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Tag: SOKOTO

  • Sokoto awards over N18bn contracts for vehicles, road construction, solar street lights

    Sokoto awards over N18bn contracts for vehicles, road construction, solar street lights

    Sokoto state government has approved the award of over N18 billion worth of contracts including N1.001 billion contract for the purchase of vehicles for the office of the governor.

    Others include the construction and reconstruction , rehabilitation of township and rural  roads and the installation of solar powered street lights across 39 township roads in the state metropolis.

    In the same vein, 47 township roads for construction and reconstruction in Tudun Wada and Ungwan Rogo metropolitan area will gulp N8.999 billion.

    Briefing newsmen shortly after the state executive council meeting  on Wednesday, the state Commissioner of Information, Sambo Bello Danchadi said the projects were aimed at fulfilling the promise by the administration to have a new Sokoto state with attractive look.

    “Sokoto needs to be on the map of modernity with attractive features. All these are part of repositioning the state especially the capital city”, Danchadi remarked.

    He also explained that the total contract sum also captured compensation cost to affected structure while disclosing that all the roads will have solar powered street lights facilities to be installed at the cost of N1.756 billion by Abled Filed Ltd.

    “We have 5 other roads to be powered by Solar street lights at N97.266 million by Zamani Global Enterprises .

    Read Also: Sokoto governor tasks cabinet on transformation drive

    “The Runjin Sambo area connecting road network will gulp N2.189, Maidduguri-Bodinga-Secretariat roads will cost N816.289 million.

    “Also, the beautification and landscaping of Forces Avenue -Lodge roads, Old Market – Mairuwa roundabout and Kalambaina will gulp N488.870 million to complete the projects awarded to ZBCC Ltd and Karma Investment Ltd respectively” the Commissioner for Lands and Housing Barrister Nasiru Dantsoho said among other contracts worth over N293 million.

    Similarly, the Commissioner for Environment,  Nura Shehu Tangaza said two major contracts for the rehabilitation and construction of culverts and Asphalting of Silame- Gande1.55Km  road at N2.244 billion had been awarded to Roads Nigeria Ltd.

    According to him, all contracts were expected to be completed within the earliest possible time of 12 months.

  • Be committed, purposeful, Sokoto gov tells cabinet members

    Be committed, purposeful, Sokoto gov tells cabinet members

    Sokoto State Governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto has urged members of his cabinet to be committed, purposeful and sincere with vision for ensuring a transformed Sokoto state.

    He also urged them to be free and contribute to the success of the administration.

    Sokoto said this yesterday at the commencement of the 3rd weekly State Executive Council Meeting in Sokoto.

    “I can’t do it alone, we should collectively work towards reaching the dream land and destination for the success of the state,” he said.

    Read Also: COP28: NNPCL seals LNG, CNG deals for domestic, international market

    While noting that his administration was on course to fulfill campaign promises to the people, the governor stressed that the state was fast undergoing robust transformation in so many respects.

    “We particularly promised to have a new Sokoto state and today we are seeing the transformation. The Exco is a platform for discussing relevant issues, proffer solutions with direct bearing on the lives of Sokoto people. Thank God for making us discuss and take decisions in the best interest of Sokoto people”

  • Sokoto, Nasarawa unveil N270.1b, N199.9b spending plans respectively

    Sokoto, Nasarawa unveil N270.1b, N199.9b spending plans respectively

    Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu yesterday, presented a budget proposal of N270.1 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the state Assembly with the education sector topping the allocation with N42.8 billion.

    Accordingly, the health sector got the allocation of over N31 billion with capital expenditure attracting N172.2 billion while recurrent gulps over N98 billion.

    Presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Hope and Resilience for Infrastructural Development,” Sokoto said the incoming year would focus primarily on the administration’s 9-point smart agenda to ensure the economic prosperity of the state through the execution of human-oriented projects that would open the horizon for citizens in the state.

    He explained that the budget was driven by the reflection of the views of the people of the state, hence the need for the administration to be focused with determination for the benefit of all.

    Sokoto stressed that “we will do everything humanly possible to transform all sectors for the state’s economic growth.”

    Read Also: Obaseki congratulates Shaibu on 54th birthday

    Receiving the proposal, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, commended the governor for the timely presentation assuring that the budget will receive the necessary blessing to brace the administration’s desire to achieve its 9-points smart agenda with ease.

    He stated: “We will also ensure a harmonious and smooth working partnership for the governor to sustain the tempo of hard work for the benefit of our dear state.”

    However, dignitaries in attendance included the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the immediate past Speaker of the state Assembly, former of Police Affairs, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, former Deputy Governor, Abdullah Chiso Dattijo, former speaker Lawali Labbo Maigai, Aminu Manya Achida.

    In a related development, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, also yesterday presented the 2024 budget of N199.9 billion to the State House of Assembly for approval.

    The governor, while presenting the budget  said it was made up of N112 billion in recurrent expenditure, representing 56 per cent and N86 billion in capital expenditure, representing 44 per cent.

