The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SOKOTO

  • 2019: It’s too early to declare my ambition- Tambuwal

    2019: It’s too early to declare my ambition- Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has  said that those clamouring for political activities and seeking re-election  ‎are elements of distraction.
    According him” Its too premature to begin to declare my ambition.”
    He stated that between now and 2019 is a long journey , insisting that it was premature for him to start talking of his 2019 ambition.
    Tambuwal who made the remark in Sokoto  while interacting with reporters maintained that he was not encouraging that.
    ” I don’t encourage anyone distracting us from governance mode to politics,” he stated.
    He said such activities were only distracting mandate holders from discharging their responsibilities.
    According to him” there is no reason why people should begin to jump start.”
    ” Is not healthy for our democracy for people to change the mode of governance to politics. It is wrong,” he said.
    The former House of Representatives Speaker further said ” for me, I am not in support of that.”
    The governor who also spoke on the benefit of the President Muhammadu Buhari adminstration  to Sokoto state and Nigeria, said ‎the APC led government has successfully reversed a lot of negative activities threatening the security, economy and financial state of the country.
    ” Boko Haram and their activities have been subdued. What we are experiencing now is sporadic attacks confined to few places within Borno and Adamawa states.
    ” The fight against corruption has been fully domesticated with impact nationwide.
    ” Our economy is fast improving with positive outcomes against recession. A lot has been achieved in the area of infrastructure especially roads.
    ” Sokoto -Illela, Sokoto-Gusau, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega roads among others are fast in good conditions”, he pointed out.
    Commenting on Paris club funds that accrued to the state, Tambuwal said his government strictly applied the funds to what is was meant to achieve, adding” we channelled the funds into payment of salaries, pension and gratuity arears of workers.”
    ‎On his relationship with the APC chapter, the governor said it has been smooth and cordial.
    ” The party in the state is united and focused as a driving force for its existing respect for internal democracy and the principle of participatory agenda. “
  • Stop discussions on 2019, focus on governance – Tambuwal

    Stop discussions on 2019, focus on governance – Tambuwal

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has described discussions on the 2019 elections as a `distraction and unhelpful’ to elective office holders.

    Tambuwal made the remark in Sokoto on Thursday and said  what should be paramount now were discussions about governance and how the mandates given in 2015 should be executed.

    “I do not know why you are asking to comment about 2019 elections when we only just crossed the half way mark of the mandate entrusted to us in 2015.

    “Elective office holders need us to discuss more about governance. By the time you raise issues about 2019 in 2017, you are distracting the entire polity.

    “We can discuss 2019 election when the time comes but for now, let us discuss governance issues,” he maintained.

    The governor said his administration would continue to promote agricultural and other economic ventures to boost revenue and employment opportunities.

    He said through close collaboration with the private sector, agricultural activities in Sokoto State had increased.

    “With the Anchor Borrowers’ scheme and other interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria, we have made positive impact on the lives of our farmers.

    “Our partnership with Dangote to develop rice through the out-grower scheme at the Goronyo and Middle Rima Valley has been a huge success so far.

    “From 500 hectares in the first year, we have now set aside 2,000 hectares of land for cultivation.

    “In addition to that, Dangote Rice Ltd will establish a rice processing mill here in the state.

    “All these are geared towards harnessing our potential in the sector for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.

    Tambuwal said Sokoto State had positively felt the impact of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and urged all Nigerians to support the president for continued success of the administration.

    NAN

  • 2,400 NYSC members posted to Sokoto – Coordinator

    2,400 NYSC members posted to Sokoto – Coordinator

    Alhaji Musa Abubakar, Sokoto State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corp ( NYSC ), on Tuesday said 2,400 corps members were posted to the state for the 2017 batch B stream 1 service year.

    Abubakar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that registration and other preliminary activities for the corps members had commenced at Wamakko Orientation camp.

    He said that the Governor of the State, Aminu Tambuwal, would declare the orientation open on Thursday.

    Abubakar said that routine physical, moral and educative activities were lined up for the prospective corps members.

    Read: Sokoto to decongest crowded classrooms

    The coordinator said that the exercise would prepare them for future challenges in accordance with government’s intention to inculcate moral discipline and foster unity along ethnic and religious lines.

    He enjoined government and other organisation accepting corps members for their primary assignments to improve on their accommodation and reception of the members as well as their interaction with them.

    Abubakar said NYSC members would be in the state to understand cultural values, have knowledge of environment different from theirs, so as to inculcate in them sense of patriotism toward national development.

    Read Also: NYSC: 16 corps members to repeat service in Anambra

  • Sokoto Police Command arrests five suspected drup peddlers

    The Sokoto Police Command said it had arrested five suspected drug peddlers with different substances.

