Marking a milestone in his tenure, Governor Umar Namadi celebrates one year in office on 29th May 2024, having made significant strides in transforming Jigawa State through his 12-point agenda and human-building initiatives. Since assuming leadership, he has been steadfast in his commitment to improving the lives of citizens, focusing on key areas such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment, infrastructure development, and human capital development.
However, in line with this remarkable one-year achievement, citizens of Jigawa state took turns expressing how Governor Namadi’s accomplishments have positively impacted their living standards.
EMPOWERMENT
Governor Namadi’s Job Creation Initiatives has empowered over 1000 people through various job creation initiatives, including 100 millionaire farmers and over 40,000 farmers through collaboration with the federal government. Women have also been empowered with ₦50,000 each. Additionally, contractors are required to pay 5% of their earnings to the Jigawa State Empowerment and Employment Agency.
For Danladi Garba of Galadanci quarters, Dutse, Jigawa state, described Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi’s one year in Office as a blessing to Jigawa state asserting that the state was rated as one of the poorest in Nigeria but with the coming of the Governor and his 12 points agenda designed to elevate the state and develop human capacity within a year.
“He has touched every sector starting with empowering over 1000 people in his one year in office through their jobs ranging from women, youth, and farmers (100 millionaires farmers), he equally collaborated with the Federal government and empowered over 40,000 farmers to produce over 40,000 hectares of wheat.
For Maryam Ibrahim, Secretary to the Jigawa State Social Protection Platform described Gov Danmodi’s one year in office can be rated 80-85% in terms of Women, children, PWDs, and elderly people’s development as well as addressing gender-based violence issues.
She explained that recently, his administration empowered about 1000 women with ₦50,000 and it continues “even as at last week another set of women were empowered with ₦50,000 at government house accordingly” she revealed.
Also, Shuaibu Musa Kafin Gana, Chairman of Jigawa Social Protection Platform praised Governor Danmodi for empowering youth, women and PWDs. He said the Governor has directed that the 10% collected for the contract, which he doesn’t need, the funds should be channelled to Jigawa State Empowerment and Employment Agency which is being utilised for empowering women, youth and everyone interested in Empowerment. “Also, contractors will pay 5% of what he has earned to Jigawa State Empowerment and Employment Agency,” he said.
Also, Malam Yahaya Muhammad who disclosed he is a beneficiary of the ₦50,000 cash empowerment transfer, praised the governor, noting that a lot of his friends have also benefited from the money.
Another citizen said the empowerment was divided into two, the first one was empowering 10 persons with ₦50,000 from each ward, and only in Hadejia, approximately a sum of ₦6 million was disbursed. “Also, his excellency the governor did his empowerment of ₦50,000 cash transfer. I am also a beneficiary”
AGRICULTURE
Jigawa State has risen From Scarcity to Surplus. Thanks to Governor Danmodi’s Agricultural Revolution and now Jigawa state has become one of the food baskets of Nigeria, producing over 800,000 tons of rice in the dry season. Wheat farming has been supported with land, tools, fertilizers, and other items. Mobile veterinary services have been introduced to treat animals in villages. Furthermore, a Civil Servants Agri Loan program has been established with a sum of ₦4 billion.
Danladi Garba boasted that the Jigawa Governor collaborated with the Federal government and empowered over 40,000 farmers to produce over 40,000 hectares of wheat. “And now Jigawa is almost producing more than 800,000 tons of rice in this dry season with the hope of planting another 800,000 tons of rice in this wet season which if both combined is almost 27% total of rice needed in Nigeria. We can boast that Jigawa is now one of the food baskets of Nigeria. Thanks to Governor Namadi’s one year in office” Garba expressed.
For Abubakar Abdullahi Hadeja, He said the Governor developed the farming sector by introducing Mobile veterinarians that will be going to villages to treat animals. He also revealed the governor has a program, Civil Servants Agri Loan with a sum of ₦4 billion to be disbursed. Also, there is fertiliser at a subsidised rate of ₦17,000 at the farmhouse, compared to the market which costs around ₦20,000 or ₦22,000. “This achievement of the governor has compelled the market to drop their rate”
Abubakar added that just a day before yesterday, the governor had instructed that all farmers who counted loss during the previous wheat farming season, and others who couldn’t complete the farming should come forward, he has agreed to support them to cushion the pain.
