Gov Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has urged people of the state to intensify prayers for sustainable peace and stability in the state and Nigeria in general.
Lawal made the call in a statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Idris, marking the 64th Independence anniversary of Nigeria and 28th Anniversary of the state.
Idris recalled that Zamfara was among the six states created during the regime of the late Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, on Oct. 1, 1996.
He quoted the Governor as saying that 1st October was a special day for reflecting on the struggles and sacrifices of the founding fathers who fought for Nigeria’s freedom, unity, and prosperity.
“In Zamfara today, the independence occasion presents a cause for dual celebration, as we are equally commemorating the 28th anniversary of the creation of our dear State.
“This moment calls for sober reflection on the plight of Zamfara and by extension, the entire region, which has long been overwhelmed by unprecedented challenges of insecurity, health and education sectors, food crises, and infrastructural decay.
“Today presents us the opportunity to reflect on what we as an administration are doing to change the narrative,” Lawal said.
The governor stated that within one year of his administration, the state has experienced remarkable transformation and it has been on the path to growth and development.
Lawal added, “We are making significant strides in security, agriculture and food security, health, education sectors, infrastructure, and public service reform, among others.
“All these are being achieved in spite of the limited resources accruing to the state.
”The highlights of some of the achievements are in line with our rescue agenda so far recorded.
“In the area of security, we established, trained, and equipped the Community Protection Guards (CPGs) and formed the Security Trust Fund (STF).
”We have provided monthly financial grants and assistance to complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies.”
On education, the governor said he had declared a state of emergency in the sector and negotiated the settlement of outstanding WAEC and NECO exam fees, amounting to N3.4 billion.
Lawal said, “My administration also declared a state of emergency in the health sector and introduced free medical outreach programmes.
”We provided essential drugs to vulnerable groups and rehabilitated and furnished health institutions in the state.
“We revitalised basic healthcare provision and settlement of counterpart funds for donor interventions as well as ongoing expansion of Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital.
”We hope to upgrade it to a Teaching Hospital for Zamfara University.
“To boost agriculture in Zamfara, my government provided fertilizers and other agricultural inputs for rain-fed agriculture and dry-season farming.”
Lawal added that his administration had renovated, furnished, and upgraded the College of Agriculture and Technology, Bakura.
He added, “We established the Directorate for Infrastructure & Urban Renewal to confront decay and poor infrastructure aggressively.
“For workers’ welfare, we settled salary, pension, and gratuity arrears to civil servants and retirees.” (NAN)
