News from Jigawa
Jigawa Procures 54 Tractors, Gives 40% discount to farmers
***Plans to cultivate 40,000 Hectares of Wheat across the State
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Jigawa government has procured 54 tractors and other agricultural inputs as part of efforts to achieve 40, 000 hectres of Wheat production in this year’s dry season farming.
This was disclosed by the state governor Malam Umar Namadi Danmodi in his speech while inaugurating 53 new brand Merssy tractors at the JIgawa State Agriculture Supply Company (JASCO) in Dutse the state capital
He said “each of the 27 local government areas had been allocated with two tractors to boost wheat farming in the state”.
According to the governor the state in collaboration with the 27 local government councils’ would give 40 percent discount to the farmers in the services of the tractors and other equipments.
He said “As part of government food security policy in collaboration with the federal government his administration would cultivate 40,000 hectares of wheat farmland across the state”.
Malam Danmodi maintained that the items included the 54 new tractors with complete implements, such as tipping trailers, ridgers, harrows and ploughs, “aim at supporting large scale farming and improved mechanized farming”.
“I want to inform you that we are going to clear fields for the commencement of wheat plantation which is a federal and state’s government joint project as well as African Development Bank,” he said.
The governor indicated that Jigawa was challenged to cultivate 40,000 hectares of wheat, adding that the state had agreed to do it because it has the manpower, the capacity and the land.
He said that the tractors would be on the field Oct. 27, saying that the tractors are not for decoration but for use by the rural farming communities across the state.
Danmodi therefore asked the chairmen to make good use of the implements for the benefit of all farmers.
“Today is another important day in our effort to revolutionized agriculture in Jigawa state. We have already promised that we will try to mechanized agriculture in Jigawa in order to ensure that our farmers get value for what they do,” the governor said.
Danmodi said that the unveiling of the new tractors two per local government was in fulfilment of the promise he made to the teeming farming communities.
He explained that the idea of involving local government chairmen was because of their closeness to the people at the grassroots, noting that by involving chairmen the rural dwellers will get the benefit of the tractors.
The governor however said that the tractors were not given free as it were, but the state government would only stand as a grantor for the supplying company to ensure it recover its money from the councils installmentally.
The state Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Garba, expressed appreciation to the governor for making agricultural implements accessible to the farming communities in the state.
Garba assured the government that his ministry would also put monitoring mechanism in place to ensure judicious use of the equipments.
The Managing Director, Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company Ltd (JASCO), Alhaji Rabiu Maigatari, said the idea of procuring the tractors for the local governments councils was in line with Namadi’s vision in mechanized agriculture in the state for maximum productivity.
“It is based on the directives of His Excellency that we entered into agreement with the local governments through the Ministry of Local Government Affairs on the supply of two tractors to each council,” the managing director said.
Maigatari said that the brand of Messey Fergusson Tractors is among the highest grade of tractors tested and found to be more durable within the farming community.
He said that in order to ensure ease of payment by the council areas, installmental plan of 12 months was approved by the state government, though the actual price of tractors was not mentioned.
“It is important to state that while considering the supply of the tractors, we are not unaware of the need of our large scale farmers from whom we receive individual requests to partake in this kind of project.
“In this regard, therefore, we are in talks with the Directorate of Economic Empowerment to design a mechanism that will look into the requests of our large scale farmers with the approval of His Excellency,” he said.
According to him, the company is also displaying 10 combined harvesters of which JASCO is in liaison with the Directorate of Economic Empowerment in sourcing interested large scale farmers for possible supply.
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to offer robust support to the military as it intensifies efforts to address insecurity and create an enabling environment for trade and business across the country.
This appeal was made during the opening ceremony of the 45th International Trade Fair organized by the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (KACCIMA). The minister’s remarks were conveyed in a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media, Malam Mati Ali.
Alhaji Badaru emphasized the critical role of peace and security in national development, stating, “Peace and security are the cornerstones of development in any society. Improving the security situation will pave the way for enhanced economic prosperity.”
Reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to restoring peace and stability, the minister called on Nigerians to support the government through prayers and maintain confidence in the nation’s security forces.
He acknowledged their dedication as essential to sustaining progress in combating insecurity.
Badaru commended KACCIMA for its commitment to hosting the annual trade fair, describing such initiatives as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
He highlighted the importance of non-oil exports in achieving economic diversification, urging stakeholders to collaborate in harnessing the country’s export potential.
The trade fair, a platform for showcasing products and fostering business connections, aligns with national efforts to boost commerce and industrialization while creating opportunities for local and international partnerships.
The minister’s call underscored the critical link between security and economic growth, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to ensure a stable and prosperous Nigeria.
From Ahmed Rafa’i, Dutse
The Jigawa State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike, citing the state government’s failure to implement the approved N70,000 minimum wage.
The Jigawa State Government had earlier constituted a committee to align with the national wage policy.
While the committee made recommendations, the delay in implementation has frustrated workers and unions.
In a circular jointly signed by NLC Chairman Comrade Sunusi Alhassan and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Comrade Bashir Tijjani Abubakar, the unions expressed their readiness to commence industrial action if the state government does not fulfill its commitment by November 30, 2024.
The circular stated, “All affiliates and organs in the state are to begin mobilization for full compliance with this directive if the state government fails to pay the new minimum wage by the last day of November 2024.”
The organized labour disclosed that, after prolonged negotiations, they had accepted the salary tables proposed by the state government for the implementation of the new wage structure.
“This resolution was reached at a joint State Executive Council meeting of the NLC and TUC held on November 18, 2024, at Labour House, Dutse.
The leadership of organized labour was also directed to proceed with signing necessary agreements to ensure immediate implementation,” the circular noted.
Despite this, the unions stressed their obligation to comply with a national directive mandating strikes in states where the N70,000 minimum wage is yet to be fully implemented.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi had announced his administration’s approval of the N70,000 minimum wage on October 26, 2024, after receiving a report from a government committee led by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Dagiteri.
However, the announcement lacked clarity on when the payment would commence, leaving workers in suspense.
The unions affirmed their readiness to engage with the government but warned that delays would no longer be tolerated.
“We have informed the government of our readiness to sign the agreement whenever it is presented. However, we remain committed to the directive from the national NLC and TUC, which requires strike action in states that have not implemented the new minimum wage by December 1, 2024,” they stated.
The impending strike threatens to paralyze public services across the state as workers demand immediate compliance with the new wage policy.
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Jigawa State has emerged as the state with the lowest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, recording a rate of 0.3% of its population, according to Alhaji Abdulsamad Salihu, State Team Lead of the Society for Family Health (SFH).
Speaking during the official handover of HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs from Heartland Alliance to the Society for Family Health, Salihu commended the commitment of the Jigawa State government, the State AIDS Control Agency (SACA), and other partners for their efforts in reducing the prevalence of the disease.
Salihu emphasized the importance of continuing targeted efforts with Key Populations (KP) to eliminate the spread of HIV and achieve the universal health target by 2030.
The program manager for Jigawa State SACA, Malam Ibrahim Almajiri, highlighted the significant impact of the Heartland Alliance’s three-year intervention in the state, which included health services and support for HIV/AIDS management. He noted that approximately 1,700 people are currently receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART), a milestone made possible by collaborative efforts.
In his remarks, the state’s Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Action Committee on HIV/AIDS, Engr. Aminu Usman Gumel, expressed gratitude to Heartland Alliance for its contributions to combating HIV in Jigawa. He lauded the reduced prevalence rate, attributing it to the government’s commitment and teamwork with stakeholders.
Engr. Gumel assured the Society for Family Health of continued robust partnership and pledged the government’s support for their efforts to sustain and further reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Jigawa State.
The event marked a new phase in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Jigawa, with a renewed focus on achieving a disease-free state through strategic collaborations and community engagement.
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