Over N300 million was realized for security and development of the banditry-ravaged eastern part of Sokoto State.
The money was raised on Saturday during the launching of the Sokoto Eastern Zone Development Association at Gwadabawa Local Government Area.
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A former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa, who is the grand patron of the association, announced the donation of N130m.
Bafarawa said N120m was donated by his friends and associates; and N10m, by himself.
He said: “This is not a political or religious gathering. It’s meant to tell ourselves the truth and nothing but the truth. We cannot fold our hands to wait for government to solve our problems. We must unite and help ourselves before government can come in.
“The government has donated vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies, but are we seeing them? This will be part of the mandate of this committee to ensure government property are protected and used judiciously”.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal also announced the donation of N125m by the state government and his political associates.
He said: “We’ve taken some new measures that’ll bring banditry to an end in the state.”
Chief launcher, Sahabi Tungan Kwangi and Umarun Kwabo A.A, also donated N5m each.
The chairman of the association, Prof. Nasiru Gatawa, said: “Our people are lagging behind in so many aspects of human endeavour. They can no longer go to farm; our markets are closed; we’re educationally backward and no infrastructural development in the area for years.
“Some of our traditional rulers are deposed by bandits and there are many communities without electricity.”
