THE EMIR of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Bamalli, has expressed concern over the poor condition of some public primary schools in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, urging urgent intervention.
Bamalli raised the concern amid growing fears over the increasing number of out-of-school children in the emirate, partly attributed to the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Katsina and Zamfara States.
The royal father made the disclosure on Monday at the unveiling of the Sabon Gari Local Government Development Association (SALDA), a community development initiative in Zaria, Kaduna State.
He commended SALDA’s leadership for the initiative and the impressive turnout of distinguished personalities at the event.
The emir, however, expressed disappointment over the condition of some public schools in the local government area.
“Sabon Gari people seated here have disappointed me. Sabon Gari has a high calibre of people with pedigrees in public service, the private sector, entrepreneurship, and other fields.
“In spite of all these, I visited a public primary school in Sabon Gari and what I saw was a disaster, except if it has been fixed in the last few months.
“The situation is embarrassing, considering the calibre of the people in the area, many of whom are sitting in this hall,” Bamalli said.
According to him, government cannot do everything alone, urging residents to complement its efforts by contributing towards development and improving the wellbeing of people in their communities and environs.
The emir noted that while government was doing its best, it remained the collective responsibility of citizens to support development initiatives and reciprocate government’s efforts towards improving their communities and livelihoods.
The emir also expressed concern over activities of some residents of Zaria and Sabon Gari local government areas who, he said, were erecting structures on major drainages in the areas.
Bamalli particularly decried structures erected around the Kubanni area, describing the development as “a disaster waiting to happen,” especially amid growing climate-related challenges and environmental risks facing the communities.
He urged SALDA to intervene in addressing challenges confronting the area, particularly those relating to education, environmental management, and social development, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and government agencies.
Earlier, Amb. Sule Buba, Chairman of the occasion, described SALDA as a non-partisan and open organisation established to bring together people committed to the development of Sabon Gari and its residents.
Buba said the association was established to complement government efforts in poverty reduction, improving education, and addressing social vices confronting residents across the local government area and communities.
He said SALDA would focus on education and the fight against social vices in the area, adding that members would mobilise support for sustainable community development initiatives.
In his remarks, the guest speaker, Prof. Abdulhamid Abdullahi of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, urged SALDA to shift the conversation from “unity to utility” for meaningful community development.
Abdullahi said the association should focus on translating social cohesion into measurable socioeconomic development through effective resource mobilisation, strategic partnerships, and structured governance within the local government area.
He urged SALDA’s leadership to leverage the Sabon Gari diaspora and professional community for their knowledge, experience, and networks, describing their goodwill as valuable development assets for the community.
The don said SALDA should build a robust platform on which members could give back to the community through mentorship, scholarships, healthcare outreach, investment, and development partnerships for sustainable growth.
He also urged traditional rulers to guide religious leaders in promoting peace and understanding, while political leaders should support development beyond political boundaries for the benefit of residents. (NAN)
