Zamfara participates in Strong Cities Network summit in Toronto

Governor Ahmed Lawal, Zamfara State

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The Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, is representing Zamfara State at the ongoing Sixth Global Summit of the Strong Cities Network, taking place in Toronto, Canada, from 9th to 11th December, 2025.

The summit, themed “Stronger Together: Forging Safer, Connected, Thriving Cities in a Changing World,” brings together mayors, top senior government officials, civil society organisations, and global partners to advance city-led solutions to counter hate, extremism, online harms, and social polarisation, while strengthening community safety, inclusion, and resilience.

The event serves as a platform for sharing experiences, forging strategic partnerships, and gaining insights that will inform Zamfara State’s ongoing security, social cohesion, and development initiatives, especially the Urban Renewal Program.

Zamfara’s participation underscores the commitment of the State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Dauda Lawal, to international cooperation and whole-of-society approaches to peacebuilding. It also reflects the government’s dedication to promoting inclusive, resilient communities aligned with global best practices in preventing violent extremism and safeguarding social cohesion.

Malam Nakwada is leveraging the summit to engage with stakeholders, with the aim of adapting global best practices to suit Zamfara’s unique context, while also showcasing the state’s local model.

Ahmadu Bello University has proposed a unified, evidence-based, and fully integrated intervention to address agricultural and human capacity development in Zamfara State.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, presented the blueprint to His Excellency, Dr Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State.

Prof Ahmed made the presentation when the governor came to the university to commission an upgraded departmental library at the institution’s Department of Political Science and International Studies.

The governor, who is an alumnus of the university having graduated from the Department of Political Science and International Studies in 1988, refurbished the library.

Presenting the proposal to the governor, the Vice-Chancellor said the university developed the blueprint through its three leading agricultural research institutes – IAR, NAPRI, and NAERLS – as well as the Institute of Education and Institute of Administration.

The Vice-Chancellor, who acknowledged the effort of the governor in prioritising merit-based reforms in the state, explained that the proposal was at no costs to Zamfara State government.

The interventions, according to him, would be run as capacity build in the mode of train-the-trainers and delivered largely via the virtual mode through the facilities of ABU Distance Learning Centre.

He also said it was to train extension agents in modernized extension delivery systems, build institutional capacity of ministries, ADP, cooperatives, civil service, teacher service and communities.

The Vice-Chancellor commended Governor Dauda Lawal for his administration’s decision to appoint permanent secretaries through rigorous examination processes rather than political favouritism.

Ahmed also lauded Governor Dauda Lawal’s government for prioritizing capacity-building programmes, conducting training sessions for procurement staff, audit officers, and administrative leaders.

Receiving the document, Dr Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara, expressed his government’s immense gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and the university management for the passion to help transform the state.

Governor Dauda Lawal, who said he would remain grateful to Ahmadu Bello University for shaping his life, promised to continue to give back to his alma mater.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has promised the state government’s support for the success of the military operations to dislodge the bandits in the state and the region.

Lawal said his administration had procured 30 Armour Personnel Carriers (APC) for the security agencies to prosecute the ongoing war against banditry in the State.

The governor revealed this in Gusau on Tuesday when he received the new Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), Maj.-Gen. Bello Idris, in Government House.

Lawal, who described the commander as “Son of the Soil”, assured that his understanding of the Zamfara terrain would enhance the success of the fight against banditry.

The governor reiterated his support for the military mission, even as he reaffirmed that his administration would not negotiate with any bandit group.

General Idris, who assumed duty as the OPFY in November, pledged during a maiden courtesy call on Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara in Gusau on Tuesday.

He promised to invoke a new strategy to restore law and order in the banditry-ravaged areas of the state.

Idris was redeployed from the Defence Department of Transformation and Innovation, following the recent posting of senior officers by the Nigerian Army Headquarters.

The commander told Lawal that he was not in Zamfara merely to reduce banditry but to completely clear the area of the menace.

According to him, plans are underway to inject new operational concepts with a particular focus on efficiency and deeper community engagement.

He noted that many of the bandits either live within local communities or maintain strong alliances with locals, assuring that such alliances would be dismantled head-on.

The OPFY commander explained that his operational strategy would focus on  Zamfara in the coming weeks as the military intensifies efforts to dismantle the bandits’ networks.

He assured that arrangements were being made to deploy additional manpower, logistics and equipment to ensure the success of the new operation.

The commander said that the command would equally adopt a mobile aggressive posture to revamp the operation for greater efficiency to flush out the bandits in the coming weeks.

Idris is commanding joint operations covering the North West and parts of the North Central regions, including Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Sokoto and Zamfara.

He said community collaboration would assist the command through intelligence sharing, information gathering and logistic enablers in their offensive to restore law and order in the area.

He lauded Lawal for the improved road infrastructure and support for the troops under his command.

