By Lawan A. Kazaure
The interactive session between the Next Jigawa Group and the Gubernatorial Candidate of the NNPP Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim which took place at Dutse, the Capital of Jigawa State, last Friday the 19th of August, 2022 has been concluded with a smiling faces & enthusiasm.
The excitement that comes from the participants of two sides could never be overemphasized.
The Next Jigawa Group were particularly overwhelmed with the kind of reception they were accorded having being valued and regarded with esteem consideration from the Jigawa State Chapter of the NNPP.
Interestingly, the Group were much anxious about the trending circumstances the State find its self in the business of governance and as such, they came out boldly yearning for a paradigm shift. They collaborated with International
Donor Agencies like PERL-ECP and FCDO and produce a document which covers about 11 key sectors of government business particularly, in the areas of Agriculture and Environment, Commerce, Education, Health, ICT &Digital Economy, Internally Generated Revenue, Manpower Management, Public Financial Management, Women &People with Disability &Social inclusion, Infrastructure as well as Social Reorientation.
The group were determine to unite the State by encompassing the Development Forum/Associations of the Five Emirates of Hadejia, Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim and Dutse by bringing them into one common fold thus, making them work &understand the importance of achieving a common objective of making Jigawa a prosperous State. Together they develop a “2023 Citizen Charter of Demand”and subsequently, decided to have linkages with Political Parties, Candidates and other Non-State Actors with a view to harmonizing the Citizen Needs with that of the Political Party’s Manifestoes.
While making his presentation, the Chairman of the Next Jigawa Group, Professor Usman Haruna who is currently a Senior Lecturer on Agricultural Economics with Federal University in Dutse, further emphasised that, the philosophy of the group is to support leaders along with PERL-ECP &FCDO with an idea that will guide them towards good governance as well as sensitising the political class the paramount of fostering and upholding issue-based campaigns as well as advocate for the necessary need towards enhancing social reorientation amongst the citizenry.
The well researched Charter Demand was given well beforehand, to all the Gubernatorial Candidates of the various political parties in order for them to peruse and be acquainted with the Citizen Needs, demand and wishes shall any one of them become the head of the affairs of the state come 2023. Consequently, they further requested to have an interactive session with them so that, they could know whether they have the necessary knowledge, skills, capacity, politeness and amiability for leadership. They deliberately, decided to know this, in their capacity as one of the critical stakeholders and change agents in the society each one of them lives.
Moreover, the outcome of the discussion will enable them to tailor the stage for the Stakeholders engagement through public enlightenment. This is in addition to unveiling its action plan before other critical stakeholders like the traditional institutions so that they could partner in the actualization of good conduct during the electioneering campaign.
In strengthening its wisdom of collaboration, the Next Jigawa Group allows each Emirate Chapter of the Development Association as well as other Non-governmental Organisations present their separate Demand systematizing it with their People’s need in their particular areas and accordingly, the Charter contains background information, Key Issues, Situation Analysis, Best Practice as well as proposed solution &Recommendations necessary needed for any incoming administration to commence its program of action.
Ringim intimidating political participation proves to be more conversant with the processes, rules, &procedures of governance.
Frightening enough, is the Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim’s political profile which is highly intimidating when compares with those of his counterparts in other political parties, being an astute politician of over 40 years experience, out of which he spent over 30 in the government circle. Alhaji Aminu, a former elected Member of the House of Representatives had severally served as Commissioner, Special Adviser respectively. He was also the Pioneer Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and was a Member of the 2003/04 Constitutional Conference.
The incorruptible NNPP Gubernatorial Candidate, Aminu Ringim was at the corridor of power for 12 years serving Ibrahim Saminu Turaki and Sule Lamido’s Administrations both as Chief of Staff. The astute Political Strategist was twice the Jigawa State PDP Gubernatorial Candidate for 2015 &2019 Governorship Elections respectively. Unlike some politicians seeking political office, Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim left all offices unindicted for any allegations of corruption, let alone to face a Criminal Prosecution in a Court of Law for abuse of office or embezzlement of public funds.
Indeed, People of the above mentioned personality, who regarded &valued integrity with higher esteem, much more than enrichment through ill-gotten wealth &abuse of public office are the like that, any non governmental organization is looking for partnership in governance. And in order to ensure transparency and accountability in leadership, NNPP remains the only hope for the people of Jigawa State which undoubtedly, shares a common objective with the Next Jigawa Group. In view of the above circumstances, it is absolutely necessary for both parties to have a synergy of common understanding towards ensuring the implementation of the purposeful leadership, transparency in governance, unity and development.
The summary of the important points at the interactive session is the deliberate assurance given by Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim while rounding up the business. He assured the Next Jigawa Group his commitment to implementation of the charter of demands which amongst others, would form part of the Party’s overall policy strategic document. He further emphasizes that Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms would be established and strengthened with an enabling legislation in all sectoral interventions in order to ensure transparency, accountability in governance.
Kazaure is a former Editorial Staff, Triumph Newspaper, Kano.