Gov. Namadi’s vision for a knowledge-driven Jigawa 

Gov. Namadi’s vision for a knowledge-driven Jigawa 

By Lawal Jet Kaugama

Like none before him, Gov Umar Namadi of  Jigawa State has a vision for the future of his state whose economy shall be driven by knowledge, following in the footsteps of global leaders in science and technology: USA, China, Japan, Russia and a host of other countries.

How about believing me that Senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Jigawa State have witnessed tremendous improvements in 2024, including the construction and renovation of classrooms, hostels, and administrative blocks for young scholars.

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi,  through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, is committed to re-establishing a lasting legacy in the education sector.

 In 2025, the Jigawa State Government will continue the revitalization of the education sector through the following initiatives:

provision of official vehicles to all school principals and directors across the state;

provision of responsibility allowances to all school principals and directors;

renovation and furnishing of offices for all school principals and directors across the state; renovation and furnishing of staff rooms in senior secondary schools across the state and the construction of staff quarters in day senior secondary schools across the state.

 Others are the construction and renovation of staff quarters in boarding senior secondary schools; construction and renovation of libraries and laboratories in senior secondary schools; training programmes for senior secondary school teachers across the state, and establishment of technical and vocational institute in the state with modern workshop/laboratory equipment.

Dr Zurki Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the Jigawa State Governor, in office of the Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Isah Yusif Chamo, said the governor deserves commendation for his innovations in this regard.

We, the Jigawa people and all stakeholders  will continue to pray to Almighty Allah to continue to guide and protect Malam Umar Namadi  and  his benevolent administration.

Today in Jigawa state, an indigene of the state will only pay N10,000.00 as tuition fees for an academic session in the state-owned university, and receive a scholarship of N81,000.00 every session despite paying only N10,000.00 as school fees. 

A female indigene enjoys free education, from primary to PhD level, regardless of the course of study, and still receive a scholarship of N60,000 annually.

Under Gov. Namadi, Jigawa state is implementing a very generous education policy, providing significant financial support to its indigenes, particularly the girls.

Governor Namadi’s administration has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the welfare of Jigawa State citizens. His actions over the past two years are truly commendable.

One notable achievement is the implementation of various social protection and welfare programmes, which have benefited hundreds of thousands of people in the state. The breakfast programme, for instance, was a first in the state’s history and it has  provided relief to many indigent households.

Additionally, the governor’s focus on economic empowerment and youth employment has been impressive. The establishment of the Jigawa State Agency for Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment has led to the implementation of numerous empowerment programmes, that have  helped to mop up the reserved army of the jobless youths, benefiting over 73,000 youths in just one year.

The administration’s efforts to boost agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and human development services are also worthy of praise. The injection of N5 billion into the State Agricultural Supply Company, the construction of drainages, and the distribution of tree seedlings are just a few examples of the governor’s commitment to sustainable growth and development.

All these Governor Namadi’s singular actions demonstrate his dedication to improving the lives of Jigawa State residents. His administration’s accomplishments are a testament to effective governance and a commitment to the welfare of the masses.

The governor’s score scorecard in the past two years as it relates to education sector, provides and excellent material for leadership qualities worthy of emulating.

Governor Namadi has implemented various initiatives to improve education in Jigawa State, and keeps on providing more.

For instance, the state government has allocated 32 per cent of its 2024 budget to the education sector, far higher than the Federal Government’s allocation to the sector in her annual budget ritual.  Additionally, the government has launched the “Jigawa Compete” digital initiative, aimed at enhancing educational services through digital transformation, bearing in mind that the world leans towards knowledge economy.

It’s also worth noting that the state government has sponsored male and female students from poor backgrounds to study medicine in foreign universities. Furthermore, the government has recruited more than  1,000 qualified  professional teachers across the state to improve quality of educattion, that is geared towards providing lifelong skills that will benefit the society and households.

Among the various education initiatives Jigawa State offers to it’s people, the following stand out: 

It provides various scholarship programmes and financial assistance to its students. 

The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition.

 Students also receive financial assistance for living expenses, including rent, food, and transportation costs;

It offers opportunities for practical experience and skill development in the field of study.

At  Sule Lamido University, Jigawa State, indigenes (female) get free tuition, while male indigenes pay 25 per cent of N70,000, with the state government covering the remaining 75 per cent.

The Jigawa State Scholarship Board also offers foreign scholarships for best students in SSCE examinations to do courses that are not adequately run at home such as medical, applied medical, and engineering overseas.

That’s great news! Jigawa State’s free education  for the girls initiative aims to promote girls’ education and empower women in the state.

In all, we give credit to government of Gov. Namadi, for he has shown early recognition of education as a vehiclle of societal transformation.

Lawal Jet Kaugama is former chairman Jigawa State Radio Corporation