Zamfara Souvenir news

From : Bilyaminu Muhammad

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara state has distributed 1,500 specially equipped motorcycles and 20 specially treated vans equipped with lawfully allowed weapons to the newly launched Community Protection Guards (CPG) for the smooth take-off of the security group recently established by the state government. 

Speaking during a state-wide broadcast at Government House Gusau, Governor Bello Matawalle said the distributions of the motorcycles to the beneficiaries was  part of his administration committement and determination in addressing the security challenges facing the state.

In an effort to provides a conducive working atmosphere, Governor Matawalle further reiterated his administration willingness to continue to improve on the newly established Community Protection Guards in order to have sufficient and efficient complement  to the law enforcement agents working in the state.

Highlighting on the increasing criminal activities of banditry gradually crawling into the outskirts of Gusau city, Governor Matawalle however, announced the immediate banned of motorcycles riding  Damba, Mareri, Samaru, Barakallahu, Tsunami, Tsauni Janyau TA gabas and Gada- biyu areas all in Gusau town from 8:00pm to 6:00am and ordered security operatives to shoot at defaulters of the directive who refused to stop or avoid arrest.

Governor Matawalle further directed all hotels operators in the state to seek proper identification of their customers by showing any valid card such as National ID card, driver’s licence or voters card before allocating them with accommodation.

He warned that any defaulting hotel with this directives in the state will be severely penalised in line with an executive order recently signed by the Governor recently.

Commenting on the relative peace recorded in some of the local government areas in the state Governor Matawalle further reiterated his administration commitment in securing the lives and properties of its citizen,
Some of the measures taken according to him is the provision of an emergency security number (112) for citizens in the state to call on emergency situations any time free of charge.

While charging the security operatives in the state to re-double their efforts in dealing with the bandits and their collaborators in the state, Governor Matawalle however called on the general public to always remain vigilant and report activities of informants whom he said are so far being arrested in numbers. 

“Government has recently ordered for the census of all house holds in the state to fish out the bad eggs who reside among the people with sole intent to perpetrate crimnality by aiding the activities of bandits”he stated.

FROM : AMINU UMAR BUKKUYUM

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state has condoled the family of the Sole Administrator, Zogirma-Tilli Area Development Council over the demise of Hon. Sambo Sarkin Yaki Zogirmo.

Sen. Bagudu described the death if the deceased as a great loss not only to his immediate family but to the state in general and prayed Allah , the Almighty, to forgive the deceased and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Late Hon. Sambo Sarkin Yaki Zogirma died on Friday at Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Sokoto .after a protracted illness.
Aged 66, the deceased is survived by four wives and twenty children. Among his children are Murtala Sambo Zogirma, a Councillor representing Zogirma ward  During a condolence visit, Governor Atiku Bagudu was accompanied by the Hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), APC state Chairman, Abubakar Muhammad Kana Zuru and host of others.
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During a condolence visit, Governor Atiku Bagudu was accompanied by the Hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), APC state Chairman, Abubakar Muhammad Kana Zuru and host of others.
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FROM  : AMINU UMAR BUKKUYUM

Wives of the Northern Governors have reiterated their resolved in curbing drug abuse and social vices bedeviling the society across the states.

Kebbi state first lady and wife of the Executive Governor, Dr zainab shinkafi Bagudu stated this when members of the forum paid a courtesy call on her husband, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state. 

Dr Zainab told her husband that they were in Birnin-Kebbi as part of their routine meetings to deliberate on ways to support our spouses to boost good governance in their respective states.

” Our focus now is the eradicating of substance, sexual abuses as well as social vices in the northern states and other parts of the country” she informed.

She however solicit for the governor’s support and cooperation at all levels for the forum to achieve the desired goals.
Responding, the Chairman, Progressive Governors forum, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu acknowledged the invaluable roles their wives were playing and described them as tools of motivation to women in the country, individually and collectively.

Sen. Bagudu commended the leadership of the northern governor’s furum for the visit, theira ction plans and contributions for the development of the development of women in the affected states.

The leadership of the forum later presented award to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in recognition for asserting into law on violence against individuals and protection of the right of children.

Wives of the Governors present at the courtesy call were,  Wife of Kebbi-state Governor, Dr. Zainab shinkafi Bagudu, wife of Zamfara state Governor, Hajia Aisha Bello Matawalle, wife of Sokoto state Governor, Hajia Mariya Aminu Tambuwal, wife of Kogi state Governor, Hajia Rasheedat Yahaya Bello, Wife of Plateau state Governor, Mrs Regina Lalong and wife of the Kaduna state Governor, Architect Hadiza isma El-Rufa’i among others.

From : Bilyaminu Muhammad

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara state has announced the donation of a 5-Bedroom bungalow house to the retiring Zamfara state CP Elkana as a honour for the selfless service he rendered to the state.

