Education: Zamfara Needs More Interventions – Gov. Lawal Tells TETFUND

Education: Zamfara Needs More Interventions — Gov. Lawal Tells TETFUND

By Nura Salisu

Governor Dauda Lawal has requested more interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to complete several unfinished buildings at Zamfara tertiary institutions.

The governor made the request during an official visit to the TETFund headquarters last Thursday in Abuja.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the governor requested specific interventions at Zamfara State University and Abdu Gusau Polytechnic.

He added that the state university in Talatan Mafara local government area has many projects that were initiated and abandoned by previous administrations.

“The last time I visited TETFund, I mentioned that we are like Oliver Twist, always asking for more. Today, I am here to request additional support for certain Zamfara tertiary institutions.

“I visited Talata Mafara local government two weeks ago and saw the projects carried out by TETFund at the Zamfara State University. Unfortunately, there are numerous abandoned projects from the previous governments in the state.

“We’re experiencing issues with accreditations at Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, and I need your support to resolve this.

“Zamfara is grappling with various challenges in addition to the ongoing insecurity. When we assumed office last year, employees had not been paid for three months, and our students could not take their WAEC and NECO exams. We also have a number of students on scholarships in Cyprus, India, and Sudan who have been left unattended, among other urgent matters.

“My government had settled the backlog of salaries, paid the outstanding balance for WAEC and NECO, and resolved and settled payments for students on overseas scholarships. We are here to seek your interventions, which will go a long way in our effort to rescue and rebuild Zamfara.”

While responding, the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Arc Sonny T. Echono commended Governor Lawal for his achievements in his first year in office. “I want to congratulate you on your one year in office, and I want to appreciate and commend you for the work you are doing in government offices, institutions, hospitals, and other areas.

“We will review the request from His Excellency and do everything possible. Your diligence in addressing issues is commendable and shows a high level of seriousness. I want to personally thank you for settling the WAEC and NECO debt.”