By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan

The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-EIB), Gombe State Project Implementation Unit, has entered into a strategic partnership with Youth O’clock Advancement Association Nigeria to promote environmental sustainability and combat desertification across the state.

This was made known by the Gombe State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Dr. Shitu Wanda Jafaru, when he received a delegation from Youth O’clock Nigeria led by the State Coordinator, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, at the project’s office in Gombe.

Dr. Jafaru described the Movement’s objectives particularly in environmental protection and climate action as aligning squarely with NEWMAP’s mandate, assuring their readiness to collaborate closely with Youth O’clock Nigeria, especially in rolling out the implementation phase of the project.

While commending the association for its community-driven initiatives, the Project Coordinator encouraged the team to remain resilient and consistent in their efforts to achieve long-term success.

Earlier in his remarks, the State Coordinator of Youth O’clock Nigeria, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, said the visit was aimed at presenting the organization’s environmental agenda and exploring areas of collaboration in the fight against climate change and desert encroachment.

Comrade Labaran informed the NEWMAP management about the Movement’s 2025 flagship tree-planting initiative which targets the planting of four thousand five hundred (4,500) trees across the three senatorial zones of the state commencing in June.

According to him, the campaign will see the planting of 1,500 trees each in Dukku (Gombe North), Yamaltu Deba (Gombe Central), and Balanga (Gombe South), with the responsibility of nurturing the trees handed over to members of host communities.

In a related development, the delegation also visited the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Gombe State University, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, where Comrade Labaran briefed him on the outcomes of a previous partnership that saw over two hundred (200) members of a voluntary uniformed organization trained in first aid, firefighting, communication skills, and teamwork.

The youth leader further sought the university’s collaboration on upcoming projects including town hall meetings, environmental campaigns, and medical outreach programs to be held across the three senatorial districts.

In his response, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta lauded Youth O’clock Nigeria for its developmental efforts and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting initiatives in alignment with its community service responsibility for the growth of the state and the nation at large.

By Ibrahim Sani Shawai

In 2024, President Bola Tinubu in September nominated Prof Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji as pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of North West Development Commission (NWDC) and in December, Tinubu revised the nominees for the Governing Boards of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) with Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji retaining his position as MD/CEO.

The fact that Prof Ma’aji’s name was retained, is not a mistake but proof of his capacity and the trust that Mr. President has in his ability to engineer the transformation that the people of the North-West are yearning for.

The appointment of Prof Ma’aji did not come by accident neither did it come to many of his observers as a surprise, after all, a golden fish has no hiding place; his appointment came highly recommended in view of his experience, wealth of knowledge and his results-oriented leadership style.

His calibre is rare and needed to help contribute to the development of the country, because Prof. Ma’aji is a leadership genius who has been making his marks and leaving traces of excellence in any position of leadership he has held.

He is far-sighted, visionary and a man whose integrity is as intact as a rock. Those who have high hopes that Prof Ma’aji’s leadership will perform miracle in transforming the North-West from being one with high index of poverty in the country to becoming a wealth creation region for its people, will not have their hopes dashed because Prof. Maaji, has over the years forged a highly effective, anti-corrupt system wherever he went and that has helped him in delivering on any mandate assigned to him.

Prof Ma’aji, a decent gentleman who had his Bachelor, Master’s and PhD degrees in Sociology from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) is an academia to the core.

Having served as a lecturer at BUK and the Director, Centre for Research and Development, Bayero University Kano and Special Adviser to Deputy Senate President, Sen Barau Jibrin amongst others, has been able to leverage his experience to impact greatly in moulding young minds who have become great asset to Nigeria and the world at large.

As a renowned researcher, his interest in development Studies, Social Policy and Community Development are never in short supply; this, many believe would be leveraged greatly to quicken development especially in rural communities as it falls under the mandate of NWDC.

Having published numerous articles and books on development studies and social policy, supervised several Master’s and PhD students as well as served as a consultant to various organisations, including the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and earned several awards like the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Recipient of the Bayero University Kano’s Distinguished Alumni Award amongst others, it is obvious that Prof Ma’aji is not one to fail on the job as MD/CEO of NWDC. With these rich experiences and expertise, the people of the region have high hopes in Prof Ma’aji to bring in the needed change within the mandate of the NWDC and part of that expectations is for the Prof to explore potential partnerships and collaborations at advancing agricultural development in the region which remains the comparative advantage of the North-West.