On his part, Comrade Ilallah said Gov. Namadi has rejigged farming procedures in just one year, considering the fact that most of the farmers reside in rural areas. According to him, Jigawa Government, under the leadership of Governor Namadi, has designed a blueprint that will make farming in the state upgrade to a modern level, as well as boost the economy and support the farmers with loans and grants, tools, and others.
He added that this Government has supported the farmers with seedlings, fertilizers, and land for farming, and has excelled in farming rice, and wheat. “In the recent wheat farming, the state government has supported farmers by subsidising about 50% percentage of the farming rate.
Also, Ahmed Muhammad, a resident of Hadejia LGA praised this administration for supporting farmers in the recent wheat farming with land, tools, fertilizers, and other items.
Salisu Hassan, also a resident of Hadejia LGA asserted that the governor has instructed youths should be selected and trained in farming.
HEALTH
Governor Namadi’s one year in office saw his administration recruiting over 1000 health workers and renovating Primary Health Care Centres. Free medical healthcare has been administered to pregnant women and children. A school of Nursing and Midwifery has been established in Hadejia, and drugs and equipment have been supplied to hospitals.
Danladi Garba revealed that Danmodi’s government recruited over 1,000 health workers including doctors and Junior staff to bridge the gap of manpower in the health sector of the state. Recently he laid the foundation for the construction of a N5.5 billion school of nursing and midwifery Hadejia to support the production of manpower to man the health facilities of the state.
On his part, Shuaibu Kafin Gana added that before the coming of Gov. Danmodi, about ₦900 million was expended in a year for pregnant mothers and children under the age of 5 across 22 secondary and primary healthcare facilities in Jigawa state, but upon assuming duty, he declared he wants from each ward 500 from poor families cutting across people with sickle cell, women, children, PWDs, People living with HIV, Diabetes etc to be selected and treated for free by earmarking the sum of ₦1 billion for a start.
Also, Malam Muhammad Yahaya, a resident of Hadejia LGA, said, that the School of Nursing and Midwifery Hadeja, where the permanent site foundation was laid, received massive commendations, and he (Governor Danmodi) even inspected a specialist hospital on the day of laying the foundation to see its problems, immediately he instructed the health commissioner to ensure all the needful is done in two weeks for full commencement of operations.
Another citizen Salisu Hassan, lauded the governor’s one year in office, particularly the laying of the foundation for the School of Nursing and Midwifery, which has brought about development to Hadejia LGA, as landowners have begun erecting structures close to the school for business development.
Hassan said he is a witness of the mass housing scheme, with 40 already completed opposite the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
He testified that a database system has been created at General Specialist Hospital to keep records of women who gave birth as well as those with miscarriages since the beginning of Governor Danmodi’s tenure, solar has been installed in hospitals, and supply of drugs is being monitored.
On his part, Ahmed Muhammad also praised Gov. Namadi for laying the foundation for the permanent site of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hadejia, which according to him, will bring an increase in manpower in the health sector of the state. Noting that even at their temporary site, students are doing well.
For comrade Ilallah Jigawa, Gov. Namadi’s 1 year in office is incomparable to other regimes. According to Ilallah, he has touched almost every sector of human capacity building. Taking the health sector, he said the government has embarked on the renovation of Primary Health Care Centres, getting a working force and drugs, as well as administering free medical healthcare to pregnant women and children. “This is advantageous because of curtailing diseases from grassroots before going to secondary or tertiary health institutions”
Schools of Nursing and Technology that produce health workers have been expanded, just as the School of Nursing and Midwifery Hadeja, which will aid in boosting the workforce in the health sector.
