Connect with us

society

Ajadi Unveils Ambitious 17-point Plan To Drive Jobs, Security, Growth

Published

on

Ajadi Unveils Ambitious 17-point Plan To Drive Jobs, Security, Growth

 

A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has unveiled a comprehensive 17-point agenda outlining his policy direction ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.

Ajadi, who described leadership as a “relay race,” said his proposed administration would focus on continuity, consolidation, and innovation, building on existing development initiatives while introducing fresh ideas aimed at strengthening public trust and delivering measurable impact under what he termed the “Omituntun 3.0” framework.

The PDP chieftain said his manifesto prioritises industrial growth, agricultural expansion, security enhancement, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and improved welfare for civil servants and pensioners, among other key sectors.

According to him, the agenda is designed to reposition Oyo State for sustainable economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life for residents, while deepening grassroots democracy and inclusive governance.

He added that his vision centres on proactive governance that anticipates challenges and leverages strategic partnerships, technology, and policy stability to drive long-term development across the state.

Ajadi also pledged to strengthen public service delivery and ensure transparent, participatory governance that reflects the aspirations of the people of Oyo State.

Below is the full statement of the agenda released by Amb. Ajadi.

Oyo State 2027 Governorship Aspirant Ambassador Ajadi Unveils 17-Point Agenda

…Ajadi Reveals His Manifesto for the Good People of Oyo State

If I become the governor of Oyo State, my approach will be guided by continuity, consolidation, and innovation. Leadership is a relay race, and my commitment is to carry the baton forward—building on good works and introducing fresh ideas that deepen public trust and deliver measurable impact under the Omituntun 3.0 initiative.

My Core Priorities Include:

ENSURE CONTINUITY OF PROGRESS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

I will strengthen existing development frameworks, promote policy stability, and introduce innovative solutions where gaps exist. Governance is a continuum, and sustainable progress requires building on tested foundations rather than dismantling them.

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

To reduce overdependence on federal allocation, my administration will pursue a deliberate industrial revolution through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). We will revive and expand industrial zones, attract local and foreign investors, and provide incentives such as tax holidays, infrastructure support, and land access. This will stimulate local production, job creation, and economic resilience.

AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SECURITY

We will reposition agriculture as one of the major economic drivers by supporting farmers with inputs, mechanisation, credit facilities, and market access. Large-scale farming of cassava, rice, cocoa, cotton, maize, and other crops will be encouraged, alongside agro-processing and export. Our goal is to make Oyo State food-secure within our first term.

Ajadi Unveils Ambitious 17-point Plan To Drive Jobs, Security, Growth

RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Rural development will be prioritised through road construction, ultramodern markets, water supply, electrification, and healthcare.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION

We will implement Operation “No Single Pothole” policy on our major roads and some inner roads to ensure consistent road maintenance across urban and rural areas. Strategic partnerships with construction firms will be explored for major industrial and border roads, with mutually beneficial tolling arrangements where necessary.

STRENGTHENING SECURITY ARCHITECTURE

Security of lives and property remains fundamental. My administration will strengthen community policing, energise community watch structures, deploy technology for crime monitoring, and improve coordination among security agencies. Increased support for the Security Trust Fund and collaboration with private security operators will ensure safer communities.

Oyo State will continue to develop a modern, safe, and sustainable urban transportation system by introducing electric and hybrid cars and buses equipped with smart technologies such as GPS tracking, digital displays, CCTV, collision-avoidance systems, and cashless payments to reduce congestion, emissions, and operating costs.

The transport system will be inclusive and people-centred, featuring low-floor buses, ramps, wheelchair spaces, and audio-visual announcements to ensure safe and comfortable mobility for all residents, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children.

Through sleek modern designs based on the existing built terminals, strong safety standards, and transparent governance, urban transportation will drive economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life across Oyo State.

This initiative will be achieved in partnership with the existing transport management body in Oyo State.

PUBLIC UTILITIES, WATER, AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

Provision of public waterworks through proper funding, infrastructure maintenance, and effective management. On waste management, modern legislation, private sector participation, recycling initiatives, and environmental sanitation will be pursued to create jobs and improve public health.

PARTY UNITY AND GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY

Party unity, internal democracy, and grassroots engagement will be strengthened. A united PDP is essential for peace, cohesion, and collective progress.

