Memo To Kaduna State Governor-elect -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Let me first and foremost congratulate the Kaduna state governor-elect, Malam Uba Sani over his victory in the March 18th, gubernatorial and states assemblies elections. On 29th May, like other governors-elect across the country,he will take an oath of office as Kaduna state governor. Malam Uba Sani will find a big shoe to fill. His predecessor, malam Nasiru Elrufai, who spent eigh years in power has been in either bad or good news within the period under review. Some of his policies such as retreachment or rightsizing have generated mixed feeling in the state. It can be recalled that his first tenure witnessed the laid off of over 50,000 personals drawn from different Ministries, Department and Parastatals. Worst hit are the education sector and local governments which the bulk of the casualties came from. While Elrufai’s administration has been able to construct many township roads in Kaduna, Zaria and kafanchan under the urban renewal projects, it is believed,rural communities under his watch have suffered great neglect.

During a debate organised by British Broadcasting Commission (BBC), Hausa service in preparation of gubernatorial polls, three major contenders who were eyeing for sir-kashim Ibrahim house from APC, PDP and NNPP bared their minds on what they would do if given the mandate by the electorates. For instance, Uba Sani, who wanted to succeed Elrufai did not see anything wrong in retreachment of primary School teachers who were considered incompetent and unfit for the jobs. He commended Elrufai’s investment in education which resulted in excellent performances of the state in WAEC and NECO in the last five years. Uba Sani, backed his arguments with relevant statistics to convince his opponents and general public. However,both Isa Ashiru of PDP and Suleiman Hunkuyi held different opinions. The duo chided APC government on killing the education sector and promised to reverse the retreachment policies. They bowed to review the policy and reinstate geinune teachers if come to power.

Despite the facts, Malam Uba Sani, supported governor Elrufai’s policies and programs throughout the period in which the debate lasted, he admitted that, Elrufai was also a humman being who could make mistakes. Sani, assured the good people of Kaduna state that if elected, he would look into some of the governor’s policies with a view to discarding the wrong ones and sustaining the good ones. With his victory in the election,the governor-elect, should strive to keep his promises after inauguration. The reforms carried out in primary education should be hurriedly reviewed. Many schools are still baffling with inadequate teachers. The teachers who were recruited to replace the sacked ones seemed grossly inadequate. This has seriously affected the development of education in the state.

The governors-elect should scale up massive recruitment of teachers to augment or bridge the shortage of teachers in the state.

There is no gainsaying the facts, our major cities have wore good look through the urban renewal projects implemented by governor elrufai’s administration. The governor elect should this time around, prioritize rural areas. The presence of government in rural areas is not much feel or very minimal. The new government should ensure a paradigm shift from urban to rural renewal projects.

This gesture will open up our rural communities and alleviate poverty among the rural dwellers.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State. 08169056963.