Zamfara Souvenir news

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD

A notorious bandit “alias Sani Mati aka Mai “Yammata” who specialized in kidnapping and cattle rustling in Zamfara state has been arrested by the Zamfara state Police command.

Parading the suspect to Journalists at the command headquarters in Gusau, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba N. Elkana said, the suspect Sani Mati ” aka Mai “Yammata” aged 20 year’s was arrested by the Police Tactical Operatives deployed along Zurmi axis.

CP Ayuba explained that, Sani Mati who was arrested trying to block the road and kidnap innocent commuters at a village called Koliya,  belonged to the Turji’s camp but now operating under notorious bandits leader, Kachalla Sani Black who operates in Zurmi, Shinkafi and Birnin Magaji local governments areas of the state.

The suspect according to CP Ayuba who was arrested with AK 47 rifle double magazines with three rounds of aminition and a boxer motorcycle is currently understand investigationans and would soon be charged to court.

In another development, the Zamfara state Police command has also rescued 10 victims who were recently kidnapped at Gada Village in Bungudu local government after the suspected bandits entered the town and killed 5 people including the District Head of the village, Alhaji Umaru and  kidnapped many people in the area.

“Police Tactical Operatives in collaboration with military and vigalante groups in the area response and engaged the assailants to a serious gun battle the led the released of the victims of the banditry”, he said.

From : Aliyu Umar

Zamfara State Board of Internal Revenue Executive Chairman, Alhaji Ali Akilu Muhammad Dama Bungudu has distanced himself from contesting a  political position in the 2023 general election.

In a statement issued to newsman in Gusau and made available to our reporter reported the board Chairman saying his attention has been drawn to a wide range of social media posts and updates linking him with political contest in the forth coming 2023 elections.

Ali Akilu DamaBungudu debunked and uprightly dispel the false information,   and accorded no relevance to such rumour mongers and  caution such people to  desist from making such untrue postings.

“I,am still a civil servant appointed by the state Governor of Zamfara state to professionally contribute my own quarter towards the revenue base enhancement of the state using my technical experience in tax management” he emphasised.

Ali Dama Bungudu called on social media handlers and fans to avoid posting anything concerning him which has to do with political aspirations.

“any person or group of persons who defy the warning to desist from similar act does so at his or her own consequence” the Chairman reiterated.

Santurakin Kotorkoshi however advised rumour mongers to promote the image of the state Governor, his administration or his policies and programmes instead of his servants.

He assured the Governor  Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle of his unalloyed and uncompromised loyalty for the administration to succeed.

From : Our Reporter

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara  state has signed a N(159,481,587,029.00) 2022 Appropriation bill into law.

Presenting the bill by the state Legislature led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nasiru Mu,azu Magarya, at the Council Chamber, Government House Gusau in a statement issued to press by the Special Adviser to Governor on Public Enlightement, Media and Publicity, Malam Zailani Bappa, Governor Matawalle commended the Legislature for the speedy deliberation on the budget proposal presented to the house.

 While reiterating his government commitments in providing the basic needs of the people in the state Governor Matawalle further stated that the synergy between the executive and legislative will continue to grow stronger for the benefit of the entire people of the state.

“I want to observe without doubt that the current Legislature in our dear state is the best so far in its records of achievement and success”, Governor Matawalle observed.

According to him the implementation of  2022 Fiscal year will begin in earnest from the first week of January and that all mechanisms necessary have been put in place to track the budget performance so that the best can be optimised from the scarce and available resources.

He however used the event to approved a three week recess for the Legislature just as he announced a five day mid-term retreat for the State Commissioners and and Special Advises to hold in the second week of January.

From : Our Reporter

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara state has inaugurated the State Social Protection Council and Nigeria Road Safety Strategy Advisory Council.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the Special Adviser to Governor on Public Enlightement, Media and Publicity, Mallam Zailani Bappa stated that the dual Councils are part of his administration’s plans for a better Social Security and protection of lives and property in the state.

“Social Protection Council will serve as the highest coordination body for resource mobilisation and oversight on the implementation of the approved social protection policy” the statement noted.

