoring, horse decoration, plumbing, mechanics and other such skills.

    On the infrastructure front, Governor Lamido spent in its first term over N43 billion on roads, ranging from asphalting major arteries which intersect across the state to building new inter-town/inter-local government network that has made Jigawa to assume spider web in road facility today. It actually can be argued that Jigawa State has the best road network in Nigeria.

    He also embarked on the transformation of all the local government Headquarters into modern cities with asphalted township roads and drainages complete with street lights.

    The governor’s construction of an international airport to mainstream the state perhaps represents the high point of his infrastructure game-changer.

    In the public accountability and water development spheres, Lamido probably lacks a match currently. His administration achieved 90 per cent potable water services to Jigawa people. In a recent water conference held in Nigeria, Jigawa was cited as a model worthy of emulation by other states in the federation.

    As the philosopher, democratic king of Jigawa State bows out, it is the hope of many that his successor will keep faith and build on these solid developmental foundation. And it is in this light that Jigawa people are urged to vote wisely. It must not be partisan. It should be about who would deliver the goods. If a wrong approach is made, Jigawa will be back to square one. Aminu Ringim, as someone with unimpeachable qualities, and as someone that works closely under Lamido shall be voted into power by all the people of Jigawa in the next gubernatorial election. It is not about PDP or APC. He is the one person that will assuredly sustain and even build on the noble legacies of Sule Lamido and even the Jigawa golden dream is realised.

  • Jigawa speaker begs Obasanjo to return to PDP

    JIGAWA State House of Assembly has begged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to forgive, forget and return to the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It made the plea yesterday through the Speaker, Adamu Ahmed Sarawa, who addressed reporters after the  sitting.

    The House appealed to Obasanjo to change his mind.

    Sarawa, who is the PDP senatorial candidate in Jigawa North, expressed shock about the ex-president’s action.

    He said: “It is most unfortunate and shocking. Although he (Obasanjo) is angry, it is necessary for the party  to handle the matter with care.”

    The senatorial candidate added: “Baba will come back, he only denounced his membership, he did not join any  party. So we are hoping he will return to the party soon.

    “Baba Obasanjo is angry. It is imperative for the party to plead with him that he should be patient,  forgive and forget, for the sake of democracy and country’s peace, unity and progress.”

  • How Lamido resolved Fulani/farmers conflict in Jigawa

    How Lamido resolved Fulani/farmers conflict in Jigawa

    “The sad of Jigawa’s misfortune would finally come to an end. In line with our philosophy, we appear only when where there are challenges, but I must admit we are dumb-founded, more than shocked and astonished by the report, and of course we will take it as part of our dark history while putting up a mechanism to forestall all future occurances”
    — Sule Lamido

    Clashes between pastoralists and farmers are worsening in many parts of the country due to disputes over grazing reserves and water sources but the present administration in Jigawa state under Sule Lamido is far ahead of all others in tackling this social problem. The state government has established 400 grazing reserves, 50 of which have already been gazetted. Grazing reserves tend to be merely unattended bush in other places but in Jigawa State, Lamido has seen to it that they are equipped with facilities such as windmills, power pumps and boreholes as well as improved grass and resting facilities.

    The effort to establish and demarcate grazing reserves in Jigawa State was part of a multi-dimensional approach adopted by Lamido early in the day to address the perennial problem of clashes between pastoralists and farmers which claimed many lives in the state. Another aspect of the strategy was the setting up of security and sensitization committees to monitor the situation, as well as the payment of compensation to victims of past crises in order to discourage them from seeking revenge.

    Similarly, in its effort to encourage and enhance the pastoralists, Jigawa State Government launched the 2014/2015 animals vaccination exercise recently in Birnin-Kudu Local government area in the state in which the state government vaccinated 3,438,590 cattle against diseases in the past seven and-half-years 2007-2014. Also the state government had immunised 1, 611, 197 sheep and goats, while 53, 450 dogs were also vaccinated against rabies.

