The new acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baba Usman has admitted that men and officers of the Force have done their best in the current security challenges in Nigeria but that such efforts are not enough.
Speaking to newsmen today, April 7, shortly after he was ushered into the new position with decoration by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Baba Usman vowed to improve from where his predecessor left.
“I came in at a very challenging time. I know it. I recognise it and I will work on how to improve from where my predecessor has left.
” I have been a member of the management team. We have tried to do our best, but it’s not enough. There is room for improvement.”
He promised to rejig the Force’s operational strategies, adding: “we have the blessings of Mr. President and we are hoping to get more of what we have requested through the Police Trust Fund very quickly.”
Baba Usman wanted Nigerians to expect improvement on the security situation, even as he appealed to them to collaborate and cooperate with them.
“With all the inadequacies we have, we still require everybody to be part of policing in this country. And that is why the emphasis on community policing will continue and the emphasis of collaborating with all other sister agencies will continue and we hope to have a better situation very soon.
“We will continue to practicalise it. My predecessor has left at the theoretical stage. We have started practicalising it but we have not gone far and therefore, all the methods of practicalising it have been put in place and we are going to continue with it in collaboration with other stakeholders.”
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) contract for the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels per day capacity Port Harcourt Refinery in Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State.
The rehabilitation project, which has a completion timeline of between 18 and 44 months under a three-phase arrangement, according to a statement today, Pril 6, was awarded to Milan based Tecnimont SpA at a lump sum contract price of US$1.5 billion, inclusive of VAT and other statutory payments.
The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, described the PHRC rehabilitation project as a dream come true, saying that the project was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to the Nigerian people to make the refineries work.
Mallam Kyari reiterated that in arriving at the choice of Tecnimont SpA, the Corporation embarked on a transparent tender process which can withstand any forensic audit, noting that NNPC was ready and open to answer any question pertaining to the project.
He assured that the same transparent process has been emplaced for the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna Refineries whose EPCIC contracts would be awarded in June 2021.
The GMD explained that the rehabilitation exercise is very different from a routine Turn-Around Maintenance as it would entail a total retrofitting of the plant with major part and equipment replaced with new ones.
Providing further insight into the project, Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Engr. Ahmed Dikko, explained that Phases 1 and 2 of the project would get the refinery ready to receive hydrocarbon, while Phase 3 will focus on the start-up the refinery for operation, stressing that the entire work shall be delivered in 44 months from today.
In his remarks, Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa Region of Tecnimont SpA, Davide Pelizzola, pledged the readiness of his company to work assiduously with the NNPC to comply with the terms and obligations of the contract.
The signing ceremony of the PHRC rehabilitation project was witnessed by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG amongst others.
The Dangote Cement Plc has introduced drug test for its drivers, vehicle tracking devices and other measures aimed at curbing frequent road accidents.
Other efforts by the Dangote Cement Plc to curb crashes, according to a statement by one of the company’s spokesmen, Jibril Abubakar include the recertification of drivers, pre-trip and post-trip inspections, Onboard Camera, Root Cause Analysis, engaging behavioral psychologists and Clerics, convoy movement, checkpoint policy and sanctions.
These measures came to light today, April 6, at the launching of a Drivers’ Training Centre located at the Dangote Cement Plant (DCP), Obajana, Kogi State. The new Centre is charged with the responsibility of attending to all training needs of the Dangote Cement Plc’s drivers.
Speaking at the convocation of the centre’s first graduates of 50 Trainee Drivers, Head of the Dangote Drivers Training Centre, Harisson Pepple, said that the training is in line with the company’s zero tolerance policy for auto crashes.
People said that the trainee drivers were drawn from the existing motor boys and were trained for six months.
He expressed optimism that the “days of crashes involving Dangote trucks are numbered”.
“The Trainee Drivers Programme is all encompassing.The first twelve weeks is theoretical. Then there is three months attachment.”
He said that the idea for the new Drivers Training Centre was conceived in June 2020, with the aim of training, retraining and constantly engaging the Dangote drivers.
He announced that the company is engaging another set of qualified drivers with Class G licenses, stressing that the company is doing everything possible to rid itself of crashes.
