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My Vision for Jigawa State (IX)

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Mustafa Sule Lamido

 

By: Mustapha Sule Lamido

I want to start by reflecting on our journey so far. We have come a very long way moving from one stage to another through the guidance and support of Allah (SWT); we continue to seek for His guidance and direction in whatever we do. We thank you all for the massive support for the PDP in Jigawa State. In the preceding weeks, we have received a lot of commendations and criticisms; we accept them all in good faith and we remain committed to learning from both.

Some weeks ago, we inaugurated our campaigns at the state and senatorial district levels where we met and interacted with the people. The massive crowd that turns up to welcome us at each rally is a testimony of the level of support for PDP by the Jigawa State people. We are not going to take it for granted. With just about 6 to 7 weeks left before the General Elections, I urge everyone to collect their PVCs before the deadline and ensure they dont’ trade their votes for anything.

I have taken a break from communicating my vision because we have already released our full manifesto in November which is also online. Therefore, I deemed it fit to give our people adequate time to digest it and offer their observations. Alhamdulillah, we have been receiving lots of them. We are working on the Hausa version so that everyone will have the opportunity to critique it very well. As I noted earlier, it is not a perfect document, rather it is a proposal that can be improved with your inputs.

So far, we have introduced our overall vision which will be laid on the foundation of unity, good governance and putting Jigawa First. We have also discussed education, health and agriculture. Our plans for other sectors are contained in our manifesto. However, for the sake of those who are not opportune to read it, I will give a brief summary on the other issues.

We will work tirelessly to guarantee the security of lives and properties Insha Allah. That Jigawa is believed to be one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria will not be a license for complacency. Our aim is to sustain the peace and make it even more peaceful. If elected, we will come up with a security masterplan that is comprehensive, intensive and proactive. We will achieve this through traditional rulers engagement, complementing federal security operatives, empowering community security and vigilante groups and emphasizing on surveillance and intelligence gathering. Other measures include sustainable solutions to farmers-herders crisis, partnership with neighbouring states, effective border patrol and strong legislation against crimes.

On the economy, we will start by appraising all the realities when we win the elections. We will subsequently finetune our economic plan to take care of short, medium and long-term requirements. We will work to build a diversified economy that will create jobs and lift people out of poverty as well as generating revenue for the state. This will be achieved through visionary budgeting process for IGR Growth, strengthening our local markets, industrialization through raw materials utilization, mineral exploitation and tourism.

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We will Insha Allah partner with the Federal government for a better utilization of the Dutse Airport. With the right efforts and partnerships, the Dutse International Airport can be utilized as a cargo terminal which will serve the entire North-Western Nigeria. We can persuade the Federal Government to decongest other places and divert some cargoes to Dutse. This will in turn transform Jigawa State into a massive economic hub with job and investment opportunities.

As a land-locked state, Jigawa State needs to start considering the Dry port option as an alternative route to economic development. If we can produce a lot of raw materials and sell at cheap price to eventual exporters, why cant we export it ourselves? Making a giant effort in this direction will take us a long way. We can start by reviving the abandoned Maigatari Export Processing Zone.

If elected, we will declare a state of emergency against unemployment, youth restiveness and women underdevelopment. We will emphasize on skill-based education, expansion and modernization of the agricultural sector, development of information and communication technology, reviving the sports and entertainment industries. We will create a database of all Jigawa State graduates for linkage to employment opportunities. We will introduce Graduates Internship Programme for university and college students after NYSC. The programme will post them to different government ministries on a 6-month internship.

Already, we have spelt out our comprehensive plan to tackle flood in my previous releases. I want to assure you that we have plans for other sectors of the environment. Our environment is one of the most neglected components of our society. We are going to change this narrative once elected. We shall have an environmental masterplan that will take care of micro, medium and macro challenges faced by our natural and built environments. We will focus on effective waste management in our municipalities while introducing the culture of environmental sanitation. We shall work on environmental planning, orientation and awareness, tackling of erosion, drought and desertification as well as vectors and mosquitoes’ control in urban centres.

