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Tag: Sokoto State

  • Sokoto spends N4bn on pension, gratuity in two years

    Sokoto spends N4bn on pension, gratuity in two years

    Alhaji Sa’idu Umar, Sokoto State Commissioner for Finance, said that the state government spent N4 billion for the payment of pension and gratuity of retired civil servants from 2016 to date.

    Umar spoke in an interview with newsmen shortly after defending the Sokoto State 2018 budget proposal before the state House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Sokoto.

    He said that the government had since identified various measures to ensure more revenue generation to collect adequate funds for the implementation of the 2018 budget.

    “We are fully committed to ensure best percentage of budget implementation in our various Ministry’s, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to enable more development in the state,” he said.

    The commissioner added that the government had spent over N2 billion in 2016 for the payment of the retired civil servants while in 2017, about N2 billion was also paid for same purpose.

    He said, “thus the state 2017 budget implementation was not as expected due to low flow of cash in its revenue generation”.

    Umar said much had been achieved in revenue generation, adding that the state was one of the few which salaries, pension, gratuity and all civil servants’ arrears were promptly paid as when due.

    While assuring the public of a general improvement in the performance of the 2018 budget, Umar said that the government would strengthen the activities of its Board of Internal Revenue to successfully generate appropriate funds for implementation.

    The Committee Chairman, Alhaji Malami Muhammad (APC-Sokoto South II), assured that the assembly would continue to support the government in its bid to develop the state.

    NAN

  • Sokoto PDP accuses APC of destabilising party

    Sokoto PDP accuses APC of destabilising party

    …as APC describes opposition ‘Mush room party’

    With one year to the 2019 general polls, stakeholders of the Sokoto state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has raised alarm accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the state of hatching confusion to divide the party.

    It vowed to reclaim the image of the state from the non performing APC government in both Sokoto state and federal level.

    The opposition PDP also noted with concern the impending attempt by the state APC to factionalise its members and party’s activities.

    At its committee meeting which held at the weekend according to a release by the state party Secretary, Kabiru Aliyu noted that the move by APC led administration was an attempt to destroy the PDP.

    “Their plan will not work and it has failed. We are united under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma.

    “We are focused and determined to take over government.

    “Our ‎strength of purpose remain intact and will not fail to challenge the ruling APC in the state.”

    According to the release,” we are challenging the APC to redeem the numerous pledges it made to electorates instead of enticing our supporters with state resources to decamp to their fold.

    “If APC had performed creditably well, people would have decamped on their own without been prompted.‎”

    However, the meeting called on former governor Attahiru Bafarawa to contest the 2019 presidential election‎.

    In a swift reaction to the issues raised by the PDP stakeholders, the ruling APC state chairman, Usman Suleiman Danmadamin Isa described as irrelevant, false and unfounded the allegations by the PDP.

    “Our party has not recognised PDP nor its allegations as credible. 

    “PDP in Sokoto is a mush room party. A party that has no single councillor, what has it to show that will cause our party to lure it’s members.

    “APC has the structures and strength to pull crowd. And those decamping to APC do that willingly without been given a dime.

    “I am the chairman, APC Committee for decampees‎. I have never given nor anyone received money for joining our party”, he pointed out.

    According to Danmadami” It is a common thing with an opposition which has not to offer to thrive in condemning the ruling party.‎”

    He explained that between 2015 to date, APC led government of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had performed creditably well in the execution of meaningful projects as well the repositioning of its educational sector and promotion of academic excellence through sponsorship and scholarship awards to students of Sokoto origin.

    ” We have invested a lot in the empowerment scheme for our youths, women and physically challenged.

    “There is no invest that is as worthy as that in human capital which we have taken with seriousness to strengthen the capacity of all and sundry’, he stated.

  • Tambuwal inaugurates 80kw solar electricity project

    Tambuwal inaugurates 80kw solar electricity project

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has inaugurated the 80kw solar mini-grid electricity project which will provide uninterrupted power supply to Kurdula community in Gudu Local Government Area.

    Malam Imam Imam, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor, said this in a statement issued in Sokoto on Sunday.

    The statement quoted Tambuwal as saying at the inauguration that more than 500 households made up of 4,000 residents would enjoy enhanced access to electricity supply.

