The prestigious LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year 2024* award was conferred on His Excellency Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA. This recognition came as no surprise to those who have closely followed the transformative strides in Jigawa State since he assumed office nearly two years ago.
The LEADERSHIP award is bestowed on deserving individuals after a rigorous and transparent vetting process by the newspaper’s management and editorial team. Governor Namadi emerged as the standout candidate for this year’s honour, a testament to his visionary leadership, which inspires hope and drives prosperity in Jigawa State.
The accolade underscores his exceptional performance across all sectors, rekindling Jigawa’s people’s aspirations and elevating their expectations for continued progress.
Upon receiving the award at a colourful event held at Banquet Hall State House Abuja, Governor Namadi expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, stating that it would further motivate him and his administration to redouble their efforts in making Jigawa prosperous and Great.
“I was genuinely delighted when I saw the news of my nomination in the papers and on social media. I never anticipated it, nor did I lobby for it. This award is a call to greater dedication and accountability in serving the good people of Jigawa State,” he said.
The governor also commended LEADERSHIP Newspapers for upholding the legacy of its late founder, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, by maintaining high journalistic standards, ethics, and professionalism.
Governor Namadi’s recognition and achievements did not come by chance but are the product of dedication and strategic effort.
His administration’s 12-point agenda has redefined governance in Jigawa, yielding tangible results across all critical sectors.
Recognizing education as the bedrock of sustainable development, Governor Namadi prioritised revitalising the sector. In 2024, he allocated 30% of the state’s budget to education, recruited over 8,000 teachers for basic and secondary schools, and renovated classrooms while providing essential learning materials.
Additionally, student scholarships were increased by 150%, and 130 students, including girls, were sponsored to study medicine in Cyprus*. The state also acquired a private university to expand access to tertiary education.
To improve healthcare delivery, the governor recruited over 1,000 medical workers and approved recruiting an additional 1000 in 2025. He also upgraded health facilities state-wide and enrolled more than 145,000 underprivileged citizens into social health insurance schemes.
Furthermore, five dialysis centres were established across the state to provide free services to kidney patients, fulfilling Governor Namadi’s pledge that no one in Jigawa should die due to an inability to pay medical bills.”
These efforts have led to over 25% reduction in maternal and child mortality rates in the state.
In pursuit of food security, Governor Namadi’s administration introduced an agricultural mechanization policy, procuring 300 tractors, 60 combine harvesters, and other farm implements Establishing 30 agricultural workshops and clearing new farmlands boosted productivity, resulting in a record 1.6 million metric tons of rice in 2024, alongside significant yields in other crops.
Additionally, 60,000 youths and women received empowerment training, while N3 billion was allocated for civil servant agricultural loans—strengthening livelihoods alongside the state’s broader transformation.
The administration completed over 450 kilometres of inherited road projects and awarded contracts for 45 new roads spanning 835.36 kilometres, aiming to enhance connectivity to facilitate the movement of goods and services for egalitarian development.
To deepen democracy, Governor Namadi launched the “Government and People” initiative to provide a platform for direct engagement with citizens. Under this initiative, the government presented the projects and programs it is carrying out to improve the socio-economic life of the people, while the citizens were allowed to ask questions and demand specific project/government intervention.
Governor Namadi’s commitment to transparency and accountability has enabled the execution of numerous people-centric projects despite limited resources in the state government coffers.
His administration’s strides in information technology (IT) Transformation further underscore his forward-thinking approach.
The state has already achieved over 90 per cent of the provision of drinking water to its people as efforts continue to enhance water supply facilities, including the Greater Dutse Water Project.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, who chaired the 17th edition of the LEADERSHIP awards, aptly described Governor Namadi and fellow awardees as “embodiment of hope, integrity, and innovation,” qualities essential for Nigeria’s growth.
This award is not just an honour but a reaffirmation of Governor Namadi’s unwavering dedication to the welfare of Jigawa’s people and humanity, laying the Foundation for the state’s sustainable growth and development.
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