|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Amb. Kabiru Abdullahi Ruma
There is a popular leaf from Winston Churchill’s wisdom, which warns not to throw stones at every barking dog. This seems to be very accurate, as I addressed the recent barrage of directionless and unfounded criticisms from the faceless Arewa Unity Forum. Their recent press release, signed by one Barr. Lawal Habu Manawa, who claimed to be the Publicity Secretary, is nothing more than the desperate howls of attention seekers masquerading as concerned citizens.
The faceless group attempted to portray a picture of despair in Katsina State in a 225-word press release. In their shallow mind, they claimed development-driven people of the state were losing hope under Governor Radda. Even in the face of clearly observable progress across multiple sectors in less than two years, their claims remain unfounded. The pseudo-Arewa Unity Forum remains blind to visible progress. Well, the statement is a total betrayal of wilful ignorance or a calculated attempt to mislead the public for political gain. But I am certain the people of Katsina can’t be tricked by a misguided forum whose existence only speaks on the WhatsApp platform.
Perhaps you’ve read the Forum’s criticism, they also talked about the governor’s Radio France interview. Then, a sane mind would ascertain their intellectual dishonesty. In their restricted wisdom, they cherry-picked a single statement about people not being “blind, deaf, and dumb” while passionately ignoring the broader message of visible improvements made in security, education, health, agriculture among others. Tell me how this selective interpretation isn’t amusing and maliciously intended to misdirect the public? The people of Katsina are wise. They won’t allow you to take them back to retrogression. Never!
Having said that, there is no better time to clear all doubting Thomassons like the Arewa Unity Forum than now. Let’s do a small economic multiplication effect of Governor Radda’s recent goat empowerment programme. This is it. Female goats are capable of producing two births annually; each yields an average of two kids. Every beneficiary has three female goats and one male with the potential to generate 12 new goats within the first year alone.
Now, let’s scale across all 3,610 women beneficiaries in the state’s 361 wards. Hold your calculator, I beg! That translates to a stunning 43,320 new goats in just the first year. If you look at the current market value of N70,000 per mature goat. The first-year offspring alone could generate the sum of N3 billion in value. Now, imagine what the large scale farmers who received 50 goats would contribute to the economy? Remember, this is outside benefits to be derived from organic fertiliser, development of the local leather industry, and food security through meat production. Isn’t this an exponential growth and carefully calculated economic catalyst? Again, do the calculation of what the initiative would realize in two to three years.
For those who didn’t pay attention to details, but only got carried away by the mention of N5.7 billion. I hope you’ve read the previous paragraph clearly. Now, remember that the government established three livestock centres where the distributed animals were treated and inoculated against diseases to ensure their good health. More so, all the beneficiaries were given a startup package containing one bag of wheat offal and salt licks. Isn’t that a holistic approach? The government is not leaving the beneficiaries to themselves. Now, I know you’re convinced, and already asking for forgiveness. Our God is kind, He’ll forgive you.
On the security situation. I must tell you for a fact, Katsina has never had it so good and improved as this. Out of about 24 local governments that were grossly affected by banditry attacks. In the space of one year and some months that Radda came on board, there has been a 70% decrease in crime rates in these areas. If you’re not too far from those LGs, ask and you shall be told. These are verifiable facts that the Forum conveniently sits in their comfort zone and rushes to condemn.
Again, the Forum, in a 196-word count, criticized the renewed Hope initiatives and Agricultural Support Programme. In their minute intelligence, they claimed the participants were given “2 cakes and millet oats” and support of N10,000. Supposed the most intelligent member of the Arewa Unity Forum understands what a workshop means, he won’t take it as a wedding fiesta. His childish fixation on refreshments, while ignoring the impact of the workshop on our women, speaks volumes about their priorities. And if it’s about food, tell Arewa Unity Forum to wait; Katsina farmers supported by Governor Radda agricultural inputs will feed them more than enough.
Take this to every political ward that defines Katsina; thousands of beneficiaries will bear witness to the positive impact of these initiatives on their livelihood. Don’t just live on WhatsApp and think you can play on people’s intelligence.
As a proud citizen and resident of Katsina, the Forum’s attempt to distort these achievements through blanket condemnations is what we must reject outright. Their claims were laced with unsubstantiated claims. We all should know it only serves to highlight their own irrelevance in the broader discourse of Katsina’s development. Just like their statement to a poorly written script for political theatre rather than a genuine critique of governance.
To borrow again from Churchill’s wisdom, the path to progress cannot be deterred by the barking of faceless political opportunists and armchair philosophers like that of Arewa Unity Forum and their cohorts. Governor Radda remains focused on building the citizens and residents’ future.
The people of Katsina State are indeed not blind, deaf, or dumb. They see the positive changes happening in their communities, hear the promises being kept, and understand the difference between visible progress and political propaganda. The Arewa Unity Forum would do well to remember this before their next attempt to mislead the public with their baseless condemnations.
Ruma, a good governance advocate, writes from Katsina and can be reached at kabiruabdullahi012@gmail.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.