Obasanjo In Jigawa
By Sam Adzegeh, Dutse
Monday, May 01, 2006
President Olusegun Obasanjo visits Jigawa State and urges that women should not be left out in agricultural development efforts of the state
President Olusegun Obasanjo continued his tour of states in the northwestern part of the country with a two-day visit to Jigawa State last week. The visit which lasted between Monday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 25, was Obasanjo's second to the state since 2004.
The presidential jet landed at the Aminu Kano International Airport on Monday morning amidst boos and jeers from the thousands of people who defied the tight security arrangement to express their feelings about the much-talked about third term agenda. The crowds carried placards, some of which read Ba ma so!!, meaning, "We don't want!," and "Ba mu yarda ba!! meaning, "We do not agree!!" A physically shocked and uncomfortable Obasanjo quickly boarded the helicopter which was waiting to ferry him to neighbouring Jigawa State.
The mood in Jigawa sharply contrasted with that in Kano as the large crowds welcomed Obasanjo with posters that proclaimed Najeriya sai Baba, meaning "Only Baba can Rule Nigeria," as well as "Go Ahead Baba."
During one occasion in Kazaure town, a praise-singer broke through the security cordon and, quite close to the president, shouted that Obasanjo should rule for twelve years, to which the president replied, Ba ruwa na! meaning "It is not my concern." A group which identified itself as "Northern Youth" however, staged their own demonstrations, with placards that said, "Say No To 3rd term," "No to Constitution Amendment" and "OBJ must Go!."
It was amidst this carnival atmosphere that the President proceeded to witness the turbaning of Saminu Turaki, Governor of Jigawa State as the Turakin Kazaure. The conferment was done by Najib Hussain Adamu, the Emir of Kazaure. That evening, president Obasanjo was hosted to a well-attended gala night by the state government.
The president also commissioned several projects in the state, some of which include housing estates constructed under the state's social housing policy. The houses were built with local burnt bricks. He also commissioned the Jigawa Ethanol fuel project, which is an ambitious initiative by the state government to explore the possibility of using ethanol from sugarcane to power motor engines.
In Birnin Kudu, the president also launched the kick-off malaria programme in the state. Several roads in local governments across the state were also commissioned by the president.
While addressing a crowd in Dutse, the state capital, the president commended efforts by the state government to improve the lives of the people. He called on the people to intensify efforts in the cultivation of sugarcane and sorghum, pointing out the two cash crops had vast economic potentials.
Obasanjo reiterated his appeal for increased investment in the agriculture sector, arguing that it is the only sector that can really set the people free. According to him, "A people who cannot feed themselves can be easily enslaved."
He also emphasised that women must be made an integral part of all agricultural ventures if success is to be achieved.
Calling for more involvement of the private sector in employment generation, the President said this was necessary because government, by its nature was not an employment generator. He said government's role was more of a facilitator, providing social infrastructure to complement the efforts of investors.
The President pointed out that the reforms of the Federal government were primarily tailored towards generating employment for the nation's teeming youth. He disclosed that the reforms have so far been successful, adding that a 10 percent growth was expected in the nation's economy this year. He, however, submitted that much more needed to be done especially in the agricultural sector.
President Obasanjo finally left for the Aminu Kano International Airport Tuesday, April 25 in the afternoon for Abuja.
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