The story of Kebbi State is a sad one, and some fresh new pages must be written for the state in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

Created in 1991, Kebbi has turned out worse than its contemporaries (take a visit to Jigawa, Edo, Osun, and Enugu for example).

In fact, newer states like Katsina have performed better in terms of infrastructure, governance, and politics.

If you visit Katsina and then take a detour to Birnin Kebbi, you will think Birnin Kebbi is only fit for a local government headquarters in a state like Katsina.

And you will dare not compare UMYU to KSUSTA in terms of infrastructure and programmes.

Basic education school infrastructure is far better in contemporary states like Jigawa and Osun.

Significant number of schools have been renovated and equipped in latter states.

Here in Kebbi, even in the state capital, public primary and secondary schools are an eye-sore.

Created alongside Kebbi in 1991, today Anambra State has the most efficient healthcare system in the country closely followed by another contemporary, Osun, and then older states like Ogun, Lagos and Rivers.

It appears like a curse. A state blessed with some of Nigeria’s finest intellectuals and technocrats has failed to find its footing.

A jinx must be broken somehow.

I don’t really care whether the next governor comes from Kebbi Central, North, or South, but the builder of modern Kebbi must be found.

Pressure groups like the Kebbi Development Forum, Kebbi Elders Forum, and other civil society organisations must interrogate contenders and enter into pacts with them. Stakeholders must prepare whatever mechanism is necessary to keep “executive” governors in check and on their toes.

Performance should be the keyword and the watch word.

We need to see the emergence of the likes of Umaru Musa of Katsina, and Sule Lamido of Jigawa, people who built the hitherto modest towns of Katsina and Dutse respectively into “little Abuja” as they became popularly known.

We can’t continue to have our State always ranked poor in nearly every development indicator.

Nasiru Musa Yauri is a Professor of Management as well as an analyst and commentator on Nigerian politics, economy and governance.