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Jigawa at 34: The Poetry of Progress, the Philosophy of Responsibility-Lamara Garba

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1 year ago

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Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa state with his predecessors in office during the celebration of the creation of Jigawa State

 

By Lamara Garba Azare

Thirty-four years in the life of a state is like a river carving its way through rocks; steady, patient, sometimes turbulent, yet always forward. Jigawa, born on that fateful Tuesday, 27th August 1991, out of Kano’s map and skepticism, was once dismissed as barren land with little hope of survival. Some mocked it as a mere “civil service state,” others doubted whether it could pay salaries, let alone build an economy. Yet, as the calendar marks 34 years, the story has changed. Jigawa has risen with quiet resilience to become one of the most peaceful and administratively stable states in Nigeria.

The early years were defined by scarcity. The first military administrator, Colonel Olayinka Sule, is remembered for lamenting that he inherited “only one brick house.” That statement captured the reality of Jigawa’s beginning: a state without structures, institutions, or resources. Roads were scarce, schools too few, and hospitals barely functional. Yet the people endured, and leaders improvised. Colonel Ibrahim Aliyu, who followed, set in motion the first structures of governance, laying the foundation of ministries and local councils. To many, those years felt like planting seeds in dry ground, but they were necessary steps in the long journey of becoming.

With the return of civilian rule in 1999, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki stepped in as the first elected governor. His administration invested in fiscal reforms, introducing measures to expand internally generated revenue and experiment with new public-private partnerships. Though his tenure was not without controversies, he carved out a fiscal pathway that reduced the dependency on federal allocation. After him came Sule Lamido, whose eight years brought a new sense of pride to Jigawa. Lamido, influenced by his socialist leaning, embarked on massive infrastructural transformation—roads, schools, hospitals, and housing projects. He established the Jigawa State University at Kafin Hausa, expanded Dutse Airport, and made the capital a hub of activity. He also became known for his reforms in public service, branding Jigawa as one of the few states with relative transparency in public finance.

After Lamido came Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, fondly called “Baba Mai Calculator.” His tenure emphasized prudence, continuity, and rural development. He is remembered for expanding road projects, completing water schemes, and paying attention to agricultural reforms. Under him, Jigawa consolidated its reputation as a state that avoided reckless borrowing and maintained financial discipline. His eight years were defined by calm governance, with Jigawa standing out in a country often shaken by political turbulence.

Today, Governor Umar A. Namadi continues from where his predecessors stopped. At the 34th anniversary celebration, he spoke with both gratitude and resolve. He reminded his audience that Jigawa’s story is not about individuals but about a people who endured hardship, believed in progress, and built a state from near-nothing. “With profound gratitude to Allah SWT,” he said, “I am delighted to stand among our past leaders and our people on this historic day. From the bereft position of 1991, Jigawa has come of age. It has not been a smooth journey, but an arduous one marked by sacrifice, resilience, and disciplined leadership.” His words carried the weight of history as he acknowledged the contributions of his predecessors—military and civilian alike—and framed his administration as another link in the chain of continuity.

On Wednesday, 27th August 2025, the State capital, Dutse, became a theatre of gratitude and reflection. Past governors, elder statesmen, traditional rulers, academicians, and citizens converged not merely to celebrate a date, but to affirm the philosophy of unity—that leadership, in its truest form, is a relay where each handoff builds a greater tomorrow. The Shekoni, in words that carried both humility and grandeur, captured the essence of the day when he declared:
“With profound gratitude to Allah SWT, I am highly delighted for having the privilege of being in the midst of all the highly notable individuals here present, who have greatly contributed to the making of our dear State of Jigawa. In particular, I am truly highly honoured and humbled by the presence of all the past leaders that have found time to be with us here today to grace this auspicious and memorable occasion of the 34th Anniversary of the Creation of Jigawa State. We most profoundly thank Allah SWT, by Whose grace, mercy and benevolence, you are all opportune to be with us here today to mark the occasion.”

