By Ismail Auwal
There was outrage in Jigawa State by stakeholders protesting the cancellation of a public lecture organised by youths’ group named The New World Youths Initiative.
The lecture was scheduled for Thursday, 26th of August, 2021, in the State’s capital, Dutse, as an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of Jigawa out of the old Kano State on the 27th of August, 1991.
Among those to speak at the event were Dr. Nuruddeen Muhammad (former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Supervising Minister of Information under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, and 2015 PDP Deputy Gubernatorial aspirant for Jigawa state), Mr Bala Usman Chamo, the incumbent Chairman of Dutse Local Government Council, and Mr Babangida Usman, who is the Wali of Kazaure as well as the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works.
Many Jigawa residents, especially the youths, took to their social media handles to express their grievances over the incidence.
A Facebook user by the name Basheer Rabiu Gumel, who claims to be a member of the ruling APC in the state, asked in Hausa why the state government is consistently uncomfortable with any opportunity that would bring Dr. Nuruddeen to speak directly to the people of Jigawa.
Writing further to support his submission, Mr Gumel said there were similar incidences when Dr. Nuruddeen was blocked from attending a tree planting campaign in Gumel in 2019, and another one in 2020 when the government cancelled a symposium at Sule Lamido University, Kafin-Hausa, where the Minister was billed to be the sole presenter.
He wondered how an incumbent governor could be so jittery with an ordinary medical doctor.
Others, who expressed similar sentiments accused the government of Gov Muhammad Badaru Abubakar of not having interest in the unity and future of the state by not allowing the youths, who are the future of the state to network, brainstorm and strategise.
Efforts to reach out to the organisers of the event, who are now said to be considering conducting the lectures online, proves abortive. But sources close to them said there was a directive from the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to cancel the event probably because of the former Minister who the government believes has gubernatorial ambition for 2023, and enjoys massive youths support across the state.
The source added that the government believes that the former Minister is using such platforms to advance his political ambition.
The SSG cannot be reached for his comments up to the time of filing up this report.
On the hand, the former Minister decided not to comment directly on the issue; saying that everything is in the public domain for the people to judge. He, therefore, wished the state happy 30th anniversary and a wonderful future.
