Comrade Lawal Abubakar Zannah (Wakilin Shinkafi) is the Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology in Zamfara state. He was appointed by the governor, Alhaji Bello Muhammad (Matawallen Maradun), when he barely began serious work as Special Adviser to the Governor on Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs. In this exclusive interview with ASHENEWS, Zannah said the governor plans to apply science and technology in all strata of governance in the state. EXCERPTS:
What have science and technology got to do in Zamfara state?
(Laughs…) Science and Technology is the tide. When you talk about these, you are talking development in its entirety. There can never be development without science and technology. All developed countries had to apply science and technology to get to where they are today. His Excellency, Governor Bello Muhammad knows the importance of science and technology to development. He is well traveled personality. He has seen how these have transformed nations. When he created the ministry, it was in his unadulterated belief that only science and technology could transform Zamfara state and make it join the comity of developed states in Nigeria. Don’t forget that Zamfara is of the states that has the potentials of contributing to economic development of the country, if properly harnessed. Having this in mind, His Excellency discovered that this can only happened with full application of science and technology in all strata of socioeconomic space of his administration.
Since you assumed office as Commissioner, what has happened?
The first person that was appointed as Commissioner, immediately moved for a federal appointment. When I assumed office, the ministry had no office accommodation. So, I started moves to have office accommodation for the new ministry, and committed as the governor was for the smooth takeoff of the new ministry, he ensured that we got a befitting office, released money to furnish it and also ensured that we were conformable and could perform optimally. His Excellency wanted Zamfara state to be on the same page of development through science and technology with other states. Just before we began work in earnest, coronavirus struck and within the time, there was less we could do to operate. You will recall that governance, even at global level, was punctuated.
What was your takeoff like?
As a new ministry, we needed to undertake some studies to see how similar ministries in other states are operating. We undertook study tour of states like Kano, Katsina, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. We also visited the Federal Ministry of Science and Digital Economy and National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA. We saw the need to go back to the Ministry of Science with His Excellency, to facilitate upfront approvals for certain partnerships between the state government and the Federal Ministry.
On intimating the governor about the need to revisit the ministry with him, he immediately fixed a date and we met with the Minister, Dr Isa Pantami. The governor requested that the ministry facilitates deployment of network service by mobile service providers to certain areas where there was no network service. We also discussed the issue of payment of taxes by service providers, which, since the creation of Zamfara state, has never been paid. The governor also requested that the youths on the state be trained on digital skills, including computer and telephone repairs and other digital skills. This is aimed at making the youth in the state to be self-reliant. The governor requested for ICT hubs across the three senatorial zones and toll-free emergency numbers to enable citizens make calls in cases of emergencies be it insecurity, fire incidents, etc.
How far, so far?
As we talk now, the training of some artisans in various trades including phones repairs, computer repairs, etc is ongoing and the first batch will round up next week. In the same vein, Airtel network has been deployed in some villages across some local governments. Similarly, an e-library is being built and will be ready by end of December. Next year, the ICT hubs will be constructed in Gusau and two other locations in the other zones. There are many other skills whose artisans were hitherto employed from Kano, Kaduna or Abuja. Very soon, we will train them on new technologies of whatever they are engaged in, in other to enhance their businesses. We also teach them how to optimize the use of their phones beyond chatting and making calls. One can generate more than N5,000 by advertising his services through it.
The ministry is also collaborating with some youth known as StartUp Zamfara. We train 50 youth in each batch for the use of the Internet to promote their goods and services and for the unemployed to search for jobs online. Government cannot employ all youth, but if they are trained in one skill or another, they will one day employ staff to work for them.
Science schools
When I came to office, the ministry had eight science schools. His Excellency has graciously approved the repairs of two of them this year and we will enhance and improve the standard of teaching and learning. We will also improve teachers welfare in order to motivate them. Questions papers, continuous assessment books and other working materials and needs will be provided by the Ministry. This is unlike the system we met where principals task students to pay certain levy to provide these things. Take for example this year when preparation for NECO exams was being done, after the state government paid the required fees, I instructed all principals to stop asking students to pay for mathematical sets or anything, apart from PTA or MSS levies. The governor has declared state of emergency on education in the state and therefore, no parent should be asked to pay for anything that government is supposed to provide.
In which other areas is the state government deploying science and technology?
In all areas of socioeconomic, political and other areas, including insecurity. His Excellency has mandated the ministry to look at scientific and technological ways of curtailing insecurity in the state. There are other areas that require Inter ministerial collaboration to apply science and technology, which this ministry is exploring to its fruition. Agriculture is one of them. New agricultural technologies now abound that His Excellency is seriously considering to deploy science and technology in other to help our farmers.
Challenges
The main challenge is that most of our people are not ICT compliant. Many workers, teaches and other categories of civil servants cannot operate computer or smart phones. Science and technology is a global trend and as a ministry and state, we cannot afford to remain behind. In good time, we shall catch up with the world. We are planning aggressive ICT training for all segments of workers in the state. We will create a website for government where all its activities will be posted. This will contribute in citizens’ inquisitiveness about ICT.
Another challenge we have is that the previous administration treated our science schools in the same manner it treated others. There was no provision for functional laboratories, science books, etc. There was no regular training for science teachers. One important thing is that His Excellency gives us the required attention as a ministry.
Last word
I call on our youth to be innovative and creative. I also call on our parents to encourage their wards to enroll in science subjects in schools. Only this will bridge the gap between us and the developed world.
