Wears and tears are clear features of any physical object or entity that has undergone a fatigue or reached an old age. They are, in fact, defects that, unless rectified appropriately, can degenerate into a permanent deformity.
As a subnational that is the oldest in Northern Nigeria and also exceptionally heterogeneous, Kaduna State has undeniably passed through a lot of periods and hands, which means that it was, over a whole time, subjected to varied systems and processes. At each of the phases of its life, it either enjoyed prosperity or suffered setback with each of such realities forming a fundamental part of its history.
These are facts to which Governor Uba Sani, since his assumption of duties six months ago, has continued to pay attention. Having possessed a tremendous sense of both history and responsibility, he consistently manifests a huge intention to, in a simultaneous fashion, strengthen the existing bonds amongst the various communities and patch up all the identified tears.
All the policies of the State Government are geared towards the attainment of the objectives that are already stated in the SUSTAIN AGENDA. This explains the governor’s approach to the pressing issues of economic empowerment, peace and security, which are critical to the genuine development of the state.
Apparently, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as all segments of the civil society in the state have not only understood the measures for either continuity or reform introduced by Governor Sani but have also fully keyed into them. The total commitment of all those stakeholders to the implementation of the agenda of the state government is both an evidence of absolute conviction and a guarantee for success.
The commitment continuously manifests in the form of various engagements being organized by the relevant governmental agencies in partnership with some well-meaning Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with a view to sensitizing the general public on the compelling need for collective effort towards effective peace-building and maximization of security in all parts of the state. It is through such fora and other processes that people are being made to appreciate the resolve of Governor Sani to patch up the tears that have continued to characterize the interrelationships amongst the various communities in Kaduna State.
In addition to the usual collaboration between the state government and its partners—security agencies and traditional/religious institutions—for the maintenance of peace and security which the governor has already strengthened, there have been some other clear and consistent efforts for the reduction of the rate of hostilities and improvement of ties amongst communities being made by a lot of concerned groups.
Certain initiatives like the recent talkshop on “Strengthening Civic Participation and Women’s Inclusion in Peace-building in Nigeria” with a particular emphasis on Kaduna State jointly organized by the UKaid, Global Rights and The Kukah Centre are very key strategies for the acceleration of a reconciliation process that can lead to the restoration of full mutual coexistence in those parts of the state where violent conflicts have become most pronounced.
One other part of the resolve to patch up the tears is the commitment of the governor to the implementation of the Rural Transformation Programme which is meant to address the disturbing infrastructure deficit in the rural areas. The execution of road projects, establishment of skills acquisition centres, provision of electricity equipment with a view to tremendously improving power supply to some rural areas have already begun to douse tension in those places.
By now, the people of Kaduna State must have been fully convinced that Governor Sani has initiated processes and projects that can make the attainment of enough peace, security and physical development across the state an absolute possibility. The number and scopes of the confidence-building measures he has introduced, in terms of community engagement as well as renewal of cities, towns and villages, have begun to make noticeable impact on the entire state.
- Shuaibu Gimi is Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communication to Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani.
