Opinion

My Vision for Jigawa State (IV)

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2022

Mustafa Sule Lamido

By: Mustapha Sule Lamido

As usual, I want to start by thanking all the people of Jigawa State for their show of support. By carefully taking time to articulate and communicate my vision for Jigawa State, I have so far proven to be fully equipped and well-prepared for the job. I want to make it very clear that we have the strong will, dedication and partnerships to implement this vision to the very best of our ability. I call on all the good people of Jigawa state to give us their votes in March 2023 and Insha Allah, they will not regret it.

This segment will be my second and last on education. Achieving our vision for education will require the input of all stakeholders, public and private. As a result, we have been having wide consultations with groups and professional bodies of students, parents, teachers, lecturers and administrators. These groups will help provide inputs that will shape our vision and they will also help us in its implementation if we succeed in the elections. Therefore, carrying them along from the beginning will go a long way towards integrating our efforts for effective service delivery.

Kano contributed 2 point 5 billion naira for the completion of Dala Inland Dry Port-Gawuna

If we are given the chance, God-willing the Almajiri system will be remodeled to make it better, efficient and more conducive. First, we will take inventory of all Almajiri schools and Tsangayas and have a census of the students and alarammas. We will then form a technical committee that will include the alarammas, ministry of education staff and some experts. This committee will come up with a sound and sustainable policy for the Tsangaya system. Already, we have some existing ideas and structures developed by ex-president Goodluck Jonathan which states like Sokoto have built upon. Internationally, I have personally studied the Malaysian remodeled Almajiri system which have been working excellently; we also have some remodeled systems in some parts of West Africa. I will feed the policy formulation committee with some of these findings, so that our aim of having a reformed, rebranded, working and sustainable Almajiri system can be achieved.

We have plans for tertiary education. As at today, there are 14 tertiary institutions in the state, two federal owned universities, one state owned and one private owned. There are three polytechnics, one college of education, one Information technology institute, four health institutions and one college of legal and Islamic studies. All those owned by state government will receive adequate funding as far as the economic situation permits and will be encouraged to seek linkages and explore initiatives that will attract grants and external funding. Research partnerships will be established between Jigawa state government and all universities within the state.

Insha Allah Scholarships will be paid to students of special and professional programmes like medicine, engineering, law and other key programmes. Students of other non-professional programmes will receive scholarships based on academic performance. First class graduates will be considered for automatic employment and masters degree scholarships within and outside Nigeria. Ph.D students of Jigawa origin whose researches may directly or indirectly provide solutions to some of the state’s socio-economic challenges will receive government funding and patronage.

Different national and international reports place the general literacy level in Jigawa State at between 25-30% (Adult literacy is 38.3%) making it the fourth worst state above Taraba, Katsina and Borno. As controversial as this ranking may be, we must aspire to be in the top 10 of most literate states by whatever criteria used for future rankings, or at least reach the national average literacy rate of 50.6% in the next five years or less. In terms of education accessibility, Jigawa is ranked 32nd out of 36 states and FCT while we are 30th in terms of school attendance. About 60% of all Jigawans have no any form of educational qualification at all. These are scaring figures we need to change rapidly.

There have been previous efforts to change the negative picture of education in the state. Between 2007-2015, 56 Habbane centers for Fulani women education were built in addition to 172 Nomadic schools. Over the same period, 1,350 adult and mass literacy centers were built. Two special schools, Jigawa State Academy for the gifted and talented, Bamaina and Jigawa State School for the blind Dutse were also established. Our current assessment confirms that the Habbane centers have been abandoned, the Dutse school of the blind is also abandoned. However, we are glad that the mass education centers have been increased to 1,917 and the Nomadic schools to 418. However, they are facing serious manpower challenges which we hope to address if given the opportunity Insha Allah.

The current economic realities may not allow for the diligent implementation of complete free education no matter how much we want to do it. But we have plans to provide free girl child education up to secondary school across the whole of Jigawa. Girls that are orphans will have their sponsorships extended up to tertiary institutions. Disabled people and their children will also be considered for free or subsidized education.

Teachers welfare will be a top-most priority for our administration, we will improve the condition of service for education personnel. We will study and review the teachers salaries with the hope of increasing it to the highest amount possible and permissible by the economic situation. God willing, we will create allowances to motivate them and create a reward system to appreciate the best and most dedicated teachers in the state. We will train and retrain them to further their education while making the necessary learning tools and equipment available for their utilization Insha Allah. We shall create an avenue for periodic teacher-government engagement where operational successes and challenges of education will be discussed. We will use information in such engagements to take swift action where necessary and make adequate plans where applicable.

We will initiate the Jigawa State Annual Education Summit where stakeholders and the general public will meet for a whole week to discuss education. This summit will attract attendance from all over the country and beyond. In the next 35 years, we hope Jigawa will enter the list of top five most educated and developed states in Nigeria in line with our long-term development plan.

Gobe ta Allah ce
©Santurakin Dutse

Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

18 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

3 days ago

December 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

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As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.