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His words reminded the gathering that Jigawa is not the achievement of one man or one government but a collective labour of leaders, elites, and citizens alike. In a moment that stilled the hall, the Emir of Dutse rose to speak. His voice, calm and regal, carried the authority of history and the warmth of a father blessing his children. He said, “My dear people of Jigawa, today is not just about celebrating years; it is about celebrating patience, vision, and unity. When this State was created, many doubted its survival. But see where we stand today thriving, dignified, respected. This is the fruit of discipline, of faith in Allah, and of leaders who placed service above self. As we mark 34 years, let us remember that development is not only about roads, hospitals, and schools. It is also about the moral fibre of our people, the dignity of our youth, the empowerment of our women, and the protection of our traditions. Let us continue to live as one family, bound by faith, guided by wisdom, and inspired by hope. For the future of Jigawa is not in the hands of a few—it is in the hands of all.”

His message resonated deeply: that progress is incomplete without unity and moral strength, and that Jigawa’s greatness lies in its people as much as in its infrastructure. To balance tradition with intellect, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, former Minister of Education and one of Jigawa’s most distinguished daughters, offered her reflection. With the elegance of scholarship and the passion of a patriot, she declared, “As we celebrate Jigawa at 34, let us not only recount the legacies of our leaders but also measure how far we have come in nurturing the minds of our children. Education has always been the ladder out of poverty, the torch that lights the path of progress. I am proud that Jigawa has invested in this sacred sector, but I must urge that we do more. Our girls must be given the wings to fly, our boys the skills to create, and our teachers the honour they deserve. For it is only through knowledge, discipline, and values that the dream of Greater Jigawa will find permanence. Let us ensure that no child in this land is left behind in the march towards development. That, for me, will be the greatest legacy of our 34 years.”

Her words cast a prophetic challenge to the State: that physical structures will one day fade, but education remains an immortal gift that shapes destinies across generations. Together, the speeches of the Shekoni, the Emir of Dutse, and Professor Rufai wove a tapestry of perspectives: governance, tradition, and scholarship. It was a reminder that true progress requires the harmony of all pillars of society.

Namadi then turned to the present, outlining his efforts under the 12-Point Agenda for Greater Jigawa. Barely two years in office, he has overseen the completion of over 300 km of inherited roads with another 800 km under construction, embarked on a 600-unit housing scheme with hundreds already completed, and pushed forward the long-awaited Dutse Water Project. His government has launched erosion and flood mitigation projects to reclaim degraded lands, empowered over 300,000 youths and women through job creation programmes, and established new agencies to modernize agriculture and livestock production. “These are not just projects,” he declared, “they are building blocks for a greater Jigawa.”

But even in celebration, the challenges were not ignored. Jigawa still struggles with out-of-school children, with youth in search of jobs, and with the slow pace of industrialization. Poverty, though reduced, still casts a shadow across many families. At 34, the state stands at a crossroad. Its achievements prove that steady governance can make a difference, but the next chapter will depend on how leaders confront the deeper questions of education, employment, and industrial growth.

The story of Jigawa is the story of unity across political divides, across time, and across visions. It is the story of resilience, of leaders who built not for themselves but for a people, and of citizens who have borne sacrifices with patience. The anniversary, however, was not just a look backwards; it was a gaze forward.

As the Emir reminded, unity and morality must remain the compass. As Professor Rufai urged, education must remain the ladder. And as the Shekoni prayed, faith must remain the anchor. Jigawa at 34 is not just a celebration of years; it is a philosophy of progress. It is the poetry of resilience. It is the reminder that from barren soil can grow a garden if nurtured with patience, vision, and faith. Undeniably, thirty-four years on, Jigawa teaches Nigeria a lesson: that from barren soil, a garden can bloom if watered by discipline, faith, and unity of purpose.

Lamara Garba Azare, writes from Kano

 

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Opinion

Kano’s War On Drugs: How Barr. Muhyi’s Taskforce Is Changing The Game

Published

4 days ago

on

November 2, 2026

By

Muhuyi Magaji

 

By Muhammad Abubakar Suleiman

When Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared a public health emergency on drug abuse on July 22, 2026, and inaugurated the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, many in Kano saw it as another committee. Three months later, the committee led by Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado is dominating security headlines in the state.