    He noted that the budget was aimed at completing ongoing projects as well as initiating new ones for the overall development of the state.

    His words:  “I am delighted to lay before you a total budget size of N199. 8 billion or the 2024 fiscal year. A total of N112. 9 billion, representing 56 per cent of the total budget, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure. A total of N86, 954,019,755.50, representing 44 per cent of the total budget, is set aside as capital expenditure for the year 2024,” he said.

    Sule said that the administration had prioritised infrastructure development to improve the standard of living of the people.

    “The budget for the various sectors is as follows: Administrative Sector: Education, N41.9 billion; Health, N27.5 billion; Environment, N5.5 billion; Local Government, N6.3 billion; Finance, N13.1 billion.

    “Trade and Investment, N3.8 billion; Ministry of Science and Technology, N1.7billion; Ministry of Works, N22.7 billion; Water Resources, N41.9 billion; Lands and Urban Development, N8.6 billion; State Assembly, N4.3 billion; and Information, Culture, and Tourism, N2.6 billion,” he said.

    The acting Speaker of the House, Mr Abel Bala, assured that the budget would be given accelerated passage.

  • BREAKING: Appeal Court affirms Aliyu’s election as Sokoto governor

    BREAKING: Appeal Court affirms Aliyu’s election as Sokoto governor

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the election of Ahmed Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Sokoto state.

    In a three-member panel of the court’s Sokoto division, which sat in Abuja held, in a unanimous judgment on Monday that the appellants failed to prove their case.

    The panel, headed by Justice Ita Mbaba, dismissed the appeal, marked: CA/S/EP/GOV/SK/30/2023 filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the March 18 governorship election, Saidu Umar.

    The appellate court affirmed the September 30 judgment of the state governorship election petition tribunal, which earlier dismissed the petition by the appellants.

    Justice Mbaba, in the lead judgment, held that the tribunal was right to have held that Aliyu and deputy, Idris Gobir were qualified to contest the election and that they did not present a forged certificate as claimed by the appellants.

    The PDP and Umar had, in their petition, challenged Aliyu’s victory on the grounds that the governor and his deputy were ineligible to contest, falsification of certificates, variation of names, election fraud, and non-compliance with electoral guidelines.

    Justice Mbaba, in the judgment on Monday, held that the appellants failed to provide credible evidence to prove their allegation of non-compliance.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Sokoto begins recruitment of 2,760 community guards

    The judge noted, for instance, that the appellants, who were petitioners before the tribunal pleaded and tendered INEC’s Forms EC40G, which were issued in respect of polling units where election results were cancelled, but failed to call witnesses from the affected polling units to speak to the exhibits.

    He said although the exhibits showed there was the cancellation of election results 138 polling unit, the tribunal could not on its own conduct an investigation as to what led to the cancellation when the petitioners failed to either call their polling unit agents or INEC officials, who issued the forms.

    Justice Mbaba said the documents were dumped on the tribunal.

  • Group hails Gov Aliyu’s policies in Sokoto, blasts media attackers

    Group hails Gov Aliyu’s policies in Sokoto, blasts media attackers

    The Sokoto Progressives Forum (SPF) has commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his rapidly advancing, people-centric administration, unparalleled in the past eight years.

    In a media statement endorsed by the group’s chairman, Mohammed Sani Goronyo and the secretary-general, Bashir Isa, the SPF highlighted Governor Aliyu’s accomplishments in the first 100 days, surpassing what the previous PDP administration couldn’t achieve in eight years.

    They specifically pointed to the revitalization of portable drinking water supply, a long-awaited development for the innocent voters of Sokoto not seen in many years.

    Read Also: Money my love language, says Mr Eazi

    The SPF also took a swipe at “a group of desperate mischief-makers who are on the payroll of election losers, masquerading as Tinubu For Real, working in cahoots with fifth columnists hoping to distract the attention of Sokoto people.”

    Goronyo, in the statement, said their group is composed of “true citizens of Sokoto state and we are therefore on ground, monitoring the policies and programmes of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. We therefore challenge the so-called ‘Tinubu for Real’ group to prove to us if they ever visited Sokoto.”

    Turning to the claim by the Arc Isa Ibrahim group’s “spurious claims” on banditry in Sokoto the SPF said: “We challenge Governor Aliyu’s blind attackers to visit Sokoto first and find out the latest developments on the renewed effort of security agencies to secure the state. We are sure the group relied on old details, prior to the assumption of office by Governor Aliyu. “

    The SPF, however, called on security agents to arrest and investigate the Arc Isa Ibrahim group, for “that malicious, mischievous press release, designed to undermine the successes recorded by the Military, police Civil Defence and others, in dealing blows on Sokoto terrorists.”

    The group also hailed the governor for “speedily breaking the records by buying vehicles to ease transportation difficulties for the people of Sokoto State, especially in this era where transportation services are part of the pillars of a strong economy.

    “It is indeed heartwarming that for the first time in more than five years, Sokoto has a young Turk as governor who is spearheading a knowledge-driven economy, efficient and affordable transportation system and prompt payment of workers salaries, among other welfare issues.”