    Due to routine vaccination, the devastating diseases that often affected animals in the state had declined significantly. Also the government has included poultry in the programme to prevent Newcastle disease. Jigawa state government often purchases assorted veterinary drugs for farmers at subsidized prices and modern surgical equipment for nine veterinary clinics across the state. Lamido’s administration had invested a lot of resources on agriculture as the main stay of the economy.  Also, the economic and investment summit in the state in 2013 was convened by Lamido because of his commitment and efforts in the Agricultural sector, in which more than 80 per cent of the investors who participated at the summit expressed willingness to invest in agro-allied industries in the state.

    An accompanying aspect of this overall social policy also discourages allowing domestic animals to roam freely in towns and cities. Cattle, goats and sheep contribute in making towns dirty, and cause accidents, hence the new policy that makes their owners to tether them in their houses.

    This far-reaching social policy was not restricted to the animals and pastoralists alone. It also accommodates the children of the herdsmen. Jigawa state government has established many nomadic schools in the state to accommodate a large population of Fulani children. The governor approved that all nomadic schools in the state must be funded, equipped and staffed while ensuring that the children are taught both Islamic and western education respectively.

    Sule Lamido followed up his initiatives (administrative policies) with another project that facilitates easy access to him. He has a dedicated GSM phone line by which citizens can reach him in order to complain, offer advice, suggest and object or criticize his government’s policies and programs. The Talakawa’s leader, attends to everyone who texts or calls without intimidation, humiliation, victimization or deprivation. It is not for nothing that citizens of Jigawa State speak of the Lamido as a governor, mentor, leader, guardian, father and a messiah.

     

    Adamu is Special Adviser to Jigawa state governor on Media

  • Robbers snatch governor’s car in Jigawa

    Robbers have snatched Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido’s official car in Dutse, the state capital.

    It was learnt that the car was snatched on the Ibrahim Aliyu Bypass in the city.

    The worsening security situation in the state has been attributed to the approaching Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Police Commissioner Ahmed Faruk Idris confirmed the incident.

    Through the command’s spokesman, Abdu Jinjiri, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Idris said: “We received a report that a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 was snatched at gunpoint around 9pm yesterday (Tuesday).”

    The police chief said the robbers drove a Peugeot 406.

    He added: “Immediately we got the report, the police swung in to action and trailed the car. But it has not been recovered.

    “The driver is at the command’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) for investigation.”

    Idris urged the public to assist the police with useful information to improve the security of life and property.

  • Joy as Jigawa airport takes its maiden flight to Mecca

    Joy as Jigawa airport takes its maiden flight to Mecca

    For the people of  Jigawa State, the flag-off of this year’s Hajj airlift to Saudi Arabia from the Dutse International Airport at Fanisau Village recently was an opportunity to show to the entire country that the state is indeed The New World. As a result, they turned out en masse from the 27 local government areas very early to witness the event, which also served as the official inauguration of the airport.

    To add colour to the ceremony, they came with their traditional drums singing and dancing. The retinues of the Shehu of  Borno and the Emirs of  Kano, Hadejia, Suleja, Ringim, Funai, Daura, Kazaure, Gumel, Kaltungo, Maradun and the Oba of Lagos, who is also this year’s National Amirul Hajj, added sounds and lyrics from their trumpets and paraphernalia of offices. In essence, the roads leading to the airport were, for many hours, witnessed heavy gridlock from both human and vehicular movements.

    However, among the early birds at the event was a slim Octogenarian, who wore white guinea brocade and sat at the back of the pavilion, meant for eminent personalities. In the midst of siren-blowing vehicles, he gazed intermittently at the surrounding of the airport, smiling at every objects of  his attraction.

    Investigation revealed that the elderly man was the Chairman of Committee for the Creation of Jigawa State, Mallam Inuwa Dutse. Moving closer to him, his eyes looked misty with joy and fulfilment. With slow and steady voice, he returned the greetings of two reporters who went to him to request for an interview, which he instantly granted.

    Responding to a question on how he felt, he said: “I am very happy to attend the 2014 Hajj airlift’s flag-off and the inauguration of this airport in Dutse, which was the least developed area in the former Kano State. I am very, very happy to be alive to witness this occasion.

