GOVERNOR MATAWALLE NOMINATES PROF. YAHAYA ZAKARI TO REPRESENT ZAMFARA IN THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON EXPORT PROMOTION (NCEP)

In a correspondence addressed to the Permanent Secretary/Secretary of National Economic Council (Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning) and signed by the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government Alh. Bala Bello Maru, His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle has nominated Prof. Yahaya Zakari Abdullahi to lead Zamfara state’s non-oil export agenda (as part of the national zero-oil plan) in the National Committee on Export Promotion (NCEP).

Prof. Yahaya who hails from Gusau is 49 and holds a PhD in Development Economics from Shiga University, Japan. He has been a Professor of Development and International Economics since 2012. Prof. Yahaya has more than 40 academic publications in his name, and more than 70 administrative and organizational experiences to his credit. He was a consultant for RTI-USAID, consultant for World Bank/Fadama III Project, and consultant for DFID/Women for Health (W4H) among others. Prof. Yahaya is the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gusau and currently the Vice Chairman of Zamfara Strategy and Development Committee which was recently constituted by Governor Matawalle.

The nomination of Prof. Yahaya Zakari Abdullahi was out of careful selection, and the desire to contribute in designing a new roadmap for long-term economic growth and development through economic diversification and rapid revenue base expansion. Prof. Yahaya will also serve as the primary contact person for Zamfara State with the NCEP.

Ibrahim Bello Zauma

SSA New Media

31st October, 2019.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS: THE BLURRY LINES IN-BETWEEN

Social media platforms have gotten crazily rageous with arguments and counter-arguments on the position the Zamfara State government has taken to deal severely with people who scuttle its efforts to restore peace in the state through spreading of fake news. 

It isn't an exaggeration to assert that Zamfara has never seen a better pro-media administration than the one of Governor Bello Matawalle, the very reason which informed his decision to create New Media Office for the first time since the creation of Zamfara State. 

Voltaire once said: "Though I may disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it". This has been the position of His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle.

However, freedom of expression has its own limitations. There are unenchroachable areas as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) under article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which projects some exceptions as it states that, "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice".

The version of Article 19 in the ICCPR later amends this by stating that the exercise of these rights carries special duties and responsibilities and may therefore be subject to certain restrictions when necessary or respect of the rights or reputation of others "or the PROTECTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY or OF PUBLIC ORDER, or of PUBLIC HEALTH or Morals.

Freedom of speech and expression, therefore, may not be recognized as being absolute, and common limitations or boundaries to freedom of speech relate to libel, slander, obscenity, pornography, sedition, incitement, fighting words, classified information, copyright violation, trade secrets, food labelling, non-disclosure agreement, the right to privacy, PUBLIC SECURITY, and perjury."

Thus, the government has that responsibility to exert restrictions on the. freedom where the rights of other people are encroached as it relates to PUBLIC SECURITY, right to privacy etc. However, it is unfortunate how some of our youth think they have the right to spread fake news on security to drive their political agenda. 

Such restrictions only seek to protect loftier human rights as limitless freedom is a mirage everywhere in the world. I still remember how I used to feel tethered by my conscience when I tried to unearth my thoughts about the previous administration. Self-censorship should always be allowed to sift chaff from grain. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma

SSA New Media

7/10/2019

A DELEGATE OF MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR BELLO

A delegation of Doctors Without Borders (A medical NGO) led by Dr Simba Tirima paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle last Friday. 

During the visit, Dr Tirima congratulated the governor for his successful ascendancy to the gubernatorial position adding that with the leadership of His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle the problem  of lead poisoning associated with gold mining would be brought to an end owing to his relentless commitment in curtailing the menace of banditry in the state. Dr Tirima further explained the dangers associated with lead poisoning recounting the cases of lead poisoning, malaria and malnutrition they have received and treated from both within and outside Zamfara State. 

Responding to the guests, Governor Bello Matawalle expressed gratitude to the organisations for its  medical services to the communities in the state. He assured them of his government's continued support and commitment  to the organisation asserting that the government has that responsibility to support the organisations like Medicins Sans Frontieres by doing everything possible to make them render their selfless services without a hitch. 

He finally assured the organisation that he would visit their base in Anka and assess their working conditions for a possible intervention within the limits of the organisation's rules and ethics of service. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA New Media 

6/10/2019