We will begin by Congratulating you on your election to pilot the affairs of Jigawa State for the next four years insha Allah. No doubt those who know you will testify that you are a man of high integrity, honesty, hard work and patience which resulted in you eating the fattest bone.
Your excellency, you have started very well with some of your actions as the governor of the state such as forming a committee on the supply of petroleum products in the state following the removal of fuel subsidy as marketers were working to create artificial scarcity, a committee to review pensions, and meeting with directors and deputy directors to explain to them the policy direction of your administration, among others.
We believe with your experience as a certified chartered accountant, Jigawa State will benefit eminently through improvements in the good management of assets and liabilities. Although I have not gone through your manifesto, I will suggest that more attention is focused on education, health and agriculture.
Mallam Umar you’re a product of public school from primary to university. During your time, free books, uniforms, feeding, transport and pocket money were part of what you enjoyed. During your time schools had qualified and adequate teachers with some of them foreigners and all schools had good structures.
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I believe that something similar to that cannot be restored due to many factors such as lack of enough revenue to the state as well as population growth but you can still make a difference by ensuring that unqualified teachers make way for qualified ones just similar to what El-Rufai did in Kaduna State.
It’s very painful but if a sincere overhaul is required that’s the only way to go. Also, dilapidated school buildings should be renovated, school inspectors should be up and doing by ensuring all teachers report to schools on time, most especially in the rural areas, and perform their duties.
Your government can also initiate a policy of giving back to society by encouraging wealthy Jigawa indigenes and corporate bodies to make donations, as part of their corporate social responsibility, to the education and health sectors.
Jigawa State’s health care system also needs attention. The doctor-to-patient ratio is very wide. This gives room for nurses and other health workers to be attending/giving prescriptions to patients which is very dangerous as many patients are victims of wrong medications.
It’s gratifying to know that Jigawa indigenes, who were sponsored by the state to read medicine in China, are back as fully qualified doctors. This I believe will reduce the doctor-to-patient ratio but the state must ensure it recoups its investment by making sure the doctors work in the state.
The Jigawa State revolving fund for drugs should also be enhanced while JIMSO should always make drugs available in the stores for hospitals to buy because the programme assists patients to access medicines at cheaper rates.
Agriculture is another area the state should focus attention on as it’s the only source of livelihood for many indigenes. The government should assist and guide farmers and segment the state on what different areas they should concentrate on cultivating, such as rice, sesame and soybeans.
Jigawa State can produce agricultural produce worth $100 billion annually within the next three to four years. This will also boost employment for our teaming youth and create wealth.
Lastly, Mallam Imamu (as you are popularly called) remember both names, Mallam and Imam, are names that earn public respect to whoever answers them and we all believe that you earn that respect from all those who know or come across you.
We believe in you and what you stand for, therefore, don’t allow anyone to dent the names and respect no matter how high the individual is. Make sure you jealously guard them and the respect they have. Ensure close supervision of every responsibility you delegate to individuals to ensure maximum results.
Please accept my best wishes on your journey to pilot the affairs of Jigawa State as your successes are going to make every indigene of the state proud of the government, and also set standards for incoming governments to follow.
Haruna Ibrahim, Kofar Fada Kafin Hausa, can be reached via [email protected]
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