ROADS
Governor Namadi in his one year in office has inspected over 27 on-going road projects, most of which are rural roads covering over 345kms. The roads are about 85% complete, and new road projects have been advertised.
Danladi Garba testified that recently the governor inspected more than 27 ongoing roads most are rural roads covering more than 345kms which he inherited from his predecessor and he continued with it and they are almost 85% completion. “We heard through media that all the contractors promised to deliver on time and also not comprise the quality as if otherwise, Gov Danmodi has warned he won’t pay the money.”
“Some of the roads include renovation of Kaugama road which was constructed since Abubakar Rimi Era and received no Government attention until now that Gov. Danmodi came among other roads. There are also many bridges that collapsed during the 2022 flooding that are now being reconstructed.”
“He recently advertised the construction of about 30 new road projects. With this all in one year we believe he will use road projects to facilitate the movement of goods and services from rural to urban areas and market towns achieving what is known as egalitarian development” Danladi noted.
EDUCATION
Governor Namadi’s Push for Quality Learning saw over 6000 teachers recruited, and infrastructure has been reconstructed. A Secondary School Agency has been established, and a committee has been constituted to track activities in schools.
Danladi Garba revealed that what happened in Jigawa state during Gov. Danmodi’s era is unprecedented in the history of Jigawa state and Northern Nigeria at large because he recruited over 6,000 teachers at once to ensure that every class has a teacher and every child has access to quality education.
For Muhammad Sani, He heavily commended Gov. Danmodi for recruiting over 3000 teachers in basic education in the State as well as recruiting at least 1000 senior secondary school teachers also reconstruction of infrastructure like classrooms and buildings is commendable.
On his part, Malam Yahaya Muhammad, a boarding school teacher for more than a decade said Governor Danmodi’s one year in office has brought positive change to the educational sector. According to him, in the school where he teaches, the standard of feeding has improved to the extent that the food is now in abundance. “I once interviewed some students on the standard of meal they told me, they are now given 7 pieces of bean cake each (Kosai) as compared to before when they were given just 2 each”
For Comrade Ilallah he said, if you take the educational sector, in Gov. Danmodi’s one year in office, he constituted a committee to keep track of all activities in schools of Jigawa state, to ensure it aligns with modern standards. “It is evident in the newly established Secondary School Agency” he added.
SECURITY
Governor Namadi’s Security Initiatives saw Security improve through the deployment of security agencies and vehicles.
Citizen Danladi Garba praised Danmodi’s efforts to ensure sustainability particularly the farmers-herders crisis which has been a historical clash by deploying some mechanisms such as establishing a committee locally to look into those clashes and the members of the committee are given stipends to travel in all affected areas without hitches.
He also bought vehicles and motorcycles for some security agencies in the state just to drive a sustainable peace in Jigawa which is a great achievement.
SOCIAL PROTECTION
Governor Namadi’s Social Protection Programs paved paths for ethnic minorities to be considered in appointments. Social protection programs have been established for vulnerable groups, and grants have been given to small-scale industrialists. Loans have been given to SMEs, and Ramadan feeding programs have been implemented. Palliatives have been distributed to vulnerable groups.
Comr. Danlami Haladu Shua’ibu, secretary of Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSIL), Jigawa Chapter, said in Gov. Danmodi’s one year in office a lot has been achieved in terms of grants which target even people at the grassroots level Adding that recently, the first lady distributed 2700 women palliative, each received a ton of ₦50,000 across all the 27 LG’s in the with 100 beneficiaries each. There was a time when over 1000 women were given Palliatives still in Gov. Dan Modi’s administration.
Shua’ibu further revealed there was another Palliative called J-Cares in conjunction with the World Bank and the federal government and disbursed Palliatives to over 4000 beneficiaries. “The beneficiaries were divided into 2 categories (1) Businesses registered with CAC received ₦300,000 and (2) Cooperative members receive ₦100,000 each. All are grants, not loans” he said.
