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Tag: Bello Matawalle

  • NSCI hails Musa, Matawalle over capture of notorious bandit leader, Bako Wurgi

    NSCI hails Musa, Matawalle over capture of notorious bandit leader, Bako Wurgi

    Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative (NSCI) has commended the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for their strategic collaboration, which led to the arrest of notorious bandit kingpin and arms dealer, Bako Wurgi.

    In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Convener, Yerima Shettima, the group described the capture of Wurgi as a breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism, particularly in the North West region.

    NSCI noted that the successful operation reflects the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led and coordinated security efforts under the current defence leadership, stressing that the development has renewed public confidence in the capacity of the armed forces to restore peace and stability

    According to the statement, General Musa’s leadership has strengthened military operations through improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, and community engagement, which have collectively weakened criminal networks operating across affected states.

    The group also acknowledged the role of Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, noting that his approach to security goes beyond military action to include socio-economic interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of banditry.

    “Matawalle’s emphasis on dialogue, alternative livelihoods, and community inclusion has complemented kinetic operations, helping to reduce local support for criminal elements,” the statement said.

    NSCI described Bako Wurgi as a central figure in the banditry ecosystem, whose arrest is expected to disrupt arms supply chains and criminal coordination in the region.

    The group further noted that Wurgi’s reported links to other notorious bandit leaders underscore the importance of sustained pressure on criminal networks.

    The organisation called on the federal and state governments to continue providing adequate support, logistics, and intelligence to security agencies to consolidate recent gains. It also urged citizens to cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious activities.

    While celebrating the success, NSCI cautioned that the fight against insecurity remains ongoing, stressing the need for long-term strategies focused on education, economic empowerment, and social cohesion to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable youths into criminal groups.

    “The capture of Bako Wurgi is a significant milestone, but it must be followed by sustained action and development-driven policies to achieve lasting peace,” the statement added.

    NSCI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government efforts aimed at ending banditry and terrorism, expressing optimism that continued collaboration among security agencies, political leaders, and communities would lead Nigeria towards greater peace and stability.

  • ‘Tinubu committed to Naval fleet recapitalisation’

    ‘Tinubu committed to Naval fleet recapitalisation’

    Navy trains 13,500 forest guards

    The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to boosting the capabilities of the Nigerian Navy for effective maritime security.

    Matawalle spoke in Lagos at the ceremonial sunset and dinner organised by the Navy to mark the end of the year.

    Praising the service for the reduction in maritime crimes, the minister, who is the Supervising Minister for the Navy, assured the nation that operational challenges, especially fleet recapitalisation, surveillance assets, and logistics, would be surmounted.

    He said the President remained committed to strengthening maritime security and sustaining the gains made in curbing the menaces within the country’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea, thereby promoting blue economy prosperity.

    Matawalle also assured families of naval personnel who died in active service of continued institutional support.

    The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the NN’s Special Boat Service (SBS) trained over 6,500 forest guards in January, with 7,000 currently undergoing training.

    Abbas stated that the Navy achieved operational gains this year, particularly in maritime security, anti-smuggling, anti-human trafficking, and the suppression of crude oil theft.

    The CNS said Operation Delta Sanity II led to the arrest of vessels and suspects involved in oil theft.

    According to him, the Navy also handed over seized items to relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), while participating in joint security operations nationwide.

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    He said deployments would be made in the first quarter of 2026 for the Special Operations Command and the Nigerian Navy Marines both established in April.

    Commenting on fleet development, Abbas said the Navy received an AW109 helicopter, 18 unmanned aerial vehicles and five fast patrol boats, while two 43-metre sea lift defence boats were under construction and due for completion by mid-2026.

    The CNS said the service also recorded improvements in infrastructure, training and welfare across its commands.

    He noted the Navy’s participation in regional and international exercises, including Obangame Express, and the Grand African NEMO exercise, which contributed to Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council after a 14-year absence.

