A forum to transform Kebbi

Thus, the objectives of the KDF are to ‘conscientise’ the people, ensure their participation in decision making in respect of matters affecting them and also encourage them to promote the virtues of unity, peaceful co-existence, social justice, equity and prosperity. Additionally, the Forum aims to sensitise the people to the options and opportunities available and […]

Thus, the objectives of the KDF are to ‘conscientise’ the people, ensure their participation in decision making in respect of matters affecting them and also encourage them to promote the virtues of unity, peaceful co-existence, social justice, equity and prosperity. Additionally, the Forum aims to sensitise the people to the options and opportunities available and help organise them to demand for services and accountability from the government and their elected representatives. Very laudable, you may say.
The KDF has set for itself the mission of “improving the consciousness of the people to accept responsibility and participate effectively in bringing about desired change in society”. The Forum also envisions “harnessing the potentials of the people of Kebbi State to realise their potentials”.
The Forum’s most important outing was in November last year in Birnin Kebbi when it unveiled itself at a one-day seminar during which Dr Nasir Musa Yauri presented a paper entitled “Harnessing the Potentials of Kebbi State for Development”. The paper discussed what it called the agricultural, solid minerals and socio-cultural development potentials of the state. According to him, Kebbi lies between 10° and 13°15” North and longitudes 3°3” and 6° East and has a land area of 36, 985 sq. km that makes it the 10th largest state and a population (2006) of 3, 238, 628 people making it the 23rd most populous in the country. It shares international borders with Niger and Benin Republics as well as Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara States. Created in August 1991, Kebbi is made up of Arawa, Hausawa, Kabawa, Gungawa, Fulani, Kambari, Zabarmawa, etc, spread in 21 local government areas.
Dr Yauri reckons that the vast arable land in Kebbi has thus far supported the production of millet, sorghum, cowpea, ground nut, maize, cotton and rice. There is also large scale dry season farming of onions, tomatoes, wheat, sunflower and garlic and this is buoyed by the tributaries of Rivers Niger, Lower Rima, Zamfara and Kebbi, all of which make fishing and river transportation profitable. The largest onion producing community is said to be Aliero and along the river banks of the state called Fadama rice is cultivated on a large scale. The market for rice alone in Nigeria is enormous as the country imported 2.9 million tonnes of the commodity in 2012 and has an annual rice import bill of N1 billion. Similarly, sugar cane plantations abound around Zagga, Bagudo and Giro Masa, prompting Alhaji Aliko Dangote to open discussions with the Kebbi State government on the possibility of establishing a sugar refinery in the area.
In terms of mineral resources, Kebbi is said to have large deposits of gold, kaolin, limestone, gypsum, graphite, potash, manganese, mica and phosphate buried under the ground. Dr Yauri believes that if Kebbi State government can find investors to mine these minerals, its economy will be revolutionised.
On a final note, Dr Yauri’s paper dwelt on what he described as the socio-cultural potentials of Kebbi State, noting that the Argungu International Fishing Festival (AIFF) – with its side attractions of Kabanci display, agricultural show and the premier fishing competition, among other things – provides enormous opportunity for the people of Kebbi to show their legendary hospitality to Nigerians and foreign tourists alike.
The occasion was chaired by Justice Usman Mohammed Argungu, JSC (rtd) who urged the Forum to “provide a convenient landmark for breaking with the past and (begin) the search for a new direction in societal development”. Justice Mohammed who regretted that education “which is the bedrock for all forms of development has been relegated to the background in the state” observed that unless the government and communities gave education the desired attention, Kebbi would remain backward. He enjoined the government to give priority to the promotion of rule of law and the maintenance of law and order, provide physical infrastructure, empower citizens economically and mobilise them to participate effectively in economic development activities.
In his own speech, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Khalil Aliyu, who was the pioneer Secretary to the Government, recalled that although Kebbi took off with a meagre sum of N30 million in September 1991, it had a promising start. He, however, regretted that the momentum had not been sustained because even the once vibrant state civil service had been overcome by praise singing, indolence, sycophancy and other unprofessional acts. Alhaji Aliyu said he welcomed the formation of KDF and hoped that it would live up to its objectives of helping to foster an enlightened, mobilised and resourceful people to the glory of the state.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the KDF, Alhaji Bala Musa Sakaba, on his part, said that the Forum was formed to address the “declining communal and leadership spirit” in the society. Alhaji Sakaba said the KDF had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the entire people of Kebbi should feel free to unite under its banner and improve their lot.
Hopefully, the next instalment of this article will offer suggestions on the sensitisation and mobilisation of the people of Kebbi to participate in the choice of quality representatives in the political process at ward, local, state and national government levels, which the founders of KDF say is one of their specific strategies for the realisation of their broad objectives.