Atiku Musa to LG Treasures: Keep the ball Rollings!

The Kaduna State Auditor-General of Local Government Audit, Alhaji Atiku Musa has charged all the auditors in 23 Local Governments of the state not to relent in their efforts to put their best in actualizing the good dream behind the establishment of the audit system in the state.

The energetic and workaholic auditor-general, who is also the Chairman of the Conference of Auditor-Generals of Nigeria was speaking at 3days Special Training on the Preparation of IPSAS Accrual Financial Statement of the Year 2022, for Treasures, Assistance Treasures and Budget Officers of the 23 Local Governments Councils, which was organized by the office of Kaduna State Auditor-General at Butterfly Hotel Marafa, Kaduna.

The training according to him was aimed at providing the participants with strategies and modalities for presenting the Annual Report that can show their expertise in their profession, it is also going to encourage them to write the name of Kaduna State on a platter of gold among their peers in the country.

He reiterated the state under the able leadership of Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to providing an enabling environment through every available means that will make them perform their function amicably.

Alkammawa writes from Kaduna Nigeria, 07030399110

Musa: Nigeria’s Iconic Auditor

By Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

Kaduna State Local Government audit system has been described as world class and solid system worthy of emulation, the Auditor- General for Local Governments Adamawa State Mr. Bashiru Ijamulu Yusuf FCNA,ACCrFA made the Statement in Kaduna while leading Management & Staff of the Adamawa State Local Governments Audit to a 2 day official working visit to office of the Auditor- General for Local Governments Kaduna State.
According to the visitor they were in Kaduna in order to strengthening the cordial working relationship already existed between Adamawa and Kaduna State as well as  understudy the secrets behind the successful operations/ implementation of  IPSAS audit reporting system in Kaduna State.
Mr. Bashir I. Yusuf took time to interact with Alh. Atiku Musa FCNA, ACCrFA the Auditor- General for Local Government Kaduna State, Management and senior Staff of the Kaduna State Local Government audit and also inspect facilities and Structures put in place to facilitate efficient service delivery in the AG’s office complex in Kaduna.
At the end of the visit Mr. Bashir express his satisfaction with the warm reception extended to him and his team and rated  Kaduna State Local Governments Financial reporting System and other related audit work very high and assured that he will go back to Adamawa and put what he witnessing and experience into practice with the hope of moving the State Local Government audit to greater height.
In his Farewell remarks the Auditor – General for Local Government Kaduna State Alh. Atiku Musa FCNA, ACCrFA attributed the successes recorded by his office  to commitment of the Governor of Kaduna State Mal. Uba Sani to prudent and judicious application of public resources as well as leadership of the Kaduna State House of Assembly especially the House Committee on public Account PAC.
He further assured that his office will continue offering useful advice to the government especially at the local Government Level. He thanked them for the visit which he describe as a tool of encouragement for them to champion the good cause of auditing not only in the state but in the country as a whole.

Alkammawa writes from Kaduna with additional report from PRO Kaduna State Local Government Audit, Obasanjo House Kaduna. 07030399110

Group cries out over a Gang-up against JMA leader, Rabi Saulawa

By Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

A group under the auspices of Arewa Unity League ( ARUL) has raised alarm over what it described as a “last-minute gang up against the leadership of Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa( JMA) led by Ms. Rabi Musa Saulawa.

Chairperson of the group, Hajiya Memuna Idris said in a press statement in Kaduna on Saturday, that the gang-up against Ms. Saulawa, coming barely three months to the end of her eventful tenure “was designed to destabilize JMA and destroy the sterling records of achievement of the Saulawa-led management of JMA”.

The statement noted that the idea of waiting till three months to the end of Ms. Saulawa’s tenure before “launching a false and negative campaign against her, smacks of dirty politics in an organization meant to cater to the poor and innocent Arewa people, including PWDs”.

The group condemned the “obvious plan to stampede Ms. Saulawa out of office, through some back-door conspiracy and massive media attack”, describing the action as “grossly unfair to both the JMA and the North as a whole”.