Governor Dauda Lawal has received the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) 2025 in Governance and Security Reform in Zamfara.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, said President Bola Tinubu presented the award to Lawal and 43 other recipients at an event organised by The Best Strategic Media (TBS) in partnership with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The president was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, at the NEAPS 2025 award dinner held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Idris added that NEAPS, founded in 2022, aims to recognise individuals who have made sustained positive contributions across the country.He said, “Lawal was recognised by the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) 2025 for the reforms his administration introduced across various sectors in Zamfara.“The administration of  Lawal has brought sanity to the Zamfara Civil Service, prioritising the welfare of civil servants and ensuring that retirees receive their retirement benefits.“While presenting the NEAPS award to  Lawal, his efforts in two years in office to settle over N15 billion in a 13-year backlog of gratuities for Zamfara  retired civil servants were highlighted.“The notable increase in workers’ minimum wage from N7,000 to N70,000, his administration’s gesture of giving a 13th-month salary to workers, and other incentives were also mentioned. “Additional accomplishments listed by NEAPS included Governor Lawal’s urban renewal projects, the reconstruction, renovation, and equipping of over 500 public schools across the state, as well as his progress in the health sector, such as the complete renovation and equipping of all general hospitals.” According to Idris, NEAPS also cited Lawal’s efforts in security, which included establishing the Community Protection Guards, providing operational vehicles to security personnel, fueling troops’ vehicles, acquiring security equipment, and offering regular support to security forces. He added, “This national award will motivate the governor to continue his relentless efforts to rescue and rebuild Zamfara State.”

Governor Dauda Lawal described the State Development Plan (2025 to 2034) as a long-term, evidence-based roadmap that reflects the people’s aspirations and collective goal to transform the State. The governor launched the 10-year development plan at the JB Yakubu Secretariat in Gusau on Friday. A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the state government has engaged KPMG advisory as the lead consultant to develop the plan.

The statement further noted that KPMG collaborated closely with Zamfara Executive Council members and all stakeholders, including traditional rulers and religious leaders, over a period of eight months to develop the 10-year development plan.

At the unveiling, Governor Lawal stressed that the development Plan is the first comprehensive long-term plan in the State’s recent history.

He said, “The development plan is built on robust data, wide stakeholder engagement, and alignment with national and global development frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2050, and the African Union Agenda 2063. “It sets clear sectoral priorities, measurable outcomes, and a monitoring and evaluation framework that ensures transparency at every stage of implementation.

“In this State Development Plan, we envision Zamfara becoming a benchmark for transformative economic growth– not merely for Nigeria, but the continent of Africa.

“We will use resources, innovation, and governance to promote inclusive growth, stability, and opportunity. The Plan is built on six pillars: Economy; Infrastructure; Social Welfare; Human Capital; Governance; and Environmental Sustainability.

“Zamfara’s strength in agriculture and natural resources will be maximized through partnerships like the MoFI agreement and African Development Bank funding. This aims to boost mechanized farming, agro-processing, and value chains, creating jobs, improving food security, opening markets, and reducing poverty-driven insecurity.”

Governor Lawal emphasized that Zamfara stands on a favorable pedestal. “With the State Development Plan, we are not merely dreaming- we are preparing to deliver. We are redefining the fate of our state. We are rekindling hope for the young, dignity for the vulnerable, opportunity for the enterprising, and stability for all.

“Let the launch of the Zamfara State Development Plan 2025-2034 mark not a mere political ambition, but a turning point in the history of our state. Let it be said that when Zamfara was at its lowest, we rose not with rhetoric, but with resolve. Not with empty promises, but with purposeful plans. Not with despair, but with vision.

“Distingushed ladies and gentlemen, my dear people of Zamfara State, With firm faith in Almighty Allah, confidence in the resilience of our people, and a firm commitment to the principles we have outlined today, In the name of Allah the Most Merciful, it is my honour responsibility and privilege, to launch the Zamfara State Development Plan 2025- 2034 for our today and for our tomorrow.”

Earlier, remarks were made by the Secretary to the State Government, Mallam Abubakar Nakwada; the Chief of Staff, Mukhtar Lugga; and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam.

Governor Dauda Lawal says Ahmadu Bello University laid the foundation for who he is today.

Governor Lawal disclosed this on Monday when he called on Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed.

Lawal, a distinguished alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, was at the institution to commission the upgraded Departmental Library of the Department of Political Science and International Studies.

The governor said they had the best of times back then at ABU and that, given the university’s conducive environment, they did not go anywhere even during school breaks. He said they would continue to do more by calling on others who were ready to contribute to the growth of the institution.

According to him, the only thing significant was to see how they could help in whatever capacity to ensure that the Vice-Chancellor succeeded. Governor Lawal also expressed pleasure in being in the midst of the University Management to commission the project.

Lawal thanked the Vice-Chancellor for prioritising Zamfara State in the admission exercise, stressing that everything he did was a product of education.

Earlier in a remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, appreciated Governor Lawal for standing firmly for the institution since before he became a governor.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that not all established alumni looked back, but Governor Lawal had always been consistent.

Prof Ahmed explained that the university was one of the biggest legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello, and the Management was proud of the governor’s ability to perform.

The VC lauded Governor Lawal’s commitment in education, agriculture and infrastructure, and prayed for his continued success.

He thanked members of ABU International Studies Alumni Association for always remembering the department and urged them to sustain the tempo.

Also speaking, National President of the International Studies Alumni Association, ABU, Zaria, Ambassador Muntari Abdu Kaita, emphasised that the renovation was not merely about painting walls or installing computers, but about digital inclusion.

Kaita also said it was about ensuring that a student in Zaria would have the same access to information as students in London, New York or Beijing.

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