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Tag: Sokoto State

  • Sokoto to train 23,361 civil servants on computer literacy

    Sokoto to train 23,361 civil servants on computer literacy

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state says the state government plans to train 23,361 civil servants to enable them become computer literate.

    Malam Imam Imam, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the governor said this in a statement he issued in Sokoto on Sunday.

    Imam said that the governor’s disclosure followed the granting of approval to the Head of Service in the state, Dr Buhari Kware, for the commencement of the exercise to enhance the progression of the civil servants.

    The governor said: “We are embarking on this important project to increase efficiency in the civil service of the state.

    “In this age and time, no progress can be made without the knowledge of computer and by extension, information and communication technology (ICT).

    “The milestones achieved in the sector in the state as can be seen from award of best state in ICT from the Nigerian Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Abuja should be sustained and built upon.

    “We have involved the leadership of labour unions for easy mobilisation. We hope the workers, who are direct beneficiaries will show enough dedication and commitment to the training.”

    The governor’s aide further quoted Tambuwal as adding that the special computer training would be conducted in six centres situated at three state-owned tertiary institutions and the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund.

    The institutions are: Sokoto State University, Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic and Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE), Sokoto.

    “The Central Coordination for the training will be located at Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, under the supervision of the Rector of the institution, Prof. Aminu Ibrahim, to be assisted by five others.

    “Already, Head of Service of Sokoto State has met with the coordinating team and the leadership of the organised labour in the state.

    “This is to ensure that all the stakeholders are carried along in ensuring that the 70-week training is a success.

    “Consequently, all civil servants are hereby enjoined to avail themselves with this golden opportunity provided by the government.”

  • Gov. Tambuwal approves N213m for scholarships

    Gov. Tambuwal approves N213m for scholarships

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has approved the release of N213 million for the payment of entitlements of Sokoto State students studying in Uganda, Sudan and Niger Republic.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Imam Imam, who announced the governor’s directive in a statement issued in Sokoto Wednesday, said the payment was to commence immediately.

    He said that the Governor had appointed a committee to verify and settle all issues related to payment of scholarship to Sokoto students in various institutions of higher learning across Nigeria.

    “The release of the funds is part of government’s continued commitment to provide quality education for its citizens at home and abroad.

    ” A breakdown of the figure shows that the sum of N163, 400,000 has been released for payment of students in Sudan.

    ”Those in Uganda will get the sum of N26, 840,000. For those in Niger Republic, the sum of N22, 676,700 has been released for their upkeep.

    “So far, government has paid more than N2.5 billion as scholarship since May 2015.

    “For State students of other foreign tertiary institutions, payment is being worked out by the Government,” he said

     

  • Sokoto: Govt. recruits 17 lawyers

    Sokoto State Government has recruited seventeen lawyers to facilitate the speedy dispensation of justice in the state.

    The Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission (CSC), Alhaji Bature Shinkafi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Monday.

    Shinkafi said that the recruitment was approved by Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, saying that the new lawyers would be deployed to the Ministry of Justice.

    The chairman, a former Head of the Civil Service (HOS), also averred that the gesture would help in decongesting prisons in the state.

    “This is because justice delayed is justice denied and the state government is determined to ensure timely dispensation of justice,” he added.

    Shinkafi noted that the state government was employing various cadres of workers in spite of the economic recession to beef up its workforce.

    According to him, this is imperative as it helps in addressing the teeming unemployment among youths across the state.

    “This also will help in reducing unemployment, poverty and curb youth restiveness normally associated with idleness,” Shinkafi said.

    NAN recalls that the state government had in 2016 recruited no fewer than 500 graduates as part of efforts to reduce unemployment in the state.

     

  • Sokoto: Small scale business owners to get N30bn loan

    Sokoto: Small scale business owners to get N30bn loan

    No fewer than 30,000 small scale entrepreneurs in Sokoto State would benefit from a N30 billion loan under the Federal Government’s Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme (GEEP), an official said on Monday.

    The State Coordinator of the programme, Alhaji Lawalli Kebbe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that bank accounts had been openned for the beneficiaries.

    Kebbe said: “’The GEEP loan package is one of the components of the federal government’s social intervention programme in the country.

    “The beneficiaries would be both male and female, self proprietors of businesses under the aegies of various trade associations registered by the State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency and the state Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

    “Each of the beneficiaries would be given a soft loan of N100,000 to be disbursed through commercial banks.

    “Already, the state government had opened accounts for them with Unity bank, each with N10,000, amounting to N300 million.”

    Kebbe said that bank verification numbers had been generated for each of the beneficiaries, adding that the beneficiaries were expected to set up small holder businesses across the 23 local governments of the state.

