A sinking canoe in Jigawa

Every governor who is in charge of state affairs should think beyond his immediate family, as every human being deserves some respect. In this day and age, youths all over the world are given high priority, so Jigawa youths should not be an exception. But to our dismay, the administration cannot point out at least […]

Every governor who is in charge of state affairs should think beyond his immediate family, as every human being deserves some respect. In this day and age, youths all over the world are given high priority, so Jigawa youths should not be an exception. But to our dismay, the administration cannot point out at least five youths that have really been empowered by the current administration.
One of the major problems of this administration is that it is surrounded by a cartel who are so self-centred to the extent that if their ego gets satisfied, they don’t give a damn whatever the consequence may be on the general populace of the state.
Many of us feel our great dream of a new Jigawa has been jeopardised. So-called leaders see the younger generation as opponents that, if empowered, will definitely fight against injustice, while eschewing sycophancy. Furthermore, it appears Jigawa youth won’t get support because of a warped philosophy that has shown that using unemployed youths as political thugs is the right thing.
It is a government full of misplaced priorities, as evident in the state capital Dutse which is still wallowing in lack of potable drinking water and many other problems, including a battle with floods on a yearly basis.
Instead of providing these necessities, the administration is investing so much energy and resources on some projects that do not have direct impact on the common man. For example, the so-called Dutse Ultra-Modern market that has no access roads or drainage. Then there’s the Dutse Mechanic Village, where all mechanics gather, which 80% of them are able-bodied young men, one will shed tears from the hardship they face daily.
A visit to local governments will prove that only the headquarters are in relatively good condition, but at the remote areas one would wonder if a state government exists.
If the state government uses resources judiciously and empower youths, it would be a whole different story. Neighbouring states like Kano have youth empowerment programmes like KAROTA, Airport Drivers scheme and many others. It brings to memory a time when a Lamido stooge told the general public that youth groups and associations have been cancelled. What’s more, after Lamido swore that Jigawa people would not partake in the now-infamous National Conference, he later sent delegates. The governor should know that he is a sinking canoe in Jigawa politics.
Comrade Aminu Aminu is Chairman National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Jigawa State Chapter ([email protected])