We will Insha Allah introduce an effective digital land administration system which is an indicator of city development. In our vision to have a digital archive/database of land properties and resources, we will establish the Jigawa Geographic Information Systems (JIGIS) as obtainable in FCT-AGIS, Kano-KANGIS, Kaduna-KADGIS and Lagos-LAGIS. The JGIS will play a significant role in agriculture, urban and rural planning, revenue collection, tourism, transportation, mineral exploitation, population and housing census and controlling environmental hazards.

Jigawa State have no option than to embrace unity. Our challenges and aspirations are common, we must therefore work together to address and pursue them. I emphasize as always that unity of Jigawa State is our top priority because it is only with unity that progress, prosperity and development are achievable.

Let me conclude by reiterating that we will continue to play politics of issues not sentiments no matter the amount of provocations. Already, we are glad that the national eyes are now on Jigawa State politics because we are moving faster than many states which were hitherto seen as our political seniors. I use this opportunity to remind all the Jigawa State political players of the Peace Accord we signed in November. We should live up to our words and conduct ourselves with respect and understanding. As we move closer to the elections, we must caution our supporters against violence and disrespect which Jigawa is not known for; if not for anything, there will be life after elections.

Gobe ta Allah ce
©Santurakin Dutse

Opinion

Jobs, Rights and Growth: Reflections on the 113th Session of the ILO-Dr Muttaqa

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Dr .Muttaqa Yusha’u

The 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) took place in 2025. This is one of the largest gatherings under the United Nations system larger even than the UN General Assembly.

What makes the ILO unique is its tripartite structure, bringing together representatives of workers, governments, and employers. It is a genuine example of democracy in action in the governance of work. Since its founding in 1919, the ILO has remained one of the oldest UN agencies, with a clear mandate to promote social justice.

The report of the ILO Director-General to the 113th Session, themed “Jobs, Rights and Growth,” captures the core dilemma confronting the world of work. Economic growth alone, without social justice, cannot address the mounting social and political unrest seen across the globe. Social and economic inequalities have grown significantly.

The working people who generate wealth continue to live in poverty, as the real value of wages declines due to market-driven and often unfriendly economic policies. Precarious jobs lacking fundamental rights at work are on the rise. Bridging the gaps between jobs, rights, and economic growth has become urgent.

A major highlight of the Conference was the adoption of the Resolution concerning the Promotion of Quality Apprenticeships, aimed at addressing youth unemployment and skills mismatch. This resolution recognizes that apprenticeships are a powerful tool for building the future workforce, but it emphasizes that quality and protection must be central to their design and implementation. It calls on member States to adopt a rights-based approach to apprenticeships that is consistent with existing international labour standards.

Additionally, the Conference held a general discussion on Decent Work in the Care Economy, which underlined the disproportionate burden on women in unpaid or underpaid care work and called for concrete action to formalize and recognize care work as central to sustainable development and social justice. The discussion resulted in the adoption of conclusions recommending stronger investment in the care economy, the protection of care workers’ rights, and the expansion of social protection coverage.

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It is clear that isolated actions or blame-shifting among the social partners governments, workers, and employers who are central to addressing this triple dilemma, will not yield results. This is why the optimism expressed in the Director-General’s report, particularly his call for strengthening social dialogue as a key tool for achieving decent work in an increasingly unstable world, is so timely and important.

Unfortunately, in many countries, social dialogue is at a crossroads.

According to the ILO Global Social Dialogue Report 2024, only 35% of countries have strong and inclusive mechanisms for tripartite dialogue. In many African countries, these challenges are even more pronounced. Several factors undermine effective dialogue, including weak institutions, lack of trust among tripartite actors, limited technical capacity of trade unions, and political interference in labour relations.

Moreover, dialogue structures are often ad hoc and not institutionalized, making continuity and implementation difficult.
Shrinking civic space, legislative restrictions on union activity, and delays in tripartite consultations further erode the potential of social dialogue. For instance, in some countries, national labour advisory councils exist only in name, meeting irregularly and lacking real influence over labour market reforms. In others, economic austerity and structural adjustment policies imposed by international financial institutions have weakened collective bargaining and sidelined workers’ voices in national economic decision-making.

