Alhaji (Dr.) Bello Muhammad MATAWALLE
He is the incumbent Governor of Zamfara State, Nigeria, having contested and won unanimously on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP,) two years ago at the tribunal, and still running creditably well as a servant of the people. His impressive profile thus comes into reckoning to further cushion his mounting and well-projected antecedents in public and private life.
Bello Matawalle was born on February 12, 1969, in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara state. Young Bello Matawalle attended Maradun Township Primary School, and finished in 1979. After his secondary education in his native Zamfara township of Maradun, he proceeded to Lagos to attend the famous Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, and later went to Hames Valley University, London. Upon graduation, he returned to Nigeria, and started work immediately as a teacher at Government Girls College Moriki and Kwatarkoshi, before joining the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. Matawalle’s first shot at participatory politics was in 1998, when he ran for a House of Assembly seat and won convincingly, shortly after he left the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja, on the platform of the now defunct United Nigeria Congress Party, (UNCP,) which then consisted of seasoned politicians such as Ambassador Isa Aliyu Mohammed Argungu, (Sarkin Yakin Kabbi,) a former Minister of Water Resources and National Chairman of the party, Mallam Ibrahim Gusau, former Protem National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Attahiru Bafarawa, Adamu Aliero, Suleiman Takuma Ibrahim Kura Mohammed, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki and Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya; but after the death of General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s former military Head of State and dictator, on June 8, 1998, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, his successor, dissolved the political parties and announced that elections would hold in 1999. Between 1999 and 2003, Matawalle served as Zamfara State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Commissioner for Environment, Rural Development and then Commissioner for Youth and Sports Matawalle was to be elected into the Federal House of Representatives by his constituents of Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency, in May, 2003, on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP.) He was re-elected in 2007 still on the platform of the same ANPP, only to defect to then ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, on which platform he was re-elected for a third term in 2011.
It is on record that Matawalle polled massive 189,452 votes in the March polls, as against the 534,541 votes for Muktar Idris, the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate. Muktar Idris was at first, issued the certificate of return; however, the court of appeal in Sokoto ordered that INEC should withdraw the certificate. The Supreme Court later pronounced that the votes cast for the APC in the election as being wasted, null and void, and so ordered that the candidate with the second highest number of votes, Bello Matawalle, to be sworn in immediately, and is now running his first term, two years into office. This was because the APC failed to conduct a credible primary election for all its candidates in the whole of Zamfara State. Instructively, on June 1, 2021, Matawalle dissolved his Executive Council, reportedly in preparation for a party switch to the APC, set to happen tentatively around June 12, 2021. Matawalle, however, denied that the cabinet dissolution was connected to a party switch and claimed to have not made a decision on changing parties nor set any date for the purported change of ship. His plans in this regard are however left within the imagination of those peddling the ugly rumour. Two years running, Matawalle is still going strong with many notable projects and laudable achievements in his trail. He is indeed a man of the people, married and blessed with many children.
His Excellency, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle:
Repositioning Zamfara State Through All-inclusive
Governance And Infrastructural Development
EDUCATION
When, two years ago, His Excellency, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle unanimously, against all odds and intense opposition, emerged the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, the state was on the brink of socio-economic collapse. Prior to May 29th, 2019, the good citizens of Zamfara state, were marooned between the devil and the deep blue sea: this was literally symbolized by the pillaging administration of the time and the rampaging bandits unleashing terror on another end.