    “Today’s event marks the beginning of a great collaborative effort toward ensuring sustainable growth through renewable energy sector development.

    “It has now become absolutely necessary to take advantage of the ongoing renewable energy effort to ensure self-sufficiency in energy for economic development.

    “Mini grid powered by renewable sources is the best option for us to expand electricity access in the rural areas where the national grid is not available,” the statement quoted Tambuwal as saying.

    He added that his administration will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to expand areas of cooperation for the benefit of the citizenry.

    Tambuwal, however, urged community leaders and residents to ensure adequate security for equipment.

    He said the project was a key component of his administration’s rural development initiative being co-funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the German International Development Agency.

    The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Dietmar Kreusel, had expressed optimism that the introduction of solar mini grid would expand access to electricity not just in Kurdula, but in other areas of the country.

    The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Ketil Karlsen, said that over 1.5 billion people globally lacked access to electricity.

    He also noted that many Nigerians do not have access to cheap, affordable and steady electricity.

    Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing Alhaji Sulaiman Zarma said the Federal Government was ready to work with partners on energy solutions.

    He said the Kurdula mini grid electricity project was one of the six currently supported by Nigerian Energy Support Programme in six states of the federation.

  • Sokoto distributes 45,926 desks to schools

    The Sokoto State government distributed 45,926 desks to schools in its 23 local government areas between 2015 and 2017, Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Media and Public Affairs Malam Imam Imam has said.

    Imam, in a statement, said: “In the 2015/2016 academic session, government procured and distributed 30,186 double-desk furniture to primary and secondary schools. For the 2016/2017 academic year, 15,740 double-seaters were distributed.

    “This number was complemented by the distribution of over 160,000 assorted teaching aides and instructional materials to all public schools in Sokoto State.”

    He said such teaching aids include basic school curriculum, white boards and board markers, admission/attendance registers, school diary, logbooks, visitors’ books, lesson notebooks, among others.

    He named some of the benefiting schools as Ore, Baliyan Dutse and Kabawa primary schools in Binji, Mundawata primary school in Illela, Zumbulu primary school in Sabon Birni, Rundi primary school in Silame, Kalgawa and Banche primary schools in Tambuwal, Alkammu primary school II in Wurno, Magajin Gari primary school in Sokoto North and Baware primary school in Yabo LGA.

    He said in 2017 alone, more than 400 desks were supplied to Gada LGA, 600 to Dange Shuni, 700 to Bodinga, 600 to Goronyo, 600 to Sabon Birni, another 600 to Rabah and 550 to Gudu LGAs.

    For Sokoto North, 560 seaters were distributed to Yahaya Nawawi primary school alone, while in Tambuwal, 280 double-seaters were supplied in Sanyinna Model primary school after its complete overhaul.

    “School furniture is an important component in learning. Government will continue to supply more of such desks until all schools are covered.

    “Government is also appealing to individuals and groups to support schools in their community so as to provide a more conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning,” Imam added.

     

  • Sokoto, Navy to build burnt brick classrooms

    Sokoto, Navy to build burnt brick classrooms

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has disclosed of plans to partner with the Nigerian Navy to construct blocks of classrooms using the affordable burnt brick technique across the 36 districts of the state.

    The governor spoke at the flag- off of an intensive advocacy campaign to boost school enrolment for the eastern part of the state in Durbawa village of Wurno LGA.

    He said the buildings would be named after the district heads to encourage them to help promote enrolment.

    “We initiated this advocacy committee, under the leadership of the Sultan, with the aim of sensitising parents on the importance of sending their children to school. Any parent who refuses to heed the call will be sanctioned in accordance with the laws of Sokoto State.

    “These classrooms are important because they’re eco-friendly and cost effective to build.

    “To encourage our traditional leaders to take active part in the promotion of education, let me announce here that each block of classroom constructed will be named after the District Head of the area it was sited,” Tambuwal said.

    Tambuwal said the project would be executed under the State Consultative Committee on the Development of Education headed by Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

    While adding that the measure will also ensure that the schools are properly taken care of by the communities, the governor urged parents to complement government’s efforts by enrolling their children into schools and ensuring they attend classes on schedule.

    In his remarks, Sultan Sa’ad said the committee’s assignments include raising awareness on the importance of both Western and Islamic education, and ensuring children are properly educated especially at the foundation level.

    He assured that the committee will ensure all eligible children  benefit from the state government’s education policy.

    “I am reminding traditional rulers to brace up to the challenges ahead of us,” he added.

    On his part, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Jabbi Kilgori, said the new enrolment push will be conducted in the three senatorial zones of the state.

    He said the programmes to enhance quality of teaching will target both traditional tsangaya schools in which 4000 out of 30,000 will benefit in the first phase, and conventional schools.

    The occasion featured the presentation of school uniforms, bags and writing materials to less privileged children in the localities.

     

  • FG approves tertiary military hospital for Sokoto

    FG approves tertiary military hospital for Sokoto

    ‎Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Tuesday commended the Nigerian Army for the  establishment of a tertiary military hospital in Sokoto.

    Accordingly, the hospital facility will serve as centre of excellence for diseases of military importance.

    A statement issued to reporters in Sokoto by Malam Imam Imam, spokesman to the Governor said the hospital, the first of its kind in the country, will also serve as a research institution with a United Nations’-grade international public health laboratory.

    The government according to the statement had provided space at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital for temporary use by the hospital pending completion of its permanent site.    

    The statement quoted Tambuwal as saying that some states have applied to be given the right to host the facility, but Sokoto emerged the preferred destination. 

    His words: “First of all, I want to inform the people of Sokoto state that our efforts in attracting important projects from within and outside the country has continued to yield positive results.

    “This hospital is of great importance not just to the military but to our people as a whole. Diseases of military importance are areas of concern globally because of the large population of people that can be infected after outbreaks.

    “Such diseases are subject of importance in efforts to counter bioterrorism and bio-weapons by aggressor nations. These infectious diseases include among others dengue fever, ebola, lassa fever, anthrax among others.

    “Having a centre in Sokoto dedicated to countering these likely outbreaks is a welcome development. We will support the hospital with facilities and logistics to properly take off until it is fully on its feet,” he added.

    The statement also dispelled the notion that the government has permanently handed over the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital to the military.

    “We just sent a bill to the state House of Assembly to establish the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital as property of the state government. Its position has not changed. The military will use the facility pending when all facilities for the newly-established Nigerian Army’s 8  Division, Sokoto, are fully ready,” the Governor added.

  • Sokoto: 1,956 patients from 10 local govts benefitted from free eye care programme

    No fewer than 1,956 persons from 10 local government areas of Sokoto State suffering from various eye ailments have benefited from Sen. Aliyu Wamakko’s free eye-care programme.

    Wamakko’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Bashir Mani disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto.

    Mani in a statement quoted the Director of Administration for Sen. Wamakko, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Alkali as saying that 1,594 patients benefitted from eight local government areas of Sokoto East Senatorial District.

    They are: Sabon Birni,Isa, Goronyo, Wurno, Rabah, Gada, Gwadabawa and Illela.

    He said that, the remaining 362 patients were treated in Kebbe and Tambuwal Local Government Areas of the state.

    He said that the senator initiated the programme to alleviate the sufferings of some of the residents of the state.

    Mani also said that the programme which was inaugurated on Jan. 4, in Sabon Birni town, is expected to cover no fewer than 3,150 patients in 19 local government areas of the state.

     

  • 406 eye patients benefit from Wamakko’s eye care programme

    406 eye patients benefit from Wamakko’s eye care programme

    No fewer than 406 persons with various eye ailments in Sabon Birni and Isa local governments of Sokoto State have been treated under the free eye care programme of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakkko, representing Sokoto North Senatorial District.

    The free medical outreach programme was Thursday flagged off the free medical outreach programme at Sabon birni town, headquarters of Sabin Birni local government.

    The programme targets 3,150 persons suffering from various eye ailments, in nineteen local governments across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

    This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashir Rabe Mani and issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday.

    The statement quoted the Director of Administration for the Senator, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Alkali, as saying that, 181 and 225 persons were treated in Sabon-Birni and Isa local governments, respectively, in the first two days of the exercise on January 4th and 5th, 2018.

    Alhaji Alkali expressed happiness that, the exercise was recording huge successes, saying, ” this is very heart warming .”

    The statement said that, the free medical outreach is being conducted by Dr Emmanuel Aghalu and and Dr John Uzomah, who are Optometrists working for Dr ( Mrs) Awawu Obasi Eye Foundation .

    It further said that, the areas of treatment include refractive errors, with  eye glasses, infections like conjunctivitis, as well as uveitis.

    Senator Wamakko, who was represented by his Director of Administration, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Alkali, flagged off the exercise at the Sabin Birni General Hospital, Sabon Birni Local Government.

    Senator Wamakko explained that, the gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the indigent people of the state.

    ” Health is wealth,  a healthy society is a wealthy society, ” the Lawmaker who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee was quoted as adding.

    Senator Wamakko further pledged to do everything humanly possible to further improve the living standard of the generality of the people of the state.

    Dr Emmanuel Aghalu said that, the commonest ailments in the area were cataract and pesbyopia, which is age-related.

    He pledged that the team would be diligent in the conduct of the exercise, even as he commended the orderliness of the beneficiaries.

     A cross section of the beneficiaries lauded Senator Wamakko for the gesture.

    The District Heads of Sabon-Birni and Unguwar Lalle, Alhaji Isa Mohammed Bawa and Alhaji Haruna Salihu Mainasara, respectively, also commended Senator Wamakko for coming to the rescue of the people of the state.

    The traditional rulers also admonished other wealthy individuals, as well as elected and appointed officials to emulate Senator Wamakko , to further alleviate the suffering of the people.

    The statement recalled that, the first phase of the programme conducted between July and August, 2017, in the eight local governments under the Sokoto North Senatorial District, covered no fewer than 1,300 eye  patients.

  • Wamakko advocates free education for youths

    Wamakko advocates free education for youths

    Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) has called for free and functional education for youths to make self reliant and prepare them for leadership.
    Wamakko made the call when members of the Sokoto State Law Students’ Association, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Chapter, visited him on Friday in Sokoto.
    He declared that he was interested in youth education “because education is one thing that when you give to anyone, he becomes organised and live a decent life’’.
    Wamakko, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, reminded the students that education would make them mature and productive as a responsible member of the society.
    “Developing human beings means a lot and I am always happy to see the people educated.
    “Education is the key to success in life and when you give education to the youths, you have developed the society in its entirety.
    “When you give education, one is at war with illiteracy, idleness, drug abuse and other social vices, as well as crime,” he said.
    The legislator said that he personally sponsored hundreds of students for study to the Republics of Niger and Benin, Uganda, Pakistan, Turkey and United Kingdom, among others.
    Wamakko promised to sponsor members of the association to the forthcoming Annual National Convention of Nigerian Law Students in Lagos.
    He accepted to be the Grand Patron of the association, as well as sponsor the production of their hitherto moribund journal.
    The President of the association, Mr Abdulmumini Abdullahi, said that the visit was to seek his sustained fatherly prayers and support to the association.
    Abdullahi recalled that when Wamakko was the governor of the state he approved the payment of the Nigerian Law School’s registration fees for all the successful final year law students from the state.
    According to him, each of the student got about N350,000, courtesy of Wamakko’s love for the education of all.

  • ICYMI: New bride attacks husband with razor

    ICYMI: New bride attacks husband with razor

    A newly-wedded bride in Sokoto, Shafa Muhammad, 28, has attacked her husband with a razor blade and injured him on the head.

    The couple is resident at Arkillar Liman Area, Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    The incident allegedly occurred on Dec.16, just three weeks after the couple Wedded.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Shafa was allegedly forced to marry Umar Shehu against her wish.

    “The husband went into her room to consummate the marriage when she attacked him with a razor blade.

    “He sustained injuries on the head as a result of the attack,’’ a source close to the family, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Sokoto state Police Command, ASP Ibrahim Abarass, said the husband had been treated and discharged from the hospital because his injuries were not life threatening.

    Abarass, however, said the wife had been detained by the police and would be prosecuted after investigation.

    He advised parents to always consider the wishes of their children before getting them married.