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Tag: Sokoto State

  • Sokoto proposes N204.23bn budget for 2017

    Sokoto proposes N204.23bn budget for 2017

    The Sokoto State Executive Council on Wednesday approved the state’s proposed budget of over N 204.23 billion for 2017.

    The Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, told  newsmen after the council’s meeting in Sokoto that the budget would be presented to the state assembly on Thursday.

    Gada said:”Over sixty nine per cent of the proposed budget goes to capital expenditures, while thirty one per  cent goes to recurrent expenditures.

    ” The proposed budget will be presented to the state House of Assembly by Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Thursday, Dec. 29.

    ” The budget  has been slightly increased from the over N174.3 billion budget of the outgoing fiscal year.

    ” This is due to the expected increase in income due to the increase in prices of oil and the planned increase in taxes, as well as revenues.”

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, said that the council has approved N667 million to purchase chemicals for water treatment.

    Tureta added that N642.62 million was also approved for the purchase of four generators for the state water board.

    The Education Commissioner, Dr Jabbi Kilgori told newsmen that N95.4 million was approved by the executive council for the establishment of a mini tomato paste firm in the state.

  • Filling station sealed in Sokoto for malpractices.

    Filling station sealed in Sokoto for malpractices.

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said it had sealed a filling station in Illela, Sokoto State for allegedly selling petrol above the pump price of N145 per litre.

    The Department’s Operations Controller in Sokoto, Mr Mohammed Makera, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday.

    Makera said that the axed station which belonged to an independent petroleum marketer was also fined N100, 000, per pump.

    “ The action was a sequel to the raids we have sustained on both independent and major marketers’ filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

    “In Kebbi alone, our officials had visited no fewer than 40 filling stations, and same was done in Sokoto,” he said.

    Makera stated that the department’s personnel would sustain their surveillance activities and raids to the filling stations in the bid to ensure that no unsuspecting motorist is cheated.

    The controller vowed to ensure that motorists get value for their money, even as he advised them against panic buying during the yuletide.

    ” There are adequate supplies of all the petroleum products, so there is no need for panic buying,” Makera said.

  • Sokoto SSG calls for intense fight against corruption

    Sokoto SSG calls for intense fight against corruption

    The  people have been urged to join in the fight against corruption for the rapid development of the state.

    The Secretary to the Sokoto State Government,  Prof. Bashar Garba,made the call at the 6th World Anti-Corruption Day rally organised by Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Friday in Sokoto.

    “We will fight corruption with all our strength and where we cannot do that by our strength, then we will do that by resorting to prayers.

    “We find corruption at all learning levels from the primary schools to the tertiary level, through examination malpractices,’’ he said.

    Garba said the state government was ready to fight corruption at all levels to develop the state.

    In his remarks, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals and a former member, State House of Assembly, said the fight against corruption in the state had brought changes to the ministries.

    Goronyo said there had been a lot of changes in the ministries.

    He urged the people to help in the fight against corruption for the betterment of the state and country.

    Mr Bulus Mai, Commissioner, ICPC Sokoto, said that the debilitating and negative impact of corruption had triggered insecurity and conflict in Nigeria and other developing economies.

    “We are all living witnesses to the negative effects of bribery and corruption in our land.

    “The collapsed infrastructure, the dearth of health services, lack of clean and potable water, poor educational facilities, hunger and want, result in corruption.’’ he said

    Mai said the greatest hindrance to fighting against corruption in the country was the absence of `third eye’ and fundamental lack of unity of purpose, which generated conflict and insecurity.

    He urged Nigerians to help fight against corruption for a better and well -developed society.

  • Niger Delta crisis requires political solution – Tambuwal

    Niger Delta crisis requires political solution – Tambuwal

    The crisis in the Niger Delta region requires more of political solution than military, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said on Tuesday.

    Tambuwal made the remark in Sokoto when he hosted participants of Course 25 of the National Defence College, who were on study tour of the state.

    “The crisis in the Niger Delta is one that requires more political engagement by all stakeholders.

    ‘“Rather than use military might, we should lay much emphasis on engaging all parties in a dialogue.

    “The militants especially, must seize the initiative to restore peace in the region and ensure socioeconomic stability,” the governor said.