The Taskforce was constituted as a multi-agency platform bringing together NDLEA, Police, DSS, Consumer Protection Council, Pharmaceutical Society, Ministry of Health, Anti-Daba Unit and other stakeholders. Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad serves as Secretary.

From Raids to Results: Over 400 Arrests

According to briefings by the Chairman, within the first two months the Taskforce arrested more than 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions. By September 29, when Barr. Muhyi spoke at the Kano Network of NGOs (KANET) Monthly Lecture at Nasarawa GRA, the figure had risen to over 400 arrests.

Presenting its scorecard to the State Executive Council in late September, the Taskforce reported a 35% reduction in drug-related crimes in the last three months, attributing it to intensified enforcement, seizures and over 500 convictions as of October 22.

Operations have focused on identified hotspots: Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo, Tashar Rimi, Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama and Kukar Bulukiya.

Recoveries include Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Pregabalin, Exol-5 and a Methamphetamine-based designer drug. In one case, 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin were seized from a pharmaceutical company over suspected diversion. Local weapons – knives, daggers, cutlasses and clubs – used by gangs were also recovered.

The Taskforce also recorded high-profile arrests. On August 18, it announced the arrest of a former Chairman of Rogo Local Government for allegedly selling and administering fentanyl injections to youths, after a victim who spent over N2 million on injections identified him.

Latest: Gang Sponsor Tracked to Port Harcourt

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In its most recent operation, the Taskforce announced on October 30 the arrest of a 27-year-old suspected gang violence sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, from Yalwa in Dala LGA.

According to the committee, Malam Keya was allegedly financing violent clashes by rival Daba gangs in Dala that claimed lives. He fled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after crackdown intensified, but was tracked and arrested in an operation led by Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe, and brought back to Kano. He is now in police custody pending prosecution.

Chairman Muhyi said the arrest outside Kano shows the Taskforce will pursue suspects beyond state boundaries.

Beyond Enforcement: Children, Rehabilitation and Technology

The committee says its mandate is not just enforcement. It reported rescuing 43 underage children allegedly exposed to intoxicants and convicting two dealers – Kabiru Isa and Usman Hamisu – for the offence. About 125 persons were referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for rehabilitation. With Kiru overstretched, government has provided an additional facility in Tofa.

The Taskforce has set an ambitious target of taking 10,000 youths off the streets for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration.

On August 21, Barr. Muhyi inaugurated nine sub-committees to professionalize the fight: Finance; Media and Publicity; Advocacy and Sensitisation; Licences, Inventory and Verification; Compliance, Inspection and Electronic Tracking; Monitoring and Implementation; Intelligence; Reformative and Traditional Council; and Anti-Drug Coordination.

Tech Turn: AI, 24-Hour Line and NDLEA Support

In the last two weeks, the Taskforce unveiled a new approach. On October 22, Barr. Muhyi, on behalf of Governor Yusuf, donated operational equipment to the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command led by Commander Dahiru Yahaya Lawan, to boost operations.

He also disclosed that Kano is deploying Artificial Intelligence for surveillance and tracking of suspected dealers, and equipping a rapid-response centre with ICT and a 24-hour toll-free line where residents can report and get response within 30 minutes.

At KANET lecture themed “Kano Drugs Crisis: Challenges, the Way Forward and the Role of the Community,” Muhyi stressed community intelligence and called for more rehabilitation to decongest remand homes.

No Sacred Cows

From day one, Barr. Muhyi has maintained a hard line on political interference. “No politician can pressure me to free drug suspects. The only person who can stop me is the Governor, and I know he will never interfere,” he told journalists on July 28.

That stance, coupled with intelligence-led raids, has earned the Taskforce both praise and scrutiny.

The Bigger Picture

Kano Police data cited by the Taskforce indicates about 70% of major crimes in 2025 were linked to drug abuse. The Executive Order outlawing Daba gangs provides a minimum of five years imprisonment under Section 97A of the Kano Penal Code.

