By Sardauna Francis
The mandate of a legislator transcends the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly; it is fundamentally about grassroots impact, delivering tangible change that uplifts the human condition. In the context of the Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency in Katsina State, this philosophy finds its clearest expression in the monumental achievements of its representative in the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed (First Dujiman Katsina).
Since assuming office, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Interior, a humble man whose commitment to service has earned him the moniker of a life-transforming politician by his constituents, has strategically focused his attention on these cardinal pillars of development: Employment, Education, Youth and Women Empowerment, Water Supply, and Electricity.
His scorecard in these areas is a testament to purposeful leadership, demonstrating a clear vision for socio-economic rejuvenation and human capital development. My article delves into the specifics of these achievements, illustrating how Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed’s representation is redefining hope and progress for the people of Musawa and Matazu.
1. Employment for Constituents:
Unemployment, particularly among graduates, is a national crisis that demands significant intervention from political representatives. Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed has made a monumental impact in this area, directly leveraging his position to secure permanent and pensionable employment for his constituents in state and federal agencies.
This singular achievement stands out as one of the most substantial and life-changing interventions in the constituency’s history. So far, Hon. Ahmed successfully facilitated permanent and pensionable federal employment for a total of 181 constituents.
These are not temporary placements or contracts but stable civil service careers, providing economic stability for the beneficiaries and their entire extended families.
The placements were strategically secured across key federal parastatals and security agencies, demonstrating a broad reach within the federal government apparatus:
I. Federal Fire Service: 42 individuals were recruited.
II. Nigeria Immigration Service: 18 successful appointments.
III. Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Army: Over 100 constituents secured roles in the nation’s primary security forces.
IV. Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres: 21 constituents were placed in healthcare institutions, a critical sector.
As plans are underway to secure more appointments for the people of Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency this year, these massive employment drive is a life-changing initiative aimed solely at improving the socio-economic conditions of the people.
It is a powerful example of direct constituency empowerment, ensuring that graduates from Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency are not left behind in the competition for federal jobs.
By securing these stable and pensionable appointments, Hon. Ahmed has not only reduced the unemployment rate but has also infused the local economy with a guaranteed stream of income, uplifting the socio-economic status of hundreds of households.
2. Education:
Education remains the most potent tool for combating poverty and ensuring sustainable development. In Musawa/Matazu, like many rural constituencies, the challenge of overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated structures, and inadequate teaching aids has long threatened the future of its youth. Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed’s intervention has been holistic, focusing on both infrastructural development and creating an environment conducive to learning.
His commitment began with the physical renewal of learning spaces. A significant project was the construction and equipping of a block of two-classrooms complete with a befitting staff room and a store at Jikamshi Community Secondary School in Musawa.
This single project addressed multiple needs: providing ample teaching space, a dedicated area for teachers to plan and collaborate, and secure storage for educational materials. This model was replicated in other crucial areas, notably the construction of a two-block of classrooms with a staff office at Kogari ward and a similar infrastructural boost at Tashar Nababa primary school.
By focusing on building new, modern structures, the lawmaker has directly increased school enrolment capacity and improved the working conditions for educators, which is a key driver for improved student performance.
Furthermore, his educational focus extended to basic amenities that support a healthy learning environment. For instance, the construction of six new toilets and a motorised borehole at Government Day Girls Secondary School, Musawa, directly tackled the challenges of open defecation and water scarcity within the school premises.
This not only promotes hygiene but also significantly impacts female student retention, as access to adequate sanitation is a major factor in girls’ school attendance. Hon. Ahmed’s investment in education is not just about brick and mortar; it is a foundational investment in the intellectual capacity of his constituency, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge required to compete and thrive.
3. Youth and Women Empowerment:
Beyond direct employment, the lawmaker has championed comprehensive empowerment programmes. These include revolving skills acquisition schemes designed to equip young people and women with market-relevant trades, enabling them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
The lawmaker’s benevolence is evident in the numerous constituents who have been able to establish flourishing businesses and entrepreneurship centres as a direct result of his support, often including cash grants and succour to cushion economic hardships.
