PRESENTATION OF GRAND DESIGN OF ZAMFARA RURAL GRAZING AREA (RUGA)

 

His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, (Dr) Bello Muhammed (Matawallen Maradun) has today convened a team of architects for the presentation of RUGA architectural 3D designs.

The gigantic project  shown in the projected slides will be in two phases of highly sophisticated structures, cattle breeding system and other social amenities.

Arch Kwagga explained the architectural specifications of the project to the large audience drawn from traditional leaders, farmers, herders, security and media houses.

Addressing the audience during the event, Bello Matawalle asserted that funds for the project were earmarked without taking any loan from any bank adding that his administration would leave no stone unturned in its effort in peace-building. 

Part of the project the foundation stone of which will be laid during the 100 days anniversary entails:

First phase

* Integrated settlements

* Schools (Secular and Religious (12 Classrooms)

* Veterinary Clinic

* Earth Dam

* Cattle Cottage

* Grazing yard

* Abbatoir

* Mosque

* Cemetaries

* Overhead tank

* Police State

Second Phase

* Irrigation system

* Milk Collection Centre

* Assorted Seeds of animal feed

* Markets

* Traditional community/Social Arena. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma

SSA NEW MEDIA 

31/08/2019

MORE BANDIT KINGPINS EMBRACE GOVERNOR BELLO MATAWALLE PEACE TREATY

 

In what can be described as another milestone in the process of peace building in Zamfara State, a notorious bandit popularly known as "Yellow" has yesterday laid down his arms in compliance with the peace deal initiated by His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle. The Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo and SSA on Security Matters, Abubakar Dauran led the kingpin for the disarmament.

Briefing the newsmen at the Government House, CP Nagogo said that the project for the sustenance of peace has started getting to its peak as the disarmament process has begun, something the media houses have been asking about. He reiterated the commitment of security outfits to the collaborative effort to ensure the return of peace, adding that Governor Bello Matawalle should be a role model to all peace-loving Nigerians.

Responding to the development, Governor Bello Matawalle expressed gratitude to Allah for making his dream of peace-building a reality. He asserted that peace-building is a step-by-step process and  not something to be achieved instantly as the bandits themselves want to be sure of the sincerity of the peace deal.

Disarmament of bandits, he said has been the frequent demand of the security operatives and it has commenced successfully. Governor Matawalle thanked the security outfits for allowing the peace initiative to run smoothly without operational interference, and he promised to continue to give all the required supports. 

The weapons recovered through the recent peace negotiation and displayed to the media were one Military LMG (Light Machine Gun), two MM guns, one Ak47 and ten rounds of 7.62mm of live ammunition.

IBRAHIM BELLO ZAUMA

SSA NEW MEDIA

31/08/2019

IIPS AWARDS GOVERNOR MATAWALLE FOR HIS EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE ON SECURITY IN ZAMFARA STATE

The International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS) has today awarded His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, (Dr) Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) with Award of Excellence for tackling the problem of insecurity insecurity in Zamfara State. 

The award was presented by the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Herise to the Governor ably represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Kabir Balarabe  (Sardaunan Dan-Isa) at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja today. 

Presenting the award, Ambassador Bagudu commended the Governor for priotizing security in Zamfara state adding that his commitment to security have carved out a reputation for peace building in the country. 

The Director General of the Institute, Barr Tony M.Ofoyetan asserted that the award is to motivate the governor to continue the good work as he has been doing to benefit not only Zamfara but Nigeria in general. 

Governor Bello Matawalle expressed gratitude to the Institute for seeing Governor Bello Matawalle's efforts and commitment to security as worthy of conferring him with the award of excellence. He further vowed to remain committed to the security of lives and property, recounting the success so far achieved, he added that sincere dialogue devoid of deciet is the key to the success attained. 

In attendance at the occasion were Governor's Principal Private Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Ja'afar Maradun, Director General Protocol Matters, Alhaji Yusuf Kabiru and other government functionaries. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA NEW MEDIA

GOVERNOR BELLO MATAWALLE SECURES RELEASE OF EXCESS FUNDS AS LIQUIDATION OF DEBT

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has returned the sum of N282, 525,547.38  to Zamfara State government as excess funds recovered following a suit between Brightway Mining and Minerals Ltd and AMCON.

The Zamfara State under the able leadership of His Excellency Bello Matawalle has earlier disagreed with the terms and conditions of the auctioning of state's assets as ratified by the previous government.

In the letter dated August 16, 2019 accompanied by Twenty Eight cheques of N10,000000 each and one of N 2,525,547.38, AMCON pointed out that the sum is a refund on the settlement of the liquidation of the debt of the Brightway Mining and Minerals Ltd to AMCON. 

The letter signed by the Inter-Governmental Relation Officer Sa'ad Ahmed and the Head Legal Team Albert Nwanozie was received by Governor Bello Matawalle today in Kano. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA NEW MEDIA 

16/08/2019

REJOINDER TO THE CONDEMNATION BY HURIWA OF GOVERNOR BELLO MATAWALLE APPROACH TO ZAMFARA INSECURITY

The attention of Zamfara state government has been drawn to a publication on Sahara Reporters dated Aug 11, 2019 in which Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria acronymed HURIWA "slammed" His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle for choosing to negotiate with bandits rather than opt for confrontational means. 