    The suspects are Abubakar Bala, 26, Musa Muhammad, 40, Hussani Zayyana, 22, Tanimu Uda,22, and Tashar Makka, 22.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Abdulkadir, disclosed this in Sokoto on Friday.

    Speaking through Mr Ibrahim Abaras, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdulkadir alleged that the suspects were apprehended with various quantities of illicit substances.

    He said police arrested Bala while in possession of 15 bottles of Tutoling syrup, while Muhammad had 80 wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and 170 Diazepam tablets on him.

  • IPMAN lauds FG’s commencement of oil exploration in five states

    IPMAN lauds FG’s commencement of oil exploration in five states

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) in Kano State has commended the Federal Government for starting oil exploration in Sokoto, Benue, Borno, Bauchi and Nasarawa states.

    The IPMAN chairman in the state, Alhaji Bashir Dan-Malam, made the commendation while speaking to newsmen shortly after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Kano on Wednesday.

    “The oil exploration which the Federal Government had started in five states mentioned above will ensure their economic growth and development and that of the country at large,” he said.

    The IPMAN chairman, who called for continued support to the NNPC, also applauded the Federal Government for sustaining regularity in petrol supply across the country.

    He said with the present administration’s commitment toward addressing challenges facing the sector and exemplary leadership of the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, fuel scarcity had now become history in the country.

    “Before now, people used to accuse marketers of fuel crisis in the country but scarcity of petroleum products has become a thing of the past due to the Federal Government’s commitment toward addressing the problems facing the sector,” he said.

    He said the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari deserved to be commended for tackling the various challenges facing the oil and gas sector and ensuring steady supply of petrol in the country.

    He also commended the NNPC for planning to make available petroleum products, especially, petrol in  all the 21 depots ahead of the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festivals.

    “This singular action is worthy of commendation in view of what we used to experience in the past at the end of every year in the country.

    Dan-Malam said with the current positive development in the sector, the country would soon commence exporting petrol to other countries.

    NAN reports that the meeting was attended by members of the association from Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe states that made up IPMAN Kano unit.

    NAN

  • ‘Kaduna electric spent N100m to install Usman Danfodio university transformer’

    ‘Kaduna electric spent N100m to install Usman Danfodio university transformer’

    The Kaduna Electric Distribution Plc, said it spent N100 million to purchase and install 7.5MVA transformer at the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

    Mr Garba Haruna, the Managing Director of the company disclosed this on Sunday in Sokoto.

    The transformer was installed at the university’s injection substation in the state.

    The electricity distribution company covers Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Zamfara states.

    According to Haruna, the project is part of the company’s priority investment to ensure adequate power supply to the institution as well as communities in the region.

    “The transformer which cost N100 million will service the university and the surrounding communities.

    “We are fully committed to achieve the desires of our customers; huge amount of money has been spent in projects across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states on power supply.

    “Our mission to deliver the required service for our deserving customers will surely be achieved, as the university is among our key partners in the state,” Haruna said.

    According to him, the company is planning to partner the university on its diversification to solar energy supply and other sources of energy.

    NAN

  • NADDC to establish Automobile training school in Nigeria, says DG

    NADDC to establish Automobile training school in Nigeria, says DG

    The Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council ( NADDC ) said it would  establish automobile training school in the country to train youths in vehicle production.

    Mr Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the agency, said this at the launch of the maiden magazine by the Federated Organisation of Sokoto State Student’s Association ( FOSOSSA ) on Saturday in Sokoto.

    Aliyu, who is the famous Nigerian Chevrolet Car designer, said that the agency aimed to successfully harness the talents of Nigerian youths to support the country’s automobile industry.

    He said: “Our focus now is to introduce a learning ground where the teeming youths will be supported in developing their own ideas into reality.

    “Moreover, we will continue as an agency to ensure more support and collaboration with schools of higher learning in Nigeria, especially in science and technology initiatives.

    “This is to fish out the required talented youths among the students to make necessary arrangements on how to achieve the desired goal. We are planning to aid in boosting the country’s economy.”

    The Director General also said that the agency had invited foreign investors to come and invest in Nigeria to enhance  in the creation of more jobs for the youths.

    “As Nigerians, we have the opportunity to adopt advanced solutions and use them to propel the society, as such the agency plans more innovative support to the country’s automobile industries.

    “We have invited more foreign investors with the aim of creating more job opportunities and ensure the country’s economic growth to successfully build a new Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.

    Aliyu further said that the solution to Nigeria’s problems and challenges was  with each and every citizen of the country.