According to him, the company is collaborating with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in most of its activities, adding that the Trainee Drivers were also taught Defensive Driving Techniques which involves driving to save lives, time and property.
He recalled that Dangote Group has been taking stringent measures to minimize auto crashes, and that the new training centre is a continuation of its innovative efforts.
President Muhammadu Buhari has picked a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector General of Police.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi who spoke to news men today, April 6, at the Presidential villa, said that the appointment is with immediate effect.
Buhari had on February 4, extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for three months. Adamu has spent two months and three days.
The newly appointed acting inspector general of police born on the 1st of March 1963 and hails from Yobe state, bags a Masters in public administration from the University of Maiduguri, Borno state in 1997 and a Bachelor of Arts from the Bayero Usman University, Kano in 1985.
A prominent Islamic scholar in Zaria, Kaduna State, Sheikh Moosa Yousuf Onogu has described as unislam, moves by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make Covid-19 vaccination as a condition for external pilgrims going for hajj this year.
Sheikh Onogu, in a short statement today, said that to make vaccination compulsory for intending external pilgrims for admittance into the Kingdom for the purpose of performing hajj is haram.
“It is only the sick people that should be prevented from entering the mosque. “What they should do is to ask intending pilgrims to perform fitness test not compulsory Coronavirus vaccination.”
The Sheikh described the idea of compulsory vaccination as evil plan, with Muslim mostly to be affected.
“If they insist on going ahead with ” this evil plan” Muslims have ways out, suggesting prayer to be said before any Muslim present himself or herself for the vaccination.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has described the attack today, April 5 on police headquarters in Imo state and freeing of over 1,000 inmates of the correctional centre in the state as an attack on the soul of the nation.
The IGP, who fingered members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the attack, described “the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).”
He said that attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury.
“The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder.”
The IGP, who ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other Police Tactical Squads to Imo State to strengthen security in the State and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the State, directed the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command and a new Special Investigation Team (specifically set up to deal with cases of incessant attacks on security formation/operatives in the region), to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing-out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
The CP vowed to harness the security reinforcement squads and other operational assets at his disposal to take the battle to the door-steps of the attackers and prevent any further attack anywhere within the State and its environs.
He enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality. The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals. He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-ecomomic wellbeing of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, one of the operational vehicles of the attackers has been recovered by the Police and is currently being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations.
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, April 5 till further notice.
A statement from the state commissioner of information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu said that the curfew had become inevitable following security reports received from multiple sources, which brought the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state.
The statement said that security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with the directive, adding that only those on essential services with proper identification are exempted from the curfew.
“We urge traditional rulers, men of the State Homeland Security Team and Community Vigilante Services in the state to monitor movement of persons within their respective domains and take necessary measures to protect the people and their property.”
The state government advised all law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses, outside the curfew period, without fear of molestation as the security architecture of the state is robust enough to guarantee their safety.
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security operatives to hunt for terrorists who launched what he called “deadly insurgent attack” that took place on the Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Facility in Owerri, Imo State, today, April 5.
In a statement today, by his spokesman, Garba Shehu reacting to the incident President Buhari praised the initial response by security guards and security forces for preventing greater loss of life and the destruction of public property.
He directed security and intelligence agencies in the state and the geo-political zone to fully mobilize and go after the terrorists, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.
He also called for the best efforts to be made to rearrest fleeing prison detainees, many of whom are believed to be deadly criminals.
President Buhari appealed to members of the public to assist the law enforcement agencies with any relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of these criminals who perpetrated this despicable act.
He also urged members of the public to be vigilant as all of us have a stake in preserving our way of life from disruption by terrorists and anarchists while the Federal Government will use every available tool at its disposal to confront and terminate this bare-faced anarchy.
Pope Francis, today, April 5, delivered his Easter prayer to an almost empty hall in the Vatican.
There were said to be virtually no pilgrims in Rome over the weekend and the huge St Peter’s Square was almost empty.
In the Easter message, the 84-year-old Francis called for more vaccinations against COVID-19 also for poorer countries in front of a few listeners in St Peter’s Basilica.