Highlighting some of the work of the councils which includes consideration  and taking decisions on reports, inputs, and other submissions from the Technical Working Group on Social Protection, coordinate state and non-state actors entrusted with the implementation of social protection programmes andclearly define social protection interventions for specific groups as well as strengthen the state statistical system by ensuring the development and mainstreaming of innovative technology and methods in statistics, data analytics and corporate management, Governor Matawallen further informed that it is the duty of the Council to promote collaborative partnerships with the data communities and users to ensure that social protection programs and interventions are prioritised in the state budgets.

He however charged the Council toundertake resource mobilisation for social protection activities and capacity building and coordinate the contributions of development partnership in the state.

Commenting on the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy Advisory Council, the Governor said, the idea of setting up this Council is born out of the general concern on-road crashes, which often lead to wanton loss of lives.

He said the Council reflects the growing national consciousness on issues of road safety and the spirit of collective responsibility and determination to reduce the level of Road Traffic Crashes in the state.

The Social Protection Council  has the Secretary to the State Government , Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe as its Chairman while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will serve as Secretary.

The Nigeria Road Safety Strategy Advisory Council has the State Commissioner of Works, Alhaji Rabiu Garba as Chairman, while the state Sector Commander, FRSC, Zamfara State Command to serve as the Secretary

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD   

Zamfara state House of Assembly has reiterated its members commitments in giving much priority to disabled and disability needs in all its legislative processes.
Speaker, Zamfara state House of Assembly  Rt. Hon Nasiru Muazu Magarya made this known when he declared opened a one day  Public hearing on a bill, seeking Prohibition of all sorts of discrimination against persons with disabilities, which was held at UBE Teachers Training Development Center Gusau.

Speaker, Zamfara state House of Assembly  Rt. Hon Nasiru Muazu Magarya made this known when he declared opened a one day  Public hearing on a bill, seeking Prohibition of all sorts of discrimination against persons with disabilities, which was held at UBE Teachers Training Development Center Gusau.

The public hearing which was organised by the state House of Assembly committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare and sponsored by Hon. Salihu Usman Zurmi Magarya explained that, considering people with disabilities in legislative engagement is not only trying to obtain international best practices but also to be in conformity with Islamic injunctions that enjoyed all Muslims to show love and compassion to people with different forms of disabilities.

“I assured you that, immediately after the completion of all the legislative requirements which includes conducting a public hearing, the 6th Assembly under his leadership will leave no stone unturned in given the bill a third reading and subsequently passed it into law and the state governor will surely put his assent in it” he said.

While commending the forsight of the sponsor of the bill Hon. Salihu Usman Zurmi, Hon. Magarya also salute the courage of the House Committee on Women Children and Social Walfare under the chairmanship of Hon Kabiru Magaji Kwatarkwashi for taking the bull by the horn up to this stage of conducting a well attended public Hearing on the proposed bill.

He further stated that, a worthy of commendation in this regards is the house strategic partner on the proposed bill on Save the Children under the leadership of its state Advocacy Officer  for given all the moral and financial support to the House standing  Committee on Women Children and Social Walfare and call on other international donor agencies in the state to emulate them.

Earlier speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Women Children and Social Walfare, Hon. Kabiru Magaji Kwatarkwashi said organising a public hearing will avail his committee the opportunity to take the bill to the door steps of the disabled and also give them a level playing ground to give their input on the the propose bill.

Hon Kwatarkwashi then assured the relevant stakeholders that their contributions, and observations will definately come to bear in the entire legislative process of the bill .

In his Remarks, Emir of Anka, Sarkin Zamfara, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad CON advocated for leaders at all strata of governance to learn how to talk with people with disabilities particularly deaf  and dumb so that leaders at different level of governance will understand the immediate needs of such people with a view of assisting them with ease.

Also speaking, a retired Permanent Secretary in the state service and disabled person, Alhaji Usman Ahamad Nahuche drew the attention of the House that when passing the bill into law consideration should be given to purely disabled persons in the formation of their commission in the state,stressing that their struggle for the actualisation of their plights dated back decades ago.

 From : Our Reporter

Chairman, Zamfara state All Progressives Congress APC, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani has paid an official visit to the Minister of Police Affairs, Hon. Maigari Dingyadi at his office in Abuja.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris disclosed that the Chairman was at the minister’s office in continuation of his familiarisation tour to APC,s major stakeholders in the country to seek for their advise and support towards the success of the party in Zamfara state and the nation at large. 

