Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has promised to mobilise global support and resources to assist Zamfara to tackle its security and humanitarian crises.

This is contained in a statement issued by Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser to Governor Bello Matawalle on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communication, in Gusau on Saturday.

“Blair Institute for Global Change has expressly commended Gov. Matawalle for his cosmopolitan approach at solving lingering crises in the state.

“Blair, who received the governor at the Institute in London, said he was impressed by the reach-out to the international community by the governor as an added effort at solving the internal crisis facing Zamfara.

“He promised to use his stature to mobilise support, resources and investors to Zamfara as his own contribution and concern for the crises facing the state,” the statement read.

It quoted Mr Blair as saying that “the Institute will assist in the area of security and development.”

The statement quoted Mr Matawalle to have commended Mr Blair and the Institute for their support.

“Gov. Matawalle noted the contributions of the Institute to African countries such as Ghana, Togo, Ethiopia, and Cote d’Ivoire.

“We have also seen how this Institute has helped to improve public policy, governance, and service delivery in a number of states,” the governor added.

Mr Matawalle asked for support in the area of security, humanitarian crisis and healthcare, citing over 600,000 IDPs in camps in Zamfara and over 186 households fleeing from bandits and kidnappers as reasons.

(NAN)