    “When Jigawa State was created, there was very little development. But with the coming of Sule Lamido, he has done the best to raise the level of development in Jigawa State to one of the best in Nigeria. I am very pleased and very glad.

    “We the people of Jigawa State support the governor for what he is doing. He has justified our agitation for the creation of more states and, especially Jigawa State. His performance will also serve as justification for those agitating for more states.”

    Mallam Dutse vividly conveyed the feelings of the people and dignitaries, as the event turned out to be. The event was not the first they would be attending. They had witnessed former heads of state and top serving politicians coming to inaugurate one project or the other during Lamido’s over seven years tenure.

    The projects included the inauguration of the state secretariat, NYSC Orientation Camp, High Court complex, roads network, College of  Nursing and Midwifery as well as a civic centre and rally ground -Aminu Kano Triangle.

    The residents also listed the inauguration of the state television and radio stations, local government secretariats, second nationally-recognised state-owned School for the Gifted, state university, residences and offices for Deputy Governor, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, local government chairmen, Chief Judge and Grand Khadi, housing estate for civil servants, Emirs’ lodges among other landmark projects.

    And from the remarks of dignitaries who spoke at the carnival-like ceremony, which could also have been mistaken for a political rally or campaign, the governor had delivered again.

    Those who addressed the intending pilgrims and the guests were the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad the 111; the 2014 Amirul -Hajj and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, Chairman of Jigawa Council of Chiefs and Emir of Hadeija, Ahaji Adamu Abubakar Maje, Executive Chairman of National Hajj Commission, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello.

    Sambo, in his address, expressed the apology of President Jonathan for his inability to be at the event. He asked the 530 pilgrims to be better ambassadors of the country, imbibe the orientations given to them by the country’s agencies and to adhere to Saudi Arabia laws.

    He said: “I believe all pilgrims are aware of the challenges our country is experiencing. These challenges require not only dedication of the leadership but also prayers from every pilgrim. We should therefore be persistent in our prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of our beloved country.”

    The President reminded the pilgrims of their spiritual obligations, saying as they perform the Hajj pilgrimage, they must dedicate themselves to the spiritual revival of their souls to achieve “good life on earth and aspire for eternal bliss in the hereafter.

    He prayed for their safe airlift and successful hajj.

    Jonathan, who praised the improvement in airlifting of pilgrims to the Holy Land where Nigeria had been able to meet her deadline, said: “I am glad to note that the days when Nigeria requested for extension of time from Saudi Arabia because of our inability to meet the airlift deadline for the closure of the King Abdulazeez International Airport are gone for good.”

    He further praised the Nigeria Hajj Commission for their improved performance in being able to surmount the numerous challenges they were confronted with.

    “We note the improvement in performance of Hajj operations in Nigeria. I urge the leadership of the Hajj Commission to see this improvement as a motivation to propel it to greater height so that Hajj operations in Nigeria will toe the line of international best practice,” he said.

    He added that the administration has always supported the welfare of all Muslims through the Hajj Commission by assisting the pilgrims with consular, medical and exchange support services.

    “While government will continue to meet these primary and essential needs, it is important that the commission works towards being more self-sustaining and self-financing,” he said.

    The President assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to contain the spread of the Ebola virus disease and has promised to continue supporting all the states of the federation.

    He stated that the government has, in addition to the N200 million support funds to Lagos State, earmarked the sum of N1.9 billion as support for states to contain the spread of the virus. He added that this support has also been extended to some neigbouring countries to contain the spread of the disease.

    To the Sultan of Sokoto and Permanent National Amirul Hajj, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, the pilgrims must adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the performance of hajj and to present themselves to all necessary medical tests to be carried out on them.

    The Sultan, who also called for special prayers by the pilgrims to defeat all the evils in the country, urged all Nigerians to join hands in bringing to an end the security challenges the country is experiencing.

    He praised the Federal Government’s efforts in containing the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus in the country, which he said has made this year’s hajj possible.

    Oba Osuolale urged the pilgrims to be of good manners and not to engage themselves in any act capable of embarrassing the country.

    The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission praised Jigawa State for the preparation it put in place for the Hajj airlift.

