Assessing government empowerment programmes in Kano state

The National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) which was introduced by the federal government in 2016 is combatting poverty and building a better future for Nigerians. BASHIR MOHAMMED writes on the scheme in Kano

It was designed to encourage the establishment and development of businesses by Nigerians with the youths as its major focus leading to self-reliance, eradication of poverty and more job opportunities.

No doubt, it has lifted many previously disadvantaged persons from poverty and created opportunities for sustainable economic empowerment especially in Kano state.

 The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP)

Through the Home Grown School Feeding programme, there is improvement in the enrolment of primary school pupils. It has also reduced the current dropout rates which according to Debbie Palmer, head of the Department for International Development (DFID) Nigeria, Nigeria has the highest number of primary aged children out-of-school in the world.

In a recent investigation by ActionAid Nigeria, in Kano, the programme is expected to feed 1,554,786 primary 1-3 pupils in 6,570 primary schools across the 44 local government areas but as so far, only 1,123,941 pupils have benefited from the programme.

Investigation shows that there was no feeding for the pupils in March 2019 across the state due to non-availability of fund from the federal government as the state only received a total sum of N1, 573,517,400 for the feeding exercise for the months of January and February.

 Despite this, Bebeji and Bagwai LGAs of the state were exempted in January and February.

It was also discovered that schools such as Salanta Primary School, Bachirawa Special Primary School in Ungogo LGA as well as Gobirawa Special Primary School in Dala LGA with population of 8,000 students ended up feeding only 1,200 pupils.

During the investigation, it was also discovered that some of the contracted cooks supplied substandard or expired products to the pupils. Some of these products were also in short supply.

When contacted, the state programme manager and executive secretary, Community Re-orientation Council, (CRC), the body saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the exercise in Kano, Hon Ya’u Abdullahi Yan Shana, explained that the programme has been a success in the state despite few challenges.

According to him, the two LGAs were exempted in the last two months due to lack of data from the affected areas but that efforts are being made to rectify the issue.

He also noted that submission of wrong account numbers as well as mismatched BVN by some of the cooks prevented some of them from receiving funds to supply food as agreed.

Abdullahi lamented that his council is limited and does not have the power to discipline persons but said reports like that are sent to the commissioner for Education for necessary action.

Ya’u expressed satisfaction that the programme is achieving its aim as the total number of pupils has surged up to 2 million at the moment.

Also he said with the introduction of the programme, the state has witnessed the revival of indigenous companies being their major suppliers of biscuits and juice.

HGSFP has provided 9,278 women with job as cooks and has also provided local farmers with good markets as the level of demand for their farm produce has appreciated greatly.

Mallam Abdulkadir Uba, head teacher, Dan Dago Special Primary School, Gwale Kano stated that the programme has contributed tremendously to the success of learning in the state.

He said that the number of pupils between primary 1 and 3 has increased, stressing that as a result of the programme, street beggars now enroll on their own volition.

He called for new census across the state’s primary schools to help capture those enrolled since the commencement of the programme.

 The head teacher, Gawuna Science and Technical Primary School in Nasarawa LGA, Yusuf Sani, disclosed that attendance has significantly increased as a result of the programme with the primary 1-3 having 857 students as against the initial 500.

According to him, the programme truly addresses poor health status of many children.

A Primary 2 pupil of the school, Adamu Rilwan revealed that his learning abilities have improved as he can now concentrate in the class without hunger.

A food vendor, Hajiya Jamila Isa, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, revealed that one of the major challenges they face is inconsistency when it comes to getting funds from CRC.

She said every cook has a specific amount she’s supposed to get every week or month as the case may be but they have been experiencing deductions without any explanation.

 Jamila pleaded with the president to ensure that successive government continue with the initiative.

Ayuba Adamu, a local rice farmer in Sumaila LGA stated that he and other farmers now find it easy to sell off their produce.

Efforts to ascertain the exact number of beneficiaries of the programme in Kano, however, proved abortive as several efforts made to contact the state’s focal person, Aisha Jafaru, commissioner for education proved abortive.

Also, one of the beneficiaries of the N-Teach scheme, Musadiq Yusuf Abubakar, an NCE holder said the scheme has saved him from the stress of job hunting because the labor market is saturated.

“The programme has saved me from unemployment, as you know, it is another phase of struggle after graduating from school due to high competition for the few vacancies available.”

He noted that the programme has improved teaching tremendously in schools as fresh graduates and more competent hands have been employed to teach in government-owned schools across the state.

The principal, Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Turaki Hashim, commended the federal government for the initiative. She also extolled the commitment and zeal of some of the N-power beneficiaries, describing them as the best set of teachers that any school administrator can have.

Solomon Ibrahim who hails from Kogi state but resides in Kano is also a beneficiary of the programme.

According to him, “The N-power is a programme that helps youths to alleviate poverty without any god-father phenomenon.”

He, however, lamented that he was posted far from where he lives which makes it difficult for him to cope with transportation.

Sani Abdullahi who teaches English Language at MusbahuDalib Islamiya Primary School described his experience and those of 15 other persons as an unfortunate one as he keeps getting posted to schools far from his place of residence just as other beneficiaries share similar experiences.

Apart of the problem of distance, Sani stated that the programme has been a blessing to him as he is assured of going back home at the end of every month with his N30,000 stipend.

“With my stipend which is regular, I am now sure of getting something that most of these private schools around here would not offer even if one secures a job with them.”

On the other hand, Isa Nasidi an N-Power (Health) beneficiary said the challenge of eight month unpaid salaries yet to be released to them, unfulfilled promises of providing them with devices such as a tablet device and non-availability of any N-Power official in the state are their major problems. In general, Nasidi, applauded the move by the government which has assisted hundreds of youths under the health sector.

Abubakar Yusuf, (N-power Agro) said the programme has given meaning to him and his friends. According to him, youths have been encouraged to engage in agricultural practices as a means of livelihood.

The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP)

This is to create financial empowerment for Co-operative societies, traders and artisans within the country. The project was flagged off by the federal government with the sum of N140billion.

Tukur Aliyu an agent of the programme in Kano said there are four clusters in the state and about 500 beneficiaries in the state. He disclosed that the disbursement of the funds have since been stopped by the ministry as most of the beneficiaries have refused to pay back the loans.

Malam Salisu Ado said when they deposit money into their account to be deducted, extra and hidden charges are deducted which extends one’s period of repayment.

“When we inquired what went wrong the only answer we got was that we were being charged by the banks.”

Hajiya Asabe Muhammed complained that some of the agents failed to remit money given to them which has led to series of protracted misunderstandings among them.

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