The Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru said Zamfara State witnessed tremendous development in 30 years since its creation.
The Emir of Bungudu, Sarkin Fulani Alhaji Hassan Attahiru stated this while receiving a delegation from Zamfara Media Corporation at his palace in Bungudu.
The Emir commended Zamfara Media Corporation and his team for initiating the ‘ZAMFARA AT 30’ documentary.
The delegation was led by the Managing Director of the Cooperation, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi, for ‘ZAMFARA AT 30’ documentary.
The Emir said after the formal announcement of the creation of Zamfara State by the military administration of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in October 1996, hundreds of civil servants moved to Zamfara from the old Sokoto State even before receiving their letters of redeployment.
“To support them, kind-hearted residents of Gusau opened their homes to the workers free of charge, providing accommodation and office space for two years as part of the celebration of the new state.
“In addition, individuals and people from various local government areas donated money to the government to enable it to function effectively before it was fully settled,” Hassan said.
According to the Emir, the first Military Sole Administrator was Col. Jibril Bala Yakubu.
“Yakubu started the administration from the old Gusau Local Government Secretariat, which is now part of the present Government House, Gusau, with some ministries attached.
“Other directorates and boards operated in rented buildings called the Cabinet Office in Kantin Daji, belonging to an indigene of Gusau.
“Yakubu’s administration continued until 1999 when the first elected civilian governor, Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura, assumed office.
“Yarima began to introduce new changes to the administration of Zamfara State, changes that remain in place to date.
“These included the implementation of the Sharia legal system, promotion of social values, employment, workers’ welfare, and other infrastructural and economic development projects.
“The Emir also spoke on the leadership of past governors such as Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, and Dr. Bello Matawalle Maradun,”
According to him, they all performed excellently in developing the state politically and economically up to this point, leading to the current administration of Governor Dr. Dauda Lawal.
He described as unforgettable the contributions of the former governor and current Senator representing Zamfara West, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar. “By then I was Secretary to the State Government. Yari made it possible to network all local government headquarters with township and rural roads across the state,” the Emir explained.
On Alhaji Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi, he noted: “I was not in government at that time. I had an appointment with the Nigerian Defence Academy.
The same applied during Governor Bello Matawalle’s tenure. But Alhamdulillah, all of them did their best within their capacity to develop the state.”
Speaking on the present administration! under Gov Dauda Lawal the Emir said: “Coming to where we are today, I have a lot to say, particularly about the leadership style of Governor Dauda Lawal.
“It is something people would describe as almost magical, considering his background and discipline from the banking sector. Surprisingly, Dauda has achieved in three years what Zamfara has needed for over 30 years since its creation.
“He has made history that the people of Zamfara will never forget.”
Some of Governor Dauda Lawal’s achievements, according to the Emir, included.
Construction of the Gusau International Airport within three years, Networking Gusau, the state capital, with township roads, Construction of permanent sites for ministries, boards, and directorates, and equipping them with standard working facilities, including official vehicles for effective service deliver.
Another achievements recorded in the state under the president administration is total rehabilitation of all general hospitals across the 14 local government headquarters, award of contracts for the construction of modern Emir’s palaces across the 17 emirates.
Some have been completed, while others are ongoing
“The government performed excellently in the payment of gratuities to retired civil servants, Payment of WAEC and NECO examination fees for secondary school students and Implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage for both state and local government workers and youth employment, job creation through skills acquisition programs.
“With all these achievements, Zamfara can now compete favourably with any of the 36 states in Nigeria in terms of socio-economic development and agriculture,” the Emir added.
He further described Zamfara as a one-family state, united religiously and socially. “It may be recalled that Zamfara was once awarded the most peaceful state in Nigeria, and we still maintain that position compared to our sister states,” he said.
However, he noted that banditry has significantly affected the state’s economy. “Zamfara is known as the home of farming and Sharia.
“Nigerians testify that our primary occupation is farming. but some years back, some unidentified people created conflict between Hausa and Fulani people.
“Alhamdulillah, Allah is with the people of Zamfara despite all these challenges, we are still alive and our daily activities have not stopped.
“With prayers and the commitment of the present government, banditry will become history, not only in Zamfara but across the country, Insha Allah.” He prayed.
The emir urged the people and leaders to continue offering prayers for Allah’s intervention against evil acts.
“People should always regard their leaders as leaders and support them for the betterment of Zamfara. God will make development easy,” he said.
He assured the Media Corporation that the doors of the Bungudu Emirate Council remain open for any information needed for the benefit of the people of Zamfara and beyond.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Zamfara Media Cooperation highlighted Governor Dauda Lawal’s efforts in awarding contracts for the total rehabilitation of Zamfara’s media organizations: Zamfara Radio, Zamfara Television, Zamfara Gold City FM, and the Government Printing and Publishing Company, publishers of Legacy Newspaper.
The rehabilitation also includes equipping them with modern digital tools, as well as training and retraining of staff at the Nigerian Broadcasting Academy, Lagos, the National Film Institute, Jos, and the Daily Trust Foundation, Abuja all aimed at reviving the broadcasting industry in Zamfara.
“As a grassroots father, I believe all this would not have been possible without committed leaders like him,” the Managing Director, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bunun Jangebe said.