Ultimately, my goal is to continue the trust in leadership by delivering a government that truly serves the people—one that listens, acts, and remains accountable. I am ready to carry the baton forward with loyalty, competence, and renewed energy for a better and more prosperous Oyo State.

EDUCATION: BUILDING A FUTURE-READY GENERATION

Education will be the backbone of Oyo State’s development, modelled after systems in developed countries where education drives innovation and economic growth.

Key Reforms:

Free and compulsory basic education with strong enforcement and incentives for school attendance.

Teacher retraining and continuous welfare upgrades, including continuous professional development, competitive salaries, and performance-based rewards.

Digital classrooms and smart schools, equipped with broadband internet, tablets, and a conducive environment for students across the state.

Technical and vocational education (TVET) aligned with industry needs, which will fall under the dual education system.

University–industry partnerships to promote research, innovation, and job placement for graduates.

Education loans and scholarship schemes for indigent but brilliant students.

Outcome:
A globally competitive workforce equipped with practical skills, innovation capacity, and strong civic values.

YOUTH, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT: ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH TALENTS

As part of my commitment to youth development, my administration will prioritise youth participation in sports as a strategic tool for building a healthy, disciplined, and productive generation. We will invest in grassroots sports to improve physical and mental well-being, nurture talent, and instil values such as discipline, resilience, teamwork, and respect for fair play. Through sports, we will keep our youths positively engaged, reduce crime and social vices, and open pathways to education, employment, and professional careers. This agenda will also strengthen social inclusion, community cohesion, and collective pride, positioning sports as a pillar of sustainable development.

Drawing inspiration from developed countries that value talent, sports and entertainment will be positioned as part of projecting our talents who are looking for international sports participation and scouting.

Through a strengthened Ministry of Sports and Entertainment:

Grassroots sports development in schools and local communities to discover and nurture talent early.

World-class sports infrastructure, including mini stadiums in all schools, training academies, and community sports centres.

Sports scholarships and talent scouting programmes, connecting Oyo athletes to international clubs and competitions.

Creative industry hubs for music, film, fashion, and digital content creation.

Entertainment grants and low-interest loans for young creatives.

Annual international festivals to attract tourism, investors, and global attention.

Outcome:
Thousands of jobs created, global recognition for Oyo State talents.

EMPOWER YOUTHS AND WOMEN

Youth and women empowerment will be central to our agenda through skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship support, provision of access to soft loans, and funding for micro, small, and medium enterprises through partnership with financial institutions. Empowering these groups is key to reducing unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.

HEALTHCARE: A MODERN, ACCESSIBLE, AND PEOPLE-CENTRED SYSTEM

Healthcare will be built on multiple levels to ensure access, affordability, and quality.

Key Initiatives:

Universal health insurance coverage for all residents, especially the vulnerable.

Upgrading primary healthcare centres to operate 24/7 with modern equipment and trained personnel.

Specialist hospitals and diagnostic centres across the zones of the state.

Medical tourism within Oyo State, reducing the need for foreign treatment.

Public-private partnerships (PPP) in healthcare delivery.

Incentives to attract and retain doctors and nurses, including housing and career development opportunities.

Outcome:
A healthier population, reduced medical expenses abroad, and increased life expectancy.

HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT: MODERN CITIES, DECENT LIVING

Inspired by urban planning models in developed countries, Oyo State will undergo a visible transformation.

Key Policies:

Development of high-rise and low-cost modern housing estates in Oyo State.

Affordable housing schemes for civil servants, artisans, business owners, and low-income earners.

Smart city planning, including green spaces, reliable power, water supply, and efficient waste management.

Urban renewal programmes to redevelop slums and ageing neighbourhoods.

Mortgage and rent-to-home-ownership schemes in partnership with financial institutions.

Existing home ownership will be censored and integrated into the existing Oyo State map planning.

Outcome:
A cleaner, modern, and visually attractive Oyo State that supports economic growth and improved quality of life.

SECURITY: SAFE COMMUNITIES, STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Security will be approached using global best practices from community policing models in some developed countries.

Security Strategy:

Technology-driven security, including CCTV cameras, drones, and smart surveillance systems, will be integrated into the existing security system.

Strengthened community policing, working closely with traditional rulers and local leaders.

Rapid response units across all the local government areas of Oyo State.

