The Governor of Zamfara state, Dr. Dauda Lawal has flagged off the commencement of Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience CPCRR project in Zamfara, Peak Newspaper reports.
The project is funded by European Union with focus on working together with the state government and relevant stakeholders to bring a sustainable peace, stability and development to Zamfara state
The event was held at the Rescue Hall, Government House in Gusau the state capital.
In his words, Governor Dauda Lawal said, We are here to formally commence a project whose relevant goes beyond policies and programmes cycles, speaking directly to the undoubted realities of our people and our collective resolve to build a most civil, cohesive and resilience society.
I warmly welcome the delegation of European Union led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, implementing partners, Royal Fathers and everyone who found time to come and witnessed this occasion.
Zamfara has faced many years of insecurity and humanitarian challenges that disrupted social structures, constraints economic activities and strains the bonds of unity across diverse communities. These realities are well known but they do not define who we are.
The defining character of Zamfara people lies in the resilience of its people, the capacity to endure adversity and directness to rebuild when given the right support and leadership.
From the inception of my administration, we militate against insecurity with sincerity of purpose, we recognized that for enduring peace to be sustained, the root cause of conflict such as exclusion,economic vulnerability, weak institutions and erosion of community trust must also be given due attention.
Addressing these dimensions have guarded our policy and continue to shape our engagement with partners like you.
The project being launched today reflects the understanding that, to prevent conflicts, responding to Crisis and strengthening resilience are interconnected task.
The initiative aligns with our development philosophy which place people inclusion as the center of the governance. It also supports Zamfara state government efforts which are aimed at strengthening local peace architecture, utilizing livelihood especially for young people and women.
Enhancing coordination between ministries and agencies and supporting community based mechanism for dialogue and reconciliation , these efforts are driven by a firm consideration that security, development and good governance would reinforce one another and must advance together
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Gautier Mignot said, indeed the Union cannot cover all the states of Nigeria at the moment but we share our solidarity and concern over the security challenges faced by some states in the country.
Our presence in Zamfara is to learn about the good side to the insecurity, discover the opportunities and study the vision of the state Governor in the settlement of the conflicts that have eaten up the joy of the state.
The purpose is to find lasting solutions to the insecurity conflict so that Zamfara state would become the most peaceful state, such as it were before the invasion of the conflicts.
It is a great pleasure to come under the launch of this project which is planned to tackle security situation in Katsina and Zamfara states, it is the first rapid response project, modest in amount but it’s considered the first step to strengthen our partnership and support to Zamfara state.
The situation of insecurity and violence in the Northwest has become a great concern to us, because working together to bring a sustainable peace, stability and development is our major duty and great priority.
We have come to offer this program to mitigate the scourge of violence, over the next eight months and above, our team which has already commenced their activities would be going round the affected regions to engage in advocacy according to plan.
Let me be clear, EU does not Privilege some victims of violence over others, for us all victims deserve the same solidarity, acknowledging several drivers of violence in Nigeria we consider the complexity and this is what guides all our projects including the one we are launching today.
Indeed, security takes many faces from banditry, drugs violations, lack of opportunity for youths, agitation for natural resources, climate change and others. These are not limited to state boarders this is why the CPCRR project has been extended to Zamfara state from Katsina.
The implementing partners of EU shall focus on Gusau, Bungudu and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state
Also speaking, Dimanshe Sharon the IOM Chief of mission expressed sincere thanks to the state Government for the warm reception, hospitality and total arrangement of the programme. I have been in Nigeria as my first visit for seven months now, as a Ugandan, I I feel at home as a result of the generosity of Nigerian, Zamfara has been the 13th state I have visited so far within Nigeria since I assumed duty.
It a great honour for me to be here today in Zamfara state at the launching of the programme that speaks directly to my heart because it gives hope to the people and resilience to the troubled communities here in zamfara.
Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response And Resilience is very critical at a time like this, I am very excited to be part of this initiative. Beside commending the leadership charisma of Governor Dauda Lawal, she noted that the governor has championed several advocacy programmes within his past two years in office.
The programme we are launching today is meant to turn resilience into lasting peace and stability. With support from European Union and in partnership with Mercy Corps, The Center For Democracy and Development Coupled with the support from the state government, traditional and religious institutions we are sure to address the root causes of conflict and proffer proper solutions.
Northwest Nigeria has witnessed displacement in the past few years from the tracking matrix working along with diverse state in the region it has been discovered that 650,000 people have been displaced, 142 returnees and Zamfara hosting about 200 displaced person including returnees as at July 2025.
Many families have been displaced, many have been abandoned and too many lives have been distracted because of insecurity. Despite these challenges, the people of Zamfara have formed great resilient, determination and will to rebuild with the hope that the future is brighter.
