The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SOKOTO

  • Rainstorm kills one, destroys 100 houses in Sokoto

    Rainstorm kills one, destroys 100 houses in Sokoto

    One person died while more than 100 houses were destroyed when rainstorm swept through 15 villages in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Abdullahi Haruna, the Council Chairman told newsmen on Sunday in Illela.

    Haruna said seven other persons, including a mother and her three children, sustained various degrees of injuries during the rainstorm which happened on Friday.

    He added that six out of the injured persons had been discharged from hospital after treatment.

    According to him, the local government council secretariat, schools and other public places are among the buildings destroyed by the storm.

    He added that “the strong wind and heavy rain started around 5 p.m. on Friday and lasted for 30 minutes, but the damage it caused was enormous.

    “So far, we have been able to identify more than 100 houses destroyed by the rainstorm.

    “A committee has been set up to assess the extent of the damage.”

    The chairman attributed the extent of the destruction on the use of substandard building materials for building in the area.

    He, therefore, directed the Works Department of the local government to ensure that people complied with the standard building regulations forthwith.

    He said the council had contacted the State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency for assistance to the victims.

    According to him, responses of the two agencies have been satisfactory.

    “On our part, we are waiting for the report of the committee before deciding on what to do for the victims,’’ Abdullahi said.

    The Head of Sokoto Zonal Operations of NEMA, Mr Suleiman Muhammad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the agency had been notified about the disaster.

    “The agency will soon dispatch a technical team to assess the situation before deciding on the type of relief materials to donate to the victims,’’ Muhammad said.

  • Sokoto targets N1b education levy

    Sokoto State has started a yearly collection of over N1 billion as Education  Levy to be deducted from salaries of civil servants in the state.

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal made this known in Sokoto at the inauguration of a 27-member Education Revitalisation and Strengthening Committee chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

    Tambuwal said civil servants on grade levels one to six, would pay one per cent of their basic salaries, while those on grade levels seven to 12, would pay one and a half per cent. Their counterparts on Grade levels 13 to 16, would pay two per cent.

    Tambuwal, who inaugurated the committee during the 2017 Annual General Meeting of the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund( SEDTF), noted that a high- power committee was set up as part of measures to support the implementation of the state of emergency declared by the government on the sector.

    “The committee is part of the proactive strategies by the state government to revive education from its state of coma,’’ Tambuwal said.

    He continued: ‘’This action was premised on some disturbing statistics from development partners that the state still lags behind in education, especially girl-child education.”

    He said the committee was charged with shoring up enrolment, retention and completion of education by pupils.

    According to him, the terms of reference for the committee include: the rehabilitation, expansion and construction of schools, with the collaboration of the state schools’ based management committees.

    Tambuwal assured that the committee would work out modalities for grassroots mobilisation of parents to enrol their children in both Western and Islamic schools.

    ‘’It (committee) will also work to ensure improved quality of teaching and learning, as well as equity, irrespective of gender.

    ‘’The Sultan (of Sokoto) is globally recognised as a committed leader who has zero-tolerance for non-compliance, just like he led the successful war on the menace of polio,’’ Tambuwal added.

    Accepting the task, Sultan Abubakar praised the government for reposing so much confidence in the committee.

    “We will work assiduously in the discharge of this noble assignment, without fear or favour, and with the absolute fear of God,” Abubakar said, adding: ‘’The committee will recommend the sacking of all unqualified teachers, as there are many of them, with some wandering away from their duty posts.’’

    Also, chairman of the board of Trustees of the fund and Second Republic President Shehu Shagari lauded the state government, Sultanate Council and some individuals for their sustained support to it

    Shagari, represented by Alhaji Idris Koko, the Madawakin Gwandu, pledged to complement the efforts of the state government to restore the lost glory of the state’s education sector.

  • Varsity lecturer dismissed for altering results

    Varsity lecturer dismissed for altering results

    The Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said it had dismissed a lecturer (names withheld), for altering students’ results.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday but declined to mention the affected lecturer’s full details.

    Zuru said “that management of the university took that drastic action to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “The action is to remind academic and non-academic staffers of what might happen if they try such an act.