Announcing the donation while hosting the retired CP to a Grand Dinner organised by the state government in honour of his appreciation for the selfless service he rendered to the state, Governor Matawalle described CP Ayuba Elkana as a great man with talent in security whose Zamfara state has benefited with his tremendous support in the fight against banditry and all security challenges facing the state.

According to him the exit from service of CP Ayuba Elkana has came to the state government and people of the state with mixed feelings, pointing out that it was necessary for the state to rejoice with the retiring CP Elkana for his patriotic and committed service to our fatherland for a period of 32 years.

“We are going to missed you for your commendable service as our Commissioner of Police, we are going to missed you for the love you have for our dear state and its people” Matawalle stated.

While appreciating what CP Ayuba done as Commissioner of Police in combating insecurity challenges in the state, Governor Matawalle said with security measures the state government put in place with the active support of CP Ayuba Elkana have helped in no small measure in reducing bandits attacks in various parts of the state.

He however pray to Almighty Allah to grant CP Elkana good health, and protection, Governor Matawalle however informed him that Zamfara state will always remain his home and urged him to continue contributing in every way to the development of the state.

Responding at the event, CP Ayuba Elkana (rtd) thanked Governor Bello Matawalle for the house donation and further expressed his appreciation to the Government and entire people of Zamfara state for the support and cooperation given to him during his stay as the Commissioner of Police, Zamfara state Command and pray that Security situation will improve significantly in all parts of the state.

He further assured the state government and good people of the state that his retirement did not mean forgetting Zamfara state as he would continue to offer his contributions to the state whenever the need arises with a view to secure the state and the nation at large.

FROM : JAMILU SANI TSAFE

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state has reiterated his administration committement to health care services delivery in order to enhance the healthy living conditions of its people at the grassroot level.

Speaking at the occasion of this year’s National Medical Association NMA Annual General Assembly and Scientific Conference held in Gusau, the state capital, Governor Matawalle who expressed his government’s appreciation for the contributions being rendered by the medical practitioners working the state further stated his government determination in improving the welfare of medical personnel’s at at level in the state.

According to him as part of the efforts in making the medical practitioners job more easier his administration addition to the health equipments procured and distributed to hospitals across the state government has again constructed one hundred and forty-seven healthcare centres and provided tricycle ambulances to each center for effective service delivery.

Governor Matawalle who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Hassan Nasiha at the occasion further informed that in addition to the contract awarded by the state for the construction of Shinkafi Referral Hospital as well as rehabilitations and renovations of Tsafe and Gummi General Hospitals the state Government has also approved for the recruitment of over 400 hundred health personnel including medical consultants and medical doctors of different areas of specialisation. 

Senator Nasiha who was honoured during the occasion while commending the leadership of the association for finding him worthy of the award further wishes the outgoing executives council members of the NMA all the best in their future undertakings and wish the incoming ones a successful tenure in office.

Presenting the award to the recipient at the occasion, the outgoing Chairman of the association, Dr Mannir Bature Tsafe said, their platform’s honoured of the meritorious award to the Deputy Governor at the highest level was based on his track records of concern, support and contributions to health care services in the state.

Dr, Mannir Tsafe described Senator Hassan Muhammad as philanthropist of the highest order who values  healthy wellbeing of his people especially the poor and vulnerable at all levels.
Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha was awarded with honour of Excellent in consideration of his contributions to health care services in the tate by the Nigerian Medical Association of Nigeria,  Zamfara state Chapter as part of the event of this year’s annual general assembly of the association.

Senator Hassan Muhammad Nasiha was awarded with honour of Excellent in consideration of his contributions to health care services in the tate by the Nigerian Medical Association of Nigeria,  Zamfara state Chapter as part of the event of this year’s annual general assembly of the association.

From : Haruna Muhd Gusau. 

A news Magazine based in Kaduna, Nigeria, “Aspire Unity Magazine” has honoured Zamfara state Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tukur Sani Jangebe over his contributions for the development of Islamic education in the state.

Presenting the certificate of honours to the recipient, the Editor in-Chief of the prestigious Magazine in the north, Alhaji sadiq Usman disclosed that, Dr Tukur Sani Jangebe was choosing based on the researched conducted by the management of the news magazine throughout 14 local government areas on his contributions in the propagation of Islamic knowledge in the state and nation at large.

While congratulating the recipient for the well deserved award, the publishers of the magazine urged the him to consider the gasture as a step forward towards developing the state.

Responding after receiving the award, Dr Tukur Sani Jangebe thanked the management of Aspire Unity Magazine for choosing him among the millions scholars in the state for the award.

He assured to continue with the good work he is doing in educating the general public on the importance of acquiring Islamic knowledge.