    “As such, every Nigerian citizen has a responsibility in moving the country forward and we have to embrace our advantages of being the giant of Africa to achieve the set objectives,” he said.

    He said that all the vehicles in the world could be produced in Nigeria through collective engagement of talented youths which Nigeria was blessed with.

    He urged Nigerians to individually and collectively focus on ensuring the dreams and aspiration of the country are achieved for a better society.

    In his remark, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, commended the Director General for giving Nigerian youths the hope of moving the country forward.

    Tambuwal, represented by the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Jabbi Kilgore, said that Sokoto state would continue to empower youths to achieve their desired objectives.

    Mr Sirajo Abdullahi,  president of the association,  thanked the Sokoto State Government for enabling youth participation in government policies and programmes.

    NAN

  • Customs intercepts 365 bags of smuggled rice in Sokoto

    Customs intercepts 365 bags of smuggled rice in Sokoto

    Mr Nasiru Ahmad, the Controller of Nigerian Customs Service ( NCS ) in Sokoto /Kebbi/Zamfara Area Command, said the command had intercepted two trucks with 365 bags of foreign rice.

    Ahmad, represented by the command’s Spokesman, Mr Magaji Mailafiya, said on Thursday that the seizures were made last week Thursday and Friday along Illela-Sokoto road.

    Ahmad said the seized trucks belonged to Dangote Group, while the duty paid value of the 50kg bags of rice was N8.7 million.

    He said the foreign rice were among the items prohibited from entering the country through land boarders, adding that the action contravened Federal Government’s fiscal policy on rice importation

    He said that the contraband rice were arrested as a result of the vigilance of his men on border patrol.

    “The contraband has a Duty Paid Value of N8, 748,320 and the two suspected importers along with the contraband items were arrested.

    “They are in our custody and will soon be prosecuted accordingly,” Ahmad said.

    He urged Nigerians to complement government’s efforts on rice cultivation and other agriculture development programmes by establishing processing industries  geared toward viable economic development in the country.

    He enjoined individuals, traditional and community leaders as well as groups to assist government to achieve “smuggle-free” society.

    Ahmad described smuggling as “cripplers of nation economy which deterred employments, revenue and nation’s security progress”.

    NAN

  • FEC approves N5.57 billion for soil erosion control 

    FEC approves N5.57 billion for soil erosion control 

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday approved N5.567 billion for third quarter payment of soil erosion control accelerated intervention to different geopolitical zones of the country.

    The Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this to State House reporters at the end of FEC meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The states, he said, included Kano, Sokoto, Ondo, Osun, Enugu, and Bayelsa

    Details Later…

    Read Also: FEC approves N236m for completion of Katsina dam

  • NYSC members receive Sultan Community Service Award

    NYSC members receive Sultan Community Service Award

    Two National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have won the Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad III Community Service Award in Sokoto State.

    The state NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Abubakar said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Sokoto, that the recipients were of the 2016 batch ‘A’, stream 1,

    He gave the names of the awardees as Mr Clifford Udeh and Miss Shekirat Adetona, who served in Government Girls Day Secondary School, Bashire and Government Junior Secondary School, Ginga in Tambuwal and Shagari local government areas respectively.

    He said that the Sultan’s award was for corps members who served in rural areas and distinguished themselves in their interactions with locals and community development initiatives.

    Abubakar said that out of the 1,875 corps members under the batch who completed their service year on Nov. 2, seventeen also received awards for outstanding performance.

    He said that among the 17, four obtained state government awards, three won local government awards while 10 received commendations for efficient service in their various places of primary assignments.

    Abubakar also disclosed that two corps members from Sokoto state won second and third positions in fashion design and leather works respectively at the NYSC national skills and entrepreneurship competition.

    “We are hopeful that some corps members from the state will get presidential awards as the committee begins to screen nominations from states,” the official said.

    Read: NYSC extends service of 12 corps members in Ekiti for misconduct

    On sanctions, the coordinator said that six corps members would repeat the service year for absconding from their places of primary assignments, while 10 others had their service year extended for between two weeks and one month, for various offences.

    He said that the NYSC had partnered with some agencies to impart business skills to corps members in order for them to be productive during and after service.

    Abubakar said that the Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigeria, Heritage Bank and poverty eradication agencies had granted loans ranging from N1 million to N3 million to some corps members.

    “At present 10 corps members have established business outfits based on the training they received and are prepared to stay in Sokoto after the service year,” the coordinator said.

    He identified lack of accommodation as a major challenge facing corps members in the state and appealed to the state government and other corporate bodies to assist.

    Read Also: NYSC sanctions 15 corps members in Nasarawa