Hajiya Memuna, in the statement, warned that “it’s not in the culture of Northerners to target a fellow Northerner for public ridicule, because the late Sardauna Ahmadu Bello had promoted cooperation, sharing of ideas, honest and quiet criticism of fellow Northerners and not dirty media politics. To us, therefore, the negative and sponsored, last-minute media campaign against Saulawa as orchestrated by vested interests is totally improper and unacceptable to the majority of women of good conscience in Northern Nigeria”.

Alkammawa writes from Kaduna Nigeria 07030399110

Financial Scandal Ruins JMA

BY Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa was established in Kaduna to address the problems militating against the growth of women youth most of them less privileged in Northern Nigeria; it is also become a home to orphans and destitute from the region. The association had played major roles since its inception to date, training women, youth, and orphans in various skills that made him self-reliant in society. However, since the time the leadership of Ms. Rabi Musa Saulawa came on board instead of keeping the ball rolling, the leadership has gone against the ethics and rules governing the said association ruining one of the legacies of the Late Sage Sir Ahmadu Bello KBE, the Premier of the former Northern Nigeria.

These are some of the reasons behind a press conference organized by the Concerned Northern Women, under the renowned Woman Activist and Political Warrior of high taste, Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed Baba to address the multifaceted challenges that have beset the association. A venerable association with a six-decade legacy dedicated to addressing issues affecting Northern women, children, youth, and PWDs and fostering unity among women across diverse tribes and religions.

The organization according to her was once a beacon of unity but had languished into dormancy over the years, necessitating the establishment of a Resuscitation Committee. In six years, this committee valiantly breathed life back into the association, culminating in the democratic election of leadership in 2019, a leadership mandated to serve a four-year single term.

However, our narrative takes a regrettable turn, as three months before the conclusion of her term, the former president, driven by personal ambition and avarice, orchestrated an untimely amendment to the constitution. This horrendous according to women of every magnitude has led to a crisis that currently awaits resolution before the esteemed Federal High Court and the ICPC. The litany of allegations against the former officials is both distressing and severe:
AGM meetings were deliberately neglected throughout the entirety of the four-year tenure. The crucial position of Treasurer has remained vacant since the unfortunate demise in 2020. A glaring absence of a four-year audit report has cast a shadow over the financial transparency of the previous administration. Grave accusations of financial recklessness and unaccounted-for donations continue to tarnish the association’s reputation. The unconstitutional review of the tenure, seeking an unwarranted extension, further exacerbates the crisis.
The association, once adorned with the glory of its founding mothers, now finds itself in a lamentable state of decline.
Disturbingly, recorded threats against members of the Executive council during meetings have been uncovered, casting a pall over the association’s integrity.
In light of these challenges, we wish to emphasize the importance of leadership that embodies the spirit of service and humility. Leadership is not an authoritarian mandate but a sacred trust. To our fellow women in leadership positions, we implore you to embrace the principles of trust-building, self and collective motivation, team-building, effective delegation, transparent communication, adept conflict management, goal-setting, and the celebration of transformative achievements.
It is disheartening to note that the former President failed to invest in leadership training. Leadership cannot be asserted through bullying, abuse, or degradation. The sit-tight syndrome, a plague on many well-intentioned organizations, will not find a home within our association. We reiterate that our association is not a personal enterprise; it is a collective endeavor that demands respect, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of its members. All efforts to reach the former president remain in vain as her phone is switched off

Alkammawa write from Kaduna 07030399110

Gov. Uba Sani & the Development of Kaduna State!

By Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

In contemporary Nigerian politics, criticism against those in power has become so cheap. It has become a stock in trade for quack journalists and failed politicians, in their desperate struggle for space and recognition in the society. While we cannot blame many in that ignoble class of society, who always consider their stomachs ahead of public good, it is however unfair on their part to deliberately misinform the people in pursuit of personal gain.