Those who graced the occasion, includes, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Barr. Sani Nasarawa and directors among others.

FROM : SURAJO MUHAMMAD 

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state has been advised to establish a board in charges of people with disability to assist in addressing poverty and vulnerability in the state.

Speaker, Zamfara state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasiru Mu,azu Magarya made the call while passing into law the two bills, State Social Protection and Physical Challenge Bills during a house preliminary session held at Council Chamber Gusau.

Hon. Nasiru Magarya after receiving the report of the Committees on Women, Children and Social Welfare and Parliamentary forum, which scrutinised the bills presented by Hon.Kabiru Magaji kwatarkwashi and Hon. Nasir Bello Lawal Bungudu in their separate contributions, said the two bills, if passed into law, would complement government’s efforts in addressing the issues relating to disability and vulnerability.

After passing the two bills into law however, Speaker Nasiru thanked the committees members for going through the rigorous process leading to the passage of the bills and assured them that the clean copy of the bills will soon be transmitted to Governor Bello Matawalle for his assent into law.

“We appreciate the kind support from our partners, Save the Children International, and all other stakeholders, who participated in the process of the bills and ready to continue to partner with all development partners for the development of the state,” Magarya reaffirmed.

In the same vein, Speaker, Rt. Hon. Magarya who doubled as the Chairman Selection Committee further announced some changes in the leadership of two committees.

Those affected according to him includes Hon. Ibrahim Tukur, Bakura who formerly chaired Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, now chairs Committee on Rural Development and Cooperatives while Hon. Ibrahim Muhammad Bukkuyum is to oversee the affairs of the Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management respectively.

In another development, UNICEF has also applauded Zamfara state House of Assembly for passing into law of Social Protection and Physical Challenge bills, describing the development as a step towards addressing poverty and vulnerability among the citizens of the state.

UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Sokoto Field Office, Mr Isah Ibrahim made this known while reacting to the recent passage of the bill by state house of assembly.

Mr Isah said UNICEF and Save the Children International have worked closely with the Zamfara State Stakeholders in the development and presentation of the bill to the house of assembly through the state Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and however commanded Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle for the conducive environment provided by his  administration to enable UN agencies and other development partners to support the state in the human capital development.

He appealed to the state governor for the timely assent of the bill which according to him will bring further opportunities for citizens to access better services of human endeavor from the state.

Muhammad N. Sani Katu SAN

From : Our Reporter

Abdulhamid Abdulfatai of Kwara state has emerged overall winner of the just concluded 2nd edition of the Seniour Advocate Cup Table Tennis Tournament held at Kaduna Club, Kaduna state.

Presenting the trophies to the winner during the closing ceremony of the tournament, the organiser of the championship, Barrister Muhammad Sani Katu (SAN) congratulated the young Abdulhamid Abdulfatai from Kwara state for winning the championship with all the caliber of the participants who excel in the game of Table Tennis in Nigeria.

The young Abdulhamid has defeated his two opponents Mr Ayenwale Jamiu of Delta state and Idris Zakari of Kaduna state of both Men and Boys single categories during the final matches to emerged the overall winner and gold Medalist for the tournament.

Other winners of the categories who was awarded also includes, Miss Shukurat Aiyelabegan from Kwara state who emerged winner in women’s single category after defeating her opponent Miss Jimoh Toyin of FCT in the final encounter, while Abdulrahman Abdullah, Sheun Rapeal, Hassan Abdulrazak of Kwara state, Abdul Baki Yinusa of Kano state, Binta Kabiru and Maimunatu Habib Zaria, Kaduna state have emerged bonze Medalist winners of the championship, while Zamfara state has also received the best behaved team award in the tournament respectively.

The organiser and sponsors of the championship, Barrister Sani Katu SAN who is also the current Vice President, Nigerian Table Tennis Federation North West, congratulated the participants for the maturity they have exhibited throughout the tournament.

According to him the 2nd edition of the Table Tennis championship in the Zone was organized with aim if encouraging and  assisting the young and upcoming Table Tennis players to actualized their dream in the game of Table Tennis.

” the best we can do is to develop the young players, create more interest on the game for them. How do we do it? is to organise a championship and invites the senior ones to come and create more awareness and the young would also learn from them” he noted.

The three day championship specifically meant for the north west states according to him, however, extended the invitation to other states in the south to make it more acceptable.

Barrister Katu observed that, government at all level have not done what is expected of them interm of sports development in their respective states and however call on the state governors to invest in Table Tennis businesses in their states for the development of the sports.

“the cost of sponsoring a Table Tennis player is far less than sponsoring a football team. We are not jealous of what they are doing, but we are saying that an athlete is an athlete no matter what game he plays in as much as he bring glory to the state” he reiterated.

