From Maiharaji Altine Gusau
The participants of senior Executive Intelligence Management course 14 of the National institute of security studies, Abuja have lauded the peace initiative of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle in Zamfara state, describing the Governor as a bridge builder between all and sundry.
This was contained In a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Governor of Zamfara state, Malam Jamilu Ilyasu Birnin Magaji and made available to newsmen in Gusau.
The Press secretary said, the Team leader of the visiting participants who is the Deputy Commandant and Director of studies, D. E. Egbeji disclosed this yesterday when they paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House Gusau as part of their study tour in the state.
He noted with satisfaction the way and manner the Governor adopted the peace initiative which is aimed at restoring peace and tranquility in the state.
The Team leader said they were in Zamfara state to undertake a one week study visit in order to examine the security situation in the state, and at the end of their study they will come up with recommendations on how best to improve security situation in the state .
Responding, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle thanked the participants for choosing Zamfara state as the venue of their study tour, and congratulated them for having the spectacular opportunity to be enrolled for the executive intelligence management course in this premier institution which is wholly committed to strategically managing the complex and multidimensional security challenges confronting the nation and the whole of sub-saharan Africa.
The Shettiman Sokoto recalled that in September 2020, he was at the institute to present a paper titled “National security and sustainable development: Zamfara state experience, where he shared along with the participants of course 13 the experience of Zamfara state in handling the challenges of banditry and related crimes that have lingered on for close to a decade.
The Governor noted that the theme of the study revolves round the question of the relationship between Governance, security and sustainable development in Africa, and expressed optimism that the three issues are interconnected specifically nowadays.
He added that the theme was timely as it would compel his administration to examine issues around Governance, with the objective of learning from other societies’ experience.
Governor Bello Matawalle informed the participants that as part of his Administration’s efforts to address the issue of security and other development challenges confronting the state, the state Government has taken quite a number of steps in order to restore peace and tranquility in all parts of the state.
He said in combating banditry his Administration initiated a dialogue and reconciliation programme, a non-kinectic strategy, and has used kinetic strategy to deal with recalcitrant bandits, pointing out that the initiative is yielding fruitfull results.
The Governor also assured the participants that his administration will remain resolutely focused on issues of security and sustainable development.
The participants comprised of all security agencies across the country and other African countries.
The visit was attended by the state Deputy Governor Barrister Mahadi Aliyu Muhammed Gusau, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, two former Deputy Governors Malam Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammed, and Alhaji muktar Ahmed Anka, former and serving speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Bature Umar Sambo, Rt Hon Nasiru Muazu Magarya, Secretary to the state Government, Head of service, Deputy Chief of staff, Commissioners and very senior Government officials among others.
