By Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro
Your Excellency,
AS you touch down in Dutse Airport on a state visit to Jigawa State to officially launch the 28th Edition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic, and to commission roads and distribute empowerment packages to the downtrodden on Thursday 1st July 2021, I write to give you a glimpse of the silent revolution under Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar in Jigawa State in the last six years, opening the state for huge local and foreign direct investments.
Badaru has demonstrated an unequal skill in his revolutionary drive of transforming the entire institutional framework of governance in Jigawa State, employing in its wake, reports of various transition committees whose articulated roadmap and blueprint have accounted for the phenomenal development landmarks widely acclaimed by political pundits as best ever in the state’s history.
The story of Governor Badaru’s stewardship of Jigawa State is unique in that the administration’s six-year record of achievement will present an extra-ordinary ability to blend human and material resources available to government in the execution of services. The ability was made possible only through wise management of scarce resources which ensured accountability on the one hand and inclusive governance that involved the people at large on the other. As a result, the people are always ready to cooperate and complement the efforts of his government through physical communal participation in development projects and local direct investment by both indigenous and national entrepreneurs and technocrats.
There is no doubt that many aspects of development by individuals and nations have been fired and propelled by vision which is regarded as an indispensable ingredient and catalyst in the dynamics of human existence. This is why Woodrow Wilson once emphasised that “no one that does not see vision will ever realize any high hope or undertake any high enterprise.” This pragmatic statement is reinforced by that of Ralph Waldo Emerson who said: “Where there is no vision, a people perish.”
From the time he assumed office as 4th democratically elected governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, MON, mni introduced numerous programmes of action aimed at furthering the socio-economic progress of the people, particularly rural dwellers.
The programmes cover fields of socio-economic development such as agricultural development, massive industrialisation via direct local and foreign investments, massive infrastructural development, particularly roads, urban planning and water projects across the state. Other key priorities of Governor Badaru’s administration are educational development, healthcare facilities and rural development.
A careful account and analysis of the achievements of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the People’s Governor, in its 6th year in office shall, from all intents and purposes, will bring into view a rare leadership mettle especially in a period beset with myriad of problems in the face of dwindling revenue allocation.
With fortitude, perseverance, focus, financial prudence, accountability, transparency and high integrity, Governor Mohammed Abubakar came to steer the ship of the State. Ever optimistic and confident in God’s guidance, the People’s Governor summoned his leadership acumen coupled with accounting precision-qualities as a professional accountant (he graduated from the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria); in a matter of months; things began to be in their right perspectives. This is however, in addition to his foresight and ability to appoint and allocate the right calibre of people in the various ministries, departments and agencies.
The story of Governor Badaru’s stewardship of Jigawa State is unique in that the administration’s six-year record of achievement will present an extra-ordinary ability to blend human and material resources available to government in the execution of services. The ability was made possible only through wise management of scarce resources which ensured accountability on the one hand and inclusive governance that involved the people at large on the other. As a result, the people are always ready to cooperate and complement the efforts of his government through physical communal participation in development projects and local direct investment by both indigenous and national entrepreneurs and technocrats.
The Jigawa State Government is attracting foreign and local investors to the various investment opportunities because under the captainship of Governor Badaru Abubakar, the state offers quick wins and making the difference for a significant number of entrepreneurs. The Governor is forging a visionary path to set Jigawa State apart. At Jigawa State, we see transparency and an open-playing field as competitive advantages for all investors; as the People’s Governor is committed to making sure investors not only feel welcomed but also assured of returns on investment in the diverse and exciting investment opportunities in agro-business, renewable energy, manufacturing and solid minerals.
It must, however, be stressed here that the administration’s recognition of priorities has largely contributed to the governor’s achievements during his first term and now half way into his second term as Chief Executive. In fact, it is the knowledge of the basic necessities for the state that prompted the state government to introduce innovations that will be far reaching in their impact on the life of the people in the long term. These innovations, on their socio-economic and politico-cultural levels and in short, medium and long term applications, have already begun to pave the way for the state’s economic self-reliance as well as the epicentre of agro-business production, processing and export.
The key achievements in the Jigawa State MSME since 2015 cut across accelerating growth of the industrial sector, creating an enabling environment for investment and accelerating growth of MSMEs being the engine room of the economy.
The Jigawa State Government is attracting foreign and local investors to the various investment opportunities because under the captainship of Governor Badaru Abubakar, the state offers quick wins and making the difference for a significant number of entrepreneurs. The Governor is forging a visionary path to set Jigawa State apart. At Jigawa State, we see transparency and an open-playing field as competitive advantages for all investors; as the People’s Governor is committed to making sure investors not only feel welcomed but also assured of returns on investment in the diverse and exciting investment opportunities in agro-business, renewable energy, manufacturing and solid minerals.
Your Excellency Sir, Jigawa State ranks second in Nigeria in the World Bank’s latest Ease-of-Doing-Business Report. With solid minerals and prospecting mining licenses ready for investors to off-take, ample land and a favourable climate for year-round crop production, Jigawa State is a strategic location providing unique opportunities for international trade. Peace, stability and tranquillity are major factors attracting massive investment to Jigawa State. Jigawa is the most peaceful state in Nigeria!
We are hopeful that the official launch of 28th MSME in Dutse would bring more social and economic ideas to life to drive growth and expand human welfare, which in turn will empower investors to explore the vast potentials just as it will room for imagination, creativity or innovation. The Clinic would connect participants to potential collaboration, mentorship and even investment ideals — and generally creating mutual space for new and exciting possibilities and opportunities.
Barka da Zuwa Jigawa: The New World. Enjoy your stay, Your Excellency.
Danyaro is the Senior Special Assistant to Jigawa State Governor on Print Media. He wrote in from Dutse and can be reached at ahmaddanyaro2017@gmail.com