The Pope also warned against wars and arms races in the world, even as he dedicated the public prayer to the elderly and sick, as well as residents of nursing homes.
He hoped that his words gave them encouragement and hope.
The prayer known as the Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven) was delivered from the Vatican and viewable for streaming.
It officially ended the Easter celebration in the Catholic Church.
The scale of infrastructural development projects executed so far under the Nasir El-Rufai-led administration in Kaduna State is undoubtedly unprecedented. Expansive road projects, audacious remodelling of markets and public places, deliberate and unambiguous urbanization are taking place in the northern powerhouse; it is at a rate never seen before.
This was the kind of change Kaduna residents wanted going into the 2015 election. It is not just the magnitude of these projects which is very impressive, but the outsized quality as well; we are witnessing jaw-dropping bridges being built to open up old communities and districts, every rebuilt road being fully fitted with pavements and walkways, precast drainages, culverts and solar-powered street lights. A modern Kaduna is being constructed in every sense of the word.
In a 2015 article I wrote, I made a joke about the late Sardauna returning to the Kaduna toll gate and being able to find his way straight to his Arewa House residence. I believe that wouldn’t be easy for the premier were he to return today. Kaduna is gradually transforming into an urban city deserving of its status as the capital of northern Nigeria. The Kaduna State Urban Renewal Project launched by Governor Nasir El-Rufai in 2019 has become the final piece in the building process towards long desired but very elusive development. Building on reforms carried out in the early days of the administration, this is indeed the gamechanger in the quest to “Make Kaduna Great Again”.
The campaign slogan isn’t often well contextualized. Kaduna used to be a dynamic representation of what Nigerian life in the good old days was like. Unfortunately, successive administrations failed to push the state to its full potential, leading to a less than ideal state of affairs by 2015. Consequently, residents and indigenes like me bought into the el-Rufai “Make Kaduna Great Again” agenda which was first put forward during the election campaigns. The pragmatic leadership of the former minister of the F.C.T is now putting Kaduna back on the map, but for the right reasons. With ramped-up socio-economic activities borne from the rapid urbanization of the state as captured in the Kaduna State Infrastructure Master Plan (2018 – 2050) and evidenced in the amount of reconstruction going on in the state, it’s apparent to even the casual eye that Kaduna is bustling with life and economic activities at record levels.
Of course, the process has been gradual but if you draw parallels with building a skyscraper, the building blocks for the modernization of Kaduna began to fall into place early in 2015 with policies fortified by data. Less than six months into office, the administration formed the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics and conducted the General Household Surveys. The surveys revealed gaps in basic data required to measure the State’s performance on its quest to actualise the Restoration Master Plan (RMPF). Quickly, the data revealed the need to reduce the size of governance in the state, optimising finite resources and showing the urgent need to focus on human capital development.
As a matter of fact, until in 2015, 61.8% of people in Kaduna were considered poor and incapable of securing a job in the public sector, school enrolment was very low, and the state-owned universities were plagued with frequent shutdowns. Employment into the state civil service was entwined with political patronage and failed to provide any buffer against economic shocks. To compound matters, past governments delegated their responsibilities to cronies through bloated contracts that failed to bring development. Waste and mismanagement ensured that ill-advised projects went uncompleted, were poorly maintained, or uncoordinated and failed to make an impact on the wellbeing of residents. Similarly, there was no data to track progress on projects. Requisite key indicators needed to make informed policy choices were non-existent so much so one wonders what public officials did daily. Nobody can tell using facts whether Kaduna State made any substantive progress against any of its set targets between the 90s and the advent of the El-Rufai administration.
This is why what is happening in Kaduna is commendable. Since inception, a large share of public resources – 58% – has gone towards essential services (education, health and social protection). Wide-ranging reforms were implemented that reduced recurrent spending and released scarce resources for much-needed capital projects. Additionally, given the many complex pathways that support poverty-reduction, driving economic growth, stimulating human capital development and driving private sector investment, a wide range of policies have been put in place to set Kaduna on the recovery and growth path. For example, 415km of new roads now support easier access to markets for farmers and better productivity for urban workers. Seven communities have been connected to the electricity grid and supported by solar-energy. 250, 000 farmers have also been supported with 50,000 tonnes of subsidized fertilizer with about $200 million private sector investment in agriculture including the Potato processing Plant, Vicampro Farms Limited, $120m, Integrated Animal Feed Mills, Olam International, $100m. For context, agriculture constitutes 36.7% of Kaduna’s economy. All these would not have been possible if El-Rufai didn’t reform and create agencies to improve the state’s IGR and attract private investments. Kaduna has consistently worked to reduce its capital expenditure to recurrent expenditure ratio since 2016, in 2020, the ratio was 73.7 %: 26.3%. This is unprecedented in Nigeria.
