The Yobe State Government has named the Gashua Ultra-Modern Market after the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
The pleased Senate President, who commissioned the project, made a donation of N200 million to traders in Bade Local Government through his foundation.
According to him, a total of 400 traders are to benefit the sum of N500,000 each as start-up capital.
He announced that the Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan Foundation (SAIL), under his leadership will oversee the disbursement of the funds to local traders.
The announcement to name the market after Lawan was made at the commissioning of the project by the State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, Saturday.
He said, “I have the pleasure to announce to you that the Gashau modern market has been named after Distinguished Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan.
“The first ever President of the Senate from Yobe State and, indeed, the entire North East geo-political zone; and in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the state, and as well the exemplary working relationship he established between the executive and legislative arms of government for a developmental democracy to thrive.”
Governor Buni added that, “the Gashua ultra-modern market is a 505 shops of different sizes, administrative blocks, mosques, drainages water facilities, provision for banks, fire station, and police outpost.
“The market is expected to stimulate increased economic activities that will enhance job opportunities and income generation for our people and and promote internally generated revenues.”
He said that the market was registered as a limited liability company with a full-fledged board of directors to be supported by management staff.
He, therefore, enjoined the board and management of the market to work to ensure good utilisation of all facilities towards the realisation of collective goals.
Speaking immediately after the announcement by the Governor naming the market after him, Lawan said, “Your Excellency, I’m short of words today, for this honour done to me today.
“Your Excellency, Yobe State is out on the trajectory of development.
“Today, we are celebrating one of those development strides you have brought to our state.
“In particular, the ultra-modern markets in the four local governments are signs of efforts by your administration to create employment opportunities, generate wealth and, of course, ensure sustainable economic development for our state.
“I commend you for this foresight; I commend you for what you have been able to do in the line of developing our state in the last three and half years.
“Your Excellency, I want to assure you that those of us representing Yobe State in the National Assembly will continue to give our maximum support to you and our administration in this state, and nothing less is expected of us.
“I am particularly thrilled when you mentioned that the ultra-modern markets of Gashua and Nguru have been completed.
“On behalf of all of us in Zone C, otherwise known as Yobe North Senatorial District, I want to thank you for this care and concern for the development of this zone.”