If human capital development had a name, it would be Jamil Isyaku Gwamna

Human capital development has suddenly become one of the hottest phrases in political debate in Gombe State.

Across the political landscape, some gubernatorial hopefuls promise citizens that they will prioritize human capital development if given the opportunity to govern. We talk about education, employment, skills acquisition, empowerment, entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young people.

These are important commitments. But there’s a fundamental question people should ask themselves: Who actually did it?

If human capital development means investing in people, educating young minds, creating jobs, developing skills, building careers, supporting talent and opening doors of opportunity, then Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna has been doing exactly that for more than 26 years.

Perhaps the most notable part of his story is that he didn’t wait until he became governor before investing in people.

For more than a quarter of a century, especially as a private citizen and professional, Dr. Jamil has demonstrated through concrete facts that people are at the center of his idea of ​​development.

Provision of over 1,000 jobs at Gombe State Water Board: At Gombe State Water Board, Jamil’s human capital footprint has been significant.

From Gombe to Morocco: investing in education:

Jamil’s understanding of human capital development goes beyond employment.

He has consistently recognized education as one of the most powerful investments one can make in a human being.

This belief brought 10 students from Gombe to Morocco to continue their studies. For those young people it was more than a scholarship.

It was an opportunity to experience another country, another educational environment, and a larger world of knowledge. It was an investment capable of changing the trajectory of their individual lives and, potentially, the communities from which they came.

Education has a multiplier effect. An educated and empowered young person can become a professional, an entrepreneur, an employer, a mentor and a contributor to society.

39 students from Gombe to Kebbi:

The same commitment to education has seen Dr. Jamil support 39 other students in Kebbi, Kebbi State, helping them further their studies and giving them the opportunity to build a better future through education.

Over 1,500 jobs for Gombe youth at KEDCO and KAEDCO

Its leadership continues in the electricity sector
They represented men and women entering an important sector of the Nigerian economy, developing technical and administrative skills, gaining valuable experience and building sustainable careers.

The broader impact of such employment also extends beyond the individual.

When a person gets a job, a family earns income. When that person gains skills and experience, the economy gains a productive worker. When many people are afforded such opportunities, communities begin to experience greater economic activity.

Beyond work and scholarships:

Human capital development should not be measured only by the number of people employed or students sponsored.

It is also about creating an environment where people can discover their potential, acquire relevant skills, develop confidence and become capable of contributing meaningfully to society. Jamil’s curriculum reflects this broader understanding.

His career path through major institutions has exposed him to different industries, management systems, workforce development and the challenges of creating institutions that depend on competent people.

This experience is important because effective human capital development requires more than just the distribution of opportunities. We need to understand how institutions work, how people are trained, how talent is retained, and how individuals can be positioned to contribute to economic growth.

The choice before Gombe:

Ultimately, the political debate in Gombe should not be about who can use the term human capital development most effectively. It should be about those who have demonstrated a genuine understanding of what it means.

The people of Gombe deserve leaders who see human beings not simply as voters, but as the state’s greatest asset.

They deserve leadership that invests in young people before elections, not just during campaigns.

They deserve policies that create opportunity rather than dependency.

And they deserve to judge candidates not only on what they promise to do tomorrow, but also on what they did yesterday.

Ibrahim Sani Shawai is the spokesperson for Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna