That Kaduna shall be great again

I so much believe in the philosophical underpinnings of the Nasir El-Rufai led government. First, the prior-to-election promises that massively canvassed for the overwhelming support given by the masses to the historic election of this government was so convincing and capturing. The promises made have reignited the ardent hope in people that despite the apparent […]

I so much believe in the philosophical underpinnings of the Nasir El-Rufai led government. First, the prior-to-election promises that massively canvassed for the overwhelming support given by the masses to the historic election of this government was so convincing and capturing.
The promises made have reignited the ardent hope in people that despite the apparent failures recorded in the previous governments that utterly plunged the premier state into a pathetic state, a vibrant and committed leadership can save the situations. I am fervently confident that the programs lined up by this administration will substantially propel Kaduna state to its peak of excellence.
I aspire to see a Kaduna that is free and democratic society, where there is freedom to the privileged and less privileged citizens.
I hope to see a Kaduna where education at all levels is free not just free that exists only on papers.
A Kaduna that is just to its teaming populace, where every citizen of the state gets what he or she deserves and where there is equality and there is no nepotism.
It’s my prayer to see El-Rufai led administration builds a Kaduna that is essentially united and self-reliant state, where salaries of the working civil servants are not delayed till FG shares its monthly allocation.
My dream is to see a Kaduna that is great with robust economy, where I do not need to engage in stealing from the government treasury in order to become rich or even survive. An economy that will allow me own a house, get a new car; not Tokumbo and dump Okada forever.
I hope to see a Kaduna becoming a land of bright and full opportunities for all its citizens, a state where ethnic, religious and geographical considerations cannot impede my corporate opportunities.
Alas! Insecurity is severely and increasingly making my hopes seem like a mirage.
Kaduna state can only attain its most befitting place in contemporary world if security issues are resolved once and for all, unemployment drastically reduced, illiteracy significantly curbed and socio-economic development given a strident boost.
The government has toured every part of the state and has seen critically how insecurity affects the lives of Kaduna state citizens and implementation of its policies. Insecurity with all its attendants’ allies has ravaged the state considerably.
Armed robbery, cattle rustling, ethno-religious crises and others have for a very long time thwarted an optimal development of the state. Insecurity, just like Boko Haram insurgency, constitutes the biggest threat being faced by the state and its neighbours.
On ethno-religious crises in the state that shattered mutual co-existence of the citizens, the government should try as much as possible to look into various reports on the problem submitted to the previous governments.
Specifically, government should try to look into Prof Shehu Usman Abdullahi and Prof James Kantiok led committee on Peace and Reconciliation in Kaduna state. The committee did a wonderfully through work and submitted its report to the then state governor, late Patrick Yakowa.
Similarly, government should try and reinforce Community Policing, empower its traditional leaders and reinvigorate the Vigilante Service into becoming an intelligent, sophisticated and rewarding work.
Particularly, the armed robbery and cattle rustling in Birnin Gwari Kamuku forest should be given a heavy blow. The scourge appears to be a hefty one and must be considered as disastrous as Boko Haram insurgency.
Kaduna state can only be great again if the government is ready, determined, committed and fearless enough to implement its planned and or, intended programs aimed towards restoring the lost prestige of the state.
Isah Muhammad is an Assistant Lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
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