Zamfara was hitherto synonymous with sanctioned state looting, banditry, endemic poverty, hunger, disease, palpable social discontent and all-round retrogression. The state then boasted of the highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the whole gamut of Sub-Saharan Africa, an incontestable position which surreptitiously put down the ladder of human development index, and other accompaniments of failed leadership. But when His Excellency Dr. Matawalle heeded the divine call of Almighty Allah and the good people of Zamfara state across all divides, he immediately hit the ground running. Within one year, and now two years in the driver’s seat, the gloomy trends have been supplanted by a new era of peace, progress and prosperity for all, both indigenes and non-indigenes alike. Today, Zamfara is earning, and still receiving accolades as a global model for good governance and accountability. To the uninitiated, Governor Bello Matawalle’s achievements have continued to stun critics and cynics, restoring hope and reassurance to a fragmented populace, without let or hindrance, and setting Zamfara state on the pedestal of socio-economic recovery and growth. It is therefore noteworthy to highlight some key achievements of the Governor Matawalle Administration in just two years ditto:
EDUCATION
No society advances above the educational level of its citizens. Hence, in its 2020 Budget, the Government allotted 19% to Education, the highest provision in the state’s history. From this, N7 billion was earmarked for renovation of science schools and training of science teachers. The provision also covers renovation of five secondary schools, with all public primary schools earmarked for remodeling. Furthermore, the Governor approved the promotion of 6,709 primary school teachers who had 5 to 7 years backlog of promotions, and their salary arrears cleared in September 2019. In addition, 556 teachers neglected by the previous administration, were reinstated, and over 200 students granted educational scholarships to study abroad. To complement Government’s efforts, the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bello Matawalle, placed over 41 orphans on academic scholarships. Moreover, Governor Matawalle awarded contracts for the construction of 613 primary school classrooms, while equipping them with 14,810 desks and chairs; 962 desks for staff and modern ICT centres. A whopping N4.5 billion was initially earmarked for the execution of these masses-friendly projects. Governor Matawalle further visited TETFund, where he secured a One Billion Naira Intervention Fund for the Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara and the enlistment and formal accreditation of Zamfara State University by the National University Commission, NUC.
1. Governor Bello Matawalle approved the promotion of 6709 primary school teachers who have 5 to 7 years unsettled backlogs of promotion and these have settled in September 2019.
2. Governor Bello Matawalle awarded contracts for the construction of 613 primary school classrooms across the state and the renovation of 342 others and equiping them with 14810 desks and chairs, 962 desks for staff and modern ICT centers. The sum of 4.5 billion has been earmarked for the project.
3. Procurement of 2000 mattresses for GGUSS Kotorkoshi and fencing and renovation of the school.
4. Governor Bello Matawalle reinstates 556 teachers employed and dumped by the previous administration.
5. Complementing Governor Bello Matawalle’s effort in education, the First Lady sponsored the scholarship of 41 orphans.
6. Sponsoring foreign Scholarship for 200 students for undergraduate studies in Engineering, Medical Courses etc in India, Cyprus, Sudan etc.
7. Kick-started UBE pilot scheme for the construction of International Standard Primary School in Maradun.
HEALTH
Health, they say, is wealth. The leadership of Governor Matawalle accorded priority attention to revitalizing the once moribund health sector in the state. 17 well-equipped ambulances were immediately procured and distributed to General Hospitals across Zamfara, and more are still coming. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Zamfara State Government promptly constructed and equipped the Damba Infectious Disease Center; purchased hundreds of tricycle ambulances for distribution to health centers and procured ventilators, patient monitors and COVID-19 Zero-Contact Booths Testing equipments. Hence, Zamfara successfully discharged all its cases of COVID-19. Contracts were also awarded for the completion of Shinkafi Orthopaedic Hospital and construction of 147 Primary Health Centers in the respective Local Government Wards, along with procurement of beds for all the facilities. The construction of Kagara Hospital has since been completed. To boost life expectancy in Zamfara, Governor Matawalle kick-started the establishment of ultramodern Women and Children Hospitals across the 14 Local Governments of Zamfara, at a free cost for pregnant mothers and children under five. Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, now wears a new and serene look, much to the amazement and wonderment of his traducers, especially those in the opposition camp.
Governor Bello Matawalle come on board to meet a very devastated health sector. Hospitals have been terribly understaffed with no health equipment or ambulances
The Matawal lay led administration procured brand new ambulances for all secondary health in the state.
2. Procurement of rural Tricycle Ambulances
3. Renovation of Kagara hospital
4. Procurement of ventilators, test kits, patient monitors and other life-saving gadgets for Covid19 and zero contact booth testing equipments.
