Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has been conferred with an award of Excellence for Peace and Competent Leadership by the Noble Women Initiative for Sustainable Democracy (NWISD).

A statement by the Director-General (Press Affairs), Yusuf Idris Gusau, said the award was presented to the Governor by the National Leader of the organisation, Hajiya Maryam Samaila, during a courtesy call on him in his office in Government House, Gusau.

Samaila said the organisation decided to honour the governor with the award of excellence in order to encourage him for the good work he is doing in Zamfara State in providing Security to the lives and properties of his citizens.

The governor had embarked on dialogue and reconciliation with bandits which is considered the best approach in resolving crisis the world over.

The NWISD leader added that the ability of the governor to resolve the menace of armed banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State is a clear demonstration of his administration’s seriousness and desire to finding lasting peace in the state which is a basic requirement in leadership qualities.

The letter presented to the Governor read in part: “In recognition of your selflessness efforts for tackling the insecurity challenges in the State, transparency, Accountability and consistent leadership style, the above named organisation decided to award you.

“Indeed, you are the icon of peace and competent leadership in which every true leader would emulate.”

In his acceptance speech Governor Matawalle thanked the organisation for finding him worthy of the award and assured them to do more in sustaining the peace process initiated by his administration while urging for more prayers.

Matawalle also informed them that the relative peace being enjoyed in the State is the result of his administration's sincerity in the peace process and expressed happiness that a pro democracy organisation has identified the success so far achieved.

He dedicated the award to the good people of the State and those that lost their lives during the crisis period.

The Governor described dialogue as the basic tool of resolving any crisis since from the first and Second World War as well as the Biafran War were all resolved through dialogue and negotiations.

He added that, even Islam encourages dialogue and reconciliation and called on the people of the state to continue to offer prayers for the sustenance of peace and development in the state.

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