The Director-General’s call for embedding democratic values is therefore critical not just in principle, but in practice. Upholding the policies, processes, and institutions that enable inclusive dialogue is essential to restoring the credibility and effectiveness of the ILO’s mission, particularly in regions like Africa where the gap between formal frameworks and practical implementation remains wide.

The 113th Session also marked continued debates around the effective implementation of fundamental principles and rights at work. Follow-up discussions on Convention No. 190 (Violence and Harassment in the World of Work) and the enduring call for the ratification and enforcement of Convention No. 102 (Social Security Minimum Standards) reflect a shared concern that global labour standards must translate into real protections at the national level. Resolutions reiterated the ILO’s supervisory role and urged member States to close the widening gap between commitment and action.
Achieving growth with equity, as the report advocates, requires reinforcing democratic values and broadening civic space. It is concerning that these spaces are shrinking in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa, where restrictions on freedom of association and protest, along with weakening trade union rights, have limited the capacity of social partners to work collaboratively.

The question is: what must be done?
Social partners must ensure that the excellent discussions and declarations made in Geneva are not left behind. More robust national-level debates are needed especially across Africa, where unemployment, informality, and wage stagnation continue to deepen.

The conversation must continue on key issues such as promoting decent work for platform workers, adopting innovative approaches to the transition from the informal to the formal economy, and ensuring the practical realization of conventions and recommendations adopted at the Conference.

Only through shared responsibility and sustained dialogue can the ILO’s vision of decent work for all become a reality.

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Opinion

Leadership That Crossed Borders: How Gov Yusuf Made Our Hajj Beautiful

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By Mahfouz Mustapha Maisikeli

As someone who has had the privilege of performing Hajj multiple times, I went into the 2025 pilgrimage expecting the usual: long queues, food complaints, poor logistics, and the everyday hustle for survival in the Holy Land.

But what I experienced this year as a pilgrim from Kano State under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, completely shattered those expectations—for good.

From the very beginning, the organization, coordination, and care shown to us were unlike anything I had seen in the past.

The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, empowered and restructured under Governor Abba’s administration, functioned not just efficiently, but with genuine compassion.

It became clear to us, even before departing Nigeria, that this year’s Hajj wasn’t business as usual—it was service with sincerity.

Food: No Longer a Source of Stress

One of the most common complaints among Nigerian pilgrims in years past has been the food. Either it arrives late, is culturally unfamiliar, or lacks quality.

This year, however, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made it a priority to ensure that pilgrims received timely, culturally appropriate, and nutritious meals throughout our stay in both Makkah and Madinah.

The meals served reminded me of home—tuwo, miyan kuka, rice, even light Hausa snacks.

The Governor’s special committee on feeding, which included Hausa-speaking staff based in Saudi Arabia, ensured that the food was not only tailored to our dietary habits but also clean and hygienic.

I recall vividly how pilgrims from other states would jokingly ask to “share our food.”

Shelter: Comfort in the Holy Land

Accommodation, another sensitive topic, was handled with professionalism and foresight. Instead of overcrowded, poorly ventilated rooms, we were lodged in hotels within a reasonable walking distance to the Haram, equipped with working elevators, clean water, and constant electricity.

It was a drastic improvement from what I personally endured in 2019.

According to briefings we received, Governor Abba personally approved additional funds to upgrade accommodations beyond the basic packages negotiated by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).

The results were visible and tangible—elderly pilgrims had easy access to medical facilities, while others enjoyed a level of comfort that made worship easier and stress-free.

Welfare: A Governor Who Cared—And Was Present

It is rare to feel the presence of a state governor while thousands of miles away from home. But this year, we felt more than presence—we witnessed it.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was physically with us in Makkah, walking among us, checking on our welfare, listening to complaints, and inspiring confidence.