5. Construction of Damba Infectious Disease Hospital
6. Award of contracts for the construction of 147 primary health centres in each wards and procurement of beds for all the facilities.
The state government also revived the contract for the completion of Shinkafi Referral Hospital at a new agreed cost of 2.7 billion Naira of which 500 million Naira was remitted for the start up last year.
8. Governor Bello Matawalle empowered the Zamfara State Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency with necessary inputs to produce drugs.
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS
Governor Matawalle maintains an eagle eye for investment opportunities. Upon creating a viable environment for investments by enhancing security, practicing an open-door approach and provision of robust infrastructure; many countries, NGOs and Development Partners now offer to contribute in developing entrepreneurial skills for youth empowerment.
Governor Matawalle is also showcasing Zamfara’s Investment potentials on the global horizon; from the 2019 UN General Assembly in the United States, to the Russia-Africa Economic Summit; and China from 23rd to 24th December 2019, to promote Zamfara State’s potentials in mining, agriculture and industrialization. In Beijing, China, the people’s Governor wooed investors for a win-win partnership in solid minerals development, stressing that 50% of the 34 commercial minerals listed in Nigeria, are found in Zamfara state, including gold, zinc, columbite, silver, gypsum, limestone, copper, tantalite and barite. The governor also promised added incentives for prospective investors. Back home, Governor Matawalle laid the foundation for a N9 billion 3-Star Hotel, under a Public Private Partnership agreement. This will create more employment opportunities; as several national and international programs and other VIP occasions could be hosted in the state. To spur industrialization, the Zamfara State Government signed a MoU with African Export-Import Bank in October, 2019. Governor Matawalle also secured a One Billion US Dollar investment input to facilitate trade and industry; through revival of cotton production, animal husbandry, beef processing and exploring opportunities in minerals and water resources. Indeed, a new Zamfara State is being built, and efforts are not being reneged on by the Governor. With the successes recorded so far, we can boldly say that Zamfara is lighting the pathway in the journey of people-driven leadership, geared towards engendering a greater Nigeria.
SECURITY
Governor Bello Matawalle having come on board as the legitimate governor of Zamfara State met a very terrible security situation. Without any waste of time, he has since been confronting the menace with great valour using his versatile experience as former Chairman House Committee on Security and Intelligence for four good years. He started with hectic days of meetings with key stakeholders, different security outfits, from the National Police Headquarters, Abuja, meeting with the IG of police, meeting with the President Muhammad Buhari and the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, meeting with the Ex Minister of Defense, traditional leaders, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) leaders and C J T F and other key stakeholders. With every consultation, a fact stands out that the crisis has taken ethnic dimensions most especially after the creation of predominantly Hausa ‘Yan Sa-Kai vigilante groups by the former governor.
The vigilante groups only made the situation worse by taking laws into their hands through extra judicial killing of the Fulani in market places. This only aggravated the already volatile situations breeding more inter-tribal enmity.
Moreover, it is obvious that the rural areas and nomadic settlements have been relegated educationally and economically and this situation creates an avenue for high rate of crimes. This informs the government’s decision to provide schools, clinics and earth dams for them. This is how the idea of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) comes up as one of the solutions.
It is worth taking into cognizance that by the use of force through non-professional means only led to creation of many criminals of necessity in situations where innocent people were killed and their relatives join the bandit)syndicate to engage in reprisal attacks against another settlements.
Thus, conflict resolution techniques which involves truce comes into effect with the government first ordering the ‘Yan Sa-Kai local militia to release Fulani captives in their hands and that actually paved way for negotiation which led to the release of more than a thousand abductees from the bandits. The following is the chronology of the releases of abductees:
4/07/2019
The Zamfara State Government has secured the release of twenty five Fulani abductees through the diplomatic approach initiated by His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle. The abductees who were held hostages since 9th April, 2019 in Dansadau Emirate of Maru local Government area of the state were mostly women and children.
5/7/2019
The Zamfara State Government has secured the release of fifteen more abductees through the government initiated truce by His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle. The abductees released were 13 men and 2 aged women.