It is rather paradoxical that a human right organisation with obviously no firsthand information about the happenings in Zamfara would choose to pokenose in an issue as complex as security. One question dangling in the air begging for answer is, where has HURIWA as a human right organisation been when Zamfara people were being maimed, raped, displaced and massacred? When has this ghost and pseudo human right association regained its voice? A human right association is the least expected group of people to exhibit such myopic thinking. It is thus ironic and unbecoming of an association by that name to snub at the conflict resolutions techniques employed by the Zamfara State governor to tackle the lingering security hiccup.

It is amazing that HURIWA which advocates for deproscription of IPOB is "slamming" Governor Matawalle for initiating truce with bandits. 

It is an undisputable fact that the truce initiated by (Dr) Bello Matawalle has yielded positive results as 345 captives have been released unconditionally by the armed men. This success has never been recorded since 2011 when the crisis erupted. 

The Zamfara State government did not just jump into its decision without indepth study of the situations. After hectic days of meetings with key stakeholders, different security outfits, from the National Police Headquarters, Abuja, meeting with the IG of police, meeting with the President Muhammad Buhari and the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, meeting with the Ex Minister of Defense, traditional leaders, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) leaders and CJTF and other key stakeholders, a fact stands out that the crisis has taken ethnic dimensions most especially after the creation of predominantly Hausa 'Yan Sa-Kai vigilante groups by the former governor. 

The vigilante groups only made the situation worse by taking laws into their hands through extra judicial killing of the Fulani in market places. This only aggravated the already volatile situations breeding more inter-tribal enmity. 

Moreover, it is obvious that the rural areas and nomadic settlements have been relagated educationally and economically and this situation creates an avenue for high rate of crimes. This informs the government's decision to provide schools, clinics and earth dams for them. Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) will be established in each of the three senatorial zones on 100 hectres of land each with merged settlements. 

The HURIWA's claim that that the reconciliatory approach would only strengthen the bandits clearly reflects lack of understanding of the whole process and situation. If the seven years' use of force didn't quell the bloodbath why should any right-thinking person stick to it?

It is worth taking into cognizance that by the use of force many criminals of necessity have been created in situations where innocent people were killed and their relatives join the bandit syndicate to engage in reprisal attacks against another settlements.

Nothing clearly reveals the evil intent of HURIWA than distorting the story of the prisoners freed by Governor Bello Matawalle as being all Fulanis. The fact is that the pardoned prisoners cut across all disputing parties and even others not involved in any violence like those detained on the grounds of debts, physically challenged inmates, and the aged. Some of the released inmates are not even from Zamfara. In the process of this kind gesture, Governor Bello Matawalle decided to strike a balance by freeing some non-Muslim prisoners.

This as preamble to an intricate security situation should make HURIWA have a rethink about the reconciliatory approach of the Zamfara state government. The association is at liberty to come to Zamfara State for firsthand assessments of the situation. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma

SSA NEW MEDIA

11/08/2019

GOVERNOR BELLO MATAWALLE: THE MAN WHO SILENCES THE GUNS

Prior to the triumphant declaration of Governor Bello Matawalle as the legitimate governor of Zamfara State and his assumption to duty, we all lived in one kind of earthly hell. The level of ineptitude of the government gave the terrorist bandits the ability to control many rural regions, impose taxes, kill at will, abduct and rape women without anyone coming to their aid. The former government shrugged its shoulders in utter indifference and seemed to have by all definitions offered us as sacrifice on the altar of blood. 

Recounting those tragic days, one can say without running risk of error that everyday came with tragic news of indiscriminate killings, rapes, abductions, rustling and arson all of which seemed to have jolted nobody at the helm of affairs. Not even the Dumama mosque and Bawa Daji attacks could wake the then leadership from its slumber.

Fast forward to 29th May 2019 when he took the mantle of leadership, Governor Bello Matawalle first concentrated on security knowing fully well that all shades of development are hinged to it. For the records, Matawalle visited different security outfits, from the National Police Headquarters, Abuja, meeting with the IG of police, meeting with the President Muhammad Buhari and the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. He also visited the Ex Minister of Defense, met with traditional leaders, MACBAN leaders, Vigilante groups known as "Yan Sa-kai and other key stakeholders all to devise ways to put an end to armed banditry in the state.

The results of his relentless effort to institute peace by diplomatic means led to the following successes:

04/06/2019 - Twenty six Fulani women and children allegedly related to bandits were freed by local vigilante groups following the order of His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle as the step to initiate truce. 

05/06/2019 - Fifteen people (thirteen men, two men) freed by bandits, witnessed by prominent journalist and anchor Kadaria Ahmed. 

07/06/2019 - Eleven captives (five men, three women and three children) from Maradun, Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi Local Government areas were released by bandits. 

09/06/2019 - Eight people people (Three female and five males) who hailed from Mai-Awaki village of Dan Sadau Maru Local Government area were released by bandits. 

10/06/2019 - Sixteen abductees from Zurmi including a couple have regained their freedom. 

14/06/2019 - Femi Gbajabiamila formally handed over Six released victims to the Chairman Zamfara State Council of Chiefs and Emir of Anka Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad. 

20/07/2019 - Four more people were released. 

21/07/2019 - Sunday  7 people freed by bandits from Sububu and Shinkafi jungle 

22/07/2019 - Twenty-three abductees released by their captors 

23/07/2019 - Twenty Six kidnap victims from Aljimma Maradun axis regained their freedom from captivity. 

31/07/2019 - The Korean Doctor abducted and held hostages for seven months had been released. 

And many more unconditional releases of kidnap victims. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA NEW MEDIA 

2/8/2019