In a moment that moved many pilgrims to tears, the Governor gifted each of the 3,345 Kano pilgrims the sum of 250 Saudi Riyals—a generous gesture of support and love amounting to 836,250 Riyals in total.

It wasn’t about the money alone; it was the symbolism of a leader who shares in the journey and sacrifices of his people.

His delegation regularly visited our lodgings, monitored our welfare, and offered listening ears to our feedback.

The Governor ensured that medical teams were stationed round-the-clock, and that volunteers were available to help the aged and infirm.

What touched me the most was how the state handled emergencies. One elderly woman in our group fell ill on the eve of Arafat. Within minutes, she was evacuated to a specialized hospital through arrangements already made by the welfare team.

She recovered fully and was even able to complete the rites—something that might not have been possible without such intervention.

Pilgrims Board: Outperforming International Operators

In a surprising twist, many private pilgrims I met along the way from the UK, USA, and even some Arab countries were shocked at the level of organization and support we enjoyed as state-sponsored pilgrims from Kano.

I can boldly say that the Kano State Pilgrims Board outperformed many international Hajj operators this year.

Governor Abba’s reformation of the Board—replacing political appointees with seasoned professionals, digitizing the registration process, and ensuring transparency in the selection of officials paid off.

We had guides who spoke both Arabic and Hausa, volunteers who handled luggage and wheelchairs, and spiritual leaders who offered daily sermons and moral guidance.

Leadership That Transcends Borders

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf did not just supervise this year’s Hajj—he walked with us, prayed with us, and supported us. His presence was felt in every act of kindness, in every moment of comfort, and in every system that worked. He reminded us that leadership is not about titles—it’s about impact.

As I stood on Mount Arafat, surrounded by fellow pilgrims from Kano and beyond, I couldn’t help but say a prayer for the man who made this journey not only bearable but beautiful.

May Allah reward him, protect him, and allow him to continue to serve the people of Kano with sincerity and compassion.

Indeed, this year’s Hajj was awesome—and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made it so.

Mahfouz Mustapha Maisikeli, Kano.

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Opinion

Allegations of Underperformance Against Kano Government ,Baseless,Misleading And Watery -Tijjani Sarki

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It is truly baffling how individuals, comfortably seated in their air-conditioned offices and who are detached from the realities on ground, could issue such a watery, unsubstantiated and misleading statement, under the guise of public commentary. The recent publication by the so-called APC Patriotic Volunteers, led by Alhaji Usman Alhaji the former Secretary to Kano State Government (self acclaimed Wazirin Gaya), reeks of desperation, a feeble attempt to whitewash a sordid past and distract people from the genuine efforts being made by the NNPP-led administration under the capable leadership of His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Ideally, APC members should have buried their heads in shame, for the atrocities they had committed, which included: mismanagement and misappropriation of the resources of Kano people, self – enrichment and misuse of public properties

Let us set the record straight, point by point:

1. Water Supply: Mismanagement and Recovery

It is laughable and hypocritical for APC sympathizers to lament water scarcity when the current crisis is the direct fallout of years of neglect, decay, and mismanagement under their watch. The NNPP administration inherited a comatose water infrastructure but is already making measurable progress:

i.Procurement of 10 high-capacity water pumps to revamp the state’s water supply system.

ii.Drilling of 6 industrial boreholes.

Ongoing rehabilitation of distribution networks.

Your government never made such strategic or comprehensive interventions. Expecting instant results after years of neglect is unrealistic and disingenuous.

2. Education: From Ruins to Revitalization

The APC left Kano’s education sector in a deplorable state dilapidated classrooms, underpaid and demoralized teachers, zero strategic investment, and no annual increments or promotions. Under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf:

i.A State of Emergency on education was declared.

ii.Education budget allocations rose dramatically to 29% in 2024 and 31% in 2025 the highest in Kano’s history.

iii.Hundreds of classrooms are being renovated and newly constructed across all LGAs.

iv.Recruitment of qualified teachers is underway to fill critical gaps neglected for years.

To claim “little to see” is either blatant dishonesty or willful blindness.