7/7/2019
The Zamfara State Government initiated truce has again led to the release of eleven more people abducted more than eight weeks ago. His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle MON received the released persons which include five men, three women and three children who were released from bandits captivity from Maradun, Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi local Government areas.
9/7/2019
The Zamfara State governor, His Excellency (Dr) Bello Matawalle has today received eight more people freed by bandits following the peace deal initiated by the state government. The freed persons who hailed from Mai-Awaki village of Dan Sadau, Maru Local Government area were three female and six five males held captives for four months.
12/07/2019
His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle officially handed over the Seven freed abductees from Sokoto State to the Commissioner of Career and Security Matters, Sokoto State. They regained their freedom through the peace treaty initiated by Zamfara State Government.
17/07/2019
The Zamfara state executive Governor, Hon. (Dr) Bello Matawalle has again received 4 more captives from the state Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Nagoggo who were released unconditionally by the bandits.The four captives released by the bandits all men were abducted from Mutunji and Magama villages under Dansadau Emirate Council of Maru local government area 38 days ago.
26/07/2019
Matawalle Secures Release of Ten Foreign Nationals
31/07/2019
The Korean National, Dr Jongson Eel who was abducted 7 months in Zamfara State, was released unconditionally to His Excellency the Executive Governor, (Dr) Bello Muhammad (Matawallen Maradun) as part of the peace process taking place in the state.
3/10/2019
No fewer than ten rescued victims of human trafficking from Zamfara were handed over to the state government today at the Government House. The rescued victims were received by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bala Bello Maru representing His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle.
25/04/2020
Five kidnapped victims were also rescued from Gidan Jaja axis and reunited with their families.
24/03/2020
No fewer than 14 victims of kidnapping regained their freedom from bandits including the District Head of Wuya Alhaji Umaru Usman following efforts made by His Excellency Governor Bello Muhammad (Matawallen Maradun) to secure their release. The freed captives all hail from villages in Anka Local Government Area, ten of them from Yar Tasha, three from Wuya and one from Ruwan Zabo.
2nd March, 2021
All the 279 GGSS Jangebe Schoolgirls have just been released by their abductors!
8/3/2021
Seven kidnapped persons, three male adults, four female adults and three children were released by bandits through peaceful mediation. Amongst the released abductees is the father of Habiba, the Jangebe schoolgirl, Malam Ishaka Gwaram who was in captivity with her before the abducted GSSS Jangebe students were released last week.
23/03/2021
Three abductees, District Head, a counsellor and one other person have been released through dialogue.
These releases and several others not captured here for time constraints cumulatively totalled about 800 rescued kidnapped victims. With relative peace attained in many volatile areas, more than 25,000 displaced persons returned to their settlements.
DISARMAMENT OF BANDITS
31/08/2019
1. Weapons surrendered by bandits who embraced peace. One Military LMG (Light Machine Gun), two MM guns, one Ak47 and ten rounds of 7.62mm of live ammunition.
20/09/2019
2. Another cache of arms recovered which comprises of 240 assorted weapons both locally made and sophisticated ones.
20/12/2019
3. More arms recovered through the peace accord:
1. AK-47 rifle with breech No. 701883/1988 with 4 rounds of live ammunition
2.AK-47 rifle with breech No. 56/1210035/00
3.AK-47 rifle with breech No. 0701421
4. Light machine gun (LMG) rifle breech number erased
5.AK-47 rifle with breech No.35372
6. FN rifle breech No. 167119
7. FN rifle with breech No.212108
8. Ten (10) rounds of live ammunition
9. AK-47 rifle with breech No.1141 with empty magazine
10. AK-47 rifle with breech No.1975 with empty magazine
28/1/2021
11. Seven more bandits surrendered fourteen (14) AK47 rifles, took oath on the Glorious Quran never to engage in banditry again.
08/02/2021
12. Twenty (22) more sophisticated arms including a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) were surrendered by a notorious bandit commander Auwalun Daudawa and his syndicate.