Danlami added that to further cushion the effect of economic hardships, this present administration cushioned an MDA, the Directorate of Economy and Youth Empowerment with ₦4 bn as a revival fund loan to be given to various SMEs for reducing the pain of economic hardships when circulated. “Recently he recruited and trained 1 vendor each across all Lgas of Jigawa state, to focus on plumbing activities. They are going to sell equipment to them at a subsidised rate across all Lgas”
Danlami added that during the Ramadan feeding Program, Gov. Dan Modi visited various centres for inspection and by extension tasted the meal to ascertain the level at which the food was prepared and gave commendations and corrections where necessary. “Even before Ramadan, there was palliative distribution of rice, spaghetti and grain where an unaccountable number of people benefited from the exercise.
For Shua’ibu Musa Kafin Gana, Chairman of Jigawa Social Protection Platform, said he has done wonderfully well in human capital development. He noted Nigeria has signed with the rest of the world that by 2020 all deficiencies that will affect human development will be history.
So Gov. Danmodi has tilted his 12-point agenda towards human capital development. “His one year in office is commendable especially if you go around MDAs in the state, you will see the changes. Also, key successes recorded in terms of human capital development with regards to Social protection he has done wonderfully well because, he has impacted the lives of PWDs, Women, Children, Youths, the Elderly and generally all citizens of Jigawa state irrespective of political parties” Shua’ibu said.
Comrade Ilallah also praised Governor Namadi for his efforts in empowering youths, women, and vulnerable groups. “He has established various programs to support entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and job creation, and has also provided financial support to small-scale farmers and traders” he said.
Maryam Ibrahim revealed that also in Governor Danmodi’s appointments, women were considered very well “There are 2 Commissioners (Finance and Women Affairs) several senior special assistants and special assistants. So he is gender inclusive in terms of his political appointment” Maryam noted.
She added that the recent job employment under J-HEALTH, J-TEACH, and J-AGRO saw a reasonable number of women benefiting from the Programs across the health and education sector in the state. “This is to tell you that his government is passionate enough to foster women’s development”
For PWDs Maryam revealed Gov. Danmodi is also passionate about their development as recently during the distribution of palliative they were given their slots. “we advocated for an increase in the number of social security beneficiaries which is a program for PWDs, not only did he increased the number of beneficiaries from 150-250, he reviewed the amount and ordered an increase from initial ₦7,000 to ₦10,000”.
In terms of job employment, Maryam revealed that PWDs were equally recognised and employed in the J-Teach, Ministry of Education and other places based on their qualifications. Also at the Local Government level, he has allowed PWDs to participate in elections “Currently as we speak, a very young lady is contesting for councillor at Kazaure/Karti Ward.
For elderly persons, Maryam disclosed recently he has written to the Ministry of Finance to create a budget line of ₦500 million for a social protection scheme budget for the elderly a program design has been drafted and enrollment for the elderly has taken place and some orphans and some vulnerable children were included. “The project will start as a pilot project that will support the elderly in addressing their economic and health needs among others” she noted.
Also as part of social protection, ethnic minorities are considered, as in the history of Jigawa state he is the first to appoint three non-indigenes in his cabinet” Maryam noted.
Overall, other citizens of Jigawa state praised Governor Namadi’s one year in office as a remarkable success and a testament to his commitment to transforming Jigawa state. “He has demonstrated a clear vision, leadership, and dedication to the development of the state, and we are confident that he will continue to deliver on his promises” they express.
Governor Namadi’s first year in office has been a resounding triumph, as he has boldly reshaped the landscape of Jigawa state with his visionary leadership. His relentless commitment to human capital development, infrastructure expansion, and economic empowerment has unleashed a transformative force, elevating the lives of citizens and igniting a new era of growth and progress. With his unrelenting drive and unwavering dedication, Governor Namadi has set a new standard for excellence in governance, positioning Jigawa state as a beacon of hope and a model for sustainable development. As he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, the future of Jigawa state has never been brighter.
This special report is compiled by Trust Africa Media, publishers of Net Gazette, in celebration of His Excellency Malam Umar A. Namadi, FCA, Executive Governor of Jigawa State.