Also, unlike before, the majority of Kaduna citizens now have access to essential health services. 67.2% of residents now have access to vaccines, skilled attendants at births, antenatal care and more children are receiving immunizations in the state. To sustain these, 1,245 health workers were recruited with infrastructural support provided by the government through its agreement with General Electric to provide equipment to 255 primary healthcare centres and 23 general hospitals. 75 primary healthcare centres have also been constructed or upgraded so far.
Health alone without education cannot improve human capacity development indices. Thus, the focus for the administration has been holistic, prioritising education and infrastructure. Attendance rates in schools have doubled from 1.1 million to 2.1 million in two years, and the number of qualified teachers in Kaduna is fast improving following the 1,740 science teachers recruited after a report showed only 27% of teachers in the state were unqualified. Additionally, education in Kaduna is free until students complete their secondary school. 410 primary and secondary schools have also been successfully renovated, while 10 new primary schools have been built across all senatorial zones. Free uniforms and school feeding in primary schools has reached 1,453,104 children. The new policy to provide funds directly to schools’ accounts, instead of the usual way, is now widely perceived to have reduced corruption in the education sector.
The future is bright for Kaduna State, the state is planning to build at least two technical colleges in each of the 23 local government areas, the largest cattle ranch in Africa to be located in Birnin Gwari, Africa’s largest abattoir in Kafanchan and a 1,000 square kilometre solar farm in Makarfi that is targeted to create at least 20,000 job opportunities. CIMB, the Malaysian Islamic Bank is reported to be partnering with the state to build an intrastate railway project valued at $5bn over 5 years. And the state government has just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Solid Minerals Development Fund to develop its mining sector in exploration and formalization of its artisanal miners.
Of course, one article cannot cover all the notable interventions by El-Rufai & co but a key factor in leadership is the perception of beneficiaries, and the leadership style of the Governor is always a topic of huge debate. He is seen as uncompromising, ruthless and stubborn by his critics with many complaining of being left out of the process. However, when you realise that even the Kashim Ibrahim House has tasted demolition recently to make room for amenities that will benefit the public, you may be tempted to cut the administration some slack. I feel Nigeria needs strong leadership and at a period where confidence in public servants has eroded, leaders like El-Rufai that take unpopular but right decisions are exactly what we need.
As a businessman, I understand the need for conducive environments to invest, drive development and live peacefully. These rely heavily on the confidence we can draw from the direction of fiscal policies. I tell people who raise concerns about loans taken by the government to finance the rebuilding of Kaduna state to look at the impressive rise in IGR in just half a decade from 11.7 billion to N44.9 billion. I also point them to the fact that transparency and accountability have been redefined under this administration.
Also, this is the first time that development in Kaduna has been this evenly distributed. Southern and northern Kaduna equally share major developmental projects. The biggest market built so far is Kasuwa Magani, in Katuru Local Government Area in southern Kaduna. In every other part of the state, el-Rufai has concentrated on urbanising the metropolises.
This high-achieving mentality driving the administration has also made Kaduna a place where any Nigerian can work, stay and live. Compared to other states, Mallam Nasir is so far the only governor who believes anybody who wants can enjoy the state’s resources and contribute their quota. In the era of deep divisions across ethnic and religious lines nationwide, Kaduna is showing that equity in development can spur economic and socio-cultural advancement.
Nobody is deceived into thinking that Kaduna has suddenly transformed into a Nigerian utopia but by all accounts, and definitions, it is actually on its way there thanks to the stewardship of this current administration.