23/02/2021
13. Another bandit commander by name Amadu Karkare and his two lieutenants surrendered 8 AK47 and took an oath never to engage in banditry again.
25/02/2021
The son of the notorious Buharin Daji, Zakui Mohammed Sani and his two lieutenants have surrendered sophisticated weapons which include seven AK47, Mack 10 gun, RPG, Rocket Launcher and many AA ammunitions and swore on the Glorious Quran never to go back to banditry or aid such a nefarious activity.
DEFENSE PROCUREMENTS
i. Procurement of 200 brand new operational vehicles for the security agencies.
ii. Provision of surveillance drones for the Nigeria police force.
iii. Installation of CCTV at strategic locations in Gusau metropolis.
CULTURE
Governor Matawalle is also not relenting on his affinity and love for the culture and tradition of his beloved people. Not quite recently, hundreds of people, including the Fulanis in particular, were gathered at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, Zamfara for the annual Fulani Sharo festivities, remarkably re-introduced with new vigour by the state governor, Bello Matawalle.
Matawalle said the Sharo festival was reintroduced as part of the conflict resolution technique adding that the festivity would bring harmony and ensure cordial relationship of people from all tribes in the state. Governor Matawalle, alongside his deputy, Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, arrived at the venue of the event clad in typical Fulani attire, holding sticks. Top government functionaries were also in attendance. Dozens of local musicians trooped to the venue to entertain the guests. The Fulani expressed confidence that the event would bond people and would be a turning point in the inter-ethnic relationship in the state.
Speaking in a similar vein, Governor Matawalle noted that the ongoing peace accord has so far given the Fulani in the state the confidence that the present administration is sincere in its resolve to uphold its own part of the bargain. “The Sharo festival is to ensure that every aggrieved party will forgive one another for a clean slate in Zamfara state. And I have much confidence that our initiative is paying off as our rural dwellers can testify to what I’m saying,” he noted.
MATAWALLE: A MARTYR FOR THE POOR
(A testimony to Governor Matawalle’s Good Virtues)
By FOLA OJO
It is not my intention to express too fierily about the achievements or otherwise of the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle. I believe it is too early to make that call either way. But without a shred of doubt, I am beginning to love the young man. His good deeds so far have captured my heart and attention. And I am not alone.
Matawalle succeeded a man called Abdul-Aziz Yari. Yari was governor in Zamfara for eight years. Just like I do other men and women in positions of power in Nigeria, I followed Yari. I believe his election as governor in 2011 was the inauguration of the perilous metastasis of ignorance. This is my candid opinion. I am not fond of twits in leadership positions; unfortunately, over decades, twits have crept to thrones of authority in Nigeria; and have dragged the country down into the abyss of hopelessness and despair. Under Yari’s ‘bleeder-ship,’ violence ravaged that part of the North. I recall a few years ago when meningitis ravaged the good people of Zamfara. What was Yari’s intervention? It was a sheepish declaration that the killer-disease was sent on an errand by God to punish the sins of fornicating men and women. Meantime, under Yari, only 0.2% of children were immunized against fatal diseases because parents feared a hidden western agenda to depopulate their Islamic population. Thus, children were hidden from immunizing health officials. Instead of putting together machinery to impact knowledge on a people thirsty for understanding, Yari followed the path of tomfoolery and sheer incognisance blaming the disease on God and recalcitrant men of flesh. Yari as governor ran a community programme where he gave out freebies of N100,000 and more to young men and women as incentives to get married instead of fornicating. Unemployed and unemployable men and women were lured into getting married with no skills to earn a living. Innocent young girls were turned into baby factories. Yari was a yucky governor. In 2015, he fired salvoes of complaints to the Nigerian presidency that he was in dire straits to pay N18,000 as the minimum wage to toiling workers in his state. But, there were other things Yari wasn’t telling the presidency. Behind closed steel-doors and in a furtive collaboration and collusion with his cunning cohort in the legislature, he hatched out plans for a big pension and upkeep allowances for himself and