“I am visiting you today sir as one of our party leader in the north west states to register our appreciation and also familiarise ourselves with leaders of high repute in our party of which you are one” the Chairman said.

Hon.Danfulani informed that the party is enjoying hundred percent support and cooperation of the state leader of the party and Governor of the state, Honourable Bello Mohammed Matawalle and is making all efforts in uniting all party members to remain one.

The Chairman assured the minister,s that APC in Zamfara under his leadership will remain one united family that is restructured to the test of time and expressed confidence that the party will be successful in the future elections.

Responding, the Minister of Police Affairs, Honourable Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi thanked the chairman and his entourage for the honour and respect shown to him and assured his full support and cooperation for the party to succeed.

“my doors are always open for the chairman to seek for any advice and guidance in running the party towards success” the minister assured. 

He however expressed his happiness on how the new leadership of the APC in Zamfara state is changing the old narratives to a more positive structure as acknowledged by genuine members at both the state and national levels.

“APC in Zamfara is now being handled by young energetic politicians who are more determined to the success of the party at all levels” he further noted.

In the same vein the Chairman during the tour also visited DIG Operations, Mr. Ahmed Zaki at the Force Headquarters, Abuja as well as Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, the Commandant-General of the of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC.

The Chairman who was accompanied by the Zamfara state Commissioner of Commerce and Industries, Hon. Yazid Shehu Danfulani described the visits as fruitful and further reiterated his desire to continue to consult widely in the interest of the party and the benefit of members.

From : Haruna Muhammad

Zamfara state Ministry for Social Walfare and Community Development has distributed a wheel chairs, guide canes, elbow crouches, arm crouches, hearing Aids, and walking stickset to over 700 disabled person across the state.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of the ministry, Hon. Abubakar Zannan Badarawa while delivering his speech during the celebration of World International Disable Day 2021, held at UBE Teachers Training Centre Gusau.
Hon. Zannah who represented Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle said, the aim and objective of the gesture was for advancing disability right and protection of persons with disability well- being among our society.

Hon. Zannah who represented Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle said, the aim and objective of the gesture was for advancing disability right and protection of persons with disability well- being among our society.

“Zamfara state under the leadership of his Excellency, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, deem it  necessary to join the international world , Nigeria in particular in celebrating the day of disabled by providing them with procade for both male and female, wheel chairs, guide canes, elbow crouches, arm crouches, hearing aids and walking stick set” he informed.

In addition to the continuous monthly allowances being paid to disable leaders in the state, the Hon. Abubakar Zannah further stated that governor Bello also donated Ten (10)  number vehicle and Ten (10)  million N10,000,000,00 naira for alleviating poverty among the disabled person’s in the state.

In his contributions during the event, a reknow Islamic scholar and executive Chairman, Zamfara state Zakkat and Endowment Board, Malan Abubakar Ibn Sodangi remind Muslims Ummah on the importance of assistance especially to people with special needs as well as orphans, according to him, Almighty Allah promise to redouble rewards for people who assist disabled and orphans.

Sheik Sodangi however advised philanthropist and well to do individuals in the state to redouble their effort by ensuring that orphans, and disabled lives improved.

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD

Zamfara state House of Assembly has resolved to call on the state government to consider the re-opening of both state owned and private schools across the state. 

The resolution was made following a motion moved by Hon. Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma, a member representing Maru North and Chairman, House Committee on Basic, Secondary and Non formal Education in the chamber.

The motion which was seconded by Hon. Aliyu Namaigora Danjibga explained  that, continue closing  of schools both government and privates in the state will be more harmful in every aspect of human endeavour and further urge to consider the re-opening of these schools to avoid producing unqualified students in the near future. 

“since there is a relative peace being enjoyed in some part of the state, re-opening of some weekly markets and restoration of telecommunication networks in some parts of the state, then there is the compelling need for the government to reconsider this idea of schools re-opening in Gusau and some selected local government areas of the state” Hon. Kanoma reaffirmed. 

