Governor Shema in the Eyes of History

Governor Shema in the Eyes of History By Usman Baba Ahmed Twenty-Seven years after it was created by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Katsina State has become one of Nigeria’s accountable and developing states, arising from the heritage of resourceful leadership that has seen Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema as one of Nigeria’s most prudent managers of resources. Katsina state, although a non-oil producing state, has not taken any loan since 2007 in spite of the massive development that abounds across the state; yet no contractor is owed; and its workforce gets paid on time (i.e. on 22nd of every month). Undeniably, governor Shema has proven to be an achiever of unprecedented feats. This of course, is achievable from various enviable foundations that have been laid by different distinguished military and civilian administrators that have had privilege to lead the state before him. Colonel Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar (rtd) was the first Governor of the State (September, 1987 to July 1988) and was succeeded in the following order by Colonel Lawrence Onoja (July 1988 December, 1989); Colonel John Yahaya Madaki (December 1989 to January 1992); Alhaji Saidu Barda, the first civilian governor (January 1992 to November 1993); Navy Capt. Emmanuel Acholonu (9th December 1993 – 22nd August 1996); Colonel Samaila Bature Chamah (22nd August, 1996 to August 1998); Lt. Colonel Joseph Akaagerger (August 1998 to May 1999); and Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (29th May 1999 to 29th May 2007); and then Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema (May 2007 to date). The first civilian governor was Alhaji Saidu Barda, while Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema took over the mantle of leadership in May, 2007 from Late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Katsina is home to two past Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, namely: Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Other Katsina dignitaries include late General Hassan Usman Katsina, Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, former Chief Justice of the Federation Alhaji Muhammad Bello, two past Inspectors General of Police Alhaji Muhammed Dikko Yusuf and Alhaji Ibrahim Commassie, and pioneer Chairman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Alhaji Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad amongst others. Katsina is indeed home to some of the best and brightest Nigerian public servants, politicians and military top brass. Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema thus became the third democratically elected Governor of Katsina State whose 7-year-tenure can aptly be summarized as the leadership of performance. He came in with unequalled drive to swiftly position the state along the veritable path of immediate and excellent infrastructural renewal. Overwhelmed by deep understanding of where the state was coming from, he wasted no time in offering the state an impressive infrastructural transformation through massive and all-encompassing developmental projects, either completed by his administration or started by him. As a governor who shares nelson Mandela’s thought that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, Governor Shema in 2007 initiated a complete overhaul of the educational sector in the state. He declared a free and compulsory education from primary to senior secondary school level for all Nigerian children resident in the State, irrespective of tribe, ethnic affiliation or religion. The free education policy was well thought out and adequately funded. With attendant availability of instructional materials as well as teaching aids; many schools were renovated, in addition to 200 newly constructed secondary schools. 34 new girl-child schools were built while 38 blocks of one-storey building new primary schools were constructed, among others. The governor, who adores education, settles WAEC, NECO and NABTEB Examination fees for all SS3 students irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnicity. About 17, 157 teachers were offered in-service training and a backlog of 2, 560 Secondary School Teachers were promoted. Over 2000 Katsina State students were sponsored to Sudan, Jordan, USA etc to study various degree programmes including Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Arabic Calligraphy, Engineering, etc. Dr. Shema’s administration committed over 2 billion Naira to the newly established Federal University in Dutsin-ma which saw the early take-off of the institution. As if not done, he expended over 11 billion Naira for the completion of the state owned University – Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University. The structural evidence on the ground in the state owned university is a clear proof that the Katsina State government is committed to building a citadel of learning. He introduced a Teachers Award Scheme in which selected hardworking and outstanding teachers are given Hajj seat yearly (amongst so many other incentives introduced by the Governor) to ginger their performance in the state. In demonstration of Dr. Shema administration’s determination to ensure that every child in Katsina state has access to education, 70 Allo Model Schools were built across the 34 LGAs of the state to support Almajiri education. Presently, the Allo schools have a total student population of about 17, 091. Feeding, learning materials and clothing are provided for all these pupils and their teachers