Re: Jonathan’s possible Saminu Turaki choice as minister

Zubairu also said and I quote “since the creation of Jigawa-State in 1991, no governor has had the golden opportunity to lift it out the woods and placed it among the most economically viable states in Nigeria like Saminu Turaki had. He was a leader who got absolute loyalty and support from all sections of […]

Zubairu also said and I quote “since the creation of Jigawa-State in 1991, no governor has had the golden opportunity to lift it out the woods and placed it among the most economically viable states in Nigeria like Saminu Turaki had. He was a leader who got absolute loyalty and support from all sections of our dear state, yet he superseded in misusing such a golden opportunity and failing to provide the much needed leadership for eight consecutive years.”       
From the above statements, Zubairu seems not to know what he was saying. How on earth can somebody have absolute support and loyalty without doing anything good. Everybody knows Governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki provided the much needed leadership more than any Governor in the History of Jigawa Sate. I challenge anybody to dispute with facts and figures the following; He was the first to pay 27.5% teachers Salary. He paid so many allowances to teachers, which made them the highest paid in Nigeria during his time. He was the first to introduce contributory pension scheme. Jigawa State contributory pension scheme was in billions during his tenure. He constructed township roads and drainages in all the 27 L.GS including some other smaller towns within the local Government area eg. Danladi Gumel. He constructed more than (1000) one thousand kilometers of tarred road, all of them completed, some with reflection lights for clear vision in the night, as it was done overseers.
On education, he established information institute of Technology first of its kind in Northern Nigeria. This institute trained students from Jigawa and beyond on different disciplines in computer, and are everywhere in Nigeria earning a good leavens. He also established computer Secondary Schools, established computer training centre’s in. almost all the L.G head quarters. Many Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institution use renovated and equipped. It was during his time that Jigawa come third in SSCE in the country and since then, it had never smell single digit up to know. Last ten in most cases.
On health, hospitals were renovated and equipped, new once were constructed and a balance were provided to all the Hospitals and almost all the Primary Health care centres.
On environment, so many drainages and embankments were provided to control flood as in Hadejia, Auyo etc. these places were provided with permanent solution, after they  experienced so many years of loses and hardship. So many different. Types of economic trees were purchase others raised and distributed free for people to plant on their farms, houses and places of work to control desertification and enjoy the benefits of the economic trees also. Erosion was controlled in different parts of the state.
Housing, so many houses were constructed in the state capital e.g. Fanisau Estate, Takur and Jingiri quarters. Completed 744 housing estate and 80% completion of new Govt. House and so many other houses all in the state capital. This goes on to every corner of the state. In some cases a whole village was constructed and the houses were given out free together with certificate of occupancy e.g. Marawa etc not nowadays were houses were built and sold at very high prices like N15m. how on each can somebody who is trying to get 3square meals will be able to buy N15m house?
During the time of Saminu Turaki, hydra form block making machines were brought from South Africa and distributed to all the L.G.A. youth were taught how to use these machines, make block, and construct houses, which many of them now take it as their trade. With this many youth were taking out of unemployment. To say the Saminu Turaki missed the golden opportunity to place Jigawa an economically viable state is another big lie. If Zubairu knows what he is saying he should have proved what he said. Now that he cannot prove, I will prove him otherwise Saminu Turaki placed Jigawa among the economically viable states, with the provision of the following projects: – Broadband facility was established to provide internet service to the whole state. The facility also provided mobile telephone services long before MTN Air tell etc reached Jigawa state. This project was 100% completed. This project alone is enough to sustain Jigawa state by generating billions of revenue and provide employment to many.  Unfortunately the Govt. of Sule Lamido couldn’t sustain it.
Secondly, Export free Zone was establish at migratory border town and was licensed by the federal ministry of commencer. Prototype factories were constructed and some were already functioning. Savings and loan bank was provided by the State Govt to facilitate the activities of the Zone. The zone was designed to serve importers and exporters from Nigeria and Niger republic. Goods imported into these countries with not be charged at the sea port, they will come straight to Maigatari where you have one stop desk for all the agencies that are at the sea port. Likewise if you are exporting, everything will be done Magatari, where you just move your export goods to the seaport for transit only.
1500 tonnes per day sugar factory was established by the State Govt.100% completed. The company was designed to purchase all the sugarcane produced by the formers from all over the state. It will also employ Thousand of Jigawa indigenes, and generate revenue of billions of Naira.
Skill acquisition centers were also established across the state where unemployed youth both men and women were tarried on different skills i.e. motor mechanics welding, carpentry, electrical and electronics, sewing etc. at the end of the course, money was distributed as take –off grant free of charge, to start their own business.
All these happened despite the meager allocation collected at that time, which was less than one-tenth of what they are getting now.
With all these who then is the most deserved representative that President Goodluck Jonathan should make his minister from Jigawa state if not Ibrahim Saminu Turaki. Ministers are meant to support the President in attaining his goals, Saminu remains the best option.
Iggi is from Bininkudu. Iggi can be reached at [email protected]