September 18, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, has set aside a sum of one Billion naira, for the newly established Bafarawa foundation.
Bafarawa, while launching the foundation in Sokoto, described the event as ‘Giving Back’. He added that it was part of his way to pay back to the people of the state, who gave him an opportunity to serve as two-term governor in the state
According to him: “A little over 25 years ago, an overwhelming majority of the voting population of Sokoto State, gave me their mandate to serve them as their first executive governor after the locust years of military incursion into politics.
“Four years after, they renewed the mandate by electing me into office for a second term. I did not and do not take this show of love by the people for granted.
“I appreciate very immensely the historic opportunity they gave me to serve them as governor for eight years. The trust and confidence that the people had for me made this possible.
“In the years that I served as governor, I did my utmost best to ensure that dividends of democracy were delivered to the people. My government recorded infrastructural landmarks, particularly in the area of road construction. I ensured that the resources of the state were prudently managed.
“It was against this background that I left a whopping N13 billion, in the coffers of Sokoto State Government by the time I left office in 2007”, he explained.
Bafarawa further said, “I must confess that I entertain some mixed feelings each time I look back on my years as governor. While acknowledging the people’s love and solidarity, I feel that I can do more in the area of giving back to the people.
“As the executive governor of Sokoto State, I was entrusted with the resources of the people.
“Given the enormous powers of an executive governor, the temptation to transgress is always there. It is, therefore, possible that one may have taken one action or the other, that did not serve the best interest of the general public.
“In other words, one could, through acts of omission or commission, misappropriate funds that could have gone into productive and rewarding ventures. Thoughts of scenarios such as this could be troubling.
“They prick the conscience. This situation, in my opinion, calls for restitution. I feel the urge to reconnect in some other ways with the people for a lost opportunity. I consider this necessary in order for one to make peace, not only with the people but also with the Almighty.
“This latent sense of missed opportunity is what drives my giving back philosophy. Regardless of whatever effort that I may have made to improve the lot of the people while in office, the fact remains that I, just like any other human being, have my drawbacks.
“I may, therefore, not have lived up to everyone’s expectation. Consequently, I seek the face of the people afresh in this regard. Personally, I ask for forgiveness, as I have always done, in whatever area I fell short of the people’s expectations.”
Bafarawa, further, said what is constant is his relationship with the people of Sokoto State and his undying concern for their wellbeing.
“For some 17 years after leaving office, I am delighted to say that my compact with the people has remained intact. At 70 years of age, I feel a greater pull towards the people.
“My desire now is to ensure that I fill whatever gaps that 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 to me.
“At no time can this giving back philosophy of mine be more auspicious and compelling than now that the people are passing through hard times, occasioned by the harsh economic climate in the country. It is against this background that I have decided to make available the sum of N1 billion, for the welfare and wellbeing of the people of Sokoto State.
“The management of this fund has been entrusted to a Committee that I personally set up. The Committee is headed by Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, who is known throughout the country for his acumen, experience and honesty in dealing with issues of similar nature, especially distribution of zakka and waqafi.”
He said Maidoki will be assisted in this assignment by equally trusted members drawn from different strata of society.
“The Committee is saddled with the responsibility of fashioning out the modalities and ways of delivering on its core mandate to the best of the abilities of the members. I have no doubt in my mind that the Committee will discharge this responsibility diligently and without fear or favour.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
