GOV. LAWAL WINS LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR AWARD, RESTATES COMMITMENT TO ZAMFARA’S DEV’T

Governor Dauda Lawal reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering visible progress and restoring confidence in governance in Zamfara State.

The governor received the LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year Award on Thursday during the newspaper’s annual conference at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the LEADERSHIP annual awards and conference identify and select distinguished personalities who have achieved a feat worthy of recognition.

The statement added that the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr Amina Mohammed, served as the keynote speaker for this year’s theme: “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria.”

The statement read in part, “The LEADERSHIP Newspaper award to Governor Dauda Lawal as the Governor of the Year has once again proved his administration’s strides across sectors in Zamfara State.

“The newspaper highlighted that among the reasons for the award is Governor Lawal’s outstanding performance, courageous leadership, and transformative initiatives, which placed Zamfara on a renewed path of progress, peace and sustainable growth.

“It is on the strong foundation of excellence that the LEADERSHIP Newspaper found the governor eminently deserving of this rare and celebrated national recognition.

“The remarkable performances by Governor Lawal earned him the award as the Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year last month, as well as Zamfara State emerging as the best state in the Northwest in the Primary Health Care Challenge.

Such recognition will encourage the Zamfara State government to further strengthen the state's security architecture, drive agricultural transformation and rural development, expand infrastructure, improve healthcare delivery, expand education, and strengthen human capital development across the state.

Zamfara APC Congratulates Sufiyanu Bashir Yugudu on his Appointment as the State Director, City Boy Project

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates Sufiyanu Bashir Yugudu on his appointment as the Zamfara State Director of the City Boy Project.

This is contained in a statement issued by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, who described the appointment as well-deserved and timely.

According to the party, the appointment did not come as a surprise, following Yugudu’s proven capacity as a strong, dependable, and effective political mobiliser.

The APC expressed confidence that Yugudu will bring renewed vigour, vision, and commitment to this additional responsibility, particularly in advancing the programmes of the party and mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party also expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding another illustrious son of Zamfara State worthy of such a critical national assignment.

The statement further commended party leaders, especially the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, for their continuous efforts in ensuring that Zamfara State and its people remain fully represented and actively involved in the affairs of the nation under the focused leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubm

The APC once again congratulated  Sufiyanu Bashir Yugudu and prayed that Allah grants him wisdom, strength, and success in the discharge of his duties.

President Tinubu Leads Dignitaries to Matawalle Sons and Daughters Wedding at National Mosque

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has attended the wedding fatiha of the sons and daughters of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, held on Friday at the National Mosque, Abuja.

The former Governor of Zamfara State gave out ten of his children in marriage on the same day, comprising five sons and five daughters, in what many described as a historic event.

President Tinubu served as the Waliy (guardian) of the brides at the wedding fatiha, which was conducted by Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, a renowned Islamic scholar and the National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatul Bidi’ah wa Ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS).

Out of the five daughters, four were married to grooms from Zamfara State, while one was married to a groom from Sokoto State.

The event attracted a large gathering of dignitaries, including the Governors of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf; Kebbi State, Nasir Idris; and Kaduna State, Uba Sani, alongside former governors, serving and former ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, traditional leaders, and other well-wishers from across the country.

Similarly, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and the former Governor of Zamfara had attended the wedding ceremony.

Among those who married the Minister’s daughters are the former Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya, and the Director-General of the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Yazid Danfulani.

Special prayers were offered for Allah’s blessings, peace, and prosperity in the homes of the newly married couples.

Similarly, during the Walima ceremony held at the National Mosque, Islamic scholars including Sheikh Musa Asadussunnah and Modibo Aminu Aliyu Gusau delivered lectures on the importance of marriage and the need to uphold Islamic principles and marital responsibilities.

Also Sheikh Kabiru Gombe delivered a sermon advising couples, especially women, to avoid excessive suspicion and destructive jealousy, which he said could lead to hatred and instability in marriage. 

He stressed that while reasonable jealousy is natural, extreme jealousy that leads to harmful actions should be avoided.

Sheikh Gombe also urged parents to intensify efforts in teaching their daughters proper marital conduct and home management.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu, the clerics, and all guests who honoured the occasion with their presence.

The wedding fatiha and walima drew participants from diverse backgrounds, making it one of the most remarkable mass wedding ceremonies involving a single family in recent Nigerian history.

Zamfara APC dismisses gov’ship candidate speculations

The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked a viral report that it has declared a governorship candidate for the 2027 General Elections in the state.

The State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris Gusau made this known while reacting to the matter in Gusau, described the speculations as baseless.

He explained that, there were speculations going round the state that the party has nominated a governorship candidate for the 2027 General Elections.

According to him, the rumour had created tension among the APC members in the state, especially the party’s social media handlers.

“All the speculations going round the state were merely fabricated but not from the party.

“This is to inform the public that the APC leadership is not aware of any decision of any governorship candidate of the party ahead of 2027 General Elections.

Malam Yusuf Gusau called on the party members to remain calm, stressing that the  party structure remains intact and united.

He however asked the party members not to allow any rumours or unfounded information to distract their commitment towards building the party.

“The state APC chapter welcomes any aspirant willing to contest in the party, but let the time come.

“I think the issue of the party’s candidates to contest for the election must be produced by the party primaries not by some stakeholders’ meeting,”he explained.

Zamfara Controller of Corrections Seeks Stronger Synergy with NDLEA, Fire Service

The Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, Zamfara State Command, Muhammad Juta, has called for closer operational synergy between the Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other relevant agencies to fast-track investigations and prosecutions.

He made the call during courtesy visits to the Zamfara State Commands of the NDLEA and the Federal Fire Service (FFS) at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Gusau.

Controller Juta underscored the need for the speedy trial of cases, particularly drug-related offences, noting that, prolonged prosecution processes remain a major contributor to congestion in custodial centres across the state.

He also sought the NDLEA’s support in delivering sustained drug abuse sensitisation and rehabilitation programmes for inmates, stressing that structured interventions are critical to behavioural reform and successful reintegration into society.

Responding, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Zamfara State Command, Awoleye M. Adediran, assured the Controller of the agency’s readiness to collaborate. 

He pledged NDLEA’s support through drug awareness campaigns, counselling, and rehabilitation initiatives, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to effective justice delivery and custodial decongestion.

At the Federal Fire Service Command, discussions centred on fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and safety training in custodial facilities. 

Controller Juta requested technical support, lectures, and practical drills for officers and inmates to enhance fire safety standards and reduce risks within custodial centres.

In his response, the Assistant Controller of Fire, Zamfara State Command, Saqir Garba Gusau, welcomed the collaboration and assured the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to providing fire safety education, drills, and technical support to custodial facilities across the state.

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