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The new acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baba Usman has admitted that men and officers of the Force have done their best in the current security challenges in Nigeria but that such efforts are not enough.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) contract for the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels per day capacity Port Harcourt Refinery in Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State.
The Dangote Cement Plc has introduced drug test for its drivers, vehicle tracking devices and other measures aimed at curbing frequent road accidents.
President Muhammadu Buhari has picked a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector General of Police.
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, April 5 till further notice.
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security operatives to hunt for terrorists who launched what he called “deadly insurgent attack” that took place on the Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Facility in Owerri, Imo State, today, April 5.
Kaduna On A Journey To Utopia, By Mustapha Ramalan
This was the kind of change Kaduna residents wanted going into the 2015 election. It is not just the magnitude of these projects which is very impressive, but the outsized quality as well; we are witnessing jaw-dropping bridges being built to open up old communities and districts, every rebuilt road being fully fitted with pavements and walkways, precast drainages, culverts and solar-powered street lights. A modern Kaduna is being constructed in every sense of the word.
In a 2015 article I wrote, I made a joke about the late Sardauna returning to the Kaduna toll gate and being able to find his way straight to his Arewa House residence. I believe that wouldn’t be easy for the premier were he to return today. Kaduna is gradually transforming into an urban city deserving of its status as the capital of northern Nigeria. The Kaduna State Urban Renewal Project launched by Governor Nasir El-Rufai in 2019 has become the final piece in the building process towards long desired but very elusive development. Building on reforms carried out in the early days of the administration, this is indeed the gamechanger in the quest to “Make Kaduna Great Again”.
The campaign slogan isn’t often well contextualized. Kaduna used to be a dynamic representation of what Nigerian life in the good old days was like. Unfortunately, successive administrations failed to push the state to its full potential, leading to a less than ideal state of affairs by 2015. Consequently, residents and indigenes like me bought into the el-Rufai “Make Kaduna Great Again” agenda which was first put forward during the election campaigns. The pragmatic leadership of the former minister of the F.C.T is now putting Kaduna back on the map, but for the right reasons. With ramped-up socio-economic activities borne from the rapid urbanization of the state as captured in the Kaduna State Infrastructure Master Plan (2018 – 2050) and evidenced in the amount of reconstruction going on in the state, it’s apparent to even the casual eye that Kaduna is bustling with life and economic activities at record levels.
Of course, the process has been gradual but if you draw parallels with building a skyscraper, the building blocks for the modernization of Kaduna began to fall into place early in 2015 with policies fortified by data. Less than six months into office, the administration formed the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics and conducted the General Household Surveys. The surveys revealed gaps in basic data required to measure the State’s performance on its quest to actualise the Restoration Master Plan (RMPF). Quickly, the data revealed the need to reduce the size of governance in the state, optimising finite resources and showing the urgent need to focus on human capital development.
As a matter of fact, until in 2015, 61.8% of people in Kaduna were considered poor and incapable of securing a job in the public sector, school enrolment was very low, and the state-owned universities were plagued with frequent shutdowns. Employment into the state civil service was entwined with political patronage and failed to provide any buffer against economic shocks. To compound matters, past governments delegated their responsibilities to cronies through bloated contracts that failed to bring development. Waste and mismanagement ensured that ill-advised projects went uncompleted, were poorly maintained, or uncoordinated and failed to make an impact on the wellbeing of residents. Similarly, there was no data to track progress on projects. Requisite key indicators needed to make informed policy choices were non-existent so much so one wonders what public officials did daily. Nobody can tell using facts whether Kaduna State made any substantive progress against any of its set targets between the 90s and the advent of the El-Rufai administration.