    He said there would be 12 designated departure centres, including four new ones in Enugu, Bauchi, Kebbi and Dutse for the airlift.

    He hailed the government for the support it extended to the commission.

    Babangida Aliyu praised Lamido as the most experienced among other governors in the North. Urging him to prepare for higher services, the Niger State governor said he came to know what warranted the governor’s outburst over the nomination of Jonathan by the Northeast chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He promised that the issues that necessitated Lamido’s remarks would be resolved.

    Those issues, he said, included the settlement of the N13 billion spent on the Dutse airport, extension of pipe-borne water from Auyo to Dutse and construction of Federal roads, among others.

    Surprisingly and as if he was overwhelmed by the mammoth gathering and praises heaped on him, Lamido’s remarks were short. He thanked the hajj commission for the choice of Dutse for the flag-off of the hajj operation.

    The pilgrims were airlifted by Max Air. The maiden flight departed at 5.38p.m.

    Meanwhile, Jonathan did the groundbreaking ceremony of the airport project on October 5, 2012. With its inauguration, the airport according to the Sultan, “is one of the best if not the best in this part of the world.” Other eminent personalities also described it as the fastest airport project ever executed by any government. It was built on five kilometres radius piece of land and situated at 10. 4 kilometres distance northwest from Dutse main town. It has 3000 by 60 metres runway. It is equipped with fire-fighting trucks, land body scan machines, high resolutions close circuit television cameras (CCTV) , covering in and out of the fenced the airport facilities. It is also equipped with air navigation equipment, Doppler, the voice communication and control system (VCCS) and the Conventional Very High frequency omnidirectional Radio Range (CVOR) in the seven- storey control tower to enable communication from all direction with aircraft at the distance of 180 nautical miles from the airport.

    An engineer at the airport said: “The CVOR is the latest best air navigational equipment in the world manufactured by Thales. The landing aid instruments guides the aircraft to the centre of the tarmac, the Glide Slope that provides glide angle, the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and non-Directional Beacon were installed to give pilots and passengers better view when landing and taking off.”

    Before the hajj operation, Overland Airways began thrice weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) operation from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Dutse on Monday, July 14 this year.

    After the hajj flag-off, a resident of Dutse said: “Who knows how many projects of this standard Lamido will inaugurate again before he lives office?”

  • Jigawa, 23 years after

    Jigawa, 23 years after

    On August 27, this year, Governor Sule Lamido and the people of Jigawa State rolled out the drums to celebrate its creation 23 years ago by the administration of former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida in 1991. This has been the tradition of the Lamido administration since he assumed office over seven years ago.

    The anniversary began on Friday, August 22 and end on August 27; the date the state was created. Several activities were lined up which culminated in a grand rally at the Aminu Kano Triangle where five people were honoured with awards to recognise their outstanding contributions towards the development of the state.

    But before the grand finale, other activities took place beginning from the first day of the celebration.

    For instance, the anniversary began with special prayers in all the Mosques across the state. The Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was the Guest of Honour.

    On the fourth day, a lecture was organised where lectures on topics, such as the economy, infrastructure, politics and leadership were given by professors from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Bayero University Kano (BUK), Federal University Dutse (FUD) and University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

    As part of the anniversary, an over 300-page book written by a principal of one of the private secondary schools in Dutse about the state and Governor Lamido’s leadership style was launched. Former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, was chairman of the launch during ehere over N25 million was realised.

    The last day witnessed special awards to some citizens of the state for their honesty. They found and returned to their respective owners large sums of money ranging from N300, 000 to N7 million.

    A junior staff member at a three star hotel, Yusif Umar who found 100,000 US dollars (N17 million) outside the hotel premises retuned the money lost by one of the guests at the hotel.

    Speakers praised Governor Lamido’s efforts towards transforming Jigawa into a modern state, efforts, they said did not begin when he assumed duty as governor; as he has been in the vanguard of developing the area even before the state was created and has remained firm in the quest for the transformation of the state.

