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Dauda Lawal’s reform agenda transforms Zamfara, delivers landmark development across sectors
Dauda Lawal’s reform agenda transforms Zamfara, delivers landmark development across sectors
By: Zagazola Makama
In just over two years in office, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has emerged as a transformational leader, repositioning the state with bold policy reforms, critical infrastructure renewal, and people-centered governance that prioritises security, healthcare, education, civil service reform, and economic revitalisation.
Governor Lawal’s Rescue Agenda, built on transparency, capacity development, and institutional strengthening, is steadily reversing years of systemic decay, offering the people of Zamfara renewed hope in a government that works for them.
The Governor’s impact is visible across the state, from newly equipped hospitals and modernised schools to the strengthened security architecture and improved public transportation, all executed with a focus on accountability and sustainability.
Health sector revolution
One of Governor Lawal’s most visible accomplishments is the overhaul of Zamfara’s healthcare system. Upon assumption of office in May 2023, he declared a state of emergency in the sector after discovering that only one ultrasound machine served nearly six million people and that machine was held together with seal tape. In response, the administration embarked on a comprehensive needs assessment and launched a phased rehabilitation of general hospitals across the state.
Within 12 months, Governor Lawal commissioned fully renovated and equipped General Hospitals in Gusau, Anka, Maradun, Maru, Kaura, and Nasarawa Burkullu. Each of these facilities now boasts modern amenities, including Accident and Emergency Units, Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs), Maternity Wards, Radiology Departments, Dental Clinics, Orthopedic Wards, and Operating Theatres.
In Anka, the governor delivered a state-of-the-art facility with newly constructed laboratory, maternity, and emergency units, alongside refurbished wards, pharmacy blocks, and residential quarters for medical staff. To complement these infrastructure upgrades, the administration has procured cutting-edge medical equipment, implemented biomedical training for health workers, and institutionalised a health governance model that emphasises maintenance and service delivery.
Security support and community policing
Governor Lawal has treated security as the bedrock of development in Zamfara. In a landmark gesture, his government distributed 140 new operational vehicles to security agencies operating across the state. These include double-cabin pick-up trucks and Buffalo vehicles to enhance mobility, response time, and overall efficiency in combating banditry and violent crimes. The Governor also inaugurated the Community Protection Guards, a state-owned security outfit designed to supplement federal forces and engage communities in grassroots surveillance and early warning systems.
These strategic investments are already yielding results, with improved coordination among security outfits and a noticeable return of normalcy in areas previously plagued by violence.
Education transformation
Education, another critical pillar of the Rescue Agenda, has seen similar focus. In January 2024, the Governor launched an aggressive school rehabilitation drive, beginning with the Government Girls Arabic School (GGAS) Gusau one of the state’s oldest institutions. Following a devastating fire that razed five student hostels, the administration not only rebuilt them but expanded the renovation to include over 94 different structures. These included science laboratories, ICT centres, classrooms, libraries, mosques, staff quarters, and toilet facilities — transforming the school into a modern learning environment offering science, arts, and commercial subjects.
The initiative is part of a broader education recovery framework that aims to upgrade boarding schools across the state, provide modern teaching tools, and re-train educators to meet global standards.
Civil service reform and institutional renewal
In an unprecedented move, Governor Lawal introduced a competency-based examination for directors aspiring to become Permanent Secretaries the first of its kind in Zamfara’s history. This reform led to the appointment of twelve Permanent Secretaries based strictly on merit, marking a turning point in bureaucratic professionalism. As part of a commitment to institutional strengthening, the state government completed the phased renovation of the JB Yakubu State Secretariat Complex. Blocks A and C have been fully rehabilitated, with Block B to follow, providing dignified and functional workspaces for civil servants. In another show of compassion and fiscal discipline, Governor Lawal cleared over ₦13 billion in gratuity arrears owed to retirees — some dating back several years. He also introduced the 13th-month salary bonus, rewarding productivity and boosting staff morale.
Economic diversification and public transit innovation
Recognising the need for sustainable economic growth, the Lawal administration unveiled 50 brand-new mass transit buses to ease transportation within and outside the state. These buses, equipped with real-time monitoring systems and free Wi-Fi, aim to reduce travel hardship and enhance public revenue collection through a digital fleet management platform. The move points to the governor’s drive to create jobs, reduce transportation costs, and modernise Zamfara’s commercial landscape.
A legacy of people-first governance
Throughout his 2 years tenure so far, Governor Lawal has consistently affirmed that his vision goes beyond infrastructure. “We believe that a motivated and professional civil service is the backbone of good governance,” he said at the commissioning of the Secretariat Complex.
Indeed, the Governor’s style meticulous, inclusive, and performance driven, is redefining public service delivery in a state long ravaged by insecurity and underdevelopment.
As he continues to roll out projects and policy reforms, the people of Zamfara are beginning to witness a renaissance grounded in hope, capacity, and progress.