    Abbas acknowledged the existence of some challenges, particularly in equipment, but expressed optimism that sustained government support would address them.

  • Kebbi: Security experts optimistic Matawalle would rescue kidnapped girls

    A group of security analysts and experts, under the umbrella of Keep Nigeria Safe Initiative (KNSI), has expressed great confidence in the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle’s ability to rescue the victims of the recent kidnap in Kebbi State.

    A statement by the group on Friday hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for swiftly ordering Matawalle to relocate to Kebbi State immediately until the school girls were rescued.

    A group of gunmen on Monday, November 17, 2025, invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, abducting 24 students after killing a Staff.

    Subsequently, the President, through a statement by his Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday, requested the Minister of State for Defence, to relocate to Kebbi State on Friday, to monitor the efforts of the military and other security agencies until the school girls are rescued safely.

    Reacting to this development (KNSI), in a statement by the National Convener, Comrade Isaac Onoje, said the mandate given to Matawalle was well thought out and to the best interest of the nation.

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    “For the President to have asked the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi with the aim to use his expertise to rescue the abducted school girls, shows clearly that the President is truly in charge as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, and he as well, knows the right buttons to press to get results, based on antecedents of every of his appointees, be it civilians or uniform personnel”, the group said.

    The security experts recalled several events in Zamfara when Dr. Matawalle was holding sway as Governor and how he managed all the situations by rescuing thousands of kidnapped victims at different times, without paying ransom.

    KNSI posited the expertise of Matawalle in handling mass kidnapping and other security measures in curtailing the surge of the bandits, greatly helped in reducing insecurity and terrorism under his regime as Governor of Zamfara State.

    “We are happy that the President acknowledged the bravery of Matawalle in 2021, when he managed the rescue of  about 300 female students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara State, four days after they were kidnapped by armed bandits. The bandits released all the hostages to Governor Matawalle safely without paying any ransom.

    “It’s also on note that, as Governor of Zamfara State, Matawalle facilitated the unconditional rescue of another 11 kidnap victims in November 2020, without paying ransom.

    “The victims, ten males and one female, were released through the carrot-and- stick initiative of his administration, using non-kinetic approach and security expertise to achieve it.

    “It is on record as captured by Daily Trust Newspaper of 2nd April, 2021, that Matawalle rescued over 2000 kidnapped victims in his first 2 years as Governor of Zamfara State, with many other achievable rescue missions under his tenure, up until May 2023. 

    “With such recognizable breakthroughs in dealing with bandits and the successes he has recorded so far in crushing terrorists across North West and other areas since becoming Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle no doubt, has our confidence and support”, the group added, saying, it would continue to collaborate with the Minister and the security agencies in the fight against insurgencies and terrorism in Nigeria.

    The group, however, called on the Federal Government, to as a matter of urgent national security, revert to the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) that was operational in Nigeria in 2014, under President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    The SSI which was launched in May 2014, one month after over 200 school girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, was a Federal Government program, with support from Development Partners; to safeguard the students and teachers in high targets areas.

    The group said, under such initiative, “some students were relocated from Borno, Yobe and other states, to the nearby states considered safe for them. The program was also used to generate funds for perimeter fencing and installation of security gadgets for the safety of school community”.

  • Schoolgirls’ abduction: Tinubu orders Matawalle’s relocation to Kebbi

    • President has sent over 900 troops to Kwara, says AbdulRazaq
    • APC governors visit Kebbi, pledge support for rescue of abducted schoolgirls
    • NOA, NILDS, Lai Mohammed condemn pupils’ abduction, attack on Kwara worshippers

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate security operations aimed at rescuing the 24 schoolgirls abducted earlier in the week.

    The schoolgirls were kidnapped at about 4 a.m. on Monday from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, a community in the Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

    Matawalle, a former governor of neighbouring Zamfara State, is expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi today and remain in the state to monitor rescue efforts and provide direct updates to President Tinubu.

