It is heartwarming to receive advice from Jigawa State citizens who take the state’s development as their constant concern.
Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar’s administration has always sounded its need for constructive advice and criticism from everyone who feel strong about any issue concerning the state.
The piece with the above title by the special adviser on media to the former governor, Sule Lamido, of Jigawa State, Adamu Muhd Usman, appears to be written in good faith, at least on its face value, and the administration of Governor Badaru considers it worthwhile give explanations to a few queries raised by the writer.
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To the question Why Sudan, Not Jigawa? Governor Badaru simply replied that education can never be restricted by space, time, distance or place. It has a universal appeal and could be obtained anywhere within the global space. That’s exactly why people come to Jigawa State from other places, the same way that our citizens go elsewhere in search of this valuable commodity.
There is a religious tradition that urged believers to seek for education anywhere they can get it, even if it was in China.
No matter the number of universities Jigawa State may have, the need must still necessarily arise to go elsewhere to pursue specialties in different areas of human endevour.
The fact that Governor Badaru has made the provision of qualitative, accessible and affordable healthcare service a cardinal objective of his government made him put in place a well coordinated system of health care delivery system. On this track, the government has provided health facility in every political ward of the state, with the aim to have at least one medical doctor in every facility of every political ward across the state.
So, in October 2016, Jigawa State government sent 60 students to China to study clinical medicine. The students went through rigorous screening exercise with required credits in external examinations before they were picked.
They had already completed their four years of study and are now in various teaching hospitals undergoing internship as a prerequisite for the fulfillment of the conditions of their medical training.
After years of investigation by relevant officials and feedback from students, parents and other agencies, the government had full trust and confidence in the management, quality of teaching, and teaching modes of international students in Chinese universities.
Currently, Jigawa State has concluded plans to sponsor 100 female students to study medicine at AFHAD University for Women in Sudan.
That brings us to the question on the criterion adopted in selecting the beneficiaries of the scholarship.
The selection of students was done in a transparent manner as advertisements were placed in the media that students from public schools who are Jigawa State indigenes with required qualifications of five credits in English, Mathematics and three core science subjects who have not secured admission in any Nigerian University should apply.
Initially, over 2, 500 students applied and sat for an examination which was conducted in a transparent manner. None of the students used their names. The system was for all students to register with only their telephone number and the figures registered is their examination code numbers.
The examination was conducted under the watchful eyes of parents and security agents, and after completion, it was marked by the students themselves.
Out of the number 2, 500 that sat for the examination, 300 students scored the required marks and another round of examination was conducted after which the required number of 100 students emerged.
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While Governor Badaru appreciates all the former governors of Jigawa State for the different roles they played in the development of the state, he has always pride himself with the attribute of accountability. He has continued to be mindful of the limited resources accruable to the state vis-à-vis the enormous duties to be discharged.
The sum of N385, 575, 000 (Three Hundred and Eighty Five Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira) is the amount expended for the 100 students, and the sum covers tuition, accommodation, transportation, insurance fees and other expenses.
The governor perceives that the legacy of building a resourceful manpower in the health sector would be of everlasting benefit to the state and its people. It is a legacy worth investing on.
Habibu Nuhu Kila is Special Adviser, Media and Public Relations to Jigawa State Governor