Whether the Taskforce can sustain momentum will depend on three tests: securing the drug supply chain from pharmaceutical diversion, expanding rehabilitation beyond Kiru, and maintaining inter-agency cooperation without becoming a parallel enforcement body.

For now, in the markets of Filin Idi and the streets of Dala, residents say the presence of the committee is being felt.

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Opinion

The Reward For Hardwork Is More Work: A Rejoinder To Dr Garba Ubale Danbatta

Published

4 days ago

on

November 2, 2026

By

 

 

 

By Nworisa Michael

The redeployment of Hon. Comr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya PhD from the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has attracted several reactions. While professional and civic organisations have congratulated him and acknowledged his contributions, Dr Garba Ubale Danbatta, a supposedly veteran journalist, has chosen to use the development to question his performance and professional conduct in his former ministry.

Dr Danbatta is entitled to his opinion. Nobody should be above criticism, especially in public office. However, when criticism is presented as a professional assessment, it should be supported by facts, not merely personal convictions or years of experience.

Before concluding that journalism suffered under Waiya, perhaps we should examine some of the developments recorded during his tenure.

Eight contributions worth considering:

• Grassroots information: Strengthened engagement with Information Officers across Kano’s 44 local government areas and eight zonal offices.

• Capacity building: Supported training programmes for local government Information Officers, alongside interactive engagements with editors and news managers.

• Media policy: Facilitated the inauguration of an 18-member committee to develop a media and information policy framework for Kano State.

• Digital transformation: Established a Digital Multimedia Department to modernise government communication, improve digital engagement and address misinformation.

• Peacebuilding: Advanced the Safe Corridor Project, an initiative focused on rehabilitation, skills development and reintegration of reformed youths.

• Media engagement: Engaged media practitioners, online publishers and political programme presenters on responsible public communication and professional conduct.

• Institutional development: Pursued interventions aimed at strengthening state-owned media institutions and improving the capacity of personnel within the information machinery.

• National recognition: Received the Crisis Communicator of the Year award at the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards in Abuja.

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These developments do not mean that Waiya’s tenure was without shortcomings. They simply demonstrate that there is more to his record than the sweeping conclusion offered by his critic.

There is also something interesting about the public reactions to his redeployment. The Kano State Forum of Information Officers, Northern Youths Assembly and International Peace and Secure Society are among the organisations that have publicly acknowledged his contributions and congratulated him on his new assignment. Their statements may not settle every debate about his tenure, but they show that his work was not viewed negatively by everyone who interacted with his ministry.

Now, to Dr Danbatta’s presentation of his professional experience.

I found it rather curious that a commentary intended to assess another public officer’s performance devoted three of its concluding paragraphs to the author’s own professional journey, positions held and years of experience. One could almost finish reading the piece knowing more about the author’s resume than the evidence behind his criticism of Waiya.

Same individual who has been unable to ensure good working relationship with his staffs at Pyramid Radio Kano where is currently serves as its manager, a station that constantly runs out of diesel and goes off the air, perhaps even he isn’t proud of this hence he left it out from the list of his workplaces listed.

With due respect, professional experience is valuable, but it should strengthen an argument, not become the argument itself. A good product sells itself. A journalist’s professional standing should be reflected in the quality, fairness and depth of their analysis. Thirty years in the profession deserves recognition, but it does not automatically make every opinion conclusive.

If the intention was to assess Waiya’s stewardship, then the more important questions should have been: What did he inherit? What did he change? Which initiatives did he introduce? What measurable outcomes were achieved? And where did he fall short? Those are the questions that give criticism substance.

We can be safe to say that Waiya’s redeployment was a direct reward for his performance in the former ministry. The Governor has publicly explained the cabinet adjustments as part of efforts to strengthen institutions and improve service delivery. What is evident, however, is that Waiya has been entrusted with another important responsibility, and his record in the former ministry remains open to public examination.

The Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs is not beyond criticism, and neither is Dr. Waiya. But fairness requires that we acknowledge the work done alongside the shortcomings alleged.

