The 2nd day of September is an important date for the people of Zamfara State and Nigeria at large, as it marks the birthday of an iconic figure, a man who derives pleasure in serving humanity by assisting the government in the provision of social amenities, improving the lives of people, and putting a smile in the faces of the less privileged.
In my humble opinion, birthdays are not worth celebrating unless they appear exceptional and meaningful – in cases where the celebrant has a remarkable record of transforming people’s lives in a positive way; someone who timely to do the needful without anticipating a reward in return. Such are the caliber of birthdays worth celebrating for others to emulate.
Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare whose traditional title is ‘Gamjin Gusau’ was born on the 2nd of September 1965 into a humble family in Gusau, the capital city of Zamfara State. Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare is a household name in Zamfara state – a philanthropist per excellence popularly known not just in the North, but across Nigeria. He is known to be a problem solver, a banker, an economic expert and a true Nationalist.
Dr. Dauda Lawal (Gamjin Gusau) has over 25 years of meritorious service in both public and private sectors. He is a well-educated individual with professional qualifications including; B.Sc. in Political Science and M.Sc. in Political Science and International Relations from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Later on, he moved overseas where he further developed himself by taking courses at the prestigious London School of Economics, Harvard Business School, and Oxford University Business School among others.
Starting out as a Political Education Officer with the defunct MAMSER, the holder of an honorary doctorate degree from the Usman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto was Assistant General Manager at Westex Nigeria Ltd from 1989 to 1992. He joined the Nigerian Embassy in Washington as Assistant Consular Officer in 1994 and left in 2003 as Chief Protocol Officer. He moved to the private sector after this, joining First Bank as a middle management staff and leaving in 2017 as executive director, Public Sector Group.
It is pertinent to note that the people of Zamfara State believed that Dr. Dauda is not just a politician whose sole interest rallies around occupying a political office rather, he is someone with a heart to ensure that things are moving in the right direction in Zamfara, especially in areas directly affecting the living standard of the poor and improvements in educational sector.
As the people of Zamfara State continuously praise and shower blessings upon Gamjin Gusau, their actions continuously sparks up further curiosity leaving people wondering about what Dauda had done to deserve such praises. He is not just praised by the poor masses but the Governor of Zamfara State himself; Bello Matawalle specially acknowledged Dauda’s efforts calling upon other wealthy individuals to follow the footsteps of this great man.
The Media across the country published varying news and articles of the launching of new buildings (including hostels) and roads which were part of Dauda’s project in the School of Nursing and Midwifery Gusau, the Federal University Gusau and the College of Health and Technology in Tsafe.
In the School of Nursing and Midwifery, his project involved building of two gigantic Student hostels for both males and females. The hostels were two story buildings comprising of four different parts. Each part has eight rooms and each room is attached with a toilet and bathroom, a kitchen with storage shelf, along with four independent and comfortable up and down beds. The female Hostel can contain 256 students while that of the Male is for 128 students. Prior to Dauda’s Projects, only 50 male and female students were being admitted in the hostel due to accommodation shortage.
Moreover, in the College of Health and Technology Tsafe, the project covered the buildings of nine classrooms with each classroom containing sufficient number of tables and chairs as well as other learning equipments.
In the Federal University Gusau, the project successfully completed the building of a wide road covering an approximate distance of two and half kilometers. This further proves that his efforts in helping the Zamfara State government to successfully improve the standard of living, is worthy of all praises because indeed, the people of Zamfara are lucky to have a bighearted man like Dauda.
For me, I consider Dauda Lawal as a phenomena, rare gem and a philanthropist who finds pleasure in extending a helping hand to the needy. He is the true definition of MAN OF THE PEOPLE.
For all these and many other facts not mentioned, Zamfara people and Nigeria at large have a reason to celebrate Dr. Dauda Lawal. Happy 54th Birthday, Sir.