    According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Matwalle’s deployment aligns with his experience managing banditry and mass kidnapping incidents during his tenure as governor between 2019 and 2023.

    One of the most notorious attacks under Matawalle’s watch as governor occurred on February 26, 2021, when 279 female students were abducted from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe.

    All victims were released on March 2, 2021.

    President Tinubu had earlier postponed his planned trip to Johannesburg for the G20 Summit and to Luanda for the AU-EU Summit.

    He stayed back in the country to receive further security briefings on the Kebbi abductions and Tuesday’s violent attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.

    The President, according to a previous statement, is deeply concerned by the resurgence of criminal attacks targeting schools and religious institutions and has ordered heightened security operations across vulnerable communities.

    Also, Kwara State Governor Abdulraman AbdulRazaq has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent over 900 troops to the state.

    The President’s action comes on the heels of bandits’ attacks on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor said this in Ilorin, the state capital, during a combined meeting with members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and residents of Eruku community.

    AbdulRazaq said: “Our government has put in place different security arrangements to put schools and places of worship in the Southern part under elevated surveillance for maximum safety.

    “There is also a strong mobilisation of members of the Nigerian Army into Eruku. With the intervention of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over 900 additional troops have been sent to Kwara State.

    “During the visit in Ilorin, I reassured my guests that our government will not leave any stone unturned to return total calm in Eruku. I also hailed the leadership of CAN for their response to the attack and their prayers.

    “On the Eruku road, it is an important national infrastructure. Very soon, the contractor will start fixing it. We will also continue to advocate to the Federal Government to dualise the Ilorin-Kaba road because of its strategic economic important to the North Central region.

    “Today, I hosted a combined delegation of Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on a courtesy visit to Ahmadu Bello House, following the recent unconscionable attack on the community, especially members of the Christ Apostolic Church.”

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    “Yesterday, I led a delegation that included the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and officials of our government to Eruku to condole with the people of the community on the unfortunate incident.

    “I’m equally saddened at the report of an attack on rice farmers in Bokungi area of Edu Local Government Area. I wholly condemn these attacks. May God repose the souls of our compatriots that died in the incidents. I also pray that their families find the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “In Eruku, I addressed the community at the palace of the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, and again right inside the church where the attack happened.”

    Also, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) yesterday condemned the recent abduction of 25 students of the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, and the violent attacks and abduction of Christian worshippers in Eruku town of Kwara State.

    In a statement by the agency’s Deputy Director of Communication & Media, Mr. Paul Odenyi, the NOA said the dastardly act undermines national efforts to promote access to education, particularly for the girl-child.

    Also, the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has called for a total re-engineering of the nation’s security architecture to enhance intelligence gathering, improve logistics, and strengthen collaboration with non-state security actors to confront the menace more effectively.

    In a personal statement, the NILDS boss stressed the need for decisive and strategic actions to curb banditry and kidnapping across the country.

    He condemned the recent bandits’ attack on Christian worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing it as “one attack too many”.

    Also, a former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Lai Mohammed, yesterday condemned the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    In a statement, Mohammed said: “It is with deep sorrow that I received the heartbreaking news of the brutal attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State – an attack that claimed precious lives and left an entire community shaken to its core.

    “This gruesome assault on innocent worshippers is not only a tragedy for the bereaved families but a painful wound on the entire country. I am devastated by this senseless loss of life. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have been thrown into mourning, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to them in this moment of immeasurable grief.”

    Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to temporarily relocate the seat of power to Kebbi State and other theatre of conflict in the country.

    The party’s newly elected National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said this in a statement in Abuja.

    The PDP noted that if the Presidency could take such an action, it would encourage the security forces to do more in curbing the rising wave of insecurity in the country.