Hon. Kanoma advised that, for a start all final year female boarding schools located in Moriki, Kwatarkwashi and female day schools in Gusau should be merged to Government Girls  Arabic Secondary School (formally known as W.A.T.C Gusau and their male counterpart students in Shinkafi, Zurmi and Burning Magaji should move to GTCKaura Namoda for them to prepared for their final examination respectively.

In their separate contributions majorly if the members have  unanimously agreed with the motion moved by their colleague and further called for the state government for immediate re-opening of schools across the state.

However, the House leader Hon. Faruk Musa Dosara observed that  extra caution has to be taken security wise, according to him before embarking on this serious exercise arrangement between the co-ordinating security agencies, vigilante groups, Ministry of Education as well as host communities must be involved to ensure the safe shools initiative in the state. 

Responding on the matter, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya while commending the forsight of the sponsor of the motion Hon. Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma for drawing government attention on re-opening and safe school initiative ruled that public schools should be re-open , but in batches, by merging some schools only in the headquarters of senatorial Districts of the state, further directed the secretariat of the House to convey the House resolution  to the Secretary to the State Government for implementation with Immediate effect.

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD

Zamfara state House of Assembly has re called the two suspended law makers representing Anka and Bakura local governments who were allegedly accused of banditry activities in the state.

The resolution to recalled the two members was made public following the report of the committee on Ethics and Privilleage under the Chairmanship of Hon. Kabiru Hashimu Dansadau constituted by the house presented their report to the house.

In a statement made available to our reporter indicated that after serious deliberations and  arguments on the matter, the house unanimously agreed to recall back their colleagues since they have been clean from what they have  been accused.

The accused members according to the statement are  Hon.Yusuf Muhammad Anka representing Anka consultancy and Hon. Ibrahim T.Tukur Bakura representing Bakura constituency  respectively.

Responding on the issue, the Speaker Zamfara state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasiru Muazu  Magarya commended the committee for concluding their work on time scheduled and further adopted all their recommendations and ordered with immediate effect the recall of the two suspended members with effect from next legislative year beginning from January 15th 2022.

In another development, the house further considered and adopted all the recommendations contained in the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the 2020 state Auditor General’s Report presented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon, Musa Bawa Musa Yankuzo.

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD

The Chairman House Committee on  Finance and Appropriation Committee, Zamfara state House of Assembly, Hon. Shamsudden Hassan Basko has  declared a zero allocation in the 2022 budget for Zamfara state school of Nursing and College of Health Science Tsafe, pending the clarification on the where about of their internally generated revenue IGR.

Speaking during the budget defense for the Ministry of Health, Hon. Shamsudeen said it  would not be fair for the state government to be disbursing funds to the two institutions while they are not remitting a single Kobo to the state government account.

“another time would be fixe for the officials of the two institutions to come and clarify to the house on how they have been utilizing their IGR before we allocate a Kobo to them in the 2022 budget” he added.

Hon. Shamsudeen while commending the Commissioner of Health Hon. Aliyu Abubakar MC for his tremendous effort in making the health sector vibrant, further said if all commissioner acted like him the state services would be more active.

Responding on behalf of the management of the ministry, Hon. Aliyu Abubakar MC Tsafe expressed satisfaction with the level of maturity exhibited by the committee members during the exercise and promised to address all the challenges obversed by the committee.

 In the same vein the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation has vowed to deal with the Chairman, Zamfara state Transport Authority  (Mass Transit ) Hon. Aminu  Papa for failing to appear before the committee to defend his agency 2022 budget.

Reacting on his refusal to appear before the committee to defend their budget the Chairman, Hon. Hassan Bisko said the law will definitely take its course against the  Chairman of Zamfara state Transport Authority (mass transit) to serve as deterent to others.

While expressing his opinion as Chairman of finance and appropriation committee of the House, Hon. Hassan alleged some irregularities and misappropriation from the finance ministry for paying some MDA’S more than what have been appropriated to them in the proceeding year.

The committee lemanted that, with the negligence attitude of some revenue generating agencies such as the state mass transit authority for not remitting what is expected of them to remit, acording to him, this year’s budget is focusing not only a realistic but also a revenue generation, so that government will have other source of funding the budget.

“From next year any revenue generating agency that failed to remit what’s expected from it,  this  committee will allocate no kobo to such agency”, Hon Shamsudeen added.