others once they were out of power. Zamfara is not a big moneybags state. Its three million people pride themselves as ‘farmers’. For now, there is nothing much going on in Zamfara. It is not a coincidence that the letter ‘Z’ is the last on the alphabets’ list; Zamfara is also the last on the monthly allocation list from the Federal Government. Zamfara, like a few other Nigerian states, is a poor geographical expression. In a shameless letter written to his successor, Bello Matawalle, Yari, with audacity called out the incumbent to release his N10m monthly as upkeep allowance. “Accordingly, you may wish to be informed that since the expiration of my tenure on the 29th of May, 2019, I was only paid the upkeep allowance twice i.e. for the month of June and July while my pension for the month of June has not been paid”, Yari said in the letter. This was a law he hurriedly coerced his accomplice lawmakers to pass shortly before he left office as governor. Matawalle fired back revealing that the former governor paid himself a whopping sum of N300m as severance freebie while men and women qualified for pensions were dying queuing up for their rights in Zamfara. Yari, according to the incumbent governor, owed pensioners N10bn while he and other politicians got to keep N1bn as upkeep allowances every year. Matawalle rallied up his state legislature to end the impunity, wickedness and callousness. That ‘upkeep’ law will no longer exist in the book of laws in Zamfara! Big thanks to mighty Matawalle who has made himself a ‘martyr’ for the poor.
It is disheartening and heart rendering that what Yari foisted upon a people today makes the state gasp for breath of survival. What is wrong with these people? Don’t they see what we see in and around Nigeria? Don’t they see the premature death and pervasive hunger and poverty? By 2050, Nigeria will become the world’s third largest country; and today, about 100 million Nigerians are considered extremely poor. But the average pension for a ‘retired’ Nigerian governor is $549,450.60.
This is wicked and callous! Nigeria is largely led by self-absorbed, self-obsessed narcissists whose fixation is all about ‘Me-Myself-and-I’. They are solipsists who live in the stratosphere and troposphere of egocentricity. Nobody else matters or is considered important but themselves. In power, they strip others naked to cover their own nakedness. They pillage our commonwealth and pilfer the people’s money to provide themselves the honey.
They are cruel and mean maniacs whose métier is pulverizing the people’s means of livelihood to prosper their egotistic self. Aggressive aggrandisement is their game. Greed is their name. Calories of corruption are requisite nutrients for their physiologies. What is going on in Zamfara is spread across all Nigerian states. These ludicrous and ridiculous pension scams are causing state economies intense tension. The same set of human beings who drew up Nigeria’s pension laws rake home monthly their own pensions after years of disservice to Nigeria; after building mansions and castles all over the world from our patrimonies; and after denying little people who really need the scheme in the aftermath of their years of sweat and blood serving Nigeria.
Do these politicians truly love Nigeria? Are they sincerely fighting for the people, or just in service for themselves? The righteous considers the cause of the poor, but the wicked regards not to know it. These are wicked men. What else do these governors want that they don’t have when in power? The air they breathe; the food they eat, the medical attention they get; the cars they drive are all dished out for free.
Yet, many of them aren’t satisfied! If a man is not satisfied with what he has, he will never be satisfied even if he garners more than what he already has. The spirit of ‘it-will never-be-enough’ is what is driving the characters who write crazy pension laws just to satisfy their lust. The Nigerian ludicrous pension law benefits the APC, the PDP, APGA, and all politicians who ever walk into the corridors of disservice pretending to be in national service. My people, is it not time to fight for your lives; and for your children’s children? Is it not time to ask that these laws be downgraded if truly we are in the dispensation of fighting corruption? The Nigerian wave of corruption is pestiferous and pestilential. It is a never-ending carnival; a sempiternal surreal celebration among the chosen wicked. The pension lawlessness is a cycle and revolving door of scams on Nigerians. It’s got to be scrapped! From Akwa Ibom to Lagos and to Zamfara!
Governor Matawalle Dazzles Winners Of
National Qur’anic Recitation Competition Awards With
N15M Cash And Political APPOINTEES
