By El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi
The governorship candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Ahmed Zumaro, has said that health, commerce and industry, security, youth and sports, with priority on education and agriculture, would be his areas of focus if elected, in order to move Kebbi to the next level of development.
Addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi at the ‘Candidates Engagement Forum’ organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the politician said he deliberately chose the seven sectors because they deserved better attention for the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the state.
The candidate said his administration would prioritise education, especially in rural communities affected by insecurity, to ensure children were not denied learning opportunities because of school closures.
“We cannot leave children at home indefinitely while waiting for security to improve. We must make provisions for them to continue learning,” he said.
Zumaro also promised to introduce digital learning opportunities and policies to attract highly qualified personnel, including PhD holders, into primary school teaching.
The candidate pledged to raise the proportion of female teachers to 75 per cent, arguing that women play a critical role in the early development and education of children.
On agriculture, Zumaro criticised the untimely distribution of fertiliser, saying farm inputs should be made available in line with the agricultural calendar to maximise productivity.
He said the state should strengthen local agricultural production to reduce dependence on food supplies from neighbouring countries, including the Republic of Benin and Niger.
Other sectors, he said, would not be neglected, adding that he supported the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralised policing could improve responses to local security challenges because communities directly affected by insecurity understood their circumstances.
“If elected, I will propose reforms in the traditional institution, as prospective traditional rulers should undergo thorough assessment and investigation before appointment,” he said.
