As Nigerians all over the world celebrated 36 years of Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule on October 1 1960, a different kind of celebration was going on in newly created Zamfara State. In an early nationwide broadcast on that memorable then, the then Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Late General Sani Abacha announced the creation of Zamfara State out of the old Sokoto State.
The celebration and jubilation in Zamfara on that day was not without due thought to the enormous challenges ahead. The young state was in dire need to aggressive infrastructural development, schools and hospitals had to be built, homes and business had to be powered and the capital, Gusau, rebuilt to fit the image and status of a state capital.
20 years since then we the people of Zamfara have cause to celebrate again. This time a celebration of how far we have come in two decades. The young bare state has developed into one of the most important states in North West Nigeria. Due credit goes to all the former administrators and governors of the state who worked assiduously to set Zamfara on the path of lasting development.
In the last five years the smell perceived in the North-Western part of the country as changed from what it used to be, of interest is Zamfara State. The land of farming used to portray a weather-beaten appearance when it comes to economic and socio-economic development; which is not unconnected with the fact that corruption and mismanagement used to be the order in the land that finds farming its pride. The state which clocks twenty in Octoberhas recorded history, significant of which is the brilliant effort of the incumbent Governor, Governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in transforming the state into a progressive, accelerating and more prosperous one.
The insecurity in our country, which stands tall in the Northern part of Nigeria, is one of the bits of troubles for administrations in Zamfara State. The incident of the 276 female students kidnapped by Boko Haram sects remains one element that has continued to keep children particularly female children away from school. There is no doubt that the incident caused damaged to the psyche of parents in this region. The global figure for out-of-school children is estimated at 121 million, 65 million being girls and over 80 percent of these girls live in the Sub Saharan Africa. According to UNICEF, 40 percent of Nigerian children aged 6-11 do not attend any primary school with the Northern region recording the lowest school attendance rate in the country, particularly for girls. (The Daily Times)
In recent time, Zamfara State has proved to be positive in the cloud of female education in the Northern part of Nigeria. The state is known to have the highest figure for primary and secondary school enrolment in North West, also the third highest in North-West and North-East combined. The farming land is the only state that has the highest number of girls in school in the North-East and North-West. The numbers of girls that read up to WAEC level has increased by 40%. Government has tried everything in her capacity to ensure and effect that children go to school, particularly the girls. Most parents in this region have the fear and consternation of their children going to school; instead they prefer that they go to Arabic schools. Government then taught of providing an alternative school structure and curriculum, an example which is the Arabic primary and secondary school in the State.
The story of these unfaltering and unflagging girls in pursuit of education wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the investments by Governor Yari Abubakr. Governor Yari took brilliant steps in raising the standard of education in Zamfara. He was the brain behind the construction and commissioning of more than 300 blocks of classroom in his first year. He also saw to the building of a 7, 000 capacity teachers training centre, which was built in Gusau, fully equipped with ICT facilities. Zamfara is no longer a part of the bottom dwellers in external examinations, like we used to have it before. In 2016, the state’s budget shows the government is serious in reducing the number of out-of-school children.
Just like other foresighted Governors, Governor Yari tabled a number of means to save the State from the shackles of economic decline currently affecting our country Nigeria. This is evident in the 2016 Appropriation Bill he presented to the State House of Assembly on the 10th of February, 2016. He said the grim of realities in term of economic situation has forced the state to intensify efforts to reduce over dependence on the Federal allocation. According to Governor Yari, Zamfara State will respond to these challenges by designing new measures and articulating new policy objectives armed at meeting the State’s financial requirements for effective implementation of the 2016 Budget.
The change maker didn’t baggy on their mean source of sustenance at all; as the 2016 Budget stressed the effective reintroduction of Zamfara comprehensive agricultural revolution programme (ZACAREP) which was initiated by former Governor Ahmad Sani on the grounds of demand by the farmers, which will further help there farming. This scheme would afford farmers the opportunity of getting loan of bags and fertilizers. According to the budget, the higher number of target farmers will be obtained as majority of the ZACAREP community will be participating farmers. Again the Budget said Governor Yari’s administration will improve rice production with a view to ensuring sufficiency in rice production in particular and boost food security not only in Zamfara but Nigeria as a whole.
According to the Blue print the Yari led administration has put in place for the design of industrial developments of the state, noting that the government will aim at the utilization and facilitation of the State’s economic growth, job creations and poverty alleviation efforts, while reducing the state’s over dependence on the Federal allocations and grants. One begins to sense that a government that really has the interest of its people in mind is that of Governor Yari.
As the state looks back to recount all that history has recorded, it can today smile, as the lover of the mases is doing all in his capacity and capability to take the gloomy State of Zamfara to the ranks of the shinning States. Corruption which used to be the regalia of the State is fast becoming something of the past which stays with the past. The last five years of Zamfara State are memorable ones in the hearts of the good people of Zamfara.
As we the people of Zamfara celebrate the occasion of 20 years anniversary of the creation of our dear state, we acknowledge the efforts and contributions of our former leaders who built the foundation for the beautiful mansion in the making.
Ahmad Abdul Kareem writes from Gusau.