    The statement said: “As President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not recline in the comfort of the Presidential Villa at a time when 25 schoolgirls have been abducted and their whereabouts remain unknown. He must demonstrate leadership by leading from the front, as true leaders do in moments of grave national challenge…”

  • Matawalle: what Nigeria needs from US to end terrorism

    Matawalle: what Nigeria needs from US to end terrorism

    Nigeria needs robust support from the United States in intelligence sharing, counterterrorism efforts, and the enhancement of military capabilities to address evolving security challenges.

    Defence Minister (State) Bello Matawalle said this when he hosted Director for Strategy, Engagement and Programs, US Africa Command (AFRICOM), Major General Garrick Harmon, at the Ship House, Abuja, yesterday.

    Maj.-Gen. Harmon was in Abuja as part of his familiarisation visit to Nigeria in his current capacity.

    A statement from the Ministry of Defence stated that Matawalle underscored the significance of strengthening bilateral defence relations between Nigeria and the US.

    He said Nigeria is dedicated to promoting regional peace and security; however, we cannot achieve this alone.

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    “We require more robust support from the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing and capacity building, to effectively combat terrorism, insurgency, and transnational threats,” he was quoted as saying.

    According to the statement, Maj.- Gen Harmon expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts in enhancing security and stability across West Africa.

    He noted that despite the brief duration of his visit, the engagements in Nigeria have been highly productive and highlight the strength of the existing partnership between the two nations.

    Both parties acknowledged their shared interests and agreed on the necessity for deeper collaboration in addressing the security challenges facing the region.

  • Group lauds minister’s support in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara

    Group lauds minister’s support in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara

    A group of Muslims professionals has lauded the support of the Minister of State for Defense, Mr Bello Matawalle, for supporting the less privileged persons in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

    Leader of the group, Prof. Mika’il Jibrin, made the commendation in an interview with reporters yesterday in Sokoto.

    Jibrin said the N500 million along with food items distributed by Matawalle as Ramadan palliatives had become a source of succor to citizens and urged wealthy Individuals to emulate the gesture.

    According to him, the gesture will surely cushion the hardship being faced by majority of people in Zamfara and other neighboring states of Northwest.

    He said the minister’s gesture had reached people across the 14 Local Government Areas of the state, thereby cushioning economic hardship during Ramadan fasting period.

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    Jibrin said the group members had commenced inspection tour of sharing modalities to ensure that the foodstuff and cash reach the targeted centres serving vulnerable people under ‘Ramadan Free Meals Initiative’ in Zamfara and Sokoto states.

    While describing the gesture as high magnitude of charity, Jibrin said it had tremendously benefitted low income families, orphans, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and orphanage homes in many places across Zamfara and other states.

    The group urged the beneficiaries to appreciate the gesture through prayers for the nation’s unity, peace and success in the fight against security challenges bedeviling the country.

  • Matawalle calls for probe into Canada visa denial to CDS, others

    Matawalle calls for probe into Canada visa denial to CDS, others

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle has called for a probe into the incident surrounding the denial of Canada visa to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa and some top military brass.

    Matawalle also urged the Federal Government to assert the nation’s position on the global stage.

    The delegation was billed for an event where Nigerian veterans were to be honored in Canada.

    Matawalle expressed disappointment with the treatment of the Nigerian delegation, emphasising that such actions jeopardise the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Canada.

    A statement by Iyogun Sunday on behalf of Director of Information and Public Relations, said: “This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight, it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity.

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    ‘’We cannot allow our country to be treated with such disregard and levity on the international stage,” he stated.   He called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the reasons behind this visa denial, asserting that Nigeria must respond decisively to uphold its reputation as a key player in global affairs.

    “We must not remain passive in the face of such disrespect. It is imperative that the Nigerian government takes a firm diplomatic stance. If no satisfactory explanation is provided, we must be prepared to respond appropriately and assertively,” Matawalle declared. 

    The denial of visa raises significant concerns regarding Canada’s treatment of Nigerian military officials and the overall state of diplomatic relations between the two nations.’’

