Hardship: Ex-Sokoto Gov Bafarawa Donates N1bn To Remedy Tenure’s Gaffe

In a move to make amends for any administrative imbalance witnessed during his eight years tenure in the Sokoto State Government House, former Governor of the State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa on Wednesday donated N1 billion as an endowment to the people of the State.

Bafarawa, who governed the State between 1999 and 2007, explained that the gesture was born out of his desire to fill gaps he might have created while in office.

“At age 70, I feel a greater pull towards the people. My desire now is to ensure that I fill whatever gaps I may have created, consciously or unconsciously, in my relationship with the people while I was in office.

“Some may call this atonement, but I prefer to see it as an act of reciprocity.  I want to give back to the people the goodwill and love they showed me.

“At no time can this giving back philosophy of mine be more suspicious and compelling than now that the people are passing through hard times occasioned by the current hardship in the country?

“It is against this background that, I have decided to make available the sum of N1bn for the welfare and well-being of the people of Sokoto State,” he said.

The former governor, however, sought forgiveness from the people for whatever wrong he would have done during his tenure as governor, even as he explained that the management of the fund was entrusted to a Committee chaired by Malam Lawal Maidoki, Chairman of the Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Board.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Isa Talatan Mafara, urged the Committee to consider Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who need this support the most.

Another cleric, Professor Mansur Ibrahim, enjoined Nigerians to be patriotic and work for the growth and development of the people.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Vision FM, Shu’aibu Mungadi, lauded the former governor whom he described as not only a great leader but also someone with a kind and caring heart for the people.