After the release of the Dapchi School Girls by the Boko Haram insurgents,
curiositytook me to Yobe state. I traversed Potiskum, Damaturu, Gashua and
Geidam, withstops at some interesting villages and hamlets. Yobe state is
a typical dry savannahregion like most Northeastern states, except in the
southern part of the statewhich has a milder climate. There are many
interesting landscapes and places inYobe state. The cattle market in
Potiskum is attention-grabbing – herd of cowsbeyond what eyes can see. It
is one of the largest cattle markets in WestAfrica.
Yobestate is an agricultural state; it also has rich fishing grounds. The
peopleare jovial and friendly. One cannot spend few hours with Yobe people
in anycommunity without getting gift of local chows and gist on the
insurgency,agriculture, local and international politics. The scourge of
the Boko Haram isvisible in some areas, but the people are strong and
resilient. I spent some few hours at Dapchi, Dapchi townis some 75
kilometers south of the border with Niger Republic, but it has
manysimilarities with towns of northern Nigeria- people are mostly farmers
usingtheir vast land and living simple lives with strong community bond.
Yobestate has it fair share of development despite the challenges the
state isfacing from the Boko Haram war. The state Governor, Ibrahim
Geidam, has done fairlywell in the areas of healthcare, road construction,
school renovation andexpansion.
Like all states in Nigeria,the 2019 elections are topics and events that
one sees and hears in most towns,villages, including states capitals-
peer to peer discussion, posters,billboards and the media. In my few days
in Yobe state, from discussions with localsand some events I attended, I
observed that one mans name- AlhajiUmar Ali,featured prominently when it
concerns who should be the next Governor of Yobestate. Out of curiosity,
I decided todig further, who Umar Ali is? And why the strong support at
the grassroots aswell as among city dwellers, especially youths?
Ifound out that Umar Ali is a young philanthropist in his own class. The
bulk ofhis support is from the youths. Coincidentally, Umar is an advocate
of youthempowerment, he was once quoted to have saidYouths should also
be gainfully engaged, and empowered with skills. Myown idea of this is to
provide the youths with enabling environment to engagein farming.
Government can provide them with land and farm implements and thencreate a
sort of marketing board to buy the produce which can be sold toconsumers
or even exported. This way the government will kill two birds withone
stone; fighting joblessness and tendency for violence, and helping
theagricultural sector to grow
ThroughoutYobe state, Umar is reputed for his humanitarian activities
which range fromsupporting communities and individuals in need.One
interesting thing about his silent philanthropic acts is, he
assistscommunity in the areas they need quick intervention. He has
drilled scores of boreholes incommunities suffering from shortage of
potable water across Yobe State andassisted in several other community
development initiatives in the areas ofhealth, education and
infrastructure.
Thenext phase of development Yobe state needs is comprehensive human
developmentprogramme and new initiative to complement achievement of the
present andprevious governments; this will stabilize the state and
bringthe peace, stability, socio-economic rehabilitation, and long term
sustainableeconomic
Basedon my observation from my visit to Yobe state, Umar Ali appears
worthy oftaking Yobe state to this desired new level. He is young, urbane,
educated anda professional with vast knowledge in both public private
sectors. His giant philanthropicstrides, even as a private citizen,
guarantees he will turn the state aroundfor the unimaginable better if he
is allowed to steer the states affairs. Yobestate will be lucky to have
him as governor. He will bring new approach andthinking to the present
development in Yobe state.
ZayyadI. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State,zaymohd@yahoo.com
08036070980.www.zayyad.com.ng