Youth engagement and employment programmes to address the root causes of crime.

Improved welfare and training for security personnel.

Outcome:
Safer communities, protected investments, and renewed confidence among residents and investors.

RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY:

We will deliver reliable and affordable electricity by investing in independent power projects, renewable energy, and modern distribution systems to guarantee steady power for homes, industries, hospitals, schools, and investors. This will attract foreign investors to choose Oyo State as their investment base and also eradicate dark environments.

Dedicated power supply will be provided to industrial clusters, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions to boost productivity and service delivery. Stable electricity will reduce dependence on generators, lower business costs, strengthen security infrastructure, and accelerate sustainable economic growth in Oyo State.

FAIR WAGES AND TIMELY CAREER PROGRESSION FOR SERVING CIVIL SERVANTS

Under Omituntun 3.0, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo pledges fair wages and entitlements that factor in prevailing economic realities for the workforce.
As a responsible and conscientious government, the Ajadi political ideology has gone ahead to provide a policy hedge for this, prioritising civil servants’ conditions of service.
By this, their salaries will continue to be paid regularly and promptly in line with established civil service rules.
In addition, merit-based promotions will be conducted as and when due, and there will be no issue of administrative delays or bureaucratic bottlenecks denying civil servants merited career progression.

Why will an Ajadi-led government keep faith with regular salary payment and promotion?
First, it is scriptural that a worker is worthy of his wages. In other words, anyone who has laboured to serve the state deserves decent wages for such labour.
Besides, regular payment of salaries is a sure way of sustaining workers’ morale, and my administration will not toy with it, knowing that the service is the engine room of productivity in any state economy.

Through these, therefore, an Ajadi-led government will sustain morale within the civil service, strengthen institutional efficiency, and guarantee that workers retire with dignity.

PENSIONERS AND RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS: HONOURING SERVICE, SECURING DIGNITY

An Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo-led government would be run on equity and compassion, especially when it comes to pensions for retirees.
From the outset, the administration would put in place a robust pension payment framework that will not allow backlogs, but will instead be calculated upfront and paid as and when due.
This will enable retirees to plan their daily sustenance and also free government from running helter-skelter when it is time to pay.
Pensioners have served with their energy and time and should not be subjected to a beggarly status or have their lives endangered while seeking to receive what is both legally and morally theirs.

In connection with the above, our starting point is to seek to clear all verified outstanding pension and gratuity backlogs.
The modality for a transparent process has already been worked out and would go into operation upon the inauguration of the administration.
One of such modalities is the institution of a sustainable Pension Funding Framework aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and stress-free pension payment on a regular basis.

Digital and Seamless Pension Administration

Knowing very well how bureaucracy can affect genuinely thought-out government policies, the administration of Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has gone ahead to plan for the introduction and expansion of e-payment systems and digital verification platforms.
This will both checkmate fraud and fast-track pension payment for all entitled Oyo retirees.

Health and Social Support for Retirees

Retired civil servants will be integrated into affordable healthcare schemes, while welfare support programmes will be designed to assist elderly pensioners in managing their health conditions.
The policy, already formulated, will, however, accommodate the input of pensioners’ unions in implementation.

Our Watchword

Under Omituntun 3.0, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo pledges that retirement will not mean rejection and that years of service will never be rewarded with neglect. Pensioners will be treated as partners in development and accorded the same respect and priority as serving workers.

An Ajadi administration will protect earned benefits, preserve dignity, and guarantee peace of mind for every retired civil servant in Oyo State.

TRANSPARENT, INCLUSIVE, AND PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE

I hereby sign an undertaking to be held accountable and prosecuted in a court of law for failing to fulfil the electoral promises that I hereby make to the citizens of Oyo State.
Anti-corruption measures will be institutionalised, public service delivery digitised, and citizen feedback will be encouraged. Women, youths, and marginalised groups will be actively included in political and leadership spaces to ensure equity and shared ownership of governance.

society

Ariko Church Attack: IGP Disu Deploys DIG As Police Rescue Seven Kidnap Victims

Published

on

Ariko Church Attack: IGP Disu Deploys DIG As Police Rescue Seven Kidnap Victims

 

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered the immediate deployment of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Kaduna State following a deadly bandit attack on Ariko Village near Gurara Dam.

