The former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa on Wednesday donated N1 billion as endowment to the people of the state.
Bafarawa ruled the state for eight years, between 1999 and 2007.
He explained that the gesture was born out of his desire to to ensure he fill whatever gaps he might have created while in office.
“At 70 years of age, I feel a greater pull towards the people. My desire now is to ensure that I fill whatever gaps that I may have created, consciously or unconsciously, in my relationship with the people while I was in office.
“Some may call this atonement, but I prefer to see it as an act of reciprocity. I want to give back to the people the goodwill and love they showed me.
“At no time can this giving back philosophy of mine be more suspicious and compelling than now that the people are passing through hard times occasioned by the current hardship in the country.
“It is against this background that, I have decided to make available the sum of N1bn for the welfare and well-being of the people of Sokoto State,” he said.
He however sought for forgiveness from the people for whatever wrong he had done during his tenure as governor of the state.
Bafarawa explained that the management of this fund was entrusted to a committee chaired by Malam Lawal Maidoki, the chairman of the Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Board.
Also speaking at the event, Sheikh Isa Talatan Mafara, advised the committee to consider internally displaced persons who need this support the most.
Another cleric, Professor Mansur Ibrahim, enjoined Nigerians to be patriotic and work for the growth and development of the people.
The chairman, Vision FM, Shu’aibu Mungadi, extolled the virtue of the former governor whom he described as a great leader.