Furthermore, recognizing that the constituency is predominantly agrarian, a substantial portion of his empowerment efforts is directed toward farmers. He strategically distributed agricultural inputs, including over 500 bags of fertiliser and over 2,000 water pumping machines to wet and dry season farmers in wards like Gwarjo, Mazoji A, and Sayaya.
This direct intervention enhances food security, increases crop yields, and fundamentally boosts the income of rural families, solidifying the economic base of the constituency. The combination of secure federal jobs, entrepreneurship training, and agricultural support creates a multi-pronged approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and truly empowering the demographic backbone of Musawa/Matazu.
4. Water Supply:
Access to clean, potable water is a non-negotiable prerequisite for public health and economic productivity. The perennial problem of water scarcity in many communities of Musawa/Matazu has been a priority for Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, resulting in his most celebrated and extensive infrastructural project: the drilling of 71 new solar-powered boreholes across the two Local Government Areas.
The strategic distribution of these boreholes underscores the lawmaker’s commitment to equity. In Musawa LGA, 37 boreholes were inaugurated, with three strategically located in each of the eleven political wards and an additional four in the local government headquarters.
Similarly, Matazu LGA received 34 new boreholes, with three in each of its ten wards and four in the headquarters. This calculated ward-by-ward deployment ensures that no community is left behind, effectively decentralizing water access.
Each of these boreholes is a model of modern, sustainable infrastructure. They are equipped with solar-powered submersible pumps, making them immune to the failures of the national grid and ensuring reliable, low-cost operation.
They feature five fetching points to minimize queues and are installed with lighting for security and ease of use after dark. Moreover, to support the agrarian nature of the constituency, Hon. Ahmed facilitated the construction and renovation of dams for irrigation farming, such as the ones in Garu and Fafu wards.
This synergy between boreholes for domestic use and dams for agriculture demonstrates a comprehensive water management strategy, transforming the landscape from one of water scarcity to one of water security, health, and enhanced irrigation farming capacity.
5. Electricity:
Reliable electricity is a catalyst for socio-economic growth, vital for powering small businesses, securing homes, and supporting educational efforts. While the most substantial project in this area is inextricably linked to the water initiative, it forms a crucial part of the lawmaker’s vision for energy access.
The provision of 71 solar-powered boreholes, while primarily a water project, is a major rural electrification intervention. Each of these systems provides a self-sustaining power source in a community, complete with lighting.
This introduces the concept of sustainable, off-grid power to numerous communities, establishing vital service points that function independently of the often-unstable national grid. The implementation of this widespread solar technology demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, championing renewable energy as a practical solution to rural energy deficits.
The lawmaker’s holistic approach to development means that the economic benefits of his other projects are amplified by the prospect of future electrification. The establishment of small businesses through his empowerment programmes, the improved access to water, and the renewed educational facilities all serve as anchor points that will maximize the impact of future grid extensions or the provision of solar streetlights and decentralized power solutions.
The foundation for lighting up Musawa/Matazu has been laid through the demonstration of solar energy reliability, a project set to be built upon to achieve comprehensive energy access for every home and business.
Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed’s tenure as the representative for Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency is rapidly etching a profound legacy of impactful service. From constructing classrooms and empowering 175 youths with federal jobs, to drilling 71 solar-powered boreholes across both local government areas, his achievements demonstrate a rare fusion of strategic thinking and grassroots commitment.
His work has moved beyond the traditional role of legislation into a developmental partnership with his constituents, fostering an environment where education is accessible, youth and women are empowered, water is secure, and the promise of electrification is a growing reality.
The collective weight of these accomplishments solidifies his position as a true architect of transformation, whose indelible mark on Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency will resonate for generations to come.
Francis is the Special Assistant on Media to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Interior.