    “This gesture would help in expanding the horizon of businesses across the state and the nation at large.

    “It would also further reduce poverty, unemployment, youth restiveness, as well as boost internal revenue generation for the state and federal governments.”

    NAN recalls that no fewer than 1,429 unemployed graduates in the state benefited from the federal government’s N-Power programme, which was rolled out in 2016.

     

  • Sokoto State University matriculates 1,367 students

    Sokoto State University matriculates 1,367 students

    The Sokoto State University, Sokoto, on Monday, matriculated the 1,367 students it admitted for the 2016/2017 academic session.

    The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, said at the 4th matriculation ceremony of the university that the new students were admitted out of over 13,000 candidates.

    He said “this shows that this university is gaining ground in becoming an institution where both parents and students want to come to pursue their educational career.

    “As a matter of fact, our second choice candidates were more than 12,000. This is an indication of the tremendous confidence they have in us.”

    Yaqub commended the state government “for efforts to provide adequate funds and facilities to the university.”

    The vice chancellor also commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), among others, “for the massive support to the institution.”

    He warned students against flouting the rules and regulations of the university and urged them to be honest, hardworking and dedicated to their studies.

    He also cautioned the students against acts capable of breaching the peaceful nature the university was known for.

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, the Visitor to the university, admonished the students to prepare mentally and physically for their academic sojourn in the institution.

    He said “you cannot attain victory without resolution and determination, as such; you should become more determined for success.

    “Sokoto State Government would continue to make the campus safe and secure for effective teaching and learning.

    “We will also remain committed to the welfare of students and staff and will meet all the requirements for the forthcoming accreditation by the NUC.

    “I am also happy that the university is reflecting federal character although it is wholly owned by Sokoto State Government.”

    The Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, commended the state government for ensuring massive infrastructure development in the institution.

    Highlight of the ceremony was the inauguration of some projects executed by TETFUND, NUC, NCC and the state government.

    They included 750-seater and 500-seater lecture theatres, laboratories, ICT equipment and landscaping.

     

  • Air Peace inaugurates Sokoto route March 1

    Air Peace inaugurates Sokoto route March 1

    Air Peace one of Nigeria’s domestic airlines, is to start flight operations from Lagos to Abuja/Sokoto on March 1.

    Mr Chris Isaiah, its Corporate Communications Manager, announced this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

    Isaiah said that the inauguration of the route was coming days after the airline took delivery of its 12th aircraft, a 114-capacity Boeing 737-500.

    The airline official said the new route was the airline’s response to the yearnings of the people of Sokoto State and other parts of the North to extend its exceptional flight services to the area.

    “We are pleased to announce the commencement of our flight operations from Lagos to Abuja into Sokoto starting Wednesday, March 1.

    “Sokoto is a strategic social, economic and religious centre reputed for its unbroken record of peaceful coexistence in the North.

    “We are indeed happy to lead the new effort for seamless connection between the state and other parts of Nigeria.

    “Our entry into the Sokoto route is a timely response to the yearnings of the government, good people of the state and the entire North to bring our spectacular flight services closer to them.

    “Towards the end of 2016, we promised to connect Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world,’’ he said.

    Isaiah said that Sokoto State would be the fifth new route the carrier would be inaugurating in six months in line with its huge expansion plan.

    “The airline entered the Lagos-Benin-Lagos and the Abuja-Benin-Abuja routes in September 2016.

    “Air Peace also started its Lagos-Uyo-Lagos flight operations in December 2016.

    “On Feb. 16, the airline made its first regional flight to Accra, Ghana.

    “We have been delivering on our promise consistently since. Our massive expansion effort since the last quarter of 2016 has established us as the airline of choice on the Lagos-Benin-Lagos,’’he said.

    Isaiah said the airline had decided to spread its wings of peace to Sokoto before launching out to more regional and international destinations.

    “These routes include Abidjan, Douala, Niamey, Dakar, Johannesburg, South Africa, Dubai, Mumbai, Guangzhou-China, Atlanta and London.

    “We are not just embarking on opening new routes, we are also acquiring more aircraft and setting up more offices,’’ the airline official said.

  • NYSC to plant one million trees in Sokoto

    NYSC to plant one million trees in Sokoto

    The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) says corps members serving in Sokoto State will plant one million trees before the end of 2017.

    The state NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, disclosed this on Tuesday.

    Abubakar said: “All the corps members in the 23 local governments will be made to plant these trees and nurse them.

    “The trees will be planted by the corps members as part of their community development projects.

    “This is the modest contribution of the scheme to the afforestation and reforestation efforts of the state and Federal Governments.

    “Trees are very crucial in combatting the menace of desert encroachment, gully erosion and flooding.”

