After the release of the Dapchi School Girls by the Boko Haram insurgents,
\ncuriositytook me to Yobe state. I traversed Potiskum, Damaturu, Gashua and
\nGeidam, withstops at some interesting villages and hamlets. Yobe state is
\na typical dry savannahregion like most Northeastern states, except in the
\nsouthern part of the statewhich has a milder climate. There are many
\ninteresting landscapes and places inYobe state. The cattle market in
\nPotiskum is attention-grabbing – herd of cowsbeyond what eyes can see. It
\nis one of the largest cattle markets in WestAfrica.<\/p>\n
Yobestate is an agricultural state; it also has rich fishing grounds. The
\npeopleare jovial and friendly. One cannot spend few hours with Yobe people
\nin anycommunity without getting gift of local chows and gist on the
\ninsurgency,agriculture, local and international politics. The scourge of
\nthe Boko Haram isvisible in some areas, but the people are strong and
\nresilient. I spent some few hours at Dapchi, Dapchi townis some 75
\nkilometers south of the border with Niger Republic, but it has
\nmanysimilarities with towns of northern Nigeria- people are mostly farmers
\nusingtheir vast land and living simple lives with strong community bond.<\/p>\n
Yobestate has it fair share of development despite the challenges the
\nstate isfacing from the Boko Haram war. The state Governor, Ibrahim
\nGeidam, has done fairlywell in the areas of healthcare, road construction,
\nschool renovation andexpansion.<\/p>\n
Like all states in Nigeria,the 2019 elections are topics and events that
\none sees and hears in most towns,villages, including states capitals-
\npeer to peer discussion, posters,billboards and the media. In my few days
\nin Yobe state, from discussions with localsand some events I attended, I
\nobserved that one mans name- AlhajiUmar Ali,featured prominently when it
\nconcerns who should be the next Governor of Yobestate. Out of curiosity,
\nI decided todig further, who Umar Ali is? And why the strong support at
\nthe grassroots aswell as among city dwellers, especially youths?<\/p>\n
Ifound out that Umar Ali is a young philanthropist in his own class. The
\nbulk ofhis support is from the youths. Coincidentally, Umar is an advocate
\nof youthempowerment, he was once quoted to have saidYouths should also
\nbe gainfully engaged, and empowered with skills. Myown idea of this is to
\nprovide the youths with enabling environment to engagein farming.
\nGovernment can provide them with land and farm implements and thencreate a
\nsort of marketing board to buy the produce which can be sold toconsumers
\nor even exported. This way the government will kill two birds withone
\nstone; fighting joblessness and tendency for violence, and helping
\ntheagricultural sector to grow<\/p>\n
ThroughoutYobe state, Umar is reputed for his humanitarian activities
\nwhich range fromsupporting communities and individuals in need.One
\ninteresting thing about his silent philanthropic acts is, he
\nassistscommunity in the areas they need quick intervention. He has
\ndrilled scores of boreholes incommunities suffering from shortage of
\npotable water across Yobe State andassisted in several other community
\ndevelopment initiatives in the areas ofhealth, education and
\ninfrastructure.<\/p>\n
Thenext phase of development Yobe state needs is comprehensive human
\ndevelopmentprogramme and new initiative to complement achievement of the
\npresent andprevious governments; this will stabilize the state and
\nbringthe peace, stability, socio-economic rehabilitation, and long term
\nsustainableeconomic
Basedon my observation from my visit to Yobe state, Umar Ali appears
\nworthy oftaking Yobe state to this desired new level. He is young, urbane,
\neducated anda professional with vast knowledge in both public private
\nsectors. His giant philanthropicstrides, even as a private citizen,
\nguarantees he will turn the state aroundfor the unimaginable better if he
\nis allowed to steer the states affairs. Yobestate will be lucky to have
\nhim as governor. He will bring new approach andthinking to the present
\ndevelopment in Yobe state.<\/p>\n
ZayyadI. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State,zaymohd@yahoo.com<\/a> 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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n08036070980.www.zayyad.com.ng<\/a><\/p>\n