Zamfara AGILE Project Leads Effort to Domesticate National Gender Policy in Education.

The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in Zamfara State has convened a multi-stakeholder forum to review and domesticate the National Policy on Gender in Education, aligning it with the specific context and realities of the state.

Speaking during a two-day validation meeting in Gusau, the Deputy Project Coordinator of the AGILE Project in Zamfara, Dr. Salisu Dalhatu, said the forum brought together critical stakeholders from various government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as key actors in the education sector.

Dr. Dalhatu explained that the meeting aimed to review and validate the National Policy on Gender in Education and adapt it to suit Zamfara’s local realities.

He noted that the next phase of the process would focus on ensuring government ownership and institutional reforms that reflect the state’s priorities particularly in light of the state of emergency on education declared by the Zamfara State Government in November 2023.

“Our goal is to ensure that the policy aligns with ongoing education reforms,” he stated. “After this, we will develop a costed implementation plan with a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress.”

According to him, the domesticated policy will help institutionalize the gender agenda across all MDAs, ensuring sustainability even after the AGILE project ends.

Dr. Dalhatu further outlined the timeline for completing the policy process, noting that the review meeting would be followed by a costed implementation planning session with stakeholders and a final validation meeting on Saturday.

“After validation, we will clean up the document and present it to the State Project Steering Committee, which includes about nine Commissioners and heads of MDAs. The final step will be submit to the Honourable Commissioner for Education for presentation to the State Executive Council for consent and adoption,” he explained.

Highlighting the broader vision of the initiative, Dr. Dalhatu expressed optimism that Zamfara would emerge as a frontline state in implementing gender-responsive educational policies.

“Our expectation is for Zamfara to lead in promoting gender equality in education and ensuring that adolescent girls and all girls in the state have equal access, retention, and completion opportunities at all levels of learning,” he said.

Dr. Dalhatu emphasized that the AGILE project will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening girls’ education and empowerment in Zamfara, promoting inclusive access and sustainable policy reforms across the education sector.

Speaking during the meeting, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Malam Wadato Madawaki, commended the validation process of the State Policy on Gender in Education.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Sani Mailafia, the Commissioner explained that the initiative aligns with the National Policy on Gender in Education, which seeks to address disparities and promote equal access to quality education for all.

Malam Wadato noted that under the AGILE Programme, states are expected to domesticate the national policy, adapting it to local contexts, developing implementation frameworks, and establishing tools for monitoring progress over the next decade.

The domesticated gender policy, he said, is expected to guide Zamfara’s education system in ensuring equal opportunities for boys and girls, reducing gender-based barriers, and fostering a more inclusive learning environment.

He added that once validated, the policy would be printed and rolled out for implementation across the state, describing the process as a key step toward achieving quality, equitable education for every child in Zamfara State.

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, inaugurates Digital E-learning Library in Zamfara

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated the Digital E-Learning Library in Gusau, Zamfara State as one of the ten states selected across the country for the impactful project under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Senator Tinubu said the project is not just about technology and computers, but about empowering young people, bridging the digital divide, and opening new doors of knowledge and innovation for the people of Zamfara and beyond.

Represented by the First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, the Nigerian First Lady described education as the bedrock of development.

She noted that in today’s digital era, access to modern learning tools is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

According to her, through the digital library, students, teachers, researchers, and the general public will have access to a wealth of information, resources, and opportunities at their fingertips.

Senator Tinubu explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative is driven by a vision to support education, innovation, and social development, adding that the digital library reflects that vision. 

She commended the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA for their excellence in executing the project.

Similarly, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal expressed deep appreciation to her husband, Governor Dauda Lawal, and his administration for their continued commitment to improving the education sector in Zamfara State. 

She urged students, teachers, and researchers to make judicious use of the facility as a tool for learning, growth, and building a brighter future for generations to come.

Earlier, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mallam Wadatau Madawaki, commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her dedication to advancing digital learning through the establishment of the E-Learning Library under the Renewed Hope Initiative in the state.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Maryam Yahaya, the Commissioner described the project as a milestone in promoting innovation, digital inclusion, and access to quality education.

Madawaki also lauded the Zamfara First Lady for graciously representing the Nigerian First Lady at the event and for her continuous support toward the development of education in the state.

