Birniwa Chairman: Joins Jigawa Hisbah Training, Signals Strong Support

• Shehu Baba Birniwa, Chairman of Birniwa Local Government Area, participated in a week-long training alongside 2,600 Hisbah guards in Jigawa State.
• The Jigawa State Hisbah Board organized the training at the Yakubu Gowon NYSC Orientation Camp to enhance guards' capacity in promoting peace and moral values.
• Governor Umar Namadi's administration has upgraded the Hisbah to a board, equipping it to tackle social problems and ensure moral uprightness across the state.
• The training focused on discipline, law, public enlightenment, and crime prevention skills, with guards expected to conduct enforcement and enlightenment duties in their local areas.
• Participants expressed that the training clarified Hisbah's role as guiding and protecting public morals, not intimidating, preparing them to combat social vices.

Lawyers and compliance officers should recognize this formalization and enhanced training of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board as an indicator of a more robust capacity for enforcing moral and social conduct regulations, potentially leading to increased scrutiny or enforcement actions in areas perceived to conflict with Hisbah's mandate.

The Chairman of Birniwa Local Government Area in Jigawa State, Shehu Baba Birniwa, recently joined 2,600 Hisbah guards in a week-long training program, underscoring a significant push for enhanced moral and social conduct enforcement within the state. This comprehensive training, which concluded with a passing-out ceremony on a Friday at the Yakubu Gowon NYSC Orientation Camp in Fanisau, Dutse, was meticulously organized by the Jigawa State Hisbah Board. Its primary objective was to bolster the capacity of these guards in their crucial mission to promote peace and uphold moral values across Jigawa.

Mr. Baba's active participation in the exercise was a deliberate move to demonstrate solidarity with the Hisbah guards and contribute personally to grassroots development initiatives. During the ceremony, he articulated his satisfaction at being part of the training, emphasizing the Hisbah Guards' pivotal role as custodians of moral values. He highlighted their work in actively discouraging undesirable behaviors while simultaneously fostering good conduct within local communities.

Furthermore, the Birniwa chairman stated that his presence served as a motivational factor for the guards, aiming to inspire broader citizen engagement in community service efforts. He called upon other residents to support initiatives designed to enhance societal safety, reinforcing the collective responsibility in maintaining public order and ethical standards. This direct involvement from a high-ranking local government official signals a strong commitment to the Hisbah's mandate.

The Jigawa State government has significantly elevated the operational framework of its Hisbah institution, transforming it into a fully-fledged board and equipping it to more effectively address societal challenges. Governor Umar Namadi, whose remarks were delivered by his Deputy, Aminu Usman, lauded Chairman Shehu Baba for his full engagement in the recent training, signaling official endorsement of such proactive leadership. The administration, under Governor Namadi, has expressed a firm resolve to guarantee peace, stability, and moral uprightness throughout all regions of Jigawa.

Dr. Fa’iz Bashir, the Commander-General of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, provided further insight into the curriculum of the training. He explained that the program was designed to instill discipline, impart knowledge of relevant laws, enhance public enlightenment strategies, and develop essential skills for crime prevention. Dr. Bashir underscored the belief that a well-trained Hisbah force is instrumental in reducing crime rates and fostering unity within the state.

Following the completion of their training, the participants are now expected to return to their respective local government areas. There, they will be tasked with carrying out both enlightenment campaigns and enforcement duties, all in strict accordance with the established mandate of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board. This structured deployment aims to decentralize and strengthen the board's reach and impact.

The recent Hisbah guard capacity building initiative carries significant implications for the enforcement of moral and social conduct across Jigawa State. The Deputy Governor, Aminu Usman, specifically charged the 2,600 trained guards to diligently apply their newly acquired knowledge in the execution of their duties, urging them to serve as exemplary ambassadors of peace within their communities. This directive highlights the expectation of a more professional and impactful Hisbah presence.

Feedback from the guards themselves indicates a heightened sense of purpose and clarity regarding their roles. Dayyabu Sani, a guard from Gumel Local Government Area, expressed that the week-long training had profoundly prepared them for their responsibilities. He noted learning crucial skills such as respectful interaction with the public, effective peace promotion, and strategies for discouraging undesirable behaviors. Similarly, Haulatu Muhammad, a female guard from Dutse Local Government Area, conveyed her gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing that the training clarified Hisbah's true function: to guide, counsel, and safeguard public morals, rather than to intimidate.

Both guards affirmed their commitment to utilizing their training to combat social vices and contribute to the development of a better Jigawa. This collective resolve, coupled with the state government's strategic investment in Hisbah guard capacity building, suggests a strengthened framework for Jigawa moral values enforcement. Lawyers and compliance officers should recognize this formalization and enhanced training of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board as an indicator of a more robust capacity for enforcing moral and social conduct regulations, potentially leading to increased scrutiny or enforcement actions in areas perceived to conflict with Hisbah's mandate.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note the formalization and enhanced training of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, indicating a strengthened capacity for enforcing moral and social conduct regulations. This development could lead to increased scrutiny or enforcement actions against individuals or businesses whose activities are perceived to conflict with Hisbah's mandate in the state.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH