Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting religious leaders in Zamfara State with the distribution of additional vehicles to imams across the state.
The governor made this known during the presentation ceremony held at the Government House in Gusau, where he described the initiative as part of a phased two programme aimed at easing transportation challenges faced by clerics.
Governor Lawal recalled that, about three to four months ago, his administration distributed 40 vehicles to imams in the first phase of the intervention.
“On that day, I said it was phase one, and phase two was coming. Alhamdulillah, today we are implementing the second phase by providing additional vehicles to imams who were not captured in the first batch,” he said.
Governor Lawal explained that the exercise was a continuous process, noting that more beneficiaries would be identified in subsequent phases to ensure broader coverage.
According to the governor, the initiative was designed not only to ease mobility for the imams but also to support their families and enhance their effectiveness in serving their communities.
Beyond transportation support, Governor Lawal highlighted other measures taken by his administration to improve the welfare of religious leaders, including a significant salary review.
“We have reviewed their salaries by almost 200 percent, and they are already benefiting from this,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the government is undertaking the reconstruction and renovation of mosques across the state to provide conducive environments for worshippers.
The governor emphasized the critical role of imams in society, noting that they contribute both spiritually and morally by promoting peace, guiding communities, and discouraging social vices.
“They have a great role to play—spiritually, by praying for peace and progress, and morally, by educating people on good conduct,” he added.
Governor Lawal reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening religious institutions as part of broader efforts to foster unity, peace, and development in Zamfara State.
Speaking with newsmen, one of the beneficiaries, Sheikh Bashir Surajo, expressed appreciation to Governor Dauda Lawal for extending support to imams and Islamic scholars in the state.
“Alhamdulillah, we feel obliged to sincerely express our gratitude to Almighty Allah and to His Excellency for this kind gesture extended to imams and ulama across the state,” he said.
Sheikh Surajo noted that the support would further strengthen the role of religious leaders in promoting peace, unity, and harmonious coexistence among citizens.
According to him, preaching peace and stability remains a core responsibility of imams and scholars, adding that, the government’s intervention would serve as motivation to sustain their efforts.
“Preaching peace and stability is a collective duty of all imams and ulama. This gesture will encourage us to do more,” he stated.
The Permanent Secretary added that clerics have continued to offer prayers for divine intervention to address the security and socio-economic challenges facing Zamfara State and the country at large.
“We have been supplicating daily to Almighty Allah for divine intervention to curtail the prevailing challenges confronting the state and the nation,” he added.