by the government. It could be observed therefore, that the education sector has witnessed a total overhaul within the last 7 years, with target specific projects aimed at advancing the quality of pupils education in the State. The health sector in Katsina has experienced an unprecedented revolution since the advent of the administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema. The government has invested enormous financial resources through the Ministry of Health to revamp and restructure the sector in order to make health care delivery not only accessible for the citizenry, but also to ensure that nobody dies from preventable disease. Like the free and compulsory education which has impacted positively on the people, the administration’s free medical care for children, pregnant women and the elderly has resulted in the elimination and reduction of notorious killer diseases like polio, measles, tuberculosis, malaria etc among vulnerable groups in the society. The governor who believed in the maxim that health is wealth, completed work on the 169-bed Turai Yar’Adua Maternal and Children Hospital, Katsina. He improved the condition of all the existing general hospitals through renovation, upgrading and procurement of modern hospital equipment across the state. The Shema administration provides free treatment for all antenatal care including delivery and caesarean section; all cases of malaria, psychiatry, accidents within the 48 hours and renal dialysis. The Babbar Ruga General Hospital has been providing prompt care to patients of VVF, Tuberculosis and leprosy diseases. It is the largest centre providing highest number of VVF surgery in the whole world; and he constructed a 250-bed space othorpaedic Hospital in the state. The government has provided the Katsina Eye Hospital in Gambarawa with modern equipment and staff, and is jointly run together with the Tulsi-chainrai Foundation with very good results. As at now, the hospital has achieved 100% post surgery restoration of sight. To remove obstacles hindering access to health care for people living in the rural areas, Governor Shema introduced the Mobile Ambulance Scheme. 34 equipped Mobile Ambulances were procured and deployed to provide health services to rural communities lacking health facilities. Agriculture, till date, remains the major occupation of more than 75 % of the population of Katsina state. The tilling of the soil for the cultivation of the vast agricultural land in the state was still on subsistence basis when Shema came to power, and this results in the production of food virtually for consumption. The governor has explored every avenue to boost the agricultural yield of the state. Analysts believe that Shema administration and boosting of agriculture are like Siamese twins, and this undoubtedly is changing the state into another food basket of the nation. The Shema government envisioned and boosted Garhi, Sabke, Jibia, Zobe, Mairuwa, Kusa and Kusada irrigation projects to sustain cultivation of crops throughout the year. In furtherance to its commitment in boosting the agricultural sector, Governor Shema’s government signed an agreement, known as Katsina – Songhai Initiative, in which the government plans to spend the sum of 3.4 billion naira to actualize the agreement. So far over 3 billion naira has been spent on this project, operated in 3 sites across the 3 Senatorial Zones of the State. The government also purchased 340 tractors to boost mechanized farming with each Local Government getting not less than 10 tractors at 40% subsidized rate, whereas the farmers were asked to deposit 10% of the total cost and pay the balance in 15 years. In the area of livestock development, the administration attached importance to the sub-sector because the country depends largely on it for the supply of meat and for export. The government also in collaboration with the Federal Government set up a Neem Tree Processing Company in Katsina. Since 2007, the administration has continued to procure and distribute fertilizers on regular basis to farmers at subsidized rates. The fertilizers get to the farmers directly by delivering it to the polling units, thereby eliminating middlemen. In furtherance of its agricultural objectives, the government also engaged agricultural specialists from Porto Novo, Benin republic and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and invested heavily on the training of youths in modern agriculture. On roads, the Sarkin Yakin Hausa’s administration has constructed 32 different road projects covering about 500 kilometers. Twenty four of these roads were initiated by the new administration, while eight others were inherited and completed. The total cost of the projects stands at more than N36.76 billion, out of which that of the inherited projects amounted to over N11.28 billion, while those initiated by Shema administration gulped about N26 billion. The administration constructed a 40 kilometers 6-lane ring road round the state capital which has opened up the City’s rapid development and expansion. This singular ring road project, as hugely futuristic as it is, has thus set the corner-stone foundation for the State’s future socio-economic transformation. It will amaze you to know that the entire lengths where these roads traversed were completely asphalted, hence the people will eternally be grateful to the Shema administration. In a complementary manner, the governor established the Katsina State Roads Maintenance Agency which has the responsibility of maintaining state owned roads, repairs and maintenance of street