In the midst of security challenge in some parts of the north, Governor Isa Yuguda engages Bauchi youths in productive ventures as one surest way of curbing political violence in 2015. SAMUEL OGIDAN reports
The post election violence that trailed the 2011 election in some parts of the north, is one that really has a telling effects on the region. The crisis came amidst growing insecurity in the north eastern region, occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram , a supposed Islamic sect.
One of the states that had a taste of this was Bauchi. Like some others, it witnessed a reign of terror and vandalism such that life and living were almost becoming meaningless to residents.
And challenged by this development, the governor, Isa Yuguda put in place certain strategies to put the situation under control.
According to Yuguda, security of lives and property is in itself the essence and the very reason any government exists.
Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, there was never a time the nation had a smooth political transition as it presently obtains from 199 to date.
Though, some leaders, especially governors, have been accused of corruption under the current political dispensation, some others have also distinguished themselves in the areas of human and capital development. The Bauchi story under Yuguda is certainly not a difference. Bauchi, under its leadership has really demonstrated that with or without oil, a state under good leadership, could function effectively well.
The state, surrounded by hills and mountains is also a tourist haven and a business dream for both internal and external investors. Although, it was at a time pummeled by Boko Haram tendencies, the security situation in the state today encourages local and foreign investment.
Contrary to insinuations in some quarters that Bauchi is backward and one of the North-east states where insecurity thrives, the state could be described as the most developed and peaceful in that region, a fact attested to by the governor. The level of security enjoyed in the state could be traced to the governor’s audacity and his relationship with his people.
Owing to the relative security in Bauchi, the state with a population of 4.6 million in 2006 and which the governor said had increased to about 7 million, is witnessing influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), arising from the ceaseless insurgency in Borno and Yobe states.
Explaining, the state governor revealed that Bauchi had accommodated and rehabilitated no fewer than 194 IDPs from Bungudu village in Zamfara state whose communities were attacked by armed invaders.
Lamenting the destructive activities of the insurgents and other criminal groups, the governor said it is the duty of the nation’s leaders, the security agencies and members of the public to collectively fight the menace.
“We never envisaged this terrible situation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa five years ago. These criminal elements are killing their fellow human beings and shouting Allahu Akubar (God is great). It is madness that must be cured,” Yuguda stated.
He however charged state governors across the federation to be more proactive in matters of security in their various states, stressing that the first covenant between a leader and his creator, is the protection of lives and property of the people.
The governor also told journalists that the relative peace enjoyed in the state could be traceable to some of the projects and investments put in place by his administration to engage the youths and take them away from the streets and negative distractions.One of the major investments having positive impact on the people is the Bauchi state furniture, where the youths are engaged in furniture making.
Managing Director of the company, Bakoji Bello Badara said the company which has a workforce of 215, is a training ground for Bauchi youths. The company, which is owned by the state government, supplies all the furniture to schools (both primaries, secondary and higher institutions), offices, hospitals, hotels and guest houses in the state. According to Yuguda, 50 percent of the state’s resources that would otherwise have gone out, was saved.
The company, which the governor said plans to go into serious commercial production, would be beefed up with state-of-the-art machines to ensure its expansion.
Badara said the idea behind the purchase of the company, which was formerly owned by a private firm in 2008 and started production in 2009 by Governor Yuguda, was to engage the youth.
“The place is a training ground for youth. It sources for wood and other materials from different areas like Ondo, Abuja and other states including Cameroon. The company supplies furniture to the state hospitals, schools, guest houses, offices and other establishment. It has supplied more than 30 secondary schools, 10 higher institutions. It has a workforce of 215,” he said.
In the area of tourism, the state is exploring the potentials in Yakari Games Reserve, a tourist attraction that has been upgraded by Yuguda to international standard and which again, has meaningfully engaged the youths. At the moment, tourism is a money spinning venture across the world. The success story of this sector in Kenya, South Africa and other countries where tourism strives, here suffices. The same feat, Yuguda assured could be achieved giving the investment the state government had put into the sector.
He expressed the hope that with an international airport in place, the coast is clear for both local and international investors. Yuguda said: “Tourism can replace oil in the country and as such we have to be strategic in our planning.”
“Air transportation is key as far as economy is concerned. Air transportation is very strategic to Bauchi. At present, the North-east has no international airport, we need this type of airport, we are building it for Bauchi and for Nigeria to transport goods to the outside world,” Yuguda said.
He however disclosed that the airport would be commissioned March this year, a project that would generate internal revenue for the state.
Explaining the functionality of the airport, the project coordinator, Engr. Ali Jubril, said the airport, which gulped N13 billion, has the longest runway in the country, describing the landing facilities as the largest and the best in Nigeria.
The facility, which, according to him, had been endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has the best control tower in the country, as it is only the Akwa Ibom airport that boasts of similar equipment. It has a runway measured at 3.4 kilometres. The airport which has a twin taxi way can accommodate three A 380 and five A 347 planes as well as car park capacity of 2500 vehicles.
Besides, in the education sector, the governor also embarked on the establishment of several schools including state university, technical school and rehabilitation of the former Teachers’ Training College, which was attended by former President Shehu Shagari, a school that has now been turned to modern secondary school with boarding facilities such as viewing centres.
With the approach of 2015, it does appear Bauchi is on the path of reducing insecurity and thuggery related vices by engaging its youths. It is just hoped that this tendency could be sustained and taken beyond religious and political inclination. With the Bauch experience, it is pretty clear that insecurity can be checked by the proper utilization and application of funds.
