A TRIBUTE TO LATE AHMAD ZABARMA
By
Anas Sani Anka
We have indeed lost another pillar in Zamfara Alh Ahmad Zabarma one of the few seasoned technocrats that made the old Sokoto state Zamfara inclusive proud in terms of reforming the civil service and indeed the development of education.
I could remember I came very closer to Dattijo Ahmad Zabarma during my days as reporter in NTA Gusau when I went to his office then as Chairman of Zamfara State Civil Service Commission to interview him on matters related to how to embark on successful reforms to education of Zamfara.
My first encounter with him made me realized that the potentials in him has superseded the popularity he has garners when it comes to the knowledge of civil service as well as educational administration.
That my particular interview made me to invite him to the NTA Gusau studio for discussion on Zamfara State @15 and the narratives he told the viewers about the struggle he and many others have made for the creation of Zamfara State and indeed how they set up the foundation for the administration of new Zamfara State was indeed fantastic and marvelous.
Since then, I kept a close contact with him on matters that required fatherly guide and I vividly remember when I set up my media outlets, he was among the very few that encouraged me to sustain the momentum, especially with the content of what I used to share about reforms, accountability and governance in Zamfara State.
In fact, he personally came to my studio for an hour programme with me as the anchor on the findings of his committee that investigated the spendings made with the local government funds by the administration of Yari then. That outing has remain the best of the privileges I have enjoyed in my practice as journalist
His personal love for this effort I started had influenced him to connect me with other resource individuals like late Ishaq Muhammad Zurmi also of blessed memory, whom he said I will tap a lot from him.
I equally remember whenever I shared a content of my programme or analysis on matters related to governance crises in Zamfara he always reads or watches it and reach out to me personally to discuss further or sometimes even ask me to amend or add certain issues that are considered critical on the subject matter of discussion.
I was shocked when I woke up this morning to read on face book platform that Baba Ahmad Zabarma is no more.
I remember even before his demise the former Permanent Secretary OEG who is a son-in-law to him Malam Abubakar Jafar has informed me about the condition of late Ahmad Zabarma, and I was lucky to visit him in the hospital even though his condition was so severe.
Zamfara has no doubt lost an icon and a season administrator whose contributions are most needed now considering how things are falling apart, especially in the area of civil service, leadership and governance.
We pray for God almighty to forgive his shortcomings and bless the righteous decisions he has taken during his lifetime for the progress of Zamfara and humanity.
May He continue to shower his blessing on the Zabarma family and raise another potential pillar within, that will continue to provide a sense of direction for the success of the family even in his absence.
Anas Sani Anka
Is the Managing Editor of Thunder Blowers Multimedia Services
