By: TUNDE BOLAJI MINNA.
In an unprecedented event, the Village Head of Eppa community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, Abbas Mohammed Ishaq, has left a legacy in his community, thereby showing leadership by example.
The Village has constructed several key infrastructure projects within its first year in office, using funds generated from land royalties paid by non-indigenous farmers in the area.
Among the projects completed are a six-block classroom with an office, the completion of an abandoned two-block classroom, a primary healthcare clinic, a vigilante office, and a new palace for the village head.
The facilities were officially commissioned over the weekend.
Nda Lele Mokwa, Alhaji Shaba Mohammed Aliyu, commissioned the classroom blocks and the village head’s palace, while the Baba Ndashe of Raba, Engineer Umar Mohammed Twsako, inaugurated the healthcare clinic.
The vigilante office was commissioned by the Secretary of Mokwa Local Government Council, Mallam Dauda Liman.
In separate remarks, the dignitaries commended the community-led effort and described the development as exemplary.
They urged other traditional and local leaders to complement the government’s efforts by initiating projects that improve livelihoods at the grassroots.
Representing the chairman of the local council, Dauda Liman praised the village head’s leadership and described the projects as people-oriented and impactful.
He also encouraged other community leaders to emulate what he called a “model of accountable leadership and local development.”
In his address during the commissioning, Mallam Abbas Mohammed Ishaq said the Eppa community, which has existed for over 500 years, currently has a registered voter population of approximately 900 and hosts non-indigenes mainly from Kebbi and Sokoto states
According to the village head, these non-indigenous residents are predominantly farmers who pay land royalties through farm produce.
The produce is sold, and the proceeds are used to fund the development projects.
“We have expended over one hundred million naira on the projects through the self-efforts of our people who are predominantly farmers,” Abbas said, thanking the community for their support and cooperation.
He also revealed that plans were underway to construct a guest house and a corps members’ lodge to further enhance the community’s infrastructure.
However, he expressed concern over the impact of recent flooding in Mokwa, which washed away two key bridges linking Eppa to neighbouring communities.
Abbas noted the incident disrupted the school calendar and significantly affected local commerce.
He appealed to the Niger State Government to urgently reconstruct the bridges to restore access and economic activity in the area.