    He further said that the ability of the country to rise up to current challenges would ultimately define the true worth of its leadership.

    Tambuwal added: “Every country of the world is facing some form of challenges

    “What is important is the ability of the leadership to rally round, discuss and engage all stakeholders to come to a peaceful resolution of such issues.”

    Tambuwal commended the Nigerian military and other security services for their efforts in ensuring internal security.

    He said the successes recorded in the fight against Boko Haram should inspire them to look for solutions to the challenges of kidnapping and armed robbery bedeviling other parts of the country.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has good intentions for the country, Nigerians should support his efforts and embrace peace at all times.”

    On the theme of the tour, which is `Enhancing food security for national development: the role of state governments,’ Tambuwal said Sokoto had embraced modern agriculture.

    “In the recent past, we have embraced many cash crops because of the need to diversify.

    “In Sokoto today, we are leading producers of crops like millet, rice, sorghum, onions, tomatoes, cowpea and variety of vegetables.

    “From next farming season, we are including sesame among crops to be cultivated because of its economic value,” he added.

    In his remarks, leader of the team, Prof. Istifanus Zabade, said the participants were made up of Nigerians and their counterparts from other countries.

    He stated that they were required to study cultural, social and political environment of chosen localities, to broaden their knowledge base of all sections of the country. 

  • Sokoto spends N850 million monthly on teachers salaries-Tambuwal

    Sokoto spends N850 million monthly on teachers salaries-Tambuwal

    No less than N 850 million is being paid as monthly salaries to all categories of teachers in Sokoto state, Governor Aminu Waziri‎ Tambuwal disclosed yesterday.

    Tambuwal made it known in Sokoto at the Annual General Meeting( AGM),of the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund.

    According to the governor” We are also spending huge amount of money in purchasing assorted teaching and learning materials for our schools.

    ” This is borne out of my administration’s prioritization of the education sector, and our desire to revamp it.

    ” This is the reason the state government declared a state of emergency on the sector,while we allocated the lion’s share of the 2016 budget to it.”

    However, Tambuwal promised to assist the fund to undertake its lofty objectives of complementing government’s efforts in funding education.

    The governor further commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, for providing credible leadership to the state,Nigeria and the world, at large.

    In his remark, Sultan Abubakar lauded the fund for its relentless efforts to assist youths in the state to acquire all forms of education, as well as empowerment, adding that ” The fund has recorded tremendous achievements in all its activities for the last  fourteen years.

    ” The state government also deserves commendation for according priority attention to education,as well as the  declaration of  a state of emergency on it.’

    The reverred monarch also solicited the sustained support of the people of the state to the fund, saying that, funding education should not be left to the government alone.

    The chairman of the board of trustees of the fund and second republic President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, restated its commitment to continue to initiate programmes aimed at bolstering the education in the state.

  • Sokoto signs MoU to establish N2bn industrial fund

    Sokoto signs MoU to establish N2bn industrial fund

    To actualise a sustainable industrial development base, the Sokoto government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank of industry for the establishment of a N2 billion industrial development fund in the state.

    Speaking at a brief signing ceremony of the MoU in Sokoto, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the two parties will provide a billion Naira each, while the fund will focus on micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

    Tambuwal in a statement issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the focus on SMEs was important because they are   critical component in implementing the industrialization policy of his administration.

    “Sokoto state government is determined to give the people all the required support to improve their businesses. I urge our entrepreneurs, businessmen and women to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their capacity and improve on their businesses for effective service delivery,” he said.

    The Governor said in order to ensure maximum benefit, government will only recommend those who have the capability to judiciously utilise the funds.

    Tambuwal reiterated the government’s commitment to implement the terms of the agreement and assured that the efforts will yield positive results.

    Also, the BoI’s Acting Managing Director, Mr Waheed Olagunjo said the matching fund was intended to positively impact on the industrial development of Sokoto state.

    He added that the synergy created between the two parties would provide a veritable platform for Sokoto State to experience accelerated economic growth and transformation.

    While thanking the Governor for giving BoI an office accommodation in Sokoto, Olagunju said the bank will continue to support the business community in the state so as to improve their economic well-being.

