HomeOpinion
Opinion

What N6bn can do for my state, By Hassan Gimba

Hassan Gimba
By Hassan Gimba
93
57

Yobe is a small agrarian state on the path to becoming great. All those who governed it ensured this. All the past governors, one way or the other, have taken the state beyond how they met it. There have been hiccups here and there, disappointments now and then, but that’s okay; that’s human nature for you, and how anything human grows.

The current governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has, since receiving the baton of the state’s leadership, been doing his best in the infrastructural development of the young, growing state that Yobe is. He is about commissioning thousands of houses built for the less privileged and, at least, five modern markets that would improve the state’s revenue generation capacity.

He has also resuscitated over 10 dormant industries, renovated and built schools, constructed some roads linking important communities, improved the health delivery capability of the state and attracted many incentives for farmers.

However, the revenue generation capacity of the state is low, as his efforts in putting in place revenue generators will only yield fruits with time.

For instance, in September this year, the state generated about N9.5 billion – a massive improvement – and got a value-added tax allocation of N20.5 billion. That’s spread over twelve months.

I was mulling over this when I dozed off and started having a sweet dream. I dreamt that God mercifully opened some unknown doors for me and I made some cool, lawful N6.5 billion. Even in the dream, I did not doubt because I know He is capable.

Well, I woke up, and it was just a dream, but it did not fade away as such dreams do. My brain – my fertile imagination – was at work. I started thinking about what to do with all that money if I had it, and an idea hit me: “Why not donate N6 billion to my state through the state government and give some suggestions?”

I know that N6 billion is money that Yobe State will gladly welcome. It can complete many ongoing projects, including a cargo airport in Damaturu, the state capital. That money can be used in renovating other schools and even building more. Without a doubt, a state-of-the-art renal diseases research institute and associated hospitals can be put in place with that amount. There is a part of the state that more than any other thing needs, nay, deserves it.

If the state desires to augment its revenue base by constructing revenue generators as it is doing now, then N6 billion can set up a soap and detergent producing industry because there are places in the state blessed with the basic ingredient for their production – potash.

The state can also become one of the highest exporters of fresh river fish. But first, the rivers around Nguru and that of Gashua have to be dredged. Typha grasses have to be controlled as well. Aside from the fact that if the Gashua River is not dredged as soon as possible, over 50 communities along its path may be lost, its dredging would enhance rice production and vegetable farming. There will be agricultural activities throughout the year because the area could become number one in the country in terms of irrigation farming. Six billion naira sunk here can go a long way to making this vision a reality. Just imagine the employment opportunities and wealth creation such a project would generate!

Education, too, can benefit immensely from N6 billion thrown at it. The Federal University in Gashua still occupies the only staff quarters inherited from the secondary school it displaced. Imagine the staff quarters N6 billion can build. Now, most staff members go back to their towns on Thursdays to return on Mondays. The university is yet to have a community of its own and be a proper citadel of learning eight years after its establishment. The compensation of some fields added to it is even yet to be paid, unfortunately.

Though some well-meaning indigenes have donated their houses to the university as a way of supporting the staff to be comfortable, still more houses are needed. Perhaps people who fortune has smiled upon and can now build better and bigger houses would not destroy the old ones to build new ones in their places. It would be good to see them donating or even hiring out the old ones to the university.

While the government has built many schools, classrooms sometimes and renovated many others, with an additional N6 billion, the remaining primary and secondary schools will get a befitting facelift. Teachers could be further trained and retrained, too.

Yobe, my state, is infested with eRats. eRats are jobless, or frustrated, youths who, for want of survival, have donned the toga of “journalists”. They survive on harassing people on behalf of political leaders who have nothing good to offer those they rule. Anyone who points out the shortcomings of such terrible leaders, or about the ills in society, is fair game to these attack dogs.

The best of these eRats cannot understand simple grammar. For instance, in talking, one may say “…to meet with the relevant people…” This has “the” as a determiner and it means the relevant people are known. When used without the “the”, it becomes a generic reference, just like saying “any person you consider being relevant.” eRats will take the latter for the former and get everything wrong. They may also not understand what the word “assuming” connotes. It is not only a poor understanding of semantics. No, it is the whole gamut. But then, that’s a lack of good education.