In recent times, several faceless armchair critics have inundated various media platforms (especially social media) with numerous frivolous accusations against the tenure of Governor Uba Sani. Many of such write-ups laced with political motives have no iota of regard for simple human ethics of fairness and objectivity. They also choose to turn blind eyes to the laudable contribution he made since his election to date. From the onset and to clarify those accusing the silent achiever of lack of agenda; the focus of the governor is to ensure security, peace, and unity as well as provide critical infrastructure and human capital development in all the nooks and crannies of his state.

Governor Sani is a complete human being, a man with good character, helpful, very courageous, obedient, and very resourceful in fact there are no adjectives to qualify him, he was very patient, very tolerant and he had good foresight, very wonderful, one who had the desire of transforming his people to a greater height.

In his 100 days in office, he revealed his vision to make Kaduna the leading economic hub in the region, in addition to the creation of a business cluster that will drive competition in the region. The state according to him is rich in natural and human resources; it is a gateway to many parts of Nigeria. Governor Sani went further to add that, the immediate past government worked assiduously to upgrade the infrastructure in the state, ‘’we are determined to build on that good legacy to fast track the economic development of the state.

In the area of education, apart from a 50% reduction in tertiary institution fees across the state, the governor successfully launched the construction of 62 new Junior Secondary Schools (JSSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), according to this will give an opportunity to every child in the state to have access to education amicably. ‘We laid the foundation for a Senior Secondary School in Nasarawa Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government. The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project of the World Bank provided funding for this initiative in all 23 LGs.

 The governor also during the 100-day celebration laid the foundation for the construction of 32 roads in the state which will cover 406 kilometers to boost transportation in all the nooks and crannies of the state, in addition to a good plan to resuscitate the Locomotive Train from Zaria to Kaduna and From Sabon Tasha to Kafachan in a bid to make more affordable means of transportation of farm products to various markets, as well as people from one place to another in conducive atmosphere.

A peace-loving man since his childhood days, though sometimes he looks like a wounded lion that is ready to step on toes in order to bring solutions to problems affecting society no matter their difficulties. He is the type of man who loves challenges because according to him life is very challenging.

On the issue of insecurity facing the entire region, the state under his able leadership had recruited over 7000 youth drawn from all the 23 LGs into Kaduna State Vigilante Service to fight security squarely. They are now undergoing training at Kaduna Police College.

I want Governor Uba Sani to look at the following observation which I am sure will actualize his good dream towards his journey of taking the state to greater heights:

1. In addition to the recruitment of youth into Kaduna State Vigilante Service, there is a need for the government to establish vocational skill acquisition centers in all the 23 Local Governments to train the nuisance and teeming graduates that are roaming the streets searching for a job to do. This will bring a good atmosphere in society by making them busy with skills this will stop them from taking laws into their own hands or being used by politicians and other miscreants to cause havoc in their various communities such as receiving valuable items from people at gunpoint and other related activities.
2. There is a need for your government to convert all the casual workers into permanent staff due to the mass retirement of workers going to take place this year.
3. For your government to have a sound revenue for the execution of oriented projects for you to fulfill your campaign promises, you need to revisit all the tourist centers in the state, by providing them with all facilities that can modernize them for the visitation of tourists around the world as well as students of tertiary institutions learning history. Places such as the Waterfalls of Kafachan, Kamuku Park, and Queen Amina Palace Turunku to mention but a few need to be taken into consideration as tourist centers.
4. Women played important roles in actualizing your dreams, through campaigns under your amiable wife Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani, there is a need to form a committee of experts to bring out an NGO that will cater to the women and children, most of them less privileged, under her program many organizations around the world will support the government through her initiative aiming at championing the cause of humanity.
5. With the current hardship facing Nigerians as a result of subsidy removal, there is a need to cut the power of organizations like KASTELIA which are adding salt to injuries, or they should retrain on how to relate with citizens in the state, give them to much power will never bring any development to the good relationship existing between government and people, as they are using their job to unleash hardship to the citizens of the state.
6. In addition to the distribution of medical supplies to 290 primary health care centers, the government should bring good awareness through jingles on the radio and television about killer diseases such as Diphtheria which is sending people to their early graves.
7. In addition to the reduction of tertiary institution fees which is a welcome development, the government should also separate Kaduna State University from the College of Health Technology Makarfi in order to ease problems facing parents and also to meet the standing order of establishing the technology.