  • Hamzat Ahmadu: Dogara commiserates with Sokoto State

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has condoled the government and people of Sokoto State and the Sultanate Council over the demise of Alhaji Hamzat Ahmadu.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Turaki Hassan, Special Adviser on Media to Dogara, in Abuja on Monday.

    Dogara described Ahmadu’s death as a big loss not only to Sokoto State, but Nigeria in general.

    He said that the deceased made valuable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

    The speaker described the deceased a consummate statesman and an accomplished diplomat who dedicated his life and time to the service of his country and people.

    Dogara prayed God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss of former Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S.

    Ahmadu died at a private hospital in Lagos on Sunday at the age of 92.

  • Tambuwal lauds turnout of voters at council elections

    Tambuwal lauds turnout of voters at council elections

    Governor Aminu Tambawal of Sokoto State on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the high turnout of voters in the ongoing local government elections across the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tambuwal made the comment, while speaking with journalists at Kofar Ajiya polling unit, shortly after casting his vote.

    He said that the state government had provided a level playing ground for the voters to elect their leaders in a peaceful atmosphere.

    The governor commended the efforts of the state independent electoral commission to organise hitch-free elections across the state, citing the availability electoral materials at all polling centres as a plus.

    Tambuwal, however, urged the residents to continue to live in peace with one another so as to promote socio-economic and political stability of the state and the country at large.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was an impressive turnout of women in most of the polling stations visited.

    Mr Aliyu Faruk, the Presiding Officer at Kalgama polling unit, told NAN that about 109 voters had so far been accredited.

    He said that all the party agents and security personnel also collaborated to ensure peaceful, hitch-free election.

    At Kofar Ajiya polling station, Isa Hamid, the Presiding Officer, said that the electoral commission had provided all the basic materials that were needed for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

    “We have accredited 156 voters as at 11.02 a.m. and you can see that the voter turnout is quite impressive,’’ he added.

    NAN also reports that shops at various parts of the local government were open for business, while motorcycles operators were also seen at strategic locations waiting for customers.

  • Tambuwal assures of peaceful conduct of LG polls

    Tambuwal assures of peaceful conduct of LG polls

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State says adequate security arrangements have been provided for the peaceful conduct of local council polls holding this Saturday in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) reports that Tambuwal gave the assurance in a state-wide broadcast to the people of the state on Friday night.

    The governor said that the government, security agencies, State Independent Electoral Commission ( SIEC) and all political parties are working together to ensure transparent and acceptable polls.

    ” The elections will be conducted freely, transparently and fairly, and nobody will be disenfranchised.

    ” I am calling on the people of the state to continue to be law abiding, while they should come out en masse and peacefully cast their votes”, the governor urged.

    Meanwhile, SIEC Chairman, Alhaji Usman Abubakar said the commission had distributed adequate sensitive and non sensitive materials across the state for the polls.

    He said that 4, 000 card reader machines secured from INEC would be used to enhance the credibility of the elections.

    Abubakar further stated that the commission had deployed 15,000 ad hoc staff for the election holding in 3, 035 polling units in 244 wards of the state.

    Meanwhile, the police command in the state has announced the restriction of movement between 8.00am and 3.00pm.

    A statement signed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Salisu Fagge warned miscreants and private security guards and volunteers to steer clear of polling units.

  • SIEC postpones LG polls in Sokoto

    SIEC postpones LG polls in Sokoto

    The Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) on Wednesday announced the postponement of the local government council’s election it had earlier planned for January 9, 2016.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Usman Abubakar announced the postponement at a news briefing in Sokoto.

    ” The postponement was due to the non receipt of the card readers we wanted to borrow from our sister agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    ” This was also due to bye-election which the commission would conduct in Bayelsa on Jan. 9, 2016.

    ”’ Apart from the card readers, INEC would also train the ad hoc staff we want to use for the LG polls in the state,” he added.

    Abubakar further said that the commission had fully arranged for the polls and had even acquired the non-sensitive materials required for the conduct of the polls.

    According to the chairman, the commission may likely conduct the postponed polls in the first quarter of 2016.

    ” Nine political parties are participating in the elections and we intend to conduct free, credible, transparent and acceptable polls,” Abubakar promised.