While commending the states that have participated in the 2nd edition of the tournament with all the security challenges in the north, Barrister Katu however advised the participants to always remain united and maintained the spirit of sportsmanship in any Table Tennis competition they found themselves and further assured that in the next edition of the tournament the preparations will be better than what they have seen this year.

FROM :JAMILU SANI TSAFE

Over two thousand beneficiaries in Gusau, the headquarters of Zamfara state have benefited with Zamfara Free Medical Care Outreach introduced by the state government.

Speaking during the official flagging-up ceremony of the programme, Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Senator Hassan Nasiha said the medical outreach programme in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and Zamfara State Government is targeting over five thousand beneficiaries from Gusau, Bungudu, Maru and Tsafe local governments areas in the state where Gusau local government has the highest number of beneficiaries.

Haghlighting of the state government committement in health care delivery, Senator Hassan Nasiha said, the present administration of Governor Bello Matawalle is focusing directly on the continuous provisions of free health care service delivery and free education in the society.

“the state Governor has approved the instant upgrading of Damba Health Care Centre to the full pledged General Hospital and further approved the reconstruction of General Hospital Gusau to the best standard” he informed.

He however thanks the Permacuetical Council of Nigeria and all relevant stakeholders for ensuring the implementation of the ongoing medical outreach in the zone, and further call on members of the medical team to as a matter of urgency, refer any complicated case to appropriate health facility for further consideration.

Also speaking at the occassion, the Medical Consultant, Dr Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi expressed appreciation to the state Government, Gusau Emirate and all concerned stakeholders for adequate mobilisation and publicity which resulted to the good turn out of patients from all parts of the Government area.

Dr. Fatima further reiterated their commitments toward providing the required services to all the accredited patients and urged them to respect the guiding principles of the excercise with a view of achieving the target objectives.

By : Zailani Bappa

One of the online media in Nigeria carried a report today from non governmental organisations (precisely the One, National Advocates for Health, Nigeria Health Watch and Public and Private Development Center) on poor accessibility to Primary Health care in Nigeria; a report which mentioned 18 states with Abuja on the top and Zamfara State having the worst indices.

What is worrisome in that media report is that it jumbled-up the two indices around which are provision of the facility and accessibility to that facility and eded up giving the impression that authorities have failed in the provision of adequate health care provision to the rural areas in the state.

Indeed, Governmental and non governmental organisations in any country are a viable instrument of checking a drift in any sector of human socio-economic and political lives of the people.

In fact, reports from non governmental organisations, and of course, donor agencies elsewhere are a reference material for any serious government to consider in moulding its policies and even their implementation.

However, in Nigeria, just like our every aspect of national lives, reports of many NGOs are infested with fraud, indolence, selfish and premordial considerations. Objectivity, which ought to be the key word, is often absent in the process that culminates in many slanted reports from such NGOs.

I also mention indolence here because most of these NGOs rely on second hand data to piece in their supposedly “thorough reports”. Their major aim is to give the semblance of a good work to earn the attention and satisfaction of their sponsors.

The truism in my position here is backed by my innate belief that, if indeed, an NGO would work thoroughly in Zamfara state, in spite of any assumption of independence in its research, the state Government must be aware of such team in the state.

Yes, the State Government (or its relevant agencies) is made aware before conducting such research in the rural areas, if not for anything, but for their own safety due to security challenges everyone is aware the state is battling with.

But all the state Government will hear is a bogus report from organisations that have not seen even a handful of villages in any part of Zamfara state.

Nonetheless, the NGOs that came up with this report should have reflected the fact that high rate of accessibility to Primary Health care is determined by two major factors. One is the provision of the facility needed and second, the availability of the parapanaelia required to access the facilities.

His Excellency, Governor Bello Mohammed has done more than any state Government has done in terms of provision of primary Health care in the state and finding accessible means to reach these facilities. In his three years in office, among other things, he has built 147 Primary Healthcare Hospitals, one in each polling unit of the 14 Local Government Areas in the state, fully equipped with one tricycle ambulance each; he has built 8 Maternal care Hospitals for Women, and a standard General Hospital at Kagara.

He has provided all the 17 Genearal Hospitals in the State with fully equipped ambulances and has built an Infectious disease control center at Damba. I don’t know if any contemporary state has done more than this feat to deserve Zamfara State ranking at the lowest ebb.

Granted that one of the major obstacles to accessing such facilities might be the security challenges facing the state, but cannot in anyway be as bad as sliding the rating of the state to the button.

We are aware that everyone, (especially such pampered NGO officials) find it difficult to visit even the state capital of Gusau, much less the interior, but could have saved a little integrity if they have sourced their second hand information from more reliable quarters than to roll out the kind of bunkum as the did.

Bappa is the Special Adviser to Zamfara State Governor on Media.