By: John Bassey, Zamfara.
Honourable Abdulmalik Zubairu Zannan-Bungudu, Member of the House of Representatives for Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency, has trained 62 unemployed graduates of proven pharmaceutical background and donated N64 million as startup capital for them via an empowerment initiative tagged “Zannan Bungudu Lafiya Jari Project in Zamfara
The ceremony took place at APC Local Government secretariat in Bungundu Local Government Area, Zamfara state.
The lawmaker, in partnership with the Strategic Committee for Community Development and Empowerment (SCOCODE), officially flagged off the programme in his constituency, targeting unemployed graduates of health-related disciplines.
The initiative established 32 medicine outlets, 21 for human health and 10 for animal health across Bungudu and Maru local government areas, with each store assigned to two trained beneficiaries, totalling 62 youths benefiting from the scheme.
According to the lawmaker’s media aide, Aminu Lawal Bungudu, the 32 shops were rented and stocked for immediate take-off. He explained that monitoring, evaluation, legal, and supervisory committees have been constituted to ensure the effective running of the initiative.
“After six months or one year, the committees are expected to submit reports that will determine full ownership transfer of the shops to the beneficiaries,” Aminu stated.
During the official launching, which was performed on behalf of the lawmaker by former Commissioner for Information, Honourable Umar Jibo Bukuyyum, the beneficiaries were charged to utilize the opportunity judiciously and serve their communities with dignity.
“You have been sitting at home unemployed after graduation. We decided to empower you to become self-reliance and impact your communities. Respect this opportunity and justify it so others can benefit in the future,” Zannan urged, as conveyed by his representative.
Also speaking at the event, Zamfara APC Chairman, Honourable Tukur Umar Danfulani, represented by the party’s Welfare Secretary, Alh. Bashir Idris Ataka, commended the lawmaker’s commitment to delivering dividends of democracy. “We are proud of you. Keep up the good work. Your efforts are evident, and we appreciate your dedication to grassroots development,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation, describing the initiative as life-changing. One of them, Mansura Danjari from Kwatarkwashi ward, said the gesture came at a time of despair.
“Insha Allahu, this will touch the lives of the masses and bring succour to our people. I will make sure Zanna is proud of this initiative,” she stated.
The Zannan Bungudu Lafiya Jari Project is part of the lawmaker’s broader efforts to tackle unemployment and boost healthcare delivery, while building a self-reliance and economically active youth population.