 

The assault, which occurred on April 5, 2026, targeted worshippers at ECWA and Catholic churches in the community, with gunmen opening fire indiscriminately. Five persons were confirmed dead, while no fewer than fourteen others were abducted during the coordinated হাম.

In a swift operational response, the police high command mandated a high-level intervention, tasking DIG Nadada with leading on-the-ground coordination of security efforts aimed at stabilising the area and facilitating the safe recovery of the victims.

Security operations conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) have already yielded results, with seven of the abducted persons rescued. The victims were evacuated to Katari Hospital for urgent medical attention and are reported to be in stable condition, awaiting reunification with their families.

Police authorities disclosed that tactical operations remain ongoing to secure the release of the remaining captives and apprehend those responsible for the ആക്രമം, underscoring a renewed push to degrade criminal networks operating within the axis.

Reaffirming the Force’s commitment to public safety, the IGP called on residents to remain vigilant and support ongoing operations by providing credible and actionable intelligence to security agencies.

Ariko Church Attack: IGP Disu Deploys DIG As Police Rescue Seven Kidnap Victims

Continue Reading

society

The Unfinished Rescue Mission: Ten Reasons Zamfara Must Re-elect Governor Dauda Lawal in 2027

Published

on

The Unfinished Rescue Mission: Ten Reasons Zamfara Must Re-elect Governor Dauda Lawal in 2027

By Oladapo Sofowora

In the resilient heart of Northwestern Nigeria, a different kind of storm is blowing hard. It is not the whirlwind of banditry that has long defined Zamfara State, but the quiet, determined tempest of reconstruction and recalibration done by Governor Dauda Lawal, who took the reins of a state gasping for air choked by insecurity, bankrupt of spirit, and paralyzed by decades of maladministration steering it to the path of prosperity. Three years into his first term, the landscape is shifting and the story is changing for the better. Yet, every revolution needs time to root. For Zamfara indigenes, here are ten detailed reasons why they must hand Governor Dauda Lawal another mandate to steer the state to the promised land, so as to enable him to finish the work he has so boldly begun.

 

1. The Security Recalibration

 

For years, Zamfara’s security apparatus was reactive, arriving after villages had been razed, but Governor Lawal changed the paradigm with a shift. He didn’t just procure guns; he built a comprehensive Zamfara Community Guard integrated with local vigilantes and formal military intelligence that has served its purpose of gathering local intelligence and sharing it with security agencies to tackle all sorts of insecurity in the state. His administration invested over ₦4 billion in surveillance drones, armoured personnel carriers, and rapid-response communication towers across the 14 local government areas. The result? A 60% reduction in major attacks in the last 18 months. Another term means expanding this network to the most remote forests of Tsafe and Maradun, finally breaking the spine of the criminal enclaves. One term was used to stabilize the patient; a second term handed to him will cure the disease totally.

 

2. The Restoration of Integrity in the Civil Service Structure

 

Before Lawal, Zamfara’s civil service was a graveyard of productivity, infested with “ghost workers” who drained the treasury, leveraging a lacuna created by the previous administration. Upon resumption, the Governor commissioned a forensic biometric audit in which over 5,000 fictitious names were expunged from the payroll, saving the state over ₦1.2 billion monthly. More importantly, he cleared 18 months of salary arrears inherited from the previous administration within his first 100 days. A second term handed to him via the ballot will focus on capacity building and promotions based on merit, transforming the bureaucracy from a parasitic entity into an engine of service delivery.

 

3. The Educational State of Emergency

 

Banditry had turned over 300 schools into abandoned ruins, with teachers fleeing and children being abducted. Governor Lawal declared a state of emergency on education. He has since reconstructed 200 primary schools with fortified walls and secure hostels. The “School Feeding and Safe Return” program brought back 150,000 out-of-school children. But the job is half done. The remaining 150 schools in high-risk zones need the same treatment. Re-electing Lawal means ensuring no child in Zamfara has to choose between a bullet and a book.

 

4. Functioning Primary Healthcare Across the State

 

For a decade, rural Zamfara relied on patent medicine sellers for life-saving care. Governor Lawal refurbished 147 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), equipping each with solar power, vaccines, and at least two resident nurses. He launched the Zamfara Health Voucher Scheme, giving 50,000 vulnerable women free antenatal and delivery care. The time of medical pilgrimage is over as the state now boasts of a functioning MRI machine among other sophisticated medical machines. A second term will see the full completion and upgrade of three zonal general hospitals in Gusau, Kaura Namoda, and Anka, bringing surgery and emergency care within reach of every citizen.

