Governor Lamido and the burden of development in Jigawa

Guided by the zeal to reposition the state, the governor introduced new innovations and blueprint. Unarguably, these innovations have turned the fortunes of the state around in the last seven years. Prior to Lamido’s emergence as governor, Jigawa State had suffered from unemployment, lack of infrastructure and other socio-economic imbalance, a situation that dwindled its […]

Guided by the zeal to reposition the state, the governor introduced new innovations and blueprint. Unarguably, these innovations have turned the fortunes of the state around in the last seven years.
Prior to Lamido’s emergence as governor, Jigawa State had suffered from unemployment, lack of infrastructure and other socio-economic imbalance, a situation that dwindled its development.  
To say the least, Jigawa was a rural state, with dilapidated structures and dejected workforce. All the institutional structures that would have brought development to the state were absent; hence it was tagged the most backward and rural. As a result of this, investors were not attracted and citizens were subjected to untold suffering.  
Unlike his predecessors, Governor Lamido has rebuilt the confidence of civil servants in the state such that the people now have a sense of pride and belonging. The state now boasts of a vibrant workforce.  
As a youth-friendly administration, the present government of Jigawa State has put in place, measures that are tackling the menace of unemployment. Skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training has variously empowered the youth, majority of who are now gainfully self-reliant. In every quarter of the year, at least 3,000 youths receive training in various vocational trades and skills.
Students with excellent academic records in WAEC, GCE and NECO are also encouraged and supported to further their studies.
In contrast to what cynics are saying, a team of experts from the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Industrial Training Funds (ITF) who were in Jigawa State on a facility tour, monitoring and inspection of government economic empowerment programmes, expressed satisfaction with the quality of the state-of-art equipment at various centres, as well as trainees and beneficiaries.
But critics who don’t see anything good in the administration of Governor Lamido would rather view things negatively. The fact, however, is that some detractors of the governor consider his style of leadership very strange. He focuses on institutional and human development, which sharply differs from the previous administrations that encouraged patronage as a tool of governance.
It is hoped that the good work currently going on in Jigawa State would not be destroyed by selfish politicians. Let the people be wise.  
Muhammad Abdu Mago, Commissioner for Economic Empowerment, Jigawa State.