With profound gratitude to Allah SWT, I am highly delighted for having the privilege being in the midst of all the highly notable individuals here present that have greatly contributed to the making of our Dear State of Jigawa. In particular, I am truly highly honoured and humbled by the presence of all the past leaders that have found time to be with us here today, Wednesday 27th August 2025 to grace this auspicious and memorable occasion of the 34th Anniversary of the Creation of Jigawa State. We most profoundly thank Allah SWT, by Whose grace, mercy and benevolence, you are all opportune to be with us here today to mark the occasion.
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- Indeed, today’s occasion is about the People of Jigawa State. It is about celebrating a journey of progress and development of State 34 years since the official declaration of the “States Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 37 of 1991 which created Jigawa State, along with eight others on that fateful Tuesday, 27th Day of August 1991. As I observed in my broadcast to the State earlier today, from the bereft position in 1991, Jigawa State has progressed to become what it is today for which I said Jigawa has come of age in many respects. Of course, it has not been a smooth journey or rather it has been a successful but arduous journey. From somewhat a desolate position at the time of its creation, through sheer commitments and disciplined leaderships, our fast leaders have defied all odds in surmounting obstacles to put the State on the path of sustainable progress and development. Today, Jigawa State stands on a shining pedestal as symbol of resilience, unity of purpose, progress and development.
- During the 34 years of its existence, the State has witnessed four Military Administrations and five democratically elected Civilian Governments each of which has, in one way or another, significantly contributed to the making of Jigawa State. Coming thus far, gives us every reason to be thankful to our Creator, to celebrate and to rejoice together.
- Going through the memory lane, many would recall with nostalgia, the ardours journey of our past leaders, and indeed the entire state, to ensure that we arrive to our current destination. As once proclaimed or lamented by General Olayinka Sule, the first Military Administrator of the State, “only one brick house was available” at the time he assumed the leadership of the State describing his ordeal on the absence of even the most basic governance institutions. Despite being a “very very difficult journey, full of difficulties” as later described by another great leader of the State, Alhamdulillah, we could say all that are now history considering the relative progress and development that were recorded over the last 34 years.
- Let me therefore, on behalf the people of Jigawa State, deeply and earnestly appreciate the dexterity of all the past leaders that governed the State for their ability to weather the storm and surmount all obstacles to the extent that the State has gradually evolved to be a source of pride and a reference point in various aspects of governance and development endeavours. All the administrations comprising the Four Military Administrations and four Democratically Elected Governors, have, to a varying extent, left behind legacies on which we are building today in our journey to Greater Jigawa.
- Focusing only on the State Capital, the Office structures today housing the State and Local Government Service Commissions, which served as the Governor’s and Cabinet Office for decades, was part of the legacies of the earlier Military Administrations of Olayinka Sule and Ibrahim Aliyu. The Takur and Gida Dubu Housing Estates were part of the legacies of His Excellency Barrister Ali Sa’ad. The Government House including the presidential lodge and the Specialist Hospital now serving as a Teaching Hospital for Federal University Dutse, are part of legacies of Rasheed Shekoni. The less than one-year administration of Abubakar Zakari Maimalari was significantly preoccupied with the management of the political transition which saw Nigeria returning to the period of constitutional democracy with elected civilian Governors. Though administration’s physical legacies were minimal, it was primarily marked by the successful handover to the Government of His Excellency, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki in May 1999 as the second democratically elected Governor in Jigawa State. Notwithstanding, one landmark legacy of the Maimalari administration was the construction of a very modern abattoir in Dutse.
- His Excellency Ibrahim Saminu Turaki also left behind enduring legacies in the State during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Jigawa State. These include the Tower and Galaxy ITT which was the precursor to Galaxy Backbone – a multi-billion Naira ICT Enterprises largely owned by the Federal Government with 10% stake for Jigawa State Government. His administration has also significantly contributed to the completion and commissioning of the New Government House and the Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital. Indeed, the Centralised and Computerised Payroll System and the Contributory Pension Schemes were reforms instituted by Ibrahim Saminu Turaki which have continued to stand the test of time. To date, these are significantly contributing to the blockage of financial leakages from the raging pension and payroll fraud at that time.