With more hospitals, schools, roads, and economic opportunities in the pipeline, Governor Dauda Lawal stands out as one of Nigeria’s most purposeful and visionary leaders — a man committed not just to governing, but to rescuing and rebuilding Zamfara for generations to come.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
Dauda Lawal’s reform agenda transforms Zamfara, delivers landmark development across sectors
Flash Flooding: Betara Clears Drainages, Gives Relief Materials in Biu
By: Michael Mike
Member representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu has swiftly responded to the devastating flood in his constituency by mobilizing emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.
After a sudden flash flood that has hit several wards in Biu local government area, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure, the lawmaker mobilized people to clear the drainage to forestall future reoccurrence.
He equally dispatched truckloads of relief materials to be shared to people affected by the flood.
The flood which was triggered by heavy rainfall recently, making overflowed bridges and inundated homes in various parts of the Biu.
According to recent of Biu town, Dauda Yusuf: “Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu, the federal lawmaker representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in his usual manner has swiftly responded to the disaster that ravaged parts of Biu.
“He mobilized emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.
“We could not have asked for better representative, Betara has always been supportive in all situations, in times of troubles just like this present flood and in times of celebration during Ramadans and many Sallahs, he always found something to give.”
A statement from Betara Youth Team (BYT) at the weekend, read that: “The feedback from the community resident was inspiring, and it is clear that this intervention will have a lasting impact on the lives of those who live there.
“Rt. Hon Muktar Betara Aliyu is committed to continuing to bring the benefits of democracy to his people and he will continue to work tirelessly to improve their lives.”
End
Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled an attempted infiltration by terrorists into Monguno town through the Charlie 15 axis in Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the attempted attack occurred at about 0255 hours on Sunday but was swiftly repelled by alert troops who engaged the insurgents in a firefight.
The source said that during pursuit, the troops observed blood stains along the withdrawal route of the fleeing terrorists, suggesting that some of them may have sustained injuries.
Items recovered from the scene included seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one PKT machine gun belt, an empty AK-47 rifle magazine, an RPG bomb, spaghetti, and a pair of slippers.
There was no casualty on the side of the troops, and there was no further contact with the terrorists as they retreated into the bush.
Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies
Insecurity: ECOWAS Experts Adopt Training Policy for Standby Force
By: Michael Mike
Experts from the Economic Community of West African States has adopted a training policy for the region’s Standby force.
The policy details the kind and nature of trainings the Standby force will undergo to be able to fight against growing terrorism in the region.
The region has been under non-state actors’ in the Lake Chad and Sahel regions.
The ECOWAS standby force was activated to address the rising insecurity in the sub-region.
Though the regional body has activated its depot for deployment of soldiers for peace support operations, but the standby force has not yet swung into action.
The regional force, which is expected to comprise 5,000 troops, is part of a broader regional security strategy to curb terrorism and cross-border crimes.
Speaking at the closing of the two-day government experts’ validation meeting on the ECOWAS standby force training policy for peace support operations, Dr. Sani Adamu, Acting Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security said the region now has a training policy for its Standby force.
Adamu said: “The ECOWAS Commission, as you know, is systematically putting in place processes and procedures to be able to accompany our member states and to also have peace and security in our region to continue to thrive.
“It’s within this context that the ECOWAS Standby force training Policy for Peace Support Operations was elaborated, and the document now before the governmental experts were reviewed, the document was fully reviewed, evaluated, and eventually adopted by all of you.
“What that symbolises is that from today’s henceforth, we have a standing document, a standard document for training of officers that are going for peace support operations.
“As you are all aware, the ECOWAS Commission is at the threshold of actually activating the ECOWAS Standby Force in its kinetic form to be able to fight, you know, against terrorism.
“It’s a scourge that is affecting our member states today, and the last meeting of the authority of Heads of State directed the Commission to actually deploy the ECOWAS Standby Force in its kinetic form to be able to fight this fight.”
Adamu also disclosed that the a meeting of ministers of finance will soon be converging in Abuja to discuss the ways and means of mobilising resources for the Standby Force.
He said: “I want to also disclose to you that the Commission is putting in place processes so as to have the Ministers of Finance as well as Ministers of Peace and Security of the region to converge in Abuja to be able to discuss the modalities, the ways and means of mobilising the technical and financial resources that will allow for the activation of this Standby Force to actually be in place.
“So in the coming weeks, everything will take place, and the internal resources that will be directed that we should mobilise will actually be in place so that we’ll be able to have the Standby Force fully activated and fully, you know, resourced.”
He also added, “It’s also important to say that other processes are in place to see that a robust Standby Force that is capable and also able to confront the menace in the region is the vision of the authority. It’s within that context that this meeting is also taking place to be able to allow for an effective and efficient operational readiness of the Standby Force.
All the contributing countries, have made pledges.”
He stressed: “Already the pledges that we needed, you know, for the activation of the Standby Force in its genitive form were already done. For instance, we have initial numbers, 1,650 were already pledged by our member states, and progressively, you know, the figure will increase to 5,000. So in all of this, ECOWAS is strongly and, you know, standing ready to continue to accompany our member states in this direction.”
Insecurity: ECOWAS Experts Adopt Training Policy for Standby Force
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