Archive May 14, 2025

The governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has expressed regret that, despite the state’s abundant deposits of solid minerals, it is currently not generating any revenue from them.

However, he noted that the Federal Government’s lifting of the ban on solid minerals has given him the opportunity to engage with investors who can help develop the sector and boost the state’s revenue.

“I am happy now that the Federal Government has lifted the ban on solid minerals and if you follow the trend, just last month we had a meeting with some private sector that has investment in Zamfara State,” Governor Lawal said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

“That is exactly what we are doing now to try to bring the private sector to invest in the solid minerals aspect in collaboration with the state government as well as the Federal Government and if that works out well, it means additional revenue for Zamfara State as well as the Federal Government.

“But as we speak now, there is no single revenue as far as solid minerals are concerned that is coming to Zamfara State which is unfortunate.”

The governor is optimistic that once investments in solid minerals begin to yield results, Zamfara will no longer need to rely on allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to cover its expenses.

READ ALSO: Troops Kill Five Bandit Leaders In Zamfara, Recover Weapons

“And part of what I am doing now under my administration is to really look at this holistically and begin to put all the mechanisms in place and bring investors in Zamfara State that will be able to invest in solid minerals.

“By the time we do that I don’t think we will be relying on FAAC anymore, we will be more than comfortable so as to develop Zamfara State and move the state forward,” he said.

‘Security has improved’

Zamfara is one of the states that have been battling insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria over the years, but Governor Lawal said he has been able to improve security in the state in the last two years. 

He said that upon assuming office, he established Community Protection Guards in all the Local Government Areas, who have been working alongside conventional security agencies to combat banditry in the state.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC).

He also thanked him for appointing people of impeccable character to run the commission’s affairs for the stipulated time.

The Ooni, who is also the Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), commended the President on the nomination of Charles ‘Diji Akinola as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SWDC, describing it a visionary choice and a historic turning point for the region’ s developmental trajectory.

In a statement by the Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, on Wednesday, the monarch described Akinola as an outstanding technocrat with an impressive pedigree and passionate commitment to regional and national development.

“Ooni Ogunwusi equally commends the President on the excellent choice of Senator Olu Adetunmbi, a development expert, as the chairman and other members of the Board, including a distinguished Ife daughter, Princess Nike Omoworare, Bolaji Ariyo, Joseph Olugbenga, Olumuyiwa Olabimtan, Adewinle Martins, Ibrahim Olaifa, Kabiru Lakwaya, Abdul Adamu a retired general, Arinola Fagbemi, Ukoha Onyekwere, Howell Ihenacho, Olugbenga Olufehinti, Tele Ogunjobi, Funmilayo Tejuosho, Fatai Ibikunle and Lateef Ajijola saying all the appointees are round pegs for the round holes,” the state read.

While lauding the appointment of two illustrious citizens of Osun State: Charles Akindiji Akinola and Mrs. Nike Omoworare, to executive positions within the newly inaugurated commission, the Ooni described Akinola as a seasoned development expert with impressive public service experience as former chief of staff to the governor of Osun State.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Signs South-West, South-South Commission Bills Into Law

He, however, advised the MD to let his extensive experience in public-private partnerships, rural enterprise development, and international development cooperation positions speak for him to lead the Commission in addressing the infrastructural and socio-economic challenges of the South West region.

The Ooni emphasised that the appointments reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance and the upliftment of the South-West region.

He expressed confidence that the leadership of the SWDC would work diligently to fulfill its mandate of addressing infrastructural deficits, ecological challenges, security gaps and promoting sustainable development in the region.

The monarch further urged them to approach their new responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and a focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people of the South-West.

“Ooni Ogunwusi, the Permanent Chairman, Osun state Council of Obas and chiefs also calls upon all stakeholders, including traditional institutions, state governments, and civil society organisations, to support the SWDC in its mission to transform the South West into a hub of economic prosperity and cultural renaissance assuring the entire South Westerners that Dr Akinola and his team will approach their new responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and a focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people of the South West,” the statement added.

In March 2025, Tinubu assented to the South-West Development Commission Bill and the South-South Development Commission Bill.

The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, who made this known in a statement, noted that the legislation reflected Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.

On May 8, the President formally requested the Senate’s confirmation of appointees to lead the South West, North Central, and South South development commissions.

In a correspondence to the Senate, Tinubu nominated a total of 55 individuals across the three commissions.