- The edifices in the three-arm zone comprising of Malam Aminu Kano Traingle, the new State High court Building, Blocks A,B,C,D and Ahmadu Bello Hall and part of the structures of the State House of Assembly were part of the Legacies of His Excellency Alh. Sule Lamido. Added to his 8-Year legacies, also, include among others, the State Airport, the G-9 Government Guest Houses, the Glass House housing Ministry of Lands, the Highbrow Residential Layout, Jigawa Television, the Deputy Governor’s Office & Residence, the Pension House, and many of the State Capital Roads. Some of the legacies of my predecessor, His Excellency Alh. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar include many of the Satellite Water Schemes serving the State Capital to ensure improved access to safe drinking water, additional stock of State Capital Roads and Street Lights including the dualized Fanisau Road, the Banquet Hall and the Completed Legislators Staff Quarters inherited from previous administration and provision of Official Residences for the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of the State Civil Service.
- For our administration, which, barely three months ago, marked its two years in office, our legacies are still evolving as we earnestly implement our 12-Point Agenda for Greater Jigawa. In discharging our mandate, I have pledged during my inauguration on the 29th of May 2023, not only to continue to build on the success stories of all the previous administrations, but also, to open yet another chapter in the governance history of our dear State. This, as we promised, will be transformative in taking the State to greater heights. About two years down the line, it is very evident that our 12-Point Agenda is indeed an Agenda for Greater Jigawa with focus on sustainable improvements in the socioeconomic wellbeing of our people.
- As we mark this 34th Anniversary, our emerging legacies in the State Capital covering a period of only about two years include additional newly constructed State Capital Roads covering a distance of over fifteen kilometers, including the complete reconstruction and dualization of Garu Road going uphill to the ancient Garu Town. Others include provision of state-of-the-art street lights more of the State Capital Roads, construction of new 600-Unit Housing Estate along Fanisau Road of which 400 were ongoing with over 150 Units completed hundred percent; completely renovated G-9 Guest Houses and the red-brick quarters adjacent to Dutse General Hospital, a Mega Tsangaya Integrated Qur’anic School which is one of three such schools being constructed across our three senatorial zone.
- A very important legacy in the making would be the actualization of Greater Dutse Water Project which has been on the drawing board for over two decades. The multi-billion Naira project is currently ongoing in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria. In the same vein, in order to arrest the years of land degradation arising perennial gully erosion affecting some parts of the State Capital, we have undertaken a mega project involving the construction of Danmasara and Kalgo/Yalwawa Gully Erosion and Flood Mitigation Projects. While reclaiming already degraded lands, the project will also help channel water to designated collection areas to support irrigation. In a bid to optimize the functionality of the State Airport, we have successfully pursued and secured Federal Government’s Approval for its utilization as Cargo Airport for which we are planning to provide additional facilities. This will come with greater multiplier effects in boosting the State’s economy.
- Your Excellencies, esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen, let me, as I conclude my speech also appreciate all those that have in one way or another contributed to the growth and development of our dear that. In particular, I sincerely appreciate all our traditional leaders (living and those departed), our religious leaders, the elders of our State, Civil Society Organizations, the Organized Private Sector, our Development Partners, all the serving and retired Civil Servants, the Political Class, Youths and Women Groups and indeed, the entire people of Jigawa State. I passionately urge and implore all of us to continue to be patriotic and committed to the development of our dear and beloved State. As critical stakeholders, we shall all continue to pray for the peace, unity, progress and development of the State. As we continue our journey to greatness, I urge all of us continue to be great ambassadors of our State wherever we may be.
- Finally, let me once again express our profound gratitude to Allah STW, the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful for all His blessings to our dear State. We pray that Allah, the All-Seeing and All-Hearing continue to guide us in doing what is right for the progress and development of our and its People. So Help Us God.
- Long Live Jigawa State, Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Wassalamu Alaikum.
– Being a Brief Speech Delivered by His Excellency, Malam Umar A. Namadi, FCA, Executive, Governor of Jigawa State During a State Lunch Organised on the Occasion of 34th Anniversary of the Creation of Jigawa State
