By MUHAMMAD NASIR

The demand for the creation of two additional states?Kainji and Gobir?dominated discussions during the North-West, Centre B public hearing on the constitutional review held on Saturday in Sokoto.

The proposed Kainji State would be carved from parts of Kebbi and Niger, while Gobir State is being proposed from the eastern part of Sokoto State.

Presenting the case for Kainji State, retired AVM Sallau Bala, National President of the Zuru Emirate Development Society, described the initiative as a long-standing aspiration among the proposed inhabitants.

?The agitation dates back to the colonial era when administrative boundaries were drawn arbitrarily by the colonial powers, resulting in the fragmentation of the Borgu, Kontagora, and Zuru Emirates into various administrative units,? Bala explained.

He said the three Emirates had since expressed a strong desire to reunite under a single state, citing shared history, cultural ties, and geographical proximity.

?The proposed Kainji State boasts common historical experiences, geographical contiguity, cultural affinity, economic viability, and strong potential for sustainable peace and development,? he added.

Bala stated that the proposed state would have a population of approximately 3.4 million?larger than that of over 10 existing states in the country?and a land mass of 47,395 square km, which would place it among the top five largest states in Nigeria.

In spite of religious and ethnic diversity, Bala emphasised that the people of the proposed Kainji state enjoy a strong sense of unity and common identity, backed by a collective agreement to work together for progress.

?We have unanimously resolved to form a single entity in the hope of fast-tracking development and significantly improving the quality of life for our people,? he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Mu?azu Shamaki, the Secretary of the Gobir Development Association, presented the case for the creation of Gobir State.

According to Shamaki, Gobir state would consist of eight local government areas from the eastern part of Sokoto state and it is home to abundant human and mineral resources.

He stated that the proposed state?s population stands at approximately 3.5 million out of Sokoto state?s total of about 6 million.

Shamaki highlighted key assets in the area, including the Goronyo, Lugu, and other major dams, as well as the Bunsuru River, which he said, could support extensive irrigation and other economic activities.

He emphasised that the defunct Gobir Kingdom had a rich historical heritage that predated the Shehu Danfodiyo Jihad and possessed the potential for substantial revenue generation and development.

The area has suffered years of neglect, with many communities lacking electricity and facing growing insecurity.

?Creating Gobir State will bring governance closer to the people, improve infrastructure, and create a safer, more prosperous environment,? Shamaki added.

He concluded that state creation would not only enhance local development but also offer more opportunities and a stronger sense of inclusion for the people. (NAN)

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