Frankly the most fitting way to understand this new assignment is captured in the title of this piece: the reward for hard work is more work. His previous assignment is now part of his public record; his new ministry presents another opportunity to serve.

Congratulations, Hon. Comr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya. The expectations continue.

Nworisa Michael is a
Writer, Public Affairs Commentator and writes from nworisamichael1917@gmail.com
1st Nov. 2026

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Opinion

My Achievements At Kano State Ministry of Environment — By Dr. Dahir M. Hashim

Published

6 days ago

on

October 31, 2026

By

 

Looking back on my time at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, one change I value most is how the public came to see the sector itself. Environmental protection became a stronger part of conversations about our health, neighbourhoods, livelihoods, and Kano’s future. People increasingly joined the work, supported our programmes, and held us accountable.

For that, I thank the people of my dear state.

This journey began for me on 6 January 2025, when His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the Ministry.

The challenges were clear. Facilities had deteriorated, policies needed updating, enforcement was weak, and frontline workers were owed outstanding payments. Yet His Excellency saw what the Ministry could become and gave us the support to begin rebuilding it.

Our government-owned nurseries tell part of that story. Eight facilities that had become non-functional were fully rehabilitated, restoring our capacity to produce seedlings locally. Building on the administration’s three-million-tree planting programme in 2024, the programme grew to five million in 2025 and ten million in 2026, with all seedlings raised in government-owned nurseries. Behind those numbers was the recovery of public facilities that could continue serving Kano for years to come.

The same determination guided the restoration of the Kano State Pollution Control Laboratory. We renovated, equipped, and recommissioned it, giving the State the scientific capacity to test, monitor pollution, and support enforcement. We operationalised the Environmental Pollution Control Law and developed the Environmental Pollution and Waste Control Regulations to give that work a stronger legal foundation.

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At REMASAB, reforms improved the coordination of waste collection, evacuation, and disposal. Waste management became more organised and responsive, with operations supporting the evacuation of approximately one million metric tonnes of waste. The Dorayi Compost Plant was also brought back into operation, restoring the capacity to turn organic waste into useful compost and creating opportunities for investment.

Across flood-prone communities, we undertook drainage construction, clearance and erosion control. The stormwater harvesting intervention in Toranke and work on the Kano State Drainage Master Plan formed part of our effort to move towards better protection and long-term planning.

We also restored four public parks, with more underway. Spaces that had suffered neglect were given new management arrangements and a clear responsibility for maintenance. Families now have more welcoming places to spend time together, while the parks’ combined annual revenue increased from around ₦5 million to ₦90 million.

Alongside these projects, we rebuilt the policy foundations of the sector. We developed the Kano State Climate Change Policy, its implementation plan and results framework; advanced the Climate Change Bill; and reviewed the Forestry Law after more than five decades. We also developed the Climate Finance Reform Action and Implementation Plan and the Green Bond Framework to prepare Kano for environmental and climate investment.

Kano’s third-place finish in the just-concluded 2026 Climate Governance Performance Ranking, and the opportunity to present our work at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, gave us reasons to be thankful. They also reminded us how far consistent support and collective effort could take the state.

None of this work could have continued without the people delivering it every day. With His Excellency’s backing, we cleared nine months of salary arrears for 2,369 verified street sweepers and doubled their stipends, re-engaged inspectors and forest guards, and doubled the stipends of 875 sanitation vanguards. I remain grateful for their service.

Today, as His Excellency separates the ministries and appoints a new Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, my strongest feeling is gratitude.

To His Excellency, thank you for trusting me with this responsibility, listening to our proposals and supporting the decisions needed to carry them through.

To our staff and agencies, community leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, young volunteers, businesses and residents: thank you for standing with us. Your participation, patience and constructive criticism helped us improve. These achievements belong to everyone who contributed.

I congratulate the incoming Honourable Commissioner and offer my full cooperation to sustain the work we began together.

Serving the people of Kano State in this capacity has been a privilege. Thank you for the trust and support.

Dr. Dahir M. Hashim, Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Water Resources, Kano State, writes from Kano.

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