Jigawa: New Poverty Capital Needs A Positive Disruption -By Umar Farouk

In the first instance, to define poverty in a country or State like ours would rather prove to be a herculean task. Thanks to the complex structure as well as the heterogenic threads of language, tribes, religion, and geographical division which were used by colonialists in weaving the fabric of Nigeria’s statehood. 
However, the definition by Irene Khan, a former Secretary-General of Amnesty International, which says that “poverty is not only about income poverty, it is about the deprivation of economic and social rights, discrimination, exclusion, and powerlessnes” would in all sincerity be useful in judging the current tide.

Poverty is not an abstract term in Jigawa’s lexicon. In fact, both the young and old, the rich and poor can give accurate explanations and analogies to describe this highly dreaded term. 

From the standpoint of equity, justice, and fairness, it is incongruous and unthinkable for a State to engage in a journey of poverty alleviation. We cannot shy away from the fact that several citizens of Jigawa State sleep and wake in poverty. This without ado is evident in the life expectancy rate which has over the years dwindled on a downward scale.

According to the report which was based on the latest National Bereau of Statistics data, Jigawa is now one of the frontrunner in the National poverty race. It said ‘’At the end of may 2020, Jigawa State had about 87.02% peoples living in an extreme poverty, less than Sokoto and Taraba only with 87.73% and 87.72% respectively. What is extreme poverty in Nigeria is having less 137.4 thousand Naira per year”

The natural temptation is to gloss over this report because it relays an obvious truth. The wretchedness of the poor is ubiquitous and palpable: it doesn’t require any statistical validation. Moreover, the assessment of mass poverty is not an exact science. But there is something eye-catching about the report. It is the alarm that Jigawa State is now with few equal in terms of exponential poverty.

We ought to stop and contemplate the feat of our State beating it colleagues in the democratization of poverty. We should be shocked that Jigawa trumped other States in citizen impoverishment. It’s appalling that our new claim to fame is our reproachful status as one of the poverty capital in Nigeria.

Though, It would not be surprise when the State government dismissed this report card. But, when confronted with facts and figures of mass suffering, the government will not disputes and discredits that data like enemy propaganda. Neither resist any suggestion that they are accountable for the situation or responsible for remedying it.

The externality of the fat cats to the street make them divorced from the squalor in which the poor wallow. This attitude forms the framework of government indifference to citizen poverty and ensures that every new Government leaves the people poorer than he met them. We romanticize yesterday, lament today and fantasize about tomorrow.

Jigawa State is so blessed that it shouldn’t be associated with the worst poverty credential. It’s abundant resources can give the common man access to food, shelter and clothing. All this pervasive suffering is needless.

Poverty has the tendency to make an individual needy, fatalistic and slavish. The poor crave for instant gratification. They are prone to being compromised. They are amenable to manipulation and exploitation. The poor are a desperate folk. 

In essence, the politician gives the poor just enough breadcrumbs to keep them alive till the next election. In power, they refuse to lift the people above poverty. They would rather not create the sweet spot of a voter uprising that would consume them. They scramble and trample on themselves for ‘stomach infrastructure’ bribes. They hire out themselves as campaign rally attendees. They sell their vote.
Sometines, the politicians also are quick to use this term as a bait to lure the minds of the poor towards believing that they have the magic wand of sweeping this seemingly deadly virus off the borders. Reality over time has, however, revealed the fact that Jigawa is far from been regarded as a non-poverty stricken state.

Jigawa would have been a different if poverty were low. If majority of peoples were reflecting the wealth of their State, citizens would be prouder, bolder and more independent-minded. They would negotiate deliverables with their leaders. They would ask tough questions. They would make better voting decisions.
Unemployment which seems to be another fuel driving the wheels of poverty is on a large scale. Innumerable thousands of graduates are roaming the streets in search of gainful and profitable jobs to kill the pangs of hunger.

Jigawa State needs help!

Umar Farouk is Columnist, Media Specialist Writes from Jigawa. He can reached via 0703284368, daddyjahun@gmail.com