    Abubakar further said that trees were also critical in improving the socioeconomic statuses of the people, medicinal uses, provide food and aesthetics for the environment.

     

  • Scarcity: Sokoto Govt. to sell petrol to motorists

    Sokoto State Government says it plans to commence the sale of one million litres of petrol to motorists weekly to stabilise the fuel supply situation in the state.

    The Chairman of the State’s Task Force on the supply of petroleum products, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday.

    The task force chairman explained that the action was part of emergency measures being deployed by the state government to fully improve the fuel supply situation in the state.

    According to Magaji, the state government plans to renew its bulk purchase agreement licence with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in this direction.

    ”Consequently, the state government would start the bulk purchase of petrol and sell same to the motorists.

    ”Anytime the state government buys one million litres, it would get nothing less than thirty trucks of petrol.

    ” The state government has fuel dumps across city and its environs to sell the commodity to the motorists.

    ” The task force will do everything humanly possible towards ensuring the availability of the product across the state.

    ”We will ensure the effective monitoring and enforcement of all laws related to the sale and distribution of petroleum products.

    Magaji directed the petroleum marketers to open their filling stations and sell at the official pump price to motorists.

    NAN reports that although the fuel supply situation in the state was improving, some independent marketers were still selling the commodity between N160 and N 175 per litre instead of N145.

    A cross section of the motorists commended the state government for establishing the task force, and urged government to ensure the sustainable availability of petroleum products in the state.

  • CBN, Sokoto to spend N1.12bn on wheat farming

    CBN, Sokoto to spend N1.12bn on wheat farming

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Sokoto State Government had spent over N1.12 billion on the 2016/2017 Anchor Borrowers Wheat Farming Programme, an Official said in Sokoto on Thursday.

    The Chairman of the Framework Committee on Agricultural Development in the State, Alhaji Chiso Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Abdullahi, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said that out of the amount, the apex bank contributed about N990 million, while the state government provided over N125 million.

    According to him, no fewer than 4,305 farmers are benefiting from the gesture for the season that commenced Nov. 2016 and will end in the first week of Feb. 2017.

    ”The state government had since distributed over 1500 bags of wheat seeds free to the farmers across the state.

    ”In the same vein, the state government had sold additional 2,094 bags of wheat seeds to the farmers, with each bag bought at N 35,000 and sold at N 18,219.

    ”The government had also given assorted fertilisers to the farmers at highly subsidised rates as well as other farm inputs,” he said.

    The chairman further said that the farmers had been fully trained, while adequate extension officers were provided for them, with each farmer billed to get a package of N 235,000 in cash and kind.

    He further stated that both the CBN and the state government have made adequate arrangements to provide all the logistics needed for the success of the programme.

    Abdullahi added that the state government has also bought 3,000 water pumps and sold to tomatoes farmers at highly subsidised prices.

    He said that each water pump was bought at N42, 000 and sold to the beneficiaries at N10, 000.

    ”In the same vein, the state government had bought 6,000 bags of fertilisers for sale to the tomatoes farmers at subsidised prices.

    ” The state government has also concluded arrangements to establish a mini-tomatoes paste production company in the state.

    ”All these are being done in the bid to have more value addition, reduce poverty and unemployment, curb post-harvest losses and boost food security in the state,” Abdullahi said.

  • Sokoto to conduct proficiency test for teachers

    Sokoto to conduct proficiency test for teachers

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State says the state government will conduct proficiency test for teachers working in public schools.

    The governor made this known at a meeting with the Chairman of the state’s Committee on Emergency in Education, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu.

    The governor’s Spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, noted in a statement on Tuesday in Sokoto that the committee was expected to present a report to the government on the needs assessment of schools conducted in November last year.

    Imam stated that the proficiency test was aimed at ensuring that the knowledge base of the teachers met required standards, while their postings matched their qualifications.

    He added that “the test will also improve our data base on the number of teachers in public service which will, in turn, be used to harmonise records available with different agencies and departments of government.

    “This is also part of measures taken under the emergency on the education initiative to shore up standards.

    “However, this does not mean that those who may fall below the required standard after the test will be sacked.

    “Alternatively, we will redeploy them to other sectors befitting of their qualifications and expertise.

    “Government will continue to benefit from their services as to the terms of their employments.’’

    The spokesman noted that Gov. Tambuwal had vowed to leave no stone unturned in uplifting the standard of the education sector in the state.

    Imam quoted the governor as reiterating his commitment to adequately fund the sector at all levels, adding that “that is why even in 2017, education retained the highest allocation in our budget.

    “Our thinking is that no amount of money allocated to the education sector is too much and we will not waver in this direction.’’