3. Demolitions: Restoring Public Purpose

Yes, demolitions have occurred,but not out of vindictiveness. They are necessary actions to reclaim illegally acquired public lands. The APC shamelessly converted public assets and green spaces into private estates for cronies, including Filin Idi, Race Course, Kundila Housing Estate, State Road civil servant quarters, and more.

Unlike your era of privatization and land grabbing, the current government is restoring these spaces to serve public needs schools, hospitals, roads, and green areas. This is justice, not chaos.

4. Independent Power Project (IPP): Clarifying the Facts

The IPP was not an APC initiative. It was inherited in a fragmented state and was being deliberately dismantled. The NNPP administration intervened to restore the original plan and ensure electricity reaches strategic areas like Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities.

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Even if you argue these estates benefit a few, remember that Kwankwasiyya City is the largest single housing estate in Kano state. When completed, it will significantly boost the state’s socio-economic prospects unlike the empty infrastructure projects under your administration, which served contractors more than the people.

5. Silencing Opposition? Promoting Responsible Media

No media house has been banned for airing opposition views. The recent agreement among media executives aimed to curb vulgar, indisciplined, and defamatory political programming that promotes hate speech and misinformation.

no fewer than 262 broadcast violations relating to politics and personality attacks were recorded in Kano State
within just two months (January–February 2025). Would you prefer we continue down a path that inevitably leads to unrest?

6. Ecological Funds: Tangible Actions

There is no dispute about the receipt of ecological funds. The difference lies in tangible project execution:

i.Bulbulawa in Ungogo LGA now has active erosion control works after years of neglect,by your administration.

ii.Wailari and several other erosion control projects are ongoing.

iii.Drainage rehabilitation and flood prevention are progressing in multiple roads in state capital and some LGAs.

If you cannot acknowledge this progress, at least refrain from misleading the public.

7. External Borrowing and Transparency

Your administration was infamous for accruing debts without transparency or accountability. We challenge you to publicly disclose:

The total debts acquired under the Ganduje administration.

Detailed reports on how those debts were utilized.

The NNPP administration, unlike yours, has not taken any foreign loans since assuming office. The books are open for public scrutiny.

8. Salary and Pension Irregularities: Accountability in Action

Irregularities discovered in April salary payments were promptly addressed with disciplinary actions a hallmark of transparency. Contrast this with your tenure, where:

i.Civil servants were often unaware of their exact salary figures.

ii.Salaries and pensions were arbitrarily cut.

iv.Payroll fraud thrived unchecked with ghost workers on the payroll.

v. Under your administration hundreds of pensioners died without receiving their legitimate gratuity after serving the state fir over 30 years.

9. Local Government Autonomy and Emirate Disputes

Pretending to champion local government autonomy is hollow when your government controlled all 44 LGAs as mere extensions of the State Executive Council. The current administration is working to ensure LGAs are governed by elected officials, not puppets.

Regarding the Emirate dispute, it remains a matter before competent courts. The NNPP government consistently respects the rule of law, unlike your blatant disregard for multiple court rulings during your demolition excesses.

10. Legitimacy and Performance

It is irresponsible to brand this government “illegitimate” when INEC declared it the winner and courts upheld the results. Attempts to rewrite history with propaganda only tarnish the APC’s already dwindling reputation in Kano.

Instead of bitter attacks, the APC should answer:

Why were schools left in ruins?

Why was water unavailable for years despite billions spent?

Why were public properties sold to cronies?

Why were debts piled without meaningful progress?

CONCLUSION

The NNPP-led Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may not be perfect, but it is genuinely working restoring sanity, investing in people, and rebuilding Kano from the ruins your administration left behind. Your desperate attempt to undermine these efforts with long-winded propaganda filled with half-truths and unverified allegations insults the intelligence of the Kano people.

We urge the APC to come forward with facts or allow this government to work in peace. The people of Kano know better now.

Signed:
Tijjani Sarki,
Secretary General,
Eye on Kano Initiative
Kano, Nigeria
11th June 2025

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