He noted that the E-Learning Library project aligns with the vision of Governor Dauda Lawal, who declared a State of Emergency on Education shortly after assuming office, a move that has already yielded remarkable progress in the sector.

FRSC Zamfara Urges Road Users to Take Responsibility for Safety During Ember Months.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zamfara State Sector Command, has called on all road users to take personal responsibility for their safety to prevent road traffic crashes during the Ember Months and beyond.

The Sector Commander, Aliyu Ma’aji, gave the charge during a road show held on Wednesday in Gusau, the state capital, as part of the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitization Campaign.

The event, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” aims to promote safer driving habits and reduce the rate of road crashes across the state.

Ma’aji noted that the road show campaign aligns with Goal 1 of the FRSC’s 2025 Corporate Strategy, which seeks to achieve a 10% reduction in road fatalities and injuries through focused interventions and continuous public sensitization.

According to him, the sensitization program is part of the Corps’ efforts to address the alarming rate of crashes and fatalities often associated with the yuletide season.

He identified human factors such as over-speeding, reckless driving, phone use while driving, fatigue, and other forms of distracted driving as major contributors to road accidents.

“Safety is everyone’s responsibility, not that of the FRSC alone. With collective effort and adherence to traffic regulations, road crashes can be reduced, and our roads can be made safer for all,” Ma’aji emphasized.

He further urged motorists and other road users to always obey traffic rules and regulations, remain cautious, and prioritize safety, especially during the Ember Months when road traffic is typically high.

The event had in attendance stakeholders from various organizations, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Special Marshals, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, Road Safety Clubs, and other road safety advocates.

ADS.

Zamfara First Lady Commends Launch of Nutrition 774 Initiative in the state.

The First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has expressed delight over the official launching of the Nutrition 774 Programme in the state.

She also commended Governor Dauda Lawal for inaugurating the Zamfara State Nutrition Council, which will coordinate and regulate all nutrition-related activities across the state.

In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor, Rabi Yusuf, Huriyya noted that, the Governor’s remarks at the event deeply resonated with her, particularly his assertion that they cannot build the Zamfara of their dreams if the challenge of poor nutrition persists.

She explained that the Nutrition 774 Programme, which aims to promote access to nutritious food across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria, reflects the Zamfara State Government’s strong commitment to ending malnutrition and hunger among its people.

The First Lady reaffirmed her office’s commitment to supporting the programme through ongoing food distribution and agricultural empowerment initiatives designed to reach vulnerable families across the 14 local government areas of the state.

Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal emphasized her dedication to ensuring that women and children have access to the nutritious food they need for healthy growth and development.

Her Excellency further described the initiative as a major step toward lasting change, adding that, “God willing, we will continue to work hand in hand with our partners to build a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous Zamfara State.”

Zamfara Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service visits Custom head in Gusau, Explores Areas of Collaboration.

The Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Zamfara State Command, Murtala Muhammad Haruna, has paid a courtesy visit to the Officer in Charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zamfara Outstation, Sokoto/Zamfara Command, in Gusau.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Command of the Correctional Service, ASC I Mustapha Abubakar, the visit, which took place on Wednesday, was aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relationship between the two sister agencies and exploring possible areas of collaboration, particularly in the fields of security and intelligence sharing.

Speaking during the visit, CCS Murtala Muhammad emphasized the need for continuous cooperation among security agencies, noting that every agency has a vital role to play in maintaining internal security. 

He stressed that effective synergy and mutual understanding remain key to achieving national security objectives.

The Controller further took time to explain the two faculties of the Nigerian Correctional Service under the 2019 Correctional Act — Custodial and Non-Custodial services.

He elaborated that, the Non-Custodial Service comprises four key measures: Community Service, Parole, Probation, and Restorative Justice, in addition to any other measures deemed appropriate by a competent court.

In his response, the Assistant Controller of Customs (ACC) Sani Zaharadeen, who is in charge of the Gusau Outstation, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the NCoS in areas of mutual interest.

ACC Zaharadeen also commended the Zamfara State Command of the Correctional Service for its continuous efforts in reforming and rehabilitating offenders through various correctional programmes.

The visit was rounded off with an interactive session focused on identifying new areas of cooperation and renewing the commitment of both agencies to sustaining the partnership for improved service delivery and internal security.