FG honours Governor Lawal for inclusive governance, social protection delivery in Zamfara

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Governor Dauda Lawal was yesterday honoured with the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) Award of Excellence for inclusive governance and social protection delivery in Zamfara State.

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The governor received the award at the NASSCO stakeholder engagement with local government chairmen held in the Transcorp Congress Hall, Abuja.

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The National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), a federal government agency under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, implements social safety-net programs to protect and empower vulnerable populations.

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In his remarks at the stakeholder engagement, Governor Lawal commended the Federal Government of Nigeria, the World Bank, and other development partners for supporting ongoing reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection architecture.

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He said, “I must commend the expansion of the National Social Register and the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in service delivery.

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“This engagement is timely and strategic. In Nigeria, especially in conflict-affected states like Zamfara, social protection has shifted from welfare to a vital tool for governance, security, poverty reduction, and community resilience.

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“In Zamfara State, insecurity causes displacement, livelihood disruptions, food insecurity, and economic impacts, increasing vulnerability of women, children, the displaced, disabled, and rural communities.

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“Social protection interventions must be better coordinated, transparent, data-driven, and targeted to ensure resources reach those who need them most.

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“Distinguished participants, local governments are the closest government tier to the people. Their role in community engagement, grassroots mobilisation, data validation, identity support, and intervention monitoring is vital. The national social protection framework must work with Local Government leadership to implement it.

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“The integration of NIN with the National Social Register boosts credibility, reduces duplication, enhances transparency, and improves intervention efficiency. But technology alone won’t solve challenges without strong local governance, accountability, and stakeholder collaboration.

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“Zamfara State supports efforts to enhance coordination among Federal, State, and Local Government, and to strengthen collaboration with development partners and agencies involved in social protection.

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“I believe inclusive development should go beyond cash interventions to include livelihoods, skills, agriculture, healthcare, education, financial inclusion, and community resilience, helping vulnerable populations move from dependency to sustainable participation.”

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Presenting the award of excellence to Governor Lawal, Dr Funmi Olotu, the National Coordinator of NASSCO, stated that the recognition reflects his administration’s efforts and dedication to improving social protection and promoting inclusive governance.

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Lawal appoints ex-vice chancellor as commissioner

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Governor Dauda Lawal has nominated Professor Yahaya Zakari Abdullahi as Commissioner and member of the Zamfara State Executive Council.

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The nomination has been communicated to the Zamfara State House of Assembly by the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, for screening and confirmation.

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This is pursuant to Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

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At its 177th sitting held yesterday, the Zamfara State Assembly swiftly screened and confirmed the appointment.

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Prof. Zakari is a distinguished scholar and administrator with over two decades of experience in academia, policy formulation, and public service.

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He served in various leadership capacities within the tertiary education system, including as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara (ZAMSUT).

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2027 polls: Students vow to mobilise votes for Lawal

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Zamfara State students would mobilise for the re-election of Governor Dauda Lawal in the 2027 general elections as part of the endorsement of his Urban Renewal projects.

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This was announced by the Zamfara State Students Association (ZAMSSA) during the honouring of the pioneer Director-General of the Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA), Engr. Haruna Dikko Gusau.

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The students said they have resolved to massively campaign for Governor Lawal in the forthcoming elections due to his developmental strides across the state.

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They said the award represented the association’s resolve to deliver Governor Dauda Lawal in 2027.

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It said the award represented the association’s resolve to deliver Governor Dauda Lawal in 2027.

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The new president of ZAMSSA, Comrade Lawal Bashir Gusau, spoke at the event held at Kabiru Dan Baba Hall of the Federal College of Education, Technical in Gusau.

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They commended the governor’s strides in urban and rural infrastructure, including road networks, health, education, agriculture, and water, as well as teachers’ and students’ welfare and scholarships, among others.

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Zamfara First Lady lauds federal efforts on gender equity

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Zamfara State first lady, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, commended the Federal Government over its efforts to enhance the socio-economic status of women and foster gender equity.

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She highlighted the significance of the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally in establishing sustainable frameworks for women’s and children’s welfare.

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Mrs Lawal spoke at the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally 2026, held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Wednesday.

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The event was praised for aiming to position Nigerian women as key drivers of national development.

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The first lady emphasised that the collective efforts and “One Voice, One Movement” theme are crucial for advancing gender equity nationwide.

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Mrs Lawal commended the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, for her unrelenting efforts in championing the federal efforts.

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SSCE: We’re working to ensure students’ safety – Zamfara gov’t

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The Zamfara State government is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety of final year students writing their final year examinations in banditry-inflicted areas across the state.

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This was revealed by Hajiya Maryam Yahaya Shantali, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education in Zamfara State, in Gusau on Tuesday.

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She said preparations are underway to develop appropriate measures that will ease the process for students in the Dansadau area, taking into account the prevailing security challenges.

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The permanent secretary also confirmed that the ministry is working closely with WAEC officials to reach a practical and effective resolution, a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Bashir Abashiya, said.

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Mrs Shantali was speaking when she received the Sarkin Kudun Dansadau, Alhaji Garba Mohammed Sarkin Kudu, on a courtesy visit to the ministry.

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The monarch’s visit was to discuss the directive issued by Governor Dauda Lawal regarding the possibility of suspending the movement of students from communities within the Dansadau emirate to Gusau for the 2026 WAEC and NECO examinations.

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