Alkammawa writes from Sultan Bello Road, he can be reached through 07030399110 08155092812 Kaduna, Nigeria.

Hon. Bawa Jaja: So far so Good!

By Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

From Kaduna State Capital to Kudan Local Government is a 2-hour journey. The people of the local government have been a force of reckoning in every sector that can add volume to the life of humanity they are also self-reliant which gives birth to avenues that have become good sources of revenue to both the local government and the state in general.

They are farmers of every magnitude but in wet and dry seasons, farming cash and food crops, they also engage in commerce which many believes that it was in their blood since ancient time to date. Kudan Local Government also houses many high and mighty politicians who have played major roles that actualized the democracy enjoyed by Nigerians today.

Today, the local government is presided over by Honourable Shuaibu Bawa Jaja a young and vibrant politician who has successfully written his name on a platter of gold by executing oriented projects that have had a direct bearing on the people since his inception to date. Hon. Jaja as he fondly called humane posture and welfarism began right from his days at the primary school where he associated himself with poor children. He assisted them and interacted with the lowly place in the society in spite of his privileged position and by so doing he was loved by all and sundry since his childhood.

 In order to champion the cause of food production as well as earn a good revenue that will not only contribute immensely in the area of taking the local government to greater heights through programs that will reduce the economic hardship facing the world today, his administration had renovated and extended the Garu Dam in order to not only provide good drinking water to both people and animals, the dam also becomes an avenue of providing jobs to the teeming youth roaming the streets without anything to do, this idea had reduced the problems of the lawlessness of youth use by miscreant in society to cause havoc in the local government and its environs.

Also, it was during his tenure an Ultra-Modern Market was built at Sabon Garin Hunkuyi which was named after Malam Nasir el Rufai the immediate past governor of the state, equipped with modern facilities for boosting revenue generation as well as making the people of the area be part of modern technology of business around the world. In the area of education which become the backbone of every development in the world, Hon. Jaja has renovated and built new blocks of classrooms in various primaries in all the nook and crannies of the local government, A few among them are:

Building of one block of two classes, office & toilet at Tashar Icce, Jaja Gari, Tashar Kade, U/Alhaji Bala, U/Labalo, Kaura Wali North & South Primaries, in addition to similar projects above the following primaries was also renovated to meet the good standard of education in the area, those include Babbangida Likoro, Dandako;  Kaura Wali North & South;  Musawa; Domoso; Doka, Yakubu UBE Kudan Primary Schools respectively. Another area where Honourable Shuaibu Bawa Jaja carved a niche for himself was in the area electrification project where in addition to providing transformers to the people of U/Mamande; Jaja; Kudan; Rimin Biso; U/Kanawa; Kyadi; he also renovated light projects in Likoro as well as from Kwakwarar Manu-Dufa-U/Mamande, others are Randa Damaski; from Sabon Garin Zaria to Likoro, from Maraban Hunkuyi to Kudan. To make the transportation of goods and farm products as well as people from one area to another easier, he constructed a road from Jaja to Hanyin Makada with two bridges, in addition to the renovation of bridges at Mazara Guibi & Mazara Doka, as well as renovation of drainage at Kudan Center, and building of new one at Taban Sani in addition to building of 50 culverts across the local government. Also under his empowerment scheme, he provided 200 motorcycles to youth organizations, 200 cars to politicians, and security agencies, 300 Grinding machines to women; 300 Saloon machines to women, 300 Irrigation Machines to farmers, in addition to empowering 1000 women with different skills for them to become self-reliant in their communities.