For most residents of the North-West, the region’s recovery lies in harnessing the huge potential in the agricultural sector leveraging technology, innovation and modern agricultural practices that will create opportunities for local farming communities to become empowered as a result of agricultural growth which will also improve food security for Nigeria.

Napoleon Bonaparte, a former French general, once said “A leader is a dealer in hope” and indeed the people of North-West has hope on Prof. Ma’aji based on his track records. What remains now is for him to do what he ought to do to prove right, the high expectations of the people from the North-West region.

The establishment of the NWDC gives us an opportunity to reflect on the need for Northern Nigeria to appreciate the efforts of true leaders who may not make too much noise about what they are doing, working assiduously yet silently, fighting for the good of the common man in every nook and cranny of every single community in Northern Nigeria. The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin has done well by bringing NWDC to reality and overtime, as the Commission rolls out its goodies, history will always be kind to Sen. Barau Jibrin for the honour done the North -West region.

As we delve deeper into time especially the politics of time, the people of Kano State and North-West and Northern Nigeria must begin to prepare to explore the many parts of Jibrin’s leadership in view of his unhidden love for his people which typifies a beacon of transformation and resilience in a rapidly evolving global landscape of Nigerian politics in the North.

Sen. Jibrin’s doggedness towards the realisation of NWDC today makes it clear that leadership qualities were inherent in him, suggesting that leaders are indeed born, not made. His kind must be a good pick for future leadership roles to help advance the course of positive change in the overall interest of Nigerians.

One asset that all leaders need is the support of the people they are leading; it’s to them a moral booster and a pat on their backs to enable them go the extra mile to do what they ought to do in the interest of the people. Because the success of NWDC is not an exclusive reserve of Prof Ma’aji or Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to enjoy but for the good of the entire region, hence all hands must be on deck to encourage the NWDC leadership to succeed.

We, as a people of North-West, must look beyond our differences and unite in support of Prof. Ma’aji as he rolls up his sleeves to get the job done as the pioneer MD/CEO so that the region can build a solid foundation that NWDC’s leadership in the future can build upon to deliver a better society for us all; the time to support Prof Ma’aji is now.

Ibrahim Sani Shawai can be reached via shawai2000@yahoo.com

By Our Correspondent

The Governors of the Lake Chad Basin from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad, have unanimously elected Yobe state Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON COMN as Chairman of the Governors’ Forum.

Governor Buni was elected on Friday at the end of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum Meeting held in Maiduguri.

The meeting hosted by the Yobe State Government was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON.

Gov. Buni in his acceptance speech commended President Tinubu for providing leadership to the country and region at a very difficult time.

He appreciated his colleagues the Governors of the Lake Chad Basin region,
delegates and all other stakeholders for attending and contributing to the success of the meeting. 0

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his leadership and commitment to peace, security, and
development of the Lake Chad Basin region.

“I am convinced that, we have made our stay here in the last few days very memorable and fruitful; with justice done to the theme of the meeting “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security, and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community” he said.

Gov. expressed hope saying “as the host governor l hope we will internalize, domesticate and act on the lessons and resolutions of this meeting; to move forward from discussions to an all-inclusive action packed implementation that ensures everyone is carried along for the growth and development of the region .

“Therefore, we look forward to a more rebust partnership, support and the needed resource allocation for us to individually and collectively actualize our shared ambition of building a better and prosperous region for our people.

” It is gratifying that as we celebrate the successful end of this meeting, my colleagues have found me worthy of chairing the forum for the next two years.

” I wish to on behalf of my self, the government and people of Yobe state, commend and appreciate the decision of my colleagues for endorsing me as the new chairman of the Forum.

” Let me use this opportunity to re-assure you my dear colleagues that, l shall serve with a great sense of responsibility, and the commitment deserving of the office.

“l shall liaise and work closely with you and all the development partners for us to be on the same page to work for the success of the forum, and the general development of the region.

“I specially thank the outgoing chairperson of this forum,
Her Excellency Ildjima Abdraman, Governor of Hadjer Lamis province, Chad for her
leadership.

“On this note, l humbly accept the decision of my colleagues, and the opportunity given to me and Yobe state government to serve as the chairman of the Forum” Buni said.
In his contribution Makaman Gamawa Wakilin Wazirin Potiskum, Hon Sa’idu Muhammad Guza Congratulations Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni added that Governor Buni will address the problem and challenging of Lake Chad in time.
Hon. Sa’idu Muhammad Guza Called on the Governor’s forum to help Governor Buni so that to achieve the aims and objectives.