    With an uncommon steadfastness, courage and wisdom, Lamido turned around the fortunes of Jigawa State, together with those of the people. Developmental projects are evenly distributed across the 27 local government areas. Even his critics salute him for the equitable distribution of projects for the development of all the nook and cranny of the state.

    Those who observe the politics of the state are of the view that since his assumption of office, Governor Lamido has been committed to the development of the state.

    From what one may consider a pariah state, Lamido has cautiously brought Jigawa and its rural people to limelight. Lamido believes that physical infrastructure help in enhancing the well-being of the people.

    This explains his administration’s concentration on road construction and rehabilitation across the state, provision of adequate education and health infrastructure, encouraging the rural farmers with incentives and award of scholarships to students.

    As if those are not enough, workers are also highly motivated. Sources say that Lamido wants to justify the consensus of opinion that his long years of experience in politics and personal qualities are helping him significantly to rebuild the state

    In his compassionate spirit and enthusiasm to bring new leas of life to all sort of people in the state, shortly after mounting the saddle of leadership, Governor Lamido introduced social security programme. Under the programme, the state government pays a monthly stipend of N7, 000 to no fewer than 4, 200 physically-challenged persons in the state.

    As at the end of last year, the state government had spent at least N4 billion in taking care of the less-privileged; a gesture that has enhanced their status. Again, economic empowerment has been consciously incorporated into the rehabilitation of beggars.

    Lamido’s administration also declared free education from primary to university levels for any child with disability, established board for the welfare of physically-challenged, appointed one physically-challenged person as Supervisory Councilor in all the 27 local government areas.

    Considering education as bedrock for any social and economic development, Jigawa State government has consistently allocated more than 25 per cent of its annual budget to the education sector in the past seven years. It has enabled the state to offer free girl-child education from primary to university levels, renovating over 1, 040 primary and junior secondary schools comprising 4, 128 classrooms that were in serious stages of dilapidation. Also, additional 7,546 classrooms were constructed.

    Lamido’s administration had renovated all senior secondary schools and constructed additional 180 hostels for student. More classrooms, libraries and laboratories were equipped with modern facilities.

    The government also established the Jigawa State University, College of Nursing and Midwifery, School for the Gifted in Bamaina, renovated and constructed structures at all the state’s tertiary institutions, including Gumel College of Education which was upgraded to a degree-awarding institution.

    More than 1,487 teachers were also employed, while the existing ones were encouraged to further their studies in line with the new education policy of the state.

    In mass literacy, over 180,000 adults were trained in basic education. This intervention engendered rapid increase in school enrolment and the establishment of a federal university.

    Lamido’s administration has constructed over 1,636 kilometres of roads and built an international airport in Dutse with a view to making the state investors’ haven and facilitating the transportation of goods and services from the rural to the urban areas for rapid socio-economic development.

    In agriculture, which is main source of livelihood for over 90 per cent of the state’s population, the government has spent over N2.6 billion in subsidising some farm implements to farmers in the past seven years.

    This includes N400 million loan facilities to farmers under a revolving fund system.

    More than 3,800 farmers benefited from the scheme, 175 tractors were distributed to farmers and agricultural associations as loan.

    Over N3 billion was also spent to procure fertiliser for farmers at subsidised rate. N200million was expended to subsidise tractors to peasant farmers, construction of thousands boreholes for irrigation. Distribution and supply of improved seeds, insecticide, herbicide and other farm imputes at highly subsidised price was also part of government’s efforts improve agriculture.

    The state also embarked on free artificial insemination of high breed cattle to improve meat and milk production, even as it constructed 200 wind mills, planted 200 hectares of high quality pasture grass at 50 grazing reserves. These aim at curbing the migration of herdsmen from the state and to proffer lasting solution to the perennial herdsmen/ farmers conflicts.

    The health sector also benefited from Lamido’s administration as the state established Gunduma primary healthcare system under which over 135 hospitals were built. The number of professional health worker increased from 2,000 in 2007 to 7,000 last year, Rashid Shakoni Hospital Dutse was also establishment as all state general hospitals and clinics were renovated and equipped where free maternal and child treatment were rendered to the people. Accident victims, pregnant women and children below the age of five also enjoy free medical treatment.

