Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for his “outstanding achievements,” declaring that the governor’s leadership is transforming the state into a modern hub of progress. Obasanjo made the remarks on Tuesday, June 17, during the commissioning of three key projects in Gusau, the state capital: the rehabilitated Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital and two major roads, Zannah Road and Abarma Road. The event, attended by state officials and community leaders, highlighted Lawal’s focus on infrastructure and healthcare.
At the hospital commissioning, Obasanjo praised Lawal’s vision, noting that the facility’s upgrades, including the state’s first CT scan and MRI machines, mark a leap in healthcare delivery. “I am in Zamfara today to see the new, improved, and improving Zamfara under your leadership,” Obasanjo said. “This hospital is a testament to your rescue mission. Keep pushing until Zamfara is among Nigeria’s leading states.” The Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, long plagued by dilapidation, has undergone extensive renovation, with new wards, diagnostic equipment, and staff training programs, according to a statement by Lawal’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
Obasanjo also lauded the road projects, describing them as vital for economic growth. “By building these roads, Governor Lawal is making Zamfara a modern state,” he said while commissioning the Zannah Road to Abarma Road. “We are partners in progress, and I urge you to sustain this momentum throughout your eight-year tenure.” The roads connect key commercial areas, easing transportation for farmers and traders in a state where agriculture is the primary vocation. Obasanjo, a known advocate for agricultural development, emphasized Zamfara’s potential as an agrarian hub, aligning with his own legacy of launching Operation Feed the Nation in 1976.
Governor Lawal, in his address, expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for attending, calling Zamfara his “second home.” “Your presence here honors us, especially given your passion for agriculture, which is our state’s backbone,” Lawal said. “The hospital’s expansion and these roads are part of our commitment to improving lives.” Lawal’s administration, elected in 2023, has prioritized infrastructure to address Zamfara’s challenges, including insecurity and poverty. The state, plagued by banditry, has seen over 500 deaths in 2024, per local reports, prompting Lawal to invest in projects that boost economic stability.