Hon. Jaja who is also the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Kaduna State, and people became amazed by how he successfully managed power, influence, and perhaps wealth and still related so well with people all over the country through using his vast experience and his human relation which many believe was in his blood. He is one of the strong pillars of APC whose contributions actualize the dream of the party across the country. Like all intelligent Jaja may not be perfect but he had a perfect purpose, he is indeed a comfort in sorrow and companion in joy. According investigation carried out by this blogger, there is a need for the Federal Government of Nigeria to compliment his good effort of making his people self-reliant through the dredging of the Kudan Dam as well as remodeling it to sustain the food production in the country as well as fish farming. Also, the Kaduna State Government should come to the aid of the people of the local government by dredging the Hunkuyi-Jaja Dam, renovating of Kauran Wali Bridge as well and building a permanent site of Hunkuyi Campus of the College of Education Gidan Waya respectively.

Alkammawa writes from Sultan Muhammad Bello Road, 07030399110 08155092812 with an additional report from Alhaji Shuaibu Ibrahim (Alshuba) Secretary of the Security Advisor Committee, Kudan Local Government.

Batati: Nigeria’s Unusual Politician & Oil Marketer!

By Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

NIGERIA is one of the countries around the world blessed with people of different diversity, learned scholars of every magnitude as well as engineers of high taste, and politicians of every magnitude. Most recently, the country has become an amazing shining star among those countries blessed with petroleum.

The country is blessed with men and women of every taste. One of them is Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar Batati a political warhorse of every taste. Until now, only the people of Niger State can attest to his service to humanity but today his name has become a household name across the country home Nigeria.

Greatness is eventually judged not by the length of days, but by how one has if he is regarded as a sage, silent achiever, or hopes of hopeless architect of development why is it so? What did he do that was different or what were others doing that he had done differently to create a niche for himself in the chronicles of this life?

He is a complete human being, a man with good character, helpful, very courageous, obedient, very resourceful in fact there are no adjectives to qualify him, he was very patient, very tolerant and he had a good foresight, very wonderful, one who had the desire of transforming his people to a greater height.

One will be more interested if he comes across his wonderful contributions in taking women and their children to stardom, most especially the less privileged through empowerment programs, scholarships to study within and outside the country as well as awareness campaigns through every available medium for them to become self-reliant in their various communities.

He was born on 1^st January 1976, in Emi-Ndajiko Batati in Lavun Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. He proceeded to Batati Town Primary School from 1981-1986, and he then proceeded to Junior Secondary School Batati from 1987-1989. He attended Government Technical College Eyagi, Bida from 1990-1992. He later join Federal Polytechnic Bida where he obtained his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Engineering. In addition to farming, he was also expertise in oil marketing for many years and rose to become a National Coordinator of the Independent Oil Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to date. His vast experience and coupled with his human relations which many believe to be in his blood, made him to become the last man standing in oil marketing or force to reckon in the country.

In 2008 he singles handily established 3 companies and become the CEO respectively:

1. Ibrobat Nig. Investment Limited
2. Batati Global Links Limited
3. Sadeeq Energy Nigeria Limited

He went further to join politics for him to empower the youth, as well as women through programs of alleviating poverty, to provide effective, rapid, and focused aid at times of natural disasters; to support research on the empowerment of women in rural areas for them to become self-reliant, and also to promote education at all levels through construction of blocks of classrooms or rehabilitation of schools.

It is amazing how he successfully managed power, influence, and perhaps wealth and still related so well with people all over the country. He is a man who can take care of business, successfully run his home and still be available to friends and family that needs him. Such a man is faithful and loyal and not afraid of letting others into his world. Batati’s humane posture and welfarism began right from his days at the primary school where he associated himself with poor children. He assisted them and interacted with the lowly place in the society in spite of his privileged position and by so doing he was loved by all and sundry since his childhood. This, according to investigations conducted by this Blogger, informed his direct access to people and how he handled issues affecting them.

Growing up Batati as he fondly called get the inspiration and interest in politics from his father, who was a season farmer, politician, and businessman, who mobilize support for the candidature of Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria, during the second republic, his tremendous supports made Late Shagari to not only get overwhelming support nationwide but elected President Between October 1979 to December 1983 before being overthrown in a military coup. Like Father Like Son, Engineer Batati was among the good-caliber of Nigerians who champion the political cause of Nigerians since the return of the army to their barracks in 1999 to date. He has become the force of reckoning in the emergence of all those that were elected to preside over the affairs of Nigeria from 1999 to date.  He successfully funded National APC Supporters Center with branches in 36 States and FCT Abuja, as well as abroad with the aim of actualization of the dream of Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the aspirants of the party through good mobilization that bring overwhelming support to the party’s victory at just concluded 2023 General Elections.