 

5. Agricultural Revolution

 

Zamfara is a state predominantly with farmers; true to its slogan, ‘Farming is our pride’, despite the rich soil, farmers are poor and are being terrorized from their farmlands due to insecurity. Lawal’s “Farming Without Fear” initiative partnered with the military to create secure agricultural corridors during planting and harvest seasons. He distributed drought-resistant seeds and solar-powered water pumps to 40,000 farmers. The state’s rice and maize output tripled last year. Yet, the missing link is processing. With a cargo airport in place and a readily available market, there will be a major boost in agricultural business in the state. A second term will see the establishment of a staple crop processing zone (SCPZ) in Gusau, turning raw produce into export-ready goods and ending the exploitation of middlemen.

 

6. The Portable Water Revolution

 

Gusau and its environs relied on a water treatment plant built in 1978. It was a relic, but Governor Lawal secured a ₦15 billion loan from the World Bank to rehabilitate the Damaturu Water Scheme, increasing daily capacity from 15 million to 50 million liters. For the first time in a generation, taps are flowing in Talata Mafara and Shinkafi. But some rural communities still trek for hours to get portable drinking water. A second term will extend this reticulated network to 200 additional rural communities, making water a right, not a luxury.

 

7. The Economic Inclusion of Empowering Women and Youth

 

Banditry thrived because idle young men were easily lured. Lawal countered this with the Zamfara Youth Empowerment Trust (ZAYET), training 10,000 youths in tailoring, ICT, and solar installation, and giving them startup capital. His Kaura Economic Stimulus provided 20,000 women with ₦50,000 each to revive small-scale trading. The recidivism rate into crime among beneficiaries is less than 2%. A second term will scale this to reach all 147 wards, ensuring that the economic ladder is long enough for every willing citizen to climb.

 

8. Transparency and Accountability in Governance Pact

 

Governor Lawal is the first Zamfara governor to publish monthly financial statements on the state government website, including details of every constituency project actualized. He voluntarily subjected the state’s accounts to a forensic audit by the EFCC and ICPC; a move his predecessors fought to block. The result is a restored relationship with international donors (UNDP, EU), who have returned to fund developmental projects across the state because Governor Lawal puts to use every fund given with accountability. One term has proven his integrity; a second term will institutionalize it, creating a culture of governance where public funds are put to judicious use without being siphoned.

 

9. Justice Sector Reform by Decongesting the Prisons and Prosecuting the Convicted

 

Zamfara’s prisons were incubators for radicalization, filled with petty offenders and low-level herders, while bandit kingpins roamed freely across the state. Lawal’s administration, in partnership with the judiciary, released 1,200 detainees held for minor offenses without trial, decongesting the facilities. Simultaneously, a specialized mobile court has secured 50 convictions against bandit collaborators and informants. A second term will focus on building a modern correctional center and strengthening the witness protection program, ensuring that justice is both swift and safe to administer.

 

10. The Legacy of Resilience in Rebuilding Social Trust

 

The most profound reason to re-elect Dauda Lawal is the hope his administration brings. He inherited a traumatized populace that no longer believed the state could protect them. Today, markets in Gusau stay open past 6 PM. Farmers sleep in their own homes instead of bush hideouts. Internally displaced persons are voluntarily returning to their ancestral lands. This psychological shift from fear to cautious optimism is the most fragile and precious asset Zamfara has gained. Destroying it by returning to the old ways would be catastrophic. A second term will solidify this trust, transforming resilience into permanent recovery.

 

Governor Dauda Lawal has not performed miracles in one term; miracles are for saints, not statesmen. But what he has done is to perform the harder task ahead. He has laid a solid foundation of competence, security, and integrity where there was only rubble. The Zamfara of today does not need a new experiment; it needs the continuation of a working plan already in motion. Re-electing Dauda Lawal again is not about rewarding the past; it is about securing the future ahead. The first term broke the curse of neglect; the second term will recalibrate the fortune of the state to prosperity.

