Former Sokoto State Governor, and Presidential candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Attahiru Bafarawa has launched the ‘Attahiru Bafarawa Foundation’ with an initial injection of N1 billion to kick-start its operations and ensure its sustainability.
The foundation aims to provide continuous support to vulnerable groups across the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State, focusing on critical sectors like water supply, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during the inauguration of a committee tasked with designing the framework for delivering assistance to those in need. Bafarawa, who personally established the committee, emphasized the importance of carefully determining the modalities to ensure that the support reaches the most vulnerable.
Reflecting on his tenure as governor, Bafarawa reiterated his enduring commitment to the well-being of Sokoto’s citizens. He pointed out that his administration prioritized infrastructure development, particularly in road construction, and prudently managed the state’s resources, leaving N13 billion in the government’s coffers by the end of his tenure.
“I ensured that the state’s resources were managed wisely, and I made sure that the dividends of democracy reached the people. My government achieved significant milestones, especially in infrastructural development,” Bafarawa noted.
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At 70, the former governor expressed a renewed sense of duty toward the people, driven by a deep connection with them and a desire to address any missed opportunities from his time in office. “My philosophy of giving back is born out of a sense of responsibility and love for the people, as well as a desire to make peace not only with them but also with the Almighty,” he explained.
Bafarawa highlighted that his decision to establish the foundation comes at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship due to the country’s current challenging circumstances. The foundation, he said, is his way of mitigating some of these challenges and making a lasting impact in the lives of the people of Sokoto State.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu, represented by the State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr. Jabir Maihula, lauded Bafarawa’s initiative as both timely and commendable. Aliyu expressed hope that the foundation’s efforts would complement the government’s work to alleviate the economic hardships faced by citizens. He also urged the committee to maintain a strong commitment to transparency and effectiveness in implementing the foundation’s mission.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Yahaya Na-Malam Boyi, praised Bafarawa’s generosity and urged the Muslim community to continue praying for strong leadership, unity, and peace in society.
The Chairman of the foundation’s committee, Lawal Maidoki, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, requesting prayers for the successful execution of the foundation’s objectives. Maidoki assured that the committee would work tirelessly to ensure that the foundation fulfils its mandate of providing relief to the less privileged in the state.