This is why what is happening in Kaduna is commendable. Since inception, a large share of public resources – 58% – has gone towards essential services (education, health and social protection). Wide-ranging reforms were implemented that reduced recurrent spending and released scarce resources for much-needed capital projects. Additionally, given the many complex pathways that support poverty-reduction, driving economic growth, stimulating human capital development and driving private sector investment, a wide range of policies have been put in place to set Kaduna on the recovery and growth path. For example, 415km of new roads now support easier access to markets for farmers and better productivity for urban workers. Seven communities have been connected to the electricity grid and supported by solar-energy. 250, 000 farmers have also been supported with 50,000 tonnes of subsidized fertilizer with about $200 million private sector investment in agriculture including the Potato processing Plant, Vicampro Farms Limited, $120m, Integrated Animal Feed Mills, Olam International, $100m. For context, agriculture constitutes 36.7% of Kaduna’s economy. All these would not have been possible if El-Rufai didn’t reform and create agencies to improve the state’s IGR and attract private investments. Kaduna has consistently worked to reduce its capital expenditure to recurrent expenditure ratio since 2016, in 2020, the ratio was 73.7 %: 26.3%. This is unprecedented in Nigeria.
Also, unlike before, the majority of Kaduna citizens now have access to essential health services. 67.2% of residents now have access to vaccines, skilled attendants at births, antenatal care and more children are receiving immunizations in the state. To sustain these, 1,245 health workers were recruited with infrastructural support provided by the government through its agreement with General Electric to provide equipment to 255 primary healthcare centres and 23 general hospitals. 75 primary healthcare centres have also been constructed or upgraded so far.
Health alone without education cannot improve human capacity development indices. Thus, the focus for the administration has been holistic, prioritising education and infrastructure. Attendance rates in schools have doubled from 1.1 million to 2.1 million in two years, and the number of qualified teachers in Kaduna is fast improving following the 1,740 science teachers recruited after a report showed only 27% of teachers in the state were unqualified. Additionally, education in Kaduna is free until students complete their secondary school. 410 primary and secondary schools have also been successfully renovated, while 10 new primary schools have been built across all senatorial zones. Free uniforms and school feeding in primary schools has reached 1,453,104 children. The new policy to provide funds directly to schools’ accounts, instead of the usual way, is now widely perceived to have reduced corruption in the education sector.
The future is bright for Kaduna State, the state is planning to build at least two technical colleges in each of the 23 local government areas, the largest cattle ranch in Africa to be located in Birnin Gwari, Africa’s largest abattoir in Kafanchan and a 1,000 square kilometre solar farm in Makarfi that is targeted to create at least 20,000 job opportunities. CIMB, the Malaysian Islamic Bank is reported to be partnering with the state to build an intrastate railway project valued at $5bn over 5 years. And the state government has just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Solid Minerals Development Fund to develop its mining sector in exploration and formalization of its artisanal miners.
Of course, one article cannot cover all the notable interventions by El-Rufai & co but a key factor in leadership is the perception of beneficiaries, and the leadership style of the Governor is always a topic of huge debate. He is seen as uncompromising, ruthless and stubborn by his critics with many complaining of being left out of the process. However, when you realise that even the Kashim Ibrahim House has tasted demolition recently to make room for amenities that will benefit the public, you may be tempted to cut the administration some slack. I feel Nigeria needs strong leadership and at a period where confidence in public servants has eroded, leaders like El-Rufai that take unpopular but right decisions are exactly what we need.
As a businessman, I understand the need for conducive environments to invest, drive development and live peacefully. These rely heavily on the confidence we can draw from the direction of fiscal policies. I tell people who raise concerns about loans taken by the government to finance the rebuilding of Kaduna state to look at the impressive rise in IGR in just half a decade from 11.7 billion to N44.9 billion. I also point them to the fact that transparency and accountability have been redefined under this administration.
Also, this is the first time that development in Kaduna has been this evenly distributed. Southern and northern Kaduna equally share major developmental projects. The biggest market built so far is Kasuwa Magani, in Katuru Local Government Area in southern Kaduna. In every other part of the state, el-Rufai has concentrated on urbanising the metropolises.
This high-achieving mentality driving the administration has also made Kaduna a place where any Nigerian can work, stay and live. Compared to other states, Mallam Nasir is so far the only governor who believes anybody who wants can enjoy the state’s resources and contribute their quota. In the era of deep divisions across ethnic and religious lines nationwide, Kaduna is showing that equity in development can spur economic and socio-cultural advancement.
Nobody is deceived into thinking that Kaduna has suddenly transformed into a Nigerian utopia but by all accounts, and definitions, it is actually on its way there thanks to the stewardship of this current administration.