By John Habila Murai
The Zaar Development association ZDA is a non-political and non-religious group of zaar (sayawa) sons and daughters worldwide with the majority of them from Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of Bauchi state, which has a vision and mission to improve and uplift the socioeconomic development of the people.
It was established to among other things promote the spirit of unity, peace, stability and harmony among all that dwells and lives in zaar land, promote cordial relations with neighbouring communities, assist and cooperate with govt in the execution of rural and community development projects as well as the promotion of the cultural and ethical heritage of the zaar people.
The pan zaar(sayawa) sociocultural group ZDA since its establishment has remained vocal in the areas of the need for the actualisation of the age-long zaar(sayawa) chiefdom, the yearly organization of the renowned sayawa cultural festival “LHM ZAAR” making it one of the sustained cultural festivals in Bauchi state and Nigeria.
The association has been very active in the areas of peacebuilding among the diverse ethnic groups from the two local government areas of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local government areas which suffered many ethnoreligious crises in the past which account majorly for various under development in the areas.
The struggle for the actualisation of the age-long zaar chiefdom and other engagements that involve the struggle for the land and its people has always been the concern of all zaar sons and daughters as ZDA officials usually present the position of the people concerning any amendment or memorandum such as the constitution review committee among others.
The tenure of the current exco elected in the year 2017 is gradually coming to an end and elections are built to hold on the 11th December 2021 In Tafawa Balewa town of Tafawa Balewa local government area.
The major position has been contested upon is the coveted seat of the national president Zaar Development Association ZDA worldwide and the two contenders are the current national president Engineer Isuwa Gallah and the current national chairman Dazara Development Association DDA mr Linus Jacob Iliya.
ENGINEER ISUWA GALLAH: He holds a Bachelor Degree in electrical electronics from the prestigious Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University ATBU Bauchi and staff of the Nigeria National petroleum Corporations NNPC.
Gallah who assumed office in the year 2017 is seeking reelection and in his brief manifesto, the Arewa born electrical and electronic engineer tagged it thus” my stewardship as national president ZDA 2018-2021″ citing the current transformation of the association from a completely demystified era to new ideas, innovations and developments that have simplified the operations of the association on the bedrock of transparency, fairness, accountability action and results-oriented ones.
The current ZDA president is also attributing to his credit as one of his major achievements in office ‘ the ZDA national secretariat project ‘ which has reached over 90percent completion and his ability to bring the association closer to the government to assist in facilitating the actualisation of the age-long zaar(sayawa) chiefdom as well as the inter/intra relations with so many communities, ethnic nationalities, kingdoms and empires among others, hoping to maintain the tempo if reelected.
MR LINUS JACOB ILIYA: As indicated in his campaign slogan ” ZAARLAND FIRST ” the Guh born customs officer was the chairman Zaar Development Association ZDA Lagos branch, one of the strong branches of the association.
He is the current national chairman DAZARA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION DDA, an association that brings together over eight different communities in Bogoro local government area for the purpose of unity and facilitating development.
The general consensus however is whoever carries the day in the 11th December 2021 ZDA election which is adjudged by many to be keenly contested, the interest, yearnings and aspirations of zaar land should come first because in every contest there must be a winner and a looser.
GREATER SAARLAND!
John Habila Murai Writes From Bauchi