lights, construction of solar traffic lights as well as intervention in the repairs and maintenance of other roads, such as rural roads that are under the jurisdiction of local government areas. The Agency has so far recorded positive achievements with more than 50 projects to its credit since inception. It is actually true, that the seat of government that houses the leadership of any administration the world over is a reflection of the signature of the administration, since this is very often the first port of call for visitors to such a place. Governor Shema has constructed a befitting state of the art government house for the state as the old Government House was the residence of the District officer during the colonial period. Although some renovations were carried out by successive administrations to improve the status of the old Government House, there is a limit to which you can however renovate a building even on account of safety. Constructed at a cost of over 8 billion naira, the list of the projects in the brand new Government House include: The Governor’s office; Banquet Hall; Clinic, Deputy Governor’s office; Security control gate; Press centre; Canteen; Energy/Central workshop; Presidential aides quarters; three mosques; Stewards quarters; Sports court; Governor’s lodge; Juma’at mosque; Landscaped environment; Internal roads network; First Lady’s office; three Governor’s guest chalets; and Presidential lodge, etc. As you read this article, you are likely going to be carried away by the sheer magnitude of the Shema revolution that you may fail to notice the economics of it which is the very essence of “Shemanomics”. It is a principle that enables Katsina accomplish both modest and big projects without recourse to borrowings. It explains why with a combined monthly federal allocation and internally generated revenue earnings of less than 3 billion naira, Katsina state has accomplished landmark achievements without recourse to borrowing. In Katsina, Governor Shema never started any project without the 100% money needed for it at hand. After the contractor is paid his mobilization, the balance of the money to be paid on completion is put in a fixed deposit. That way, no contractor is owed after completing his work. But that’s not all. In three years, interest accruing to such deposits came to an unbelievable 8 billion Naira. It is with this seeming bonus that the Governor has put up a befitting Governor’s Lodge in Abuja and a brand New Government House in Katsina which was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan in March 2014. Who could have believed that this Lawyer from Dutsin-ma – who hails from a humble background, has not only held his own, but has held everybody spell bound, and in the process, inextricably wrote his name on virtually every good thing that has to be said of modern Katsina state and surpassing all successive administrations in the State’s transformation. For Governor Shema, provision of Shelter to Katsina people is not a matter of privilege but a right. With that in mind, the Governor constructed: 500 houses at Barhim village; 1, 020 houses across the 34 Local Governments; 250 houses-Kabakawa housing estate in Katsina; and is presently constructing another 510 housing estate in the state. In the last seven years, the Governor has constructed over 5, 000 housing units across the state to improve shelter to the ordinary man in the state. The Governor upgraded Katsina Motel to a three star hotel (3 Suites, 47 Chalets, 30 single rooms, and a swimming pool etc). It is worthy of note that the Motel was established in 1975 and was last renovated in 2000. To the Governor, electricity is an essential requirement for all facets of our life and it has been recognized as a basic human need. It is the key to accelerating economic growth, generation of employment, elimination of poverty and a catalyst for human development in both urban and rural areas. The administration procured more than 100 transformers to upgrade power supply across the state; constructed 30MW solar power plant in Kankia; established bio-gas electrification projects; and paid 81.5 million naira as compensation to farm owners for Windmill power project at Lambar Rimi. As if not done, 91 other communities have been provided with electricity and connected to the national grid. Water they say, is life. Safe drinking water and sanitation are indispensable to sustain life and health, and thus fundamental to human dignity. The Administration has completed 22 semi-urban water supply projects and billions of naira spent on different projects executed by the administration to boost and provide water supply for the populace. Over 1000 communities now have access to portable water through the massive drilling of boreholes in all the nooks and crannies of the state; over 300 solar-powered water pumps installed; and over 1,000 rural water supply programmes were executed through Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA). Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema has improved the welfare and physical health of young people through empowerment for self actualization as well as in promoting and popularizing sports in all its ramifications while providing instructors, coaches, and role models to develop sportsmanship for character building, competitions, and tournaments. Since assumption of office the Governor has continued to vigorously tackle the issues of youths and sports development in the state. To buttress this, the Governor upgraded Dutsin-ma, Kankia, Funtua and Mani stadia; the Governor for the first time since the creation of the state in 1987 established a state football club, the Katsina Spotlights FC, which made its debut in the 2009/2010 National Professional League. The Administration has constructed a millennium size modern stadium in Katsina. The stadium – known as Karkanda Stadium –is among the best in the country and Katsina people can watch national and international matches organized by either FIFA or NFF. On youth empowerment, His Excellency, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema has established the Youth Crafts Village in 2009. The Crafts Village is located within the vicinity of the State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp located in Barhim village. The centre is a one Stop-Shop for youth skills acquisition in a broad variety of areas including computer and GSM phone repairs; pottery; woodwork; tie and dye; wrought iron welding; auto repairs; electric vulcanizing; blacksmithing; photography; and film production. The facility is equipped to train 2000 youths in different trades per annum. The Youth Crafts Village enrolls 48 youths from each of the 34 local governments in Katsina State to train in their respective fields of interest. The youths are resident, fed and given allowance for the duration of their respective programs which is either 6 months or 1 year depending on the type of the training programme. As at last count, the Centre has turned out over 7000 youths. The beauty of this Centre is that it is producing job Creators instead of job seekers and due to the successes recorded, the Governor plans to replicate the Centres at Funtua and Daura Senatorial zones with the cost of the projects captured in the state’s current budget. The Governor is presently constructing an ICT and Business Institute in Katsina. The work has reached an advanced stage, and the project is expected to be completed by mid-2015. The Governor has equally set up 28 Paint and 20 Chalk Cottage Industries where youth are trained. Fertilizer Blending Plants have also been constructed at Batsari, Maiadua, Safana and Bakori; and government has distributed over 100 Million Naira as soft loans to about 6000 traders and artisans under the Small Trades Special Credit Scheme; over 106 Million Naira was distributed under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises Loan Schemes; whereas over 200 people, including women, benefited from the Quarry Operations Support Program; and 50 youths were trained on high-tech welding at Nigeria Naval Engineering Training College, Sapele, Delta state at a cost of over 301 million. Public transport in Katsina state is another area in which Governor Shema’s administration has written its name in gold. The Katsina State Transport Authority can now boast of a modern functional transport system, with enhanced welfare for the common man. The Authority has over 120 vehicles that are of different brands, sizes and specifications. The fact that KTSTA is being utilized on daily basis (regardless of high cost of spare-parts, petroleum hike, etc.), transport fares have nevertheless remained the same. Governor Shema also completed the construction of an airport to an international standard in the State, where aircrafts conveniently land and take off on domestic and international flights On the socio-cultural front, Governor Shema constructed new mosques in all the local governments of the state while the Central (Juma’at) Mosques in all the old seven local governments were rehabilitated and upgraded. The Administration is presently constructing an ultra-modern shopping mall and an ultra-modern international market. The contracts for these projects were awarded to Messrs Mother Cat and Cops Engineering Services respectively, and the progress of work at both sites is well over 75%. An attempt to summarize the achievements of the Katsina State Government under the leadership of this enterprising, energetic and exemplary visioner poses serious challenges considering the scope of overwhelming evidences that buttress the truth that politics could be played differently and purposefully. Governor Shema has therefore undeniably proven that the whole essence of good governance is the turn-over of worthwhile projects that have positive bearing on the needs and well-being of the citizens through the instrumentality of government. A man of immense intelligence and an astute manager of men and resources; thinker and champion of idea-based politics, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has exemplified politics of performance by setting Katsina state on the hills, as a measurement for development in politics. As those who left their footprints on the sand of time are not easily forgotten, history will judge and acknowledge Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema as the father of modern Katsina State even long after his tenure would have been over. In recognition of his enviable achievements, his humility, accessibility and prudence in the management of state resources, he has been turbaned Sarkin Yakin Hausa, Attah Ojah of Igala Land, Sarkin Fulanin Katsina and Lamido Fulben Gusau by the Emir of Daura, Attah of Igala, Emir of Katsina and Emir of Gusau respectively. He has received so many garlands and awards in and outside the country, amongst which is the Best Primary School Performance Governor in Nigeria at Ukraine, and the Niger Republic’s second highest national honour to mention but few. Usman Baba Ahmed, a Public Commentator Wrote in from Minna, Niger State. Follow me on twitter @Usman4reall Facebook.com/usman.baba1 Email: usmanbaba.ahmed@gmail.com