By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Government has reiterated its commitment to continuing the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme for primary school pupils across the state.

The Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Haruna Musa, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in his office.
He confirmed that the 2025 approved budget includes provisions for the programme, ensuring its continuity once the Federal Government resumes its funding.

Professor Musa explained that the school feeding programme is a joint initiative between the federal and state governments, with the federal government funding meals for pupils in primary one to three, while Jigawa State covers primary four to six. However, the programme was suspended due to the federal government halting its funding.

“Governor Malam Umar Namadi has consistently made provisions for school feeding in every annual budget. He allocated funds in 2024 and increased the amount in 2025 to accommodate possible inflation in food prices. The state government is fully prepared to resume the programme as soon as the federal government reinstates its funding,” Musa stated.

He urged the federal government to revisit the programme without further delay, emphasizing its positive impact on school attendance when it was previously active.
Reacting to a recent UNICEF report, which listed Jigawa as one of the states with the highest number of out-of-school children and poor foundational literacy and numeracy skills, Professor Musa acknowledged the challenge but described it as an inherited problem that has persisted for decades.
“Governor Malam Umar Namadi is committed to addressing this issue through strategic measures, including recruiting over 5,000 qualified teachers and providing adequate teaching and learning materials to schools,” he said.
As part of its reforms, the Jigawa State Government has partnered with NewGlobe, a UK-based education solutions provider, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the “Jigawa Unite” initiative aimed at transforming basic education in the state.
“Our partnership with NewGlobe is a deliberate step toward improving foundational education. We are committed to ensuring every child in Jigawa receives quality education, and I believe history will judge us right for this investment in our children’s future,” Musa added.
According to UNICEF data, Jigawa State has about 800,000 out-of-school children, with only 2% of primary school learners possessing foundational reading skills, while less than 1% demonstrate basic numeracy skills.
With the renewed focus on school feeding, teacher recruitment, and strategic partnerships, the state government hopes to improve school enrollment and educational outcomes across Jigawa.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Revenue Agency has launched a community outreach campaign in collaboration with the Tax Justice and Governance Platform and Prime Initiative for Community Development and Fiscal Transparency to boost internal revenue generation.

A statement issued in Dutse by Executive Director of Prime Initiative, Muhammad Abdu Dutse disclosed that the campaign which began last week, has covered six major markets across the state.
The initiative aims to educate traders, community leaders, women, youth, and other stakeholders on tax compliance while fostering trust between taxpayers and tax authorities.

Key highlights of the campaign included direct engagements with market participants, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to share their concerns and discuss ways to improve their businesses and tax remittances.

“Over 600 participants attended the outreach across the six markets, with shop-to-shop engagements ensuring inclusivity.
Out of 54 grievances recorded, 34 were resolved on-site within an average time of 30 minutes,” the statement revealed.
The initiative emphasized the importance of transparency in tax collection, with participants gaining insights into their tax obligations, the developmental impact of taxes, and how to access Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) services. Many stakeholders also expressed the need for improved infrastructure, including better market facilities, to enhance tax compliance.

“This outreach has significantly strengthened trust and transparency between the government and taxpayers. By engaging directly with communities, we are laying a foundation for sustainable revenue generation and improved public service delivery in Jigawa State,” Muhammad Abdu Dutse stated.

Market leaders also praised the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable tax system. The Market Leader of Maigatari Market noted, “Face-to-face engagement and immediate grievance resolution have helped us better understand how taxes are utilized.”
Participants recommended that the Jigawa State government adopt a “tax-for-service” model to increase accountability and compliance.
They urged the government to implement policies that address citizens’ immediate needs and foster a conducive environment for tax payments.

The markets visited so far include Hadejia, Gujungu, Sara, Maigatari, and Shuwari.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Chairman of the Jigawa State Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and Gwaram Local Government Council, Professor Salim Abdurraman, has dismissed allegations suggesting he is positioning himself for the deputy governor’s role in 2027.

In an interview in Dutse, the state capital, Professor Abdurraman denied the claims, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
He stated, “There is no iota of truth in this allegation. I have never made such an attempt or expressed such an interest.”

The controversy stemmed from a viral video circulating on social media, purportedly showing a figure alleged to be Abdurraman discussing the deputy governor’s position.
The ALGON chairman condemned the video, labeling it as political witch-hunting aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
“The video shows the back of someone who cannot be identified or confirmed. How can anyone prove it was me? This is the handiwork of enemies of peace, unity, and progress within or outside our party,” he said.

Professor Abdurraman attributed the smear campaign to individuals seeking to create disunity within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for selfish gains.
However, he assured the people of Gwaram Local Government and APC members that such distractions would not deter him from his official duties.
“This is not the first time they have tried to create crises in the party by spreading lies about credible individuals. But I remain focused on serving my people and fulfilling my responsibilities,” he added.

The ALGON chairman reaffirmed his loyalty to Governor Malam Umar Namadi, his administration, and the APC.
He commended the governor’s commitment to policies and programs that are transforming lives across all sectors in Jigawa State, regardless of status or location.

Governor Namadi, currently in his first term alongside his deputy, Engr. Aminu Usman Gumel, is expected to seek re-election in 2027.
Gumel, formerly the Commissioner for Works, served alongside Namadi, who was the Commissioner of Finance under former Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, now the Minister of Defence.

Professor Abdurraman vowed to continue supporting the unity and prosperity of the APC at all levels, emphasizing his dedication to the party’s goals and the governor’s vision for the state.