    “We will not hesitate to wield the big stick on any staff found wanting for any infractions in this regard.

    “The university has no fewer than 30,000 students and the guidelines are there for all to follow. We will not compromise the set standards.”

    Zuru cautioned students against examination malpractice and vices, stressing that the university would not tolerate any ill behaviour.

    He said students must conduct both their academic and extracurricular activities in line with laid down rules and regulations or be sanctioned accordingly.

  • Farmer arraigned for stabbing man to death

    Farmer arraigned for stabbing man to death

    A Sokoto Magistrates’ Court, on Friday remanded in prison custody a 38-year-old farmer, Aliyu Adamu, accused of stabbing one Nura Isiah to death.

    The police prosecutor, Insp. Na’allah Jibo told the court that one Haliru Isiah of No. 32 Mojiyo Road,  Sokoto reported the matter at Kwanni Divisional police headquarters.

    Jibo said the report showed that on Jan. 1, the accused of Kofa Area, Sokoto, criminally conspired with two others now at large, and attacked the deceased with knives.

    He said that those at large are Guti Mohammad and Lukman Soja.

    The prosecutor said the accused went to the deceased’s shop at Old Market and stabbed him in the stomach, adding that the man was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where he was confirmed dead.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that accused is facing a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide punishable under section 97 and 224 of the penal code law.

    He however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mr Abubakar Adamu ordered for the remand of the accused in prison custody, because the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    He said the accused would remain in custody until the case was properly transferred to the State High Court, for hearing.

  • Sokoto donates N20m items to indigent women, children

    The Sokoto State Government has donated N20 million worth of food items and clothing materials to indigent women and children in the state.

    Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Kulu Sifawa, said the items included 200 bags each of rice, sugar and millet, as well as 2,000 women wrappers.

    She added that additional N1 million was also disbursed to women receiving treatment at various hospitals across Sokoto metropolis and its environs.

    According to her: “The target groups included mainly vulnerable women and children focused groups, widows, orphans, women patients, women living with HIV/AIDS, diabetic women and other physically-challenged women, among others.

    “The gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the beneficiaries during the ongoing Ramadan fast.

  • Avoid inflammatory statements, says Tambuwal

    Avoid inflammatory statements, says Tambuwal

    Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has cautioned Nigerians to avoid inflammatory remarks capable of causing disunity among citizens of the country. ‎
    Tambuwal spoke against the backdrop of the ultimatum given to the Igbo to leave the North by some youths in Kaduna.
    The remark came from the Governor Friday night when hosted members of the resident communities at the annual iftar breaking of fast session organised by the state government in Sokoto.
    “I align myself fully with the position of the Northern Governors as enunciated by our chairman, Governor Kashim Shattima of Borno. All Nigerians must feel free to stay in any part of the country without fear of molestation.
    “We have enjoyed a robust relationship with all members of the resident communities and you have no reason to fear. Sokoto is your home and it will continue to remain as such.
    “I urge our youths to show restraint in making inflammatory remarks and threatening of one another. What we need now is to team up as a people to find lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting us.
    “We are a blessed nation and we should continue to develop our strengths so as to provide the needed leadership for Africa and the black world.
    “So as far as your stay is in the North and in Sokoto, do not feel threatened by anyone,” the Governor added.
    In his remarks, representative of the Igbo community in Sokoto, Mr. Steven Okoro, commended the state government for making all “Nigerians living in Sokoto feel at home”.
    “We have never felt threatened in Sokoto. We and our families have stayed here in peace for hundreds of years and our relationship with all groups of people here is based on mutual trust and respect for one another,” Okoro stated.
    Also, both leader of the Yoruba community in Sokoto, Alhaji Abdulfatah Coker and Chairman of the Association of Resident Communities, Muhammad Ibrahim, said they will continue to support constituted authorities to deliver on their mandates, and thanked Tambuwal for his open door policy which has enabled all citizens to reach out to him directly without much stress.

  • Children of beggars to get free education, says Tambuwal

    Children of beggars to get free education, says Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Government says it will take care of the education of children of beggars,vulnerable and other less-privileged members of the society.

    Announcing the gesture at a special iftar session organised for them by the state government, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said a pilot scheme started in 2016 in three local government areas was successful, and a decision has now been reached to expand the scheme to all parts of the state.

