Gov Matawalle Establishes Zamfara Economic Resilience Initiative, Appoints Special Adviser, DG

In a bid to provide strategic leadership for various resilience-building initiatives and promote strategic partnerships with relevant development partners for the economic growth of the state, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has approved the establishment of the Zamfara Economic Resilience Initiative (ZERI).

The Governor’s approval, which takes immediate effect, was confirmed by the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe.

Considering the recognizable turnaround in the socio-economic activities in Zamfara, ZERI is established to provide strategic coordination and support resilient and inclusive economic growth in the state.

The Initiative is in close cooperation with relevant strategic partners to take financial and non-financial actions in the state through which investment opportunities are unlocked and multiplied, especially in small and medium-scale businesses.

The Initiative will further support the development of the state’s trade routes and attract international investors to Zamfara.

To position ZERI for effective service delivery, Governor Matawalle has appointed Dr Nura Makwashi as Special Adviser and Nuradeen Mohammad Lugga as Director General.

Dr Nura Makwashi holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Minna, an MSc. in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom, and a PhD in Chemical Process and Energy Engineering from London South Bank University, United Kingdom.

Dr. Nura is a lecturer at the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Bayero University Kano. He is also the Lead Consultant for the development of the Blueprint for Kano Sustainable Business Environment.

Nuradden Mohammad Lugga holds a degree in Biochemistry from Bayero University Kano, PGD in Entrepreneurship, MBA in Business Administration from Kaduna State University, and a certificate in ‘Nigerian Business Development Professional’ from Kaduna Business School. Nuradeen was the Chief Executive Officer of Lugga Integrated Agro Allied Farms Limited and Managing Director at New Wave Grand Services Limited. Until his recent appointment, Nuradeen was the Zamfara State Agricultural Intervention Liaison Officer in charge of several intervention programmes.

ZERI operates directly under the Office of the Executive Governor, under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor.