A non-governmental organization, the Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI) in Zamfara State, in partnership with the NEEM Foundation and Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, has concluded its five-year “Protecting Our Community” project in the state and urged the government to sustain the initiative.
Speaking at the closeout meeting for the project, held at the Command Guest House in Gusau, the state capital, Executive Director of VAI, Musa Umar Aboki, also called on the state government to revive the abandoned farmers/herders committee.
Musa Aboki praised the various committees for the successes recorded during the five-year journey of the project.
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He urged the Zamfara State government to further expand and establish Early Warning Early Response (EWER) committees in the remaining 12 local government areas in the state.
“During the project, we established EWER committees in two local government areas where we worked (Bungudu and Maru LGAs), which significantly improved the impact on the community.
Now that our five-year project has come to an end, I urge the state government to sustain the project and establish the same EWER committees in the remaining 12 local government areas,” he said.
He expressed appreciation for the support and encouragement given by the sole administrators of Bungudu and Maru during the project’s implementation in their areas.
“I must sincerely acknowledge the contributions of the Emirs of Bungudu, Maru, and Kotorkoshi, as well as the entire EWER committee for their outstanding performance, understanding, and support for the project.”
In his remarks, the NEEM Foundation DLO, Mr. Tizhe Maho, stated that the success of the project depends on its sustainability, emphasizing that six benefiting communities were integral to the project’s achievements.
He advised the benefiting communities to remain steadfast and ensure the sustainability of the “Protecting Our Community” project in the state.
Beneficiaries of the project, including Lawal Ibrahim Ruwan Doruwa, Zainab Lawali Sankalawa (community facilitator), Jamila Iliyasu Sankalawa, and Tukur Jangebe, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, all noted that the project has significantly built the capacity of people in peacebuilding.
According to them, many communities now live in peace due to dialogue between the warring factions, and disputes between farmers and herders are now settled amicably.
Speaking during the event, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, represented by Permanent Secretary for Cabinet Affairs Husaini Abubakar, disclosed that security is one of the top priorities of the present administration under Governor Dauda Lawal.
He assured that the state government would continue to partner with any organization that seeks to bring peace and development to the state.
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