The Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mika’ilu Sami, Sami Gomo III, has dissolved the National Executive Committee of the Zuru Emirate Development Society (ZEDS), led by retired Air Vice Marshal Bala Salau, with immediate effect.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the ZEDS Board of Trustees chaired by the Emir at his palace on Monday.
A statement signed by Abdullahi Idris Zuru, Sadaukin Zuru, said the dissolution followed concerns over what the Emirate Council described as the ineffectiveness and lukewarm attitude of the dissolved leadership towards peace, unity, development and security in the emirate.
Emirate Council Accuses ZEDS Leadership of Inactivity
According to the statement, the dissolved executive had been in office since 2022 but had not recorded what the council considered significant contributions to education, socioeconomic development, infrastructure or security in the emirate.
The council also accused the leadership of becoming distant from communities in Zuru Emirate, alleging that some of its members had remained in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos and Kano instead of maintaining regular engagement with people and community stakeholders.
The Emirate Council further criticised what it described as “unpatriotic criticism” and said the leadership had failed to demonstrate sufficient sensitivity to the challenges confronting residents of the emirate.
These claims were contained in the statement announcing the dissolution and represent the position of the Emirate Council.
Community Engagement and Security Concerns Cited
The council said the dissolved leadership also failed to maintain regular consultations with community leaders and other stakeholders in Zuru Emirate.
According to the statement, such consultations were necessary to complement government efforts, particularly in the provision of critical infrastructure and in addressing security challenges facing communities across the emirate.
The development comes against the backdrop of wider concerns about security and development across Kebbi State. The Bureau Journal has previously reported on security meetings convened by the Kebbi State Government as authorities respond to security challenges in the state.
Yusuf Wade Emerges as New ZEDS President
Following the dissolution, the Board of Trustees appointed Alhaji Yusuf Wade as the new National President of ZEDS.
Wade was mandated to reposition the organisation and strengthen its role in supporting development initiatives across Zuru Emirate.
According to the statement, the new leadership is expected to work towards infrastructure development, mobilise financial contributions from indigenes across the country and establish stronger partnerships with relevant organisations and companies operating in the emirate.
New ZEDS Leadership to Pursue Monthly Contributions
One of the initiatives outlined for the restructured organisation is the introduction of monthly levies from Zuru indigenes living across Nigeria.
The funds are expected to support development projects and other initiatives considered beneficial to communities within the emirate.
The new leadership was also mandated to engage mining companies operating in the area on Corporate Social Responsibility agreements that could support infrastructure and community development.
Zuru Emirate has significant mining activity, making engagement with companies operating in the sector a potentially important component of the society’s development strategy.
Emir Calls for Inclusive Development
The statement said the restructured ZEDS would pursue an inclusive and non-partisan approach to development involving communities across ethnic and religious lines.
The approach is expected to reflect the stated position of the Emir of Zuru that he is a leader and father to all communities within the emirate.
The council said the organisation should complement rather than compete with government efforts in addressing infrastructure, socioeconomic and security challenges.
The development comes as Kebbi State continues to highlight development and infrastructure priorities across its local government areas.
Who Is the New ZEDS President?
Yusuf Wade, the newly appointed National President, is an experienced education administrator who retired as a director in the Kebbi State Ministry of Education, according to the statement.
He previously served as secretary of a committee chaired by Professor Attahiru Jega and comprising 16 professors, which was established to examine issues relating to educational improvement.
His background in education is expected to form part of the experience he brings to the new leadership as ZEDS seeks to broaden its development activities.
Education has remained a significant component of development discussions in Kebbi. The Bureau Journal has previously reported on issues surrounding primary school teachers and education in Kebbi, as well as initiatives involving health and community development partnerships in the state.
Senior Figures Attend Zuru Meeting
The meeting was attended by several prominent figures from the Zuru Emirate, including Major-General (Senator) Muhammad Magoro, Galadiman Zuru; Lieutenant General Ishaya Bamaiyi, Uban Yakin Zuru; and Justice Danlami Zama Senchi, Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal.
Members of the Zuru Emirate Council, representatives of the five chiefdoms, local government chairmen and district heads were also listed among those in attendance.
The broad representation at the meeting underscores the importance attached by the Emirate Council to the restructuring of the development society.
ZEDS Faces Fresh Mandate
The dissolution gives the new ZEDS leadership a fresh mandate to reconnect the organisation with communities, mobilise resources and pursue development projects across Zuru Emirate.
The new administration will also be expected to demonstrate how the proposed monthly contributions, mining-sector partnerships and other initiatives can translate into tangible projects for residents.
The restructuring comes at a time when the Kebbi State Government and traditional institutions are placing renewed emphasis on development, security and community engagement.
The Bureau Journal has also reported on Kebbi Government’s efforts to strengthen public financial management and on state-level revenue reforms aimed at strengthening internally generated revenue.
With Yusuf Wade now heading ZEDS, attention will shift to whether the new administration can fulfil the mandate handed to it by the Board of Trustees and deliver the development-oriented programmes outlined by the Emirate Council.
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