Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State said Nigerians must learn to live together, support one another and recognise their shared identity, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
The governor revealed this when he received the Igbo Community Association in Zamfara State at the Government House, Gusau, on Thursday.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, equal treatment and cooperation among residents of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, stressing that unity was essential for national development.
During the visit, the association pledged to vote massively to return the governor to Government House to enable him to continue with the projects already started across the state.
The Igbo community was led by the President-General of the association, Mr Maduka Ezemeka, who pledged massive mobilisation of the Igbo people in the state to vote for Governor Lawal.
The governor recalled his long-standing relationship with members of the Igbo community, dating back to his childhood, when he interacted with Igbo businessmen and artisans who worked and lived within his ancestral home in Gusau.
He said such relationships demonstrate that Nigerians can prosper together when they embrace mutual respect, understanding and cooperation.
Mr Lawal commended the community for the visit and kind words about his administration, describing the Igbo people as brothers and partners in the development of Zamfara.
Chief Ezemeka appealed to the government to provide financial support in the form of loans and credit facilities to support their businesses amid the prevailing economic challenges.
He also appealed for the provision of a functional bus to facilitate the association’s activities, explaining that vehicles previously provided by successive administrations were no longer in good working condition.
Governor Lawal pledged to provide the community with a bus to facilitate its activities and promised to intervene in issues affecting community members who were disengaged from teaching service in the state.
On the community’s request for business support, Governor Lawal encouraged the leadership to submit a formal proposal outlining the area of assistance required.
He said he would study the proposal with his team to determine how the government could support their businesses, including exploring possible partnerships with financial institutions and other relevant interventions.
Mr Lawal noted that access to proper documentation for landed properties could help business owners use their assets as collateral to obtain credit facilities.
He explained that his administration introduced property recertification to enable owners to regularise their documents and improve their access to financial opportunities.
On the concerns raised over the disengagement of some Igbo community members who worked as teachers in the state, Lawal expressed surprise, saying he had previously directed the former Commissioner for Education to resolve the matter.
He directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Nakwada, to revisit the issue in collaboration with the Commissioner for Education and representatives of the affected teachers.
The governor asked the officials to investigate the facts, take the necessary steps, and report back on the resolution.
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