A small fraction of N6 billion can return such eRats to foundation schools. Since they may all be above 20 years old and hustling to survive, special classes can be built for them all over the state. They missed out on attending the type of primary and secondary schools the children of those they fight for went to. But if they are lucky this time around, after the foundation schools, their heroes may take them to the United Kingdom to study alongside their children. They may even get the type of jobs the children of their mentors get when they return to Nigeria. They can then rattle with knowledge, having become “informed senior rattling” eRats.

Talking about mentors and followers made me ponder the natural transfer of attitudes from one to the other. It is socially and psychologically normal for followers to imbibe their mentor’s worldview and copy his attitude. A mentor consumed with the narrow-mindedness of ethnicity and hate breeds the same mentality in his followers. His narrow worldview seeps down and permeates their thinking; they now view everything, every opinion from the prism of tribalism, sectionalism and hate. It is sad, but it is a reality. Conversely, a cosmopolitan mentor who sees brotherhood in humanity inculcates love, unity, justice, understanding, consideration and fairness in his followers.

Still, education lightens the mind darkened by negativity or any other atavistic tendencies. Plato, an Athenian philosopher in Ancient Greece and founder of the Platonist school of thought and The Academy, the first institution of higher learning in the Western World, said: “If a man neglects education, he walks lame to the end of his life.”

Socrates, a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of western philosophy, exhorted us to “be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Therefore, I will keep to myself the balance of N500 million and be kind with it.

Previous article
‘THE POWER OF SAYING “I AM SORRY”’
Next article
Finally, Abdulrasheed Maina goes to jail!
Hassan Gimba
Hassan Gimba

Related Articles

93 COMMENTS

  1. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts
    on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web
    site. Reading this information So i’m satisfied to convey that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling
    I found out exactly what I needed. I most indisputably will make certain to do not disregard
    this website and provides it a look on a relentless basis.

    Review my web-site Mollie

  3. Hello, I do think your blog could possibly be having web browser compatibility problems.

    When I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet
    Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Besides that, great site!

    My webpage; net-lashes.yolasite.com

  4. First off I would like to say awesome blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if
    you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself
    and clear your thoughts before writing. I’ve had a difficult time
    clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.
    I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out
    how to begin. Any recommendations or hints? Thank you!

    Here is my webpage :: cosplay halloween costumes

  5. I was pretty pleased to discover this great site. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!!

    I definitely savored every bit of it and I have you bookmarked
    to look at new stuff in your site.

    My site … star lord costume

  6. Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity on your publish is just cool and i could suppose you’re an expert in this subject.
    Well with your permission allow me to seize your feed
    to stay up to date with drawing close post. Thank you one million and please continue the gratifying
    work.

    Here is my web-site; anime cosplay costumes

  7. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative.

    I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future.
    Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Here is my site :: zenwriting.net

  10. Wonderful work! That is the type of info that are meant
    to be shared around the internet. Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this post
    higher! Come on over and discuss with my web site .
    Thank you =)

    My web site :: symbiote spiderman cosplay

  12. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you are speaking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Please additionally visit my website =).

    We could have a link exchange agreement among us

    Review my webpage … mozillabd.science

  14. Hiya very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent ..
    Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?
    I’m satisfied to seek out numerous helpful information right here in the
    submit, we need work out extra strategies in this
    regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

    my homepage :: anakin cosplay

  15. Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website
    with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Terrific blog and superb style and design.

    Review my web-site 0123zx.com

  17. I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content
    as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

    Visit my web-site: godotengine.org

  21. Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up
    losing many months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any
    methods to prevent hackers?

    Here is my website – bbs.now.qq.com

  28. Asking questions are really pleasant thing if you are not understanding something fully,
    but this paragraph gives fastidious understanding yet.

    Take a look at my blog post – Personal

  29. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little research on this.
    And he actually bought me dinner due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for
    the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this
    issue here on your blog.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage; fkwiki.win

  30. Howdy! I understand this is kind of off-topic however I needed to ask.
    Does building a well-established website such as yours require a
    large amount of work? I am completely new to running a blog but I do write in my journal everyday.