    While the specific reasons for the visa refusals remain unclear, this incident underscores the persistent bureaucratic and political challenges that Nigerian officials encounter in international engagements

    He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining its dignity and respect in the international arena, urging all stakeholders to work collectively to ensure that such incidents do not recur.  

  • We expect more active Guards Brigade next year, says Matawalle

    We expect more active Guards Brigade next year, says Matawalle

    • Yari predicts reduced insecurity in Zamfara by next year

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has said the Federal Government expects the Guards Brigade to be more active in 2025.

    Matawalle said this while addressing reporters at the Elite Guards’ West Africa Social Activities (WASA) 2024 at the weekend in Abuja.

    The minister urged the troops of the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army to be more active in their responsibilities of securing the seat of power and the president in the coming year.

    He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ensured that the government provided the needs of the Armed Forces so that the military could carry out its responsibilities well.

    Matawalle stressed that this would be done in fighting terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminalities in the country.

    “The Brigade Commander is well known and he is up to his responsibility. We are secured here in Abuja and the neighbouring states.

    “So, the Guards Brigade is doing wonderfully well because we don’t have any incidents in Abuja. They are doing all it takes to secure the seat of power.

    “So, we expect more active Guards Brigade in the coming year,” he said.

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    Also, a former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has said the insecurity plaguing the state and other parts of the northwestern will be reduced to the barest minimum by October, next year.

    Yari said this while addressing reporters at his country home in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of the state.

    The senator highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle the menace, emphasising the deployment of additional security personnel to combat terrorists in the region, particularly in Zamfara State.

    “Recently, the military ordered some equipment and deployed them in the Northwest, not for anything but because the Northwest is becoming the territory of criminalities and banditry. But I assure you that before the end of October next year, it will be reduced to the barest minimum.

    “Why I said that is because the President, in his budget, the first of its kind in the history of the country, even during the military, they did not budget the huge amount for security. But this time, he allocated most of the budget to security which, by God’s grace, is going to be utilised judiciously so that the issue of insecurity will be a matter of the past,” he said.

    Yari assured Zamfara residents that by the next rainy season, most farmers would be able to return to their farmlands without fear of attack.

  • Stop attacks on Matawalle, APC youths tell Lawal

    Stop attacks on Matawalle, APC youths tell Lawal

    Zamfara All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth League has cautioned Governor Dauda Lawal and his agents to stop forthwith the unwarranted attacks on Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle.

    The group advised the Governor to concentrate on governance and stop character assassination of the immediate past Governor whose success stories, the Governor is benefiting now.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, the coordinator of the League, 

    Ubaidullah Yahaya Kaura lamented that instead of attending to the needs of the people of the state and build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, the governor has engaged in needless and unsubstantiated accusations and attacks on Matawalle.

    The youth leader noted that evidences of neglect and decay abound in the state since Lawal assumed office, alleging that the North West state since 2023 has “faced a troubling decline—sinking deeper into poverty, insecurity and underdevelopment.”

    Lamenting the deplorable situation in the state, Kaura alleged that health statistics revealed an alarming rise in mortality rate due to disease and poor maternal healthcare, with no substantial investment in education or infrastructure.

    According to the League: “There is growing unemployment at record levels. Our farms, which once used to thrive, are now lying abandoned, and the record harvests achieved in the last five years have become a thing of the past. 

    “Due to welfare concerns, staff in the healthcare sector in Zamfara State are threatening to go on strike.”

    On security, the group alleged Governor Lawal has dismantled much of the progress his predecessor made. 

    “Under Dr. Matawalle’s administration, security was tackled effectively with a balanced approach that combined both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. It is on record that for nine consecutive months, there were no reported terrorist or bandit attacks in the State—this is a testament to his strategic collaboration with stakeholders and innovative strategies.

    “It is regrettable, that under the current administration, insecurity has surged due to the Governor’s neglect of residents’ welfare and his unwillingness to apply effective security measures like his predecessor did,” it added. 