    “During the campaigns, I made a promise to introduce special welfare packages to improve your well-being. The last administration introduced the payment of monthly stipends to you, I am happy to note that we have not only continued with it, we have also enhanced it.

    “Our aim is to empower you all to ensure you have something you can do to permanently support yourselves and your families. I am happy many of you have positively responded to these initiatives.

    “Today I want to announce to you that we are introducing another special scheme which will ensure that all your children get quality education, free of charge.

    “The relevant ministries are to laise with you and come up with the required number of school-age children for the immediate implementation of the policy.

    “I urge you to support government to create a better future for these children,” the Governor added.

    While reiterating the determination of his administration to improved welfare of all citizens, Tambuwal urged them to ensure all their children are immunised against child killer diseases.

    “Don’t hide your children at home if they fell ill. Bring them the nearest health facility for assessment and treatment,” he added.

    Various speakers at the gathering commended the state government and Tambuwal for the gesture, and prayed for the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical vacation. 

  • Firm offers scholarship to medical students, others

    The Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCCN) on Tuesday awarded scholarships to 15 students studying medicine, engineering and other related courses.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students are all indigenes of host communities to the company.

    Speaking at a ceremony to announce the scholarships, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Aminu Ibrahim, said the students would undergo their courses in institutions in Nigeria.

    “The students were nominated by the communities, screened by the company and found suitable for the award.

    Ibrahim said that each of the beneficiaries would be given N100, 000 annually for the duration of the courses.

    “Put in your very best and justify the huge expenses on you,” the managing director said, noting that the company was taking ”a giant step in the educational development of our host communities.

    “CCNN has continuously offered assistance and projects to its host communities in the areas of provision of water, rural roads, healthcare, women and youths empowerment,” he stated.

    In a related development, the company has donated 2,800 bags of cement, worth N 7.3 million to 68 of its host communities.

    “The donation is usually given out to support the communities to renovate communal facilities before the onset of the raining season.

    “We sincerely hope that the donation will be used for the purpose intended.”

    Ibrahim commended the State Government, Wamakko Local Government Council and other stakeholders for their support to the company.

    The Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Ahmed Kalambaina, lauded the company for its gesture to host communities.

    A spokesman for the students, Mr Abubakar Tukur, a 300-level medical student of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, commended the firm for its assistance to students.

    He pledged that the benefitting students would not let the company down.

  • Sokoto House of Assembly loses Clerk

    Sokoto House of Assembly loses Clerk

    The Clerk of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad, died in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of  53, a statement from the assembly said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muhammad died at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, after a brief illness.

    His remains were buried in Sokoto after a funeral prayer at the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Jumaat Mosque, Sokoto, attended by Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.

    Also at the funeral were the state Deputy Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, Speaker of the Assembly, Salihu Maidaji and his deputy, Abubakar Magaji, among others.

    The deceased, who was seconded from the state civil service, assumed the position after the retirement of the erstwhile clerk in 2016.

    Muhammad is survived by his aged parents, three wives and 13 children.

  • Emergency on education timely, says Sokoto govt

    Sokoto State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammadu Jabbi Kilgori, says a state of emergency declared on the state education sector is to rapidly address infrastructural challenges, enrolment, retention of school age children and the girl-child education.

    Briefing reporters in Sokoto, Kilgori noted that government is fast tracking modalities for sustaining standards in the state education system.

    Kilgori also identified learning achievements, teacher quality and motivation, community and private sector participation as areas the state of emergency aims to reposition.

    According to Kiglori, the government had embarked on an aggressive enrolment drive, campaigning with rewards for outstanding achievement,

    Kilgori stated that the projected enrolment statistics between early childhood care education  and senior secondary schools in the state was at 1,908,099, but with a net figure of 738,034 as actual enrolment for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons.

    “Given this statistics, a total of 1,170,065 are out of school,” he pointed out.

    To further encourage enrolment and  retention, Kiglori said the government has approved the establishment of a primary and junior school each across the 244 wards in the state.

    “Each ward will have a primary school and JSS totaling 488. We have so far constructed and renovated over 60 of such,” he said.