    A lot was also achieved in youth and women empowerment where over 10,000 people were trained on various trades to make them self-reliant.

    To curb the menace of environmental degradation, especially desert encroachment, over 15 million different varieties of plant seedlings were planted.

    Lamido’s administration has also sunk hand pumps and motorised boreholes to provide potable water for the people, even as the proposed Dutse Water Scheme is being pursued. As a result, 75 per cent of the population has access to clean drinking water.

    Through the Ministry of Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, the state government has mobilised the people to participate in various selfless community services, while hundred of villages have been connected to National Grid. Feeder roads are also being provided.

    In housing,  Lamido’s administration has constructed over 1,000 housing units in the state capital, the Malam Aminu Kano Triangle Square, State High Court Complex, Second Phase Of State Secretariat Complex, Chief Judge, Grand Khadi, Deputy Governor, Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s residents, Dutse modern market, the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp and many projects that have enhanced Dutse’s status from that of a glorified village to a befitting capital city.

    To facilitate free flow of information, the state installed modern transmitters in the state radio station, even as it sent members of staff for training within and outside the country.

    In his speech at the ceremony, Governor Lamido blamed lack of unity and development in the state on the people. He said: “It is not justifiable to blame one or few individuals for the blunders committed during Ibrahim Saminu Turaki’s administration.

    “Saminu Turaki, as a young man, assumed office as governor with exuberance and zeal to work, but you the people lured him with all sorts of blackmail when nepotism was the order of governance and he served you in accordance with your expectations from him.”

    Governor Lamido further stated that “the journey of building the state was fraught with difficulties but with our collective resolve and perseverance, we were able to overcome most of the difficulties”.

  • Lamido’s stride in Jigawa

    When Jigawa State was created in 1991 with other states in the country, much was expected from the infant state to achieve the progress to the delight of the founding fathers of the state.

    The state was credited with past administrators who did their best to ensure development was evenly spread to all nooks and crannies of the state.

    When Governor Sule Lamido assumed the leadership of state in 2007, the state was in the news as a state where the then governor ruled it from outside the country or being a state that imported various items that had no direct impact on  the ordinary people of the state.

    The state that is blessed with resources to transform the state in the whole northern part of the country, did not utilise its full potential until the current regime of Governor Sule Lamido came to power.

    Many Nigerian past leaders were in past invited to inaugurate one project or another. What they saw with the transformation of Jigawa State under Gov. Sule Lamido with prudent management of resources made them to praise his efforts and called on other states in the country to emulate his qualities of bringing the much needed development to their people.

    The development of Jigawa State under the administration of Gov. Sule Lamido could be likened to the kind of transformation going on in Lagos and Kano states, hence the call by some people in the country that other states that are not performing optimally should send their team of expert to states like Jigawa and Kano and study how development with little resources that they receive from federation account and the internal generated revenue should be used for the overall development of their people who elected them into offices.

    We know of many states in the country that receive higher allocation from federation accounts and with buoyant IGR and yet the development in their states is not anything to write about. Gov. Sule Lamido two term in office has been able to turn around the socio-economic status of the entire Jigawa State that made the entire people of Jigawa State to be proud and be  associated the administration of Gov. Sule Lamido laudable infrastructure development he is able to bequeath the people of the state.

    The celebration marking the creation of any state created is done to show case the giant stride recorded while in office.

    The good people of Jigawa State would continue to remember the

    administration of Gov. Sule Lamido because it’s the only state in the country which always celebrates the creation of the states with the inauguration of various projects that have touched the lives of the ordinary people of the state.

    The airport which was constructed by the administration of Gov. Sule Lamido has been described as of the best airport in the country and this prompted the national hajj commission to flag off this year’s hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

    The physical development and other strides noticed in Jigawa State was made possible by the focus, visionary  purposeful leadership exhibited by Gov. Lamido in leaving enduring legacy for the people to remember him after office.

    We hope other states in the country would live up to expectation of their people by providing them with dividend of democracy like what we witness now going on in Jigawa State.

    Bala Nayashi

    No 1 Yashi Area

    Lokoja