His wealth of experience, leadership skills, and teamwork gave him an edge and ability to produce results by working with various professionals, professors, analysts, politicians, and researchers to ensure all the calculations are politically correct.

As a youthful political activist, he was a member and trustee of several youth political organizations and youth wings of major political parties, he worked with Professor Jerry Gana the former Director of MAMSER and Minister of Information under the former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Professor Gana dominated not only Niger State politics but also national politics under the platform of PDP for several decades. Under his tutelage, young Batati became a key player in a youth political support group called Total Victory which worked for the election of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

Ambassador Batati became a member of APC in the build-up of the 2015 election, and later forms the APC National Supporters Center with a membership strength of over 20 million people, men, women, and youths spread across the 36 states and FCT and abroad, with a robust structure at all levels which become a tool used in making the dream of President Tinubu a reality.

One will be surprised and may ask questions on how the engineer, philanthropist turn politician is succeeding in all his projects no matter the obstacles, challenges, or hurdles, one of his secrets is he was blessed with a woman of higher taste Hajiya Sakinat Abubakar is not only workaholic but become a mother of motherless working diligently in championing the cause of womanhood and children.

A peace-loving man since his childhood days, though sometimes he looks like a wounded lion that is ready to step on toes in order to bring solutions to problems affecting society no matter their difficulties. He is the type of man who loves challenges because according to him life is very challenging.

In contemporary Nigerian politics, criticism against those in power has become so cheap. It has become a stock in trade for quack journalists and failed politicians, in their desperate struggle for space and recognition in the society. While we cannot blame many in that ignoble class of society, who always consider their stomachs ahead of public good, it is however unfair on their part to deliberately misinform the people in pursuit of personal gain.

In recent times, several faceless armchair critics have inundated various media platforms (especially social media) with numerous frivolous accusations against one of the leading philanthropists of Northern Nigeria many of such write-ups laced with political motives have no iota of regard for simple human ethics of fairness and objectivity. They also choose to turn blind eyes to the laudable contribution he made in uplifting the living standard of humanity. From the onset and to clarify those accusing the silent achiever of lack of agenda; the focus of the Batati is to pursue those in government to ensure security, peace, and unity as well as provide critical infrastructure and human capital development in all the nook and crannies of his country home Nigeria.

He made tremendous contributions in the areas of peace, education, agriculture as well as empowerment of women and youth to mention but a few. His humility and simplicity have further endeared him to the people and guided his brand of leadership and politics in society. He is indeed a strong advocate of peaceful co-existence this informs his decisions and steps towards joining hands with experts in finding a lasting solution to the crisis facing his country home Niger State and Nigeria as a whole.

Batati is known for his big heart and determination to leave a lasting impact on the lives of women and their children. For years now, he has dedicated his life to giving back to society and her influence has transcended the shores of Nigeria and beyond.

He respects every person that comes across her no matter his social status. He believes in excellent performance and recognizes such efforts in individuals who prove their hard work.

The eloquent and energetic was born with the desire for selfless service through his parents from whom he imbibed the culture of assisting the needy since his childhood days to date; this informs his success in not only championing the cause of Nigerians most especially in the areas of curbing the menaces facing them but in the crusade of making them self-reliant in society. Having grown up watching his parents piloting the affairs of less privileged most especially orphans, he was nurtured from a young age to understand the value of service to humanity.

Batati belongs to the type of people that cannot give up so easily once they start a course or an initiative no matter the difficulties they find themselves in achieving their desire, they must get to the conclusion, and this according to people informs his tremendous success in his quest of taking youth to greater heights in Nigeria.