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    Dismissing allegation of sponsoring terrorism levied against the Minister, the group maintained that both the Presidency and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu have exonerated the former Zamfara governor of any complexity.

    “The Presidency through Bayo Onanuga, a Special Adviser to the President on a national television dismissed the allegation. The National Security Adviser (NSA) too also punctured the allegation for lack of merit. The retention of Dr. Matawalle in the cabinet is a prove of his innocence, because series of investigations were carried out and government did not found him involved.

    “The allegation is nothing but fake and unfounded,” Kaura insisted.

    Describing as laughable Gov. Lawal’s allegation that Matawalle did nothing in the state, Kaura noted: “As Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Matawalle built a modern and dignified Government House, not only for use of the Governor but with additional guest houses for state visitors, saving the government millions in hotel expenses. Matawalle’s commitment extended beyond the Government House: he also renovated the State House of Assembly, equipping it with state-of-the-art facilities.

    “If there is anything laughable about Dauda Lawal, it is the fact that he sits comfortably in the same palatial Government house built by Matawalle while shamelessly criticising Matawalle for doing nothing as Governor. In fact, Governor Dauda Lawal is a living irony. He is a man who lives off the achievements of his predecessor but still claims that this predecessor did nothing.”

    The group advised Gov. Lawal “to emulate the successes of his predecessor and continue to build more schools, employ more teachers, doctors and furnish these infrastructures with the needed equipment to ensure that they work to serve the people of Zamfara State. 

    “Dauda Lawal must remember that his job is not to complain but to build on the successes of what has already been laid before him. 

    “One significant achievement of the former Governor that we encourage Dauda Lawal to emulate is the institutionalization and driving of Social Investment Programmes in the State. Dr. Bello Matawalle was the first Governor of Zamfara State to establish a Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in the State.

    “This Ministry was highly instrumental in carrying out interventions across the state, ensuring that the poor and vulnerable did not suffer whenever the state faced any form of crisis. Under this Ministry, the Governor Matawalle also established the Zamfara State Social Investment Programme that had tens of thousands of beneficiaries across the State. These social investment programmes helped to create jobs among youths and women providing them with capital to start small businesses.”

  • Banditry: Fed Govt clears, restates confidence in Matawalle

    Banditry: Fed Govt clears, restates confidence in Matawalle

    The Federal Government has cleared the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over alleged complicity in banditry in Zamfara State.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, conveyed the government’s confidence vote in the minister while speaking on Arise Television at the weekend.

    The presidential spokesman said the allegations against the minister were thoroughly investigated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and found to be baseless and politically-motivated.

    He said: “As far as I know, most of those things are just mere allegations.

    “In one of them, I got something like that and sent it to the NSA and asked: ‘Have you heard about this?’ The NSA said: ‘No. We have probed a lot of those things; they are not true’.”

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    Onanuga also shed light on the reason President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reshuffled his Cabinet, saying public perception played a crucial role in the President’s action.

    “People are just bringing out all kinds of fake things and allegations. That is why the man (Matawalle) is still in the cabinet. The President, I’m sure, has heard many stories about him.

    “For him to be there shows that, as I have said, some of those things have been probed. They are not true,” he said.

    The presidential spokesman applauded Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala-Usman, for implementing a system that allowed Nigerians to assess the ministers’ performances.

    “It wasn’t done arbitrarily. Hadiza Bala-Usman brought in technology, asking Nigerians to rate the ministers.

    “So, the removal of these ministers was based on empirical facts and shaped by the public’s perception. The scorecards were filled out by the people, and the President acted on those results,” he said.

    Onanuga stressed that the cabinat reshuffle was not solely about meeting the President’s expectations but also addressing the concerns of the public.

    “A few weeks ago, during a cabinet meeting, the President urged the ministers to inform Nigerians of their accomplishments, because, according to him, there was a public perception that the government wasn’t performing,” he said.