An interview with Comrade Mohammed Jibo, the Caretaker Chairman of Dass Local Government area of Bauchi state, as reported by Abdullahi Id...
An interview with Comrade Mohammed Jibo, the Caretaker Chairman of Dass Local Government area of Bauchi state, as reported by Abdullahi Idris.
DAILY STRUGGLE: Having just been appointed as
Caretaker Chairman to lead one of the most historic Local Governments in
Nigeria, do you believe Governor Bala Mohammad has embraced the idea of youth
inclusiveness?
COMRADE JIBO: Of
course, it’s a known fact that Governor Mohammad of Bauchi state has done his
best in terms of youth inclusiveness, good governance, and respecting the rule
of law in piloting the affairs of his administration. The governor has achieved
significant progress in terms of infrastructure development and addressing
critical components of the economy. Additionally, he has engaged many youths in
the local government as councillors across the twenty local governments in
Bauchi State, some serving as chairmen, commissioners, advisers, and heads of
parastatals. In a nutshell, Governor Bala Mohammad's administration comprises
almost 60 per cent youths, reflecting his untiring efforts towards ensuring
youth inclusiveness.
DAILY STRUGGLE: As a former Comrade, a student
Unionist in the trenches of activism, and now the caretaker Chairman, how would
you compare your experiences?
COMRADE JIBO: It’s
a great experience, but with a shift in responsibilities. When we were at the
Union, our goal was to protect the rights and welfare of the students across
Bauchi State. Now, as the chief executive officer of the local government, I am
tasked with protecting the lives and properties of my local government area and
ensuring the total welfare of all indigenous and non-indigenous people of our
communities within our domain. This entails ensuring full operational compliance
within the ambit of the law.
DAILY STRUGGLE: How excited were you to share
packages as palliatives in the local government recently?
COMRADE JIBO:
I must commend Governor Bala Mohammad for this remarkable gesture in putting
smiles on the faces and alleviating suffering in our community. It was a great
symbolic reflection of good governance and a testament to the state
government's efforts and commitment to ensuring that the less privileged,
orphans, and vulnerable individuals have food on their tables. This initiative
aligns with the governor’s efforts to alleviate hardship among citizens
following the removal of fuel subsidies.
DAILY STRUGGLE: What would you like to be remembered
for?
COMRADE JIBO:
I want to be remembered as a leader who brought sanity, peacebuilding, and
prosperity among his people. Additionally, I want to be remembered as a
political leader who ensured sustainable development and economic growth across
his local government area and was a beacon of good and modern democratic
governance in Dass local government area. We are enjoying a hundred per cent
autonomy in all our twenty local government areas of the state, which was
granted to us by Governor Bala Mohammad of Bauchi state.
DAILY STRUGGLE: How peaceful is the local government
under your leadership?
COMRADE JIBO: We
are living in peace across the communities of my local government area,
enjoying support from all security agencies. We are grateful for the support
from critical players in ensuring peaceful coexistence in Dass local
government, including security organizations, the HRH Emir of Dass, Dr. Usman
Bilyaminu Othman II, and all stakeholders. I extend my profound appreciation to
Governor Bala Mohammad in this regard.
DAILY STRUGGLE: What achievements have you made in
youth empowerment?
COMRADE JIBO:
We have achieved almost a hundred per cent in the areas of scholarship awards
to various students of Dass local government indigenous people. We have also
embarked on various projects related to skills acquisition among men and women
across the divides. Additionally, Dass local government has secured admission
for over five hundred students under my administration, ensuring settlement of
all their dues in various tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
DAILY STRUGGLE: How would you describe your
relationship with all stakeholders in Dass local government?
COMRADE JIBO: I
am enjoying a hundred per cent support from my people, particularly the Dass
emirate council and other relevant key stakeholders across the Dass local
government.
DAILY STRUGGLE: How would you describe the
performance indicators of Governor Bala Mohammad's administration in Bauchi
state?
COMRADE JIBO:
Bala Mohammad has brilliantly transformed Bauchi State in all ramifications,
making it a reference point in West Africa for economic growth, development,
and sustainability across the sub-region.
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