A precious father and virtuous hubby, who transverse the earth like a colossus, not only was he inestimable to his amiable wife and his adorable children, he was invaluable to humanity, more especially to his people who shall forever relish the enduring legacy he bequeathed to them in all the places he works to date.

Alkammawa writes from Sultan Bello Road, 07030399110 08155092812 Kaduna, Nigeria with references from Wikipedia.

Lagos: Fisherman who weathered many Storms!

By Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

Rest of mind is a special gift given to mankind, though not all of them were lucky to possess this gift, the lucky ones are very few in numbers. One of the very signs of possessing rest of mind is leaving everything one comes across to the will of Allah. Though, whoever possesses the rest of the mind, he/she is bound to challenges, trials, obstacles, and hurdles. But in the end, they will become lessons to him in his/her journey to stardom.

This quality reminds me about the Kaduna State Commissioner of Local Governments Affairs, Alhaji Saddiq Mamman Lagos who was among the few people that are blessed with this gift. This informs his simplicity, hard work, respect, and fear of Allah in all his undertakings. These qualities and others made him ahead of his peers today because of his good faith and genuine desire to contribute immensely to the development of women and children; he has become a force to be reckoned with in the middle of power brokers.

His humility and simplicity have further endeared him to a brand of leadership and politics in society. He is a man who knows who he is and is not afraid to let the world know it through his self-service to the downtrodden in society, one of his dreams is to see those less privileged in the country become self-reliant. One of his attributes is no matter the difficulties or challenges when he pursues a cause he must reach its conclusion, he was loved by his people because of his attitude of not giving up on something he is interested in or that can promote the living standard of humanity.

It is amazing how he successfully managed power, influence, and perhaps wealth and still related so well with people all over the country through using his vast experience and his human relation which many believe was in his blood. He recorded tremendous achievements during his tenure as Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government in 1996 in every nook and cranny of the local government and beyond.

His recent appointment as the Commissioner of Kaduna State Ministry of Local Governments Affairs brings the state to the limelight as the ministry becomes another Mecca to politicians, of every category, women of every taste, and youth as well as contractors trooping the ministry every day. Without wasting much time, he starts good renovations and face-lifting in all the blocks of the ministry, places like the Mosque, and other offices are all getting new looks. He also ordered for returns of some staff retirement by the past administration most of them inspectorates for easy access to the workforce condition of local governments.

An investigation carried out by this blogger indicated that there are over 20 workers who spend 10-15years as casual staff despite their vast experience and workaholic in championing the cause of the ministry, there is a need for the commissioner to convert them into permanent staff as many are going to retire this year. For them to enjoy good working conditions in carrying their various works in a good atmosphere with their family there are also many retirees who are yet to get their pension and gratuities most of them according to my investigation have died in search of their rights. It is our hope at the end of your tenure all the aforementioned problems militating against the working atmosphere of the mother ministry will be addressed for you to leave a good legacy worthy of emulation through innovations that will add good volume to the working conditions of staff of not only the mother ministry but the entire 23 local governments in the state.

Alkammawa writes from Sultan Muhammadu Bello Road Kaduna, 07030399110 08155092812

Matari Dam & the Boosting of Kaduna Economy!

By Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

From the capital city of Kaduna State to Matari Village in Soba Local Government is one hour journey. I visit the village in order to see for myself how a famous source of revenue was abandoned for years without revisiting its rehabilitations despite its enormous contributions to the state and the country at large.

Apart from providing portable drinking water to the Zaria axis, the dam also boosts food production through irrigation farming engaging hundred thousand youth in the area and other local governments in the state into fishing as well as cash crops farming. The genesis behind the abandonment of the dam according to the investigation carried out by this writer has to do with politics and selfishness of some people that hold key positions in past administrations despite concrete efforts put in place by good sons and daughters of the area to return the dam to the limelight. Only last year Federal Government shows its interest in the gigantic project, yet it was not completed.