    I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my personal experience and thoughts
    online. Please let me know if you have any kind of
    suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners.
    Appreciate it!

    my blog post – forums.ppsspp.org

  31. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it
    for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like
    to know where u got this from. thank you

    Also visit my website :: borsafix.com

  34. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if
    it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be
    a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
    I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

    my blog post :: forum.mesign.com

  39. Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up fast! What
    host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    Look into my blog :: lexsrv3.nlm.nih.gov

  40. What’s up everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this site, and article is in fact fruitful for me, keep up posting these types of
    articles or reviews.

    My webpage :: zzb.bz

  41. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I have truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
    After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I am hoping you write again soon!

    Here is my web site; sdtj.org.cn

  42. hello there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked up something new from right here.
    I did however expertise a few technical issues using this website,
    as I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
    I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality
    score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of
    your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.

    Here is my blog – https://sdtj.org.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=117115

  44. What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I
    have found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads.
    I hope to give a contribution & assist different customers like its helped me.

    Good job.

    Look at my blog post spamdb.science

  45. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any
    problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my
    agreement. Do you know any solutions to help reduce
    content from being ripped off? I’d certainly appreciate it.

    Feel free to visit my page trade-britanica.trade

  46. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be
    delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

    Feel free to visit my website: pediascape.science

  49. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure
    I will learn a lot of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

    Feel free to surf to my web-site clinfowiki.win

  52. I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re working with?

    I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I would
    like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any solutions?

    my site :: pacy.co.za

  53. You really make it appear really easy with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be really one thing which I feel I might never understand.
    It seems too complex and very vast for me.
    I am having a look forward in your next publish, I’ll try to get the
    grasp of it!

    Also visit my homepage: http://www.pearltrees.com/cannonbranch2

  55. Asking questions are really nice thing if you are not understanding something entirely, but this post offers
    good understanding even.

    Feel free to visit my webpage … lhsoa.com

  56. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Fantastic work!

    my web blog … http://www.ksjy88.com

  57. We absolutely love your blog and find most of
    your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest
    writers to write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write concerning here.
    Again, awesome web log!

    Feel free to surf to my web site; husarria.eu

  62. I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I certainly enjoyed
    every bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to look at new things you post…

    my blog … arabhelp.org

  63. Hello I am so grateful I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I
    was researching on Aol for something else, Regardless
    I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a incredible post and a
    all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also
    added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
    read more, Please do keep up the superb work.

    Look into my page :: sganswer.net

  66. It’s awesome to visit this site and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this article,
    while I am also keen of getting experience.

    Check out my web blog – discuss

  67. It’s in fact very difficult in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus I simply use world wide web for that purpose,
    and get the newest news.

    Feel free to visit my web blog – king-wifi.win

  70. Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone
    4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!

    Keep up the outstanding work!

    Here is my site; list.ly

  71. Nice weblog right here! Also your website quite a bit up very fast!
    What host are you using? Can I get your associate hyperlink
    on your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    my webpage :: spinalhub.win

  76. Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I
    was wanting to know your situation; many of us have developed some
    nice methods and we are looking to exchange techniques
    with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.

    My web site – http://www.cnccode.com

  80. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I
    am experiencing problems with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot
    join it. Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues?
    Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond?

    Thanks!!

    My blog post telegra.ph

  83. Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell
    and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Review my webpage … forums.bestbuy.com

  87. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!

    Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot.
    I was seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and good
    luck.

    Feel free to visit my web page xn--101-8cd4f0b.xn--p1ai

  90. You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I
    in finding this matter to be actually one thing which I think I’d
    never understand. It sort of feels too complex and very extensive for me.
    I’m having a look ahead in your subsequent put up, I’ll attempt to get the hold of it!

    Also visit my website forums.visualtext.org

  92. I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
    equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit
    the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy I found this during my search for something concerning this.

    my site Evie

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Stay Connected

1,167,000FansLike
34,567FollowersFollow
1,401,000FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

Load more

Law & Society Magazine is a general interest magazine with a bias for law and its effects on the society

Contact us: [email protected]

© 2024 Copyright - Law & Society Magazine