Continue Reading

society

WHEN PUBLIC TRUST IS TRADED: A PASSIONATE CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE FGCK KANO LAND CONCESSION  

Published

on

WHEN PUBLIC TRUST IS TRADED: A PASSIONATE CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE FGCK KANO LAND CONCESSION

By Tijjani Sarki 

 

 

It is with deep concern and a profound sense of civic responsibility that I respond to the recent press release issued by Pluck Global Construction Company regarding the proposed concession of a substantial portion of land within Federal Government College, Kano. Beyond the polished assurances and technical justifications lies a matter that touches the very soul of public trust, institutional heritage, and the collective conscience of our society. I feel obliged to add my voice to that of the old students and other critical stakeholders, while also expressing serious concern regarding the implications this arrangement may have on the school’s future expansion projects.

 

This is not merely about land. It is about legacy, about the sanctity of a national institution, and about the obligation we owe to future generations who deserve to inherit not diminished assets,but strengthened foundations.

 

While the Company attempts to justify the arrangement under the framework of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), its response raises more concerns than assurances, and leaves several critical issues either insufficiently addressed or deliberately glossed over.

 

At the heart of the matter is the proposed concession of approximately 40% of the College’s total land area,a decision of far-reaching implications for the heritage, future expansion, environmental balance, and overall integrity of one of Nigeria’s foremost unity colleges. The characterization of such a vast portion of institutional land as merely “underutilised” is, at best, subjective and, at worst, a convenient pretext for a transaction whose long-term consequences remain unclear.

 

The justification that this concession is in exchange for infrastructural development valued at over ₦8 billion further invites scrutiny. Given prevailing economic realities, inflationary trends, and the dynamic nature of project costing, the assertion that such an agreement is not subject to review or adjustment raises legitimate questions about transparency, fairness, and value-for-money. Who determined this valuation, and on what basis should it remain static despite changing economic conditions?

 

Furthermore, while regulatory approvals from bodies such as the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) are cited, mere compliance with procedural requirements does not equate to public acceptability, stakeholder consent, or ethical soundness. Due process must go beyond paperwork, it must reflect inclusiveness, accountability, and sensitivity to institutional legacy.

 

Of particular concern is the underlying rationale for situating a commercial or quasi-commercial land-swap arrangement within the premises of a functioning educational institution. This naturally leads to a fundamental question:

 

Why must such a project be tied to land within the school environment?

 

If indeed the Company possesses the technical and financial capacity it claims, why has it not sought to execute similar developments on virgin land outside the state capital, where there would be no conflict with an academic setting, historical legacy, or public sentiment?

 

The insistence on acquiring a substantial portion of land within a prestigious federal institution inevitably fuels skepticism regarding the true motives behind the arrangement. Is the primary objective the development of educational infrastructure, or the strategic acquisition of high-value urban land under the guise of a PPP?

 

Additionally, the assurance that possession of the land will only occur upon project completion, while noted, does not sufficiently mitigate concerns about the eventual permanent transfer of public institutional assets into private hands. What guarantees exist to protect future generations from irreversible decisions taken today?

 

Equally troubling is the apparent disconnect between the scale of the concession and the voice of critical stakeholders. Institutions such as Federal Government College, Kano, are not merely physical spaces, they are national assets with deep historical and emotional significance. Any decision affecting such institutions must command broad-based consensus,not just regulatory approval.

 

In light of the foregoing, several key questions remain unanswered:

What independent valuation was conducted to justify the exchange of 40% of institutional land for the proposed developments?

 

Why is the agreement insulated from review despite obvious economic fluctuations?

 

What alternative sites were considered, and why were they deemed unsuitable?

 

What long-term safeguards exist to protect the school’s territorial integrity and future expansion needs?

 

To what extent were stakeholders, including alumni and the host community, consulted prior to finalizing this agreement?

 

Until these questions are satisfactorily addressed, the concerns raised by stakeholders remain valid, urgent, and compelling.

 

This is a defining moment. We must decide whether public institutions exist for the common good or as convenient instruments for opaque transactions. Silence, in this instance, would amount to complicity.

 

We therefore call on all relevant authorities to act with courage and conscience,revisit this agreement, open it to public scrutiny, and ensure that decisions of such magnitude are guided not only by technical compliance, but by transparency, equity, and the enduring public interest.

 

Tijjani Sarki

 

*Good Governance Advocate and Public Policy Analyst*

 

[email protected]

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending