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Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has urged the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to responsively halt illegal migration of young and able-bodied Nigerians who undertake dangerous trips across the Sahara and Mediterranean Sea in bids to make it to Europe.
Similarly, the Governor urged the service to increase vigilance around border areas to check influx of illegal migrants into the country especially through Sokoto and neighbouring states. Tambuwal spoke when he granted audience to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Baban Dede, at the Sokoto Government House. “Let me first of all commend you and your men for the good job you are doing especially in Sokoto and neighbouring states of Zamfara and Kebbi. Reports reaching us indicate that vast majority of your officers are carrying out their duties in professional manner. “Now that you are here, I want to appeal to the Service to streamline the number of multiple checkpoints mounted on various roads within the border areas in the state. “Even though we are aware that such checkpoints were in put place to control influx of illegal migrants into the country, local road users have complained of harassment by your men at such checkpoints. Please look into these complaints and help in addressing them,” he added. Tambuwal said the state government will support the community border patrols introduced by the Service, adding that the initiative would go along way in addressing security challenges in the country. In his remarks, the CG said they were in Sokoto to register their appreciation to the Governor for allocating 40 hectares of land to the Sokoto state command of NIS, as well as the Immigration Staff College situated in Sokoto. He said the Service under his command has introduced various initiatives aimed at improving the security of all Nigerians.
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Tag: Sokoto State
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Tambuwal urges NIS Boss to halt illegal migration
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IFAD task rural community development groups on productivity
The International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Saturday urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Sokoto State to ensure maximum commitment toward improving productivity in agriculture.
The IFAD Country Programme Manager, Mr Ben Odoemena, made the call during an interactive session with the groups.
Odoemena, in a statement by Malam Hayatu Dallhatu, IFAD Knowledge Management and Communications Officer, said that the interactive session was aimed at facilitating the CDAs access to obtain more benefits from agriculture in the state.
He said that the interaction was held with CDA members from the 17 benefiting intervention local government areas in the state, as they are “always the root of all IFAD programmes’’.
“Our visit is to ascertain if these groups are ready to receive support to continue with their agriculture activities.
“We are here also to clarify on the commitment of IFAD on Climate Change Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Programme (CASP), where attention will mainly focus on commodity value chain.
“Moreover, the CASP which is in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, will give farmers the opportunity to earn more in the business of agriculture,” Odoemena said.
The country manager, however, expressed commitment to continuous training of more youths on various entrepreneurial skills to enable them to become self-reliant.
Also, Mr Marc Sousa, an Agriculture Development Specialist, said that the team was in Sokoto to share ideas and learn from one another on how to successfully implement the programme.
In his remarks, the State Programme Officer, Alhaji Aminu Dogon-Daji, commended that the National Headquarters of IFAD for its efforts in ensuring the success of Agri-business in the state.
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PDP will not fail followers -Bafarawa
A former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Atahiru Bafarawa, said the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) would not afford to fail its numerous followers at the Dec. 9 national convention.
Bafarawa stated this in Sokoto on Sunday while receiving an aspirant of national chairmanship of the party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who was on a campaign visit to the state.
He said that it was unfortunate that the party encountered crisis after its convention in Port Harcourt in 2016, noting that the party was on “intensive care” at that time.
“Now that the party is out of the intensive care unit, there is need to put the party in order.
Read Also: PDP: Intrigues ahead of December convention
“We stand at risk if we don’t put our house in order. We will fail our millions of followers who are in support of this great party.
“Honestly, what we can do is to unite ourselves and pray to God to guide us to choose leaders who will lead our party,” Bafarawa said.
The former governor said that the North-West was yet to take any decision on who to support for the national chairmanship position, noting that the people would make the decision.
He described Dokpesi as a man of wisdom and experience, the criteria needed by the man who lead PDP as chairman.
“We believe that God chooses leaders, and I know that you are qualified to aspire for any position in this party and country,” the former governor told the aspirant.
Earlier, Dokpesi had said that he knew that Bafarawa was a man who loved and always wanted the best for his people, state and the country.
At a meeting with state executive members and convention delegates of the party at the Secretariat, he said he was in the state to seek support of party members for his aspiration to lead PDP.
Dokpesi pledged to work with the state executive committee and members to return PDP to power in Sokoto in 2019.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dokpesi was also in Gasau, where he met officials and delegates of the PDP in Zamfara.
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Sokoto to promote public-private partnerships Agriculture – Tambuwal
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has pledged his administration’s commitment to promoting agricultural and economic ventures in the state via public-private partnerships.
Tambuwal, who gave the assurance at a parley with newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday, said that the ventures were geared toward enhancing revenue generation and employment opportunities in the state.
He listed such ventures as the Anchor Borrowers Scheme and other agricultural projects of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in addition to the schemes of commercial banks which were targeted at boosting agricultural production in the state.
He said that other ventures were those relating to solid minerals exploitation, tomato farming and processing as well as textiles and agro-allied industries.
Tambuwal said that a mechanised cattle breeding and dairy farm was established by his administration through such initiatives.
In the area of education, the governor said that students’ enrolment in schools had increased appreciably, while efforts were underway to upgrade the infrastructural facilities of the schools.
Tambuwal said that a committee set up by the government had estimated that N47 billion was required to cater for about 2,011 schools.
He acknowledged the dearth of teachers in the state and the low quality of many teachers, adding, however, that the government would not sack any teachers but it would rather retrain them.
He stressed that his administration was committed to the judicious management of resources, adding that for instance, funds accruing from the Paris Club loan refunds were used to settle workers’ salary, pensions and other entitlement.
On sports, Tambuwal said that the Sokoto United Football Club would be repositioned for better performances with enhanced welfare packages, adding that a new stadium would be constructed since the current one was situated in the residential area.
He said that the state’s laws would be strengthened to address criminal acts like cattle rustling, kidnapping and other social vices.
NAN
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Sokoto to decongest crowded classrooms
Sokoto State government has introduced stringent measures to decongest overpopulated classrooms in schools across the state.
It also tasked principals, teachers and parents to demonstrate commitment through strict adherence to standards on admission of students and pupils such that requirements are respected.
Speaking in Sokoto, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Muhammadu Jabbi Kilgori , said the measure was necessary to keep to standard for healthy classroom activities and comfort of students.
According to him, the ministry has observed that classes across schools were over populated, which is contrary to standard.
Kilgori also noted that such setting would distract both teaching and learning activities.
“Each classroom should not accommodate more than 50 students to make it conducive for academic activities,” he pointed out.
He said:”We will pursue the course to ensure that the situation is reversed. It is part of the renewed approach contained in the terms of the state of emergency declared on education in the state.”
In a similar development, Kiglori urged parents to encourage the enrolment of their female children in schools, explaining that it was imperative due to the insignificant proportion of the girl child to boys in schools.
Kilgori made the plea to parents in Rabah local government while on a visit to Maikulki 1&2 and Yar-tsakuwa Model Primary Schools and GDSS Yar-Tsakuwa , JSS Riji and Riji Primary School respectively.
Meanwhile, after an inspection visit, Dr Kilgori announced that the Giginya Barracks Command Girls Science Secondary school, Sokoto and Command Boys Science Secondary school, Shagari would take off by January 2018 .
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner while receiving a team from the Nigerian Army to discuss on the possible take off date of the newly established schools.
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Sokoto trains 79 local miners to takeover FG mining sites – official
Sokoto state government has sponsored the training of no fewer than 79 local miners to acquire modern skills to takeover several Federal Government mining sites in the state.
Malam Imam Imam, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Media and Public Relations, made the disclosure in an interview on Tuesday in Sokoto.
Imam said the gesture was to boost solid mineral potential of the state, adding it was one area that had received the state government’s attention and focus for development.
Imam said beneficiaries were expected to also train others in the mining communities, stressing that the idea was to key into Federal Government’s agenda on diversification of the economy and to boost employment opportunity among youths.
The governor’s aide said the initiative had started having positive impacts on the lives of people of the state.
He said that the state government was partnering with Raw Material Research and Development Council, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and Federal Ministry of Environment as well as other stakeholders to drive the project.
He explained that the state government, in addition had designed series of empowerment programmes for women and youths as part of its efforts to making them become self reliant and productive in the society.
Imam said such training was either organised directly by government’s ministries and agencies in collaboration with Industrial Training Funds ( ITF ), National Directorate of Employment ( NDE ) and other stakeholders with similar mandates.
According to him, Sokoto State Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency ( SOSEDAN ) is vigorously facilitating the growth of various entrepreneurs through coordination of its activities, access to funds, markets and management at different levels in the state.
On agriculture, Imam said the state government was partnering with the Dangote group to boost rice cultivation through anchor borrower scheme.
The governor’s aide said that 500 hectares of land were cultivated this year.
He expressed optimism that the farmland would be expanded to about 2,000 hectares next year flowing from this year’s farming season huge success.
He noted that the dry season rice farming was successful in the state as government provided nets against quela birds among other incentives.
He said the Rabah farm named: “Sokoto Cattle Breeding, Dairy and Beef Processing Project’’ was established by the state government and equipped with modern tools and machines while foreign professionals were invited to train indigenous managers.
Imam said state government facilitated the establishment of the state commodity board in which harvested farm produce were being purchased from farmers at appreciable prices to prevent loss due to market fluctuations.
According to him, such commodities are being released to markets for public consumption as the need arises, to prevent hoarding, which usually results in price manipulation and artificial scarcity.
“Government also facilitates the establishment of textile and fertiliser companies through public partnership initiative where government invested percentage to argument farmers efforts, increased internal generated revenues and employment opportunities in the state.
“The government had facilitated the establishment of smaller rice mills and other agro-allied processing company at various locations to complement productions and markets,” Imam said.
He said that a working committee was inaugurated to facilitate and coordinate all the agricultural projects in the state.
NAN
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Sokoto to connect solar power in rural areas
Sokoto State Government said it had started the process of connecting a number of rural households with solar power to deepen energy usage and enhance rural electrification in the state.
Alhaji Bashir Gidado, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Public Private Partnership (PPP), made the disclosure at a news conference in Sokoto on Sunday.
Gidado said the project was a partnership between the state government and Nigeria Energy Support Project ( NESP ), GIZ of Germany and GoSolar.
He added that a pilot scheme had already started in Kurdula, a rural settlement in Balle town in Gudu Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that “this is an off grid mini solar project and the idea is to provide solar power to rural communities that are not covered by the national grid using solar energy which we have in abundance in Sokoto State.
“Kurdula is a rural settlement in Balle and was chosen as location for the pilot scheme after series of deliberations by partners and local stakeholders.
“So far, GIZ has completed the installation of the distribution network, while the next phase, which is generation network, will be provided by GoSolar.”
The governor’s aide added that the state government had provided land for the project, while payment of compensation as approved by Gov. Tambuwal was being processed.
Gidado said all generation equipment had already arrived the country and expected in Sokoto any moment from now.
“On the whole, the targeted population will be provided with clean energy for domestic use and minor commercial uses at very affordable rates,” he said.
He noted that the project was being coordinated by a State Working Group, with membership drawn from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the office of Sexretary to State Government.
“We hope to officially unveil the project in the next three months,” Gidado said.
NAN
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31% of Sokoto teachers ‘unqualified’
No fewer than 31 per cent per cent of public schools teachers in Sokoto State are unqualified, Chairman, Sub-committee on state of emergency in the education sector Dr. Shadi Sabeh has said.
He said the teachers were, however, trainable and their qualifications would be consolidated to fit them into the classrooms.
This was part of the recommendation the committee submitted to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The committee is expected to proffer solutions to challenges in the education sector.
Further, the committee recommended the employment of 548 teachers more to achieve a teacher/student ratio of 1:40, the standard set for public schools.
Presenting the report at Government House, Sabeh, said a total of 360 schools were assessed, adding that it discovered an imbalance in teachers’ distribution, especially between rural and urban areas.
“There’s need to repost 537 teachers from some schools that are over-staffed within the Sokoto metropolis to the many that are lacking teachers in rural areas,” Sabeh said.
According to him, another area of concern is the need to boost Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in schools as 73 per cent of teachers surveyed lacked computer skills.
“The government must enforce compliance with Federal Government’s directives that all teachers must be registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). At the moment, only 14 per cent of the teachers have the necessary registration”.
He added: “In general, there is an ardent and urgent need for a robust capacity building programme that will close the training gap among teachers in the state. This is against the backdrop that 90 per cent of teachers surveyed have not attended any form of training, workshop and seminar in the last three years.”
Tambuwal assured that the report would be implemented, while other measures put in place to ensure a turnaround in the fortunes of the sector.
He said a new training schedule would be drawn up by the government to ensure all teachers are provided with opportunities for refresher courses.
“I want to commend the members of the sub-committee for a diligent job. The people and government of Sokoto State will forever be proud of your service,” he added.
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2019 polls: Opposition parties ‘ll get few votes- Wamakko
Opinions and predictions ahead of the 2019 general polls have begun just as Senator Aliyu Magatarkada Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) has expressed optimism in favour of the ruling APC, saying opposition parties will win few votes.
Wamakko according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashir Rabe Mani made the remark at his Gawon Nama, Sokoto residence.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Schools while receiving the winner of APC’s primaries for the Kware/Wamakko federal constituenc bye-election, Ahmed Kalambaina, party leaders and others,Thursday night, said that come 2019, the opposition parties will be left with few votes scores
According to Wamakko: ” In 2019, in sha Allahu, the opposition parties will score only few votes, even if there will be any opposition party by then.
” Sokoto State will produce more votes in 2019,more than it did in 2015, because in 2015, some opposition parties made a little impact, but not would remain by 2019, God willing.
” We will produce more than the one million votes we produced in 2019, as the state remains a stronghold of the APC.
The statement further quoted Senator Wamakko who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education as restating the people of Sokoto state and Nigerians still repose tremendous confidence in the APC, its elected and appointed officials.
Senator Wamakko further commended the people of the state for their sustained support and cooperation to the party.
” Leaders at all levels should be dedicated to the service of the people and not being selfish and APC is doing just this, at all levels in the country.
” The people of the state and Nigerians in general will not in any way regret giving their mandates to the party,”the Law maker, added.
He particularly commended Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for exhibiting high sense of selflessness during the primary election.
Read Also: Mass sack looms as Bayelsa compiles names of payroll fraudsters
Senator Wamakko further reiterated that the party in the state was still intact, while himself and the governor would remain inseparable, hence shaming some ardent detractors.
While congratulating Kalambaina for his victory, Senator Wamakko charged him and other members of the party to buckle up for the bye election and even beyond.
” We should not in any way be complacent as the arduous work has just began. We should go out and meet the people, seek for forgiveness, seek their votes, as well renew our commitment to serve them better, at all levels
” Sokoto state will continue to remain a strong pillar and home for APC, while it will remain a bastion of peace, unity, tolerance and even socioeconomic development,” Senator Wamakko, further, vowed.
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Sokoto builds 50 new secondary schools
The Sokoto State Government has built 50 new secondary schools based on demands by their respective host communities, according to Dr. Jabbi Kilgori, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.
Kilgori told newsmen on Sunday in Gudu that government’s partnership with communities on education had continued to yield positive results on the sector.
He said that government had established consultative committees on educational development, at state and local government levels, to streamline government activities toward maximum success of the state-of-emergency declared on education.
According to him, members of the committee included traditional and religious leaders, Parents Teachers Associations, community-based organisations, NGOs and selected individuals.
“The committees assist government on enrollment drive campaigns, mobilise parents on continuation of studies and carry out other forms of sensitisations, including door-to-door contacts.
“Through our partnership with the communities, we get to understand demands and complaints; such information guides us on school establishment needs, teachers and students conducts, and infrastructural needs,” Kilgori said.
He said that N1 billion was sunk into the construction of Balle Secondary School in the Gudu area, adding that the school would serve students from Balle and neighbouring communities.
The Commissioner said that much success had been recorded in the education sector since government declared a state-of-emergency on it, and particularly commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s political will that had ensured prompt responses to educational issues.
He said that 2,000 teachers had been recruited in addition to massive rehabilitation of infrastructures, provision of text and exercise books, furniture, enhanced feeding and the equipping of laboratories.
Kilgori said that the consultative committees had stimulated enrollment competition among communities by instituting an annual award for high enrollments among local governments.
According to him, the local government with the highest enrollment was entitled to N1 million, while the second and third receive N600,000 and N300,000 respectively.
The commissioner said that 488 Qur’anic schools would be integrated into modern system of education under integration enrollment plan this year, adding that two schools would be captured in each of the 244 political wards.