With the coming on board of an energetic and workaholic senator, whose track records cut across the country, who carve a niche for himself in his days at the Nigerian Senate by becoming one of the ‘FIVE BEST SENATORS OF NIGERIA’ now the elected Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani coupled with his desire and good dream of bringing government close to the people by boosting and empowerment of rural dwellers through projects and initiatives that can boost the Internal Revenue Generation to the state for the executions of projects that have direct bearing to the people, I am sure sooner than later the dam will be back on its track with all modern facilities that can support it to champion the cause of establishing it.

The dam when it was turned into lime lights will provide jobs to the teeming youth of the area who due to its damage or non-completion had become thugs to politicians wreaking havoc in society. Before the breakage, those youth were engaged in various irrigation activities that are boosting food production of both cash crops such as Cotton, G/nuts, Shea nut, Rice, Wheat, Yam, Cassava, Potatoes, Maize, Tomatoes, Sorghum and fish that is very abundant in both in the wet and dry seasons.

Most of the people who fielded questions on the dam from this writer expressed their anger on why the state abandoned this important project. They regretted its completion will not only going to boost food production, and jobs but will boost sound revenue generation that will support the present administration in its journey of taking its citizens to a greater height through physical transformation projects, that can ginger development across the state. According to a farmer, Malam Ado Yakassai who depended solidly on the dam for a living appealed to Governor Sani to come to their aid by making sure the dam comes back to limelights with all facilities that can support it to contribute its quota to the development of the state.

Alkammawa writes from Kaduna Nigeria, 07030399110 08155092812

Umma: Epitome of Hard Work & Motherhood!

BY Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa

On Friday the Hall of Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government was filled to its capacity with all the staff of the ministry, Chairmen of Local Governments, as well as friends of the ministry, who come from within and outside the state to attend a farewell party organized by the mother ministry for the outgoing Commissioner of the Ministry of Local Government, Hajia Umma K. Ahmed.

In her opening remarks, the Director of Administration and Finance, Hajia Asma’u Jafaru Sambo describes Hajia Umma K. Ahmed as the epitome of hard work and motherhood to them, she further informs the August gathering that she will remember for her clear vision, clarity of mind, unpretentious pragmatism, as well as her motherly advise to every staff she comes across throughout her tenure in the ministry.

She said to say Hajia Umma K. Ahmed is one of the best commissioners to head the ministry is an understatement, the history of dynamic leadership of our outgoing energetic, and workaholic helmsman, Governor Nasir Ahmad el Rufai cannot be completed without mentioning her name and her good legacies left behind for other to follow, we will miss her simplicity which gives birth to tremendous achievements not only to the ministry but the state in general. ‘’She champions that cause of women by making sure our number increases for us to contribute our quota to the building of a new Kaduna State where everybody is going to stay peacefully with one another.

In his speech on behalf of the 23 Local Government Chairmen, Traditional Rulers, and Chiefs in the state, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, Hon. Abubakar Buba said, the outgoing commissioner was a Quintessential amazing Amazon of every magnitude, who bring innovation, strategies and tools that improve their working condition with the ministry, he expresses appreciation to her on the way she carried everybody along despite challenges here and there. He further added that ‘’She writes her name on the platter of gold through her good style of leadership which will make more impact to the ministry in the years to come’’.

Responding, Hajia Umma K. Ahmed expresses her appreciation to Almighty Allah who blesses her with good wisdom, and leadership prowess coupled with the desire of taking her state to stardom through every available means within her capacity. She thanks the staff, local government chairmen, and traditional rulers as well as friends of the ministry for their unflinching support which makes things easy for her to leave good legacies behind, she advises the staff to maintain the tempo of togetherness for them to be part of good history of the state before their retirement in future. She receives gifts and souvenirs as well as a prestigious award of excellence which was presented to her on behalf of the ministry by Hon. Abubakar Buba who is also the Chairman of Lere Local Government. Souvenirs were also presented to her Driver, Police Orderly, and staff who had worked with her throughout her tenure. Chairmen of Igabi, Hon. Khamis and Kudan Hon. Jaja as well as a representative of RUWASA are among the eminent personalities who grace the occasion.

Alkammawa writes from Kaduna, Nigeria 07030399110 08155092812, belloahmadualkammawa@gmail.com