  • Insecurity: Sokoto begins recruitment of 2,760 community guards

    Insecurity: Sokoto begins recruitment of 2,760 community guards

    No fewer than 2,760 have been listed for recruitment into the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps, the chairman of the committee established for the initiative, Yusha’u Ahmed Kebbe has said.

    Kebbe, who made the disclosure at a visit to three of the most affected local governments by bandits attack in the eastern axis of the state, also urged the committees at local government levels to be fair and just in the recruitment process across the state.

    The local governments visited by the committee included Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo.

    According to Kebbe who assured of an acceptable and genuine recruitment process to be conducted by the committee, said already the committee had also commenced a state-wide local government sensitization tour to rally support for the success of the committee assignment.

    He called on the youths undergoing the recruitment process to be sure that they complied with the steps of filling the recruitment forms provided in order to have themselves enrolled for the patriotic service towards addressing security challenges in the state and nation at large.

    Kebbe described the steps taken by the committee as one that sought to drive a responsive and successful process for the establishment of the guards aimed at complementing the operational drive of conventional security agencies.

    He stated: “The focus of the tour is to further deepen the committee’s strategy of ensuring the support and cooperation of the grassroots dwellers towards the desired success of the initiative.”

    Similarly, the committee chairman explained that an average of 120 guards would be recruited for each of the 23 local government areas of the state noting that security operatives in the state were doing their utmost best in the protection of the lives and property of citizens in the state adding that with the coming of the community guards, security situation would improve in the state.

    He added: “I am confident that there will be a tremendous improvement in terms of security of lives and property of citizens across the state particularly in troubled areas.”

    He warned that bandits, informants, and other sundry criminals to repent immediately and embrace peace for stability to reign in the interest of the socio-economic development of the state.

    Read Also: Appeal Court reserves judgment in Sokoto governorship dispute

    Also, the secretary of the committee, Gandi Umar explained that the recruitment process dwelled on just, equitable, and fair treatment to all while advising that the State Marshal and already existing Neighbourhood Security outfits should transfer their services to the newly established guards to strengthen the initiative for the desired security goal.

    In the same vein, a renowned Islamic Cceric in the state, Malam Ahmad Umar Helele urged community leaders to ensure only responsible persons were recruited into the guards in their communities.

    Helele, a member of the state committee added: “We should all know that we are working to safeguard, protect and salvage the entire citizens of the state from the menace of insecurity for the peace and stability of the state as well protect the lives and property of citizens. Therefore, we must be purposeful, resilient, and committed to the task of making the state a secure and better place with opportunities for our people to live and move freely without fears of any kind.”

  • Wamakko, two Sokoto Reps win at tribunal

    Wamakko, two Sokoto Reps win at tribunal

    The Election Petition Tribunal in Sokoto State has validated the election of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, dismissing the petition filed by the opposition PDP and its candidate, Muhammad Manir Dan Iya for lacking in merit and awarded N250,000 cost to the respondent.

    The petitioners had challenged the respondent at the tribunal on the grounds of non-qualification, vote buying, and non-compliance with the electoral act.

    Delivering judgment, the three-man tribunal panel led by Justice Josephine Echesi, said the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt with evidence citing already decided cases.

    The Judge also awarded N250,000 cost to the respondent.

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    Meanwhile, the tribunal has upheld the elections of two representative members, Hon. Bala Hassan Abubakar (APC) and Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP) dismissing the petition filed against the duo for lacking in merit.

    Abdullahi Abubakar (PDP) and Hon. Bala Kokani of the (APC) were challenging the elections of the two representing Sokoto North /Sokoto South and Tambuwal / Kebbe Federal Constituencies of Sokoto State at the tribunal on the 2023 polls.

    In its ruling, the tribunal led by Justice Echesi dismissed the petition on grounds that it lacked merit and could not evidently prove its case.

    It awarded N250,000 costs to the respondent against Hon. Kokani.

  • BREAKING : Sokoto Rep member Danbuga dies

    BREAKING : Sokoto Rep member Danbuga dies

    Member representing Isa-Sabon Birni federal constituency of Sokoto State, Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, is dead.

    He was a first-time member of the House elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    He reportedly died around 12:30 am on Wednesday after a brief illness.

    Read Also: Ajanaku, Efon community leader, dies

    He reportedly took ill on Tuesday and was admitted in an undisosed hospital for treatment

    The Nation learnt that the corpse of the lawmaker has been taken to Sokoto for burial, according to Islamic rites.  

    Spokesman of the House, Hon. Akin Rotimi, who confirmed the incident, said the death was announced on the lawmakers’ platform this morning. 

    He said a statement on the incident was forthcoming.

    Details Shortly…

  • Sokoto govt to partner local, foreign investors to exploit solid resources

    Sokoto govt to partner local, foreign investors to exploit solid resources

    Sokoto State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Alhaji Isa Tanbagarka, says the government will collaborate with foreign and local investors to exploit the abundant solid minerals in the state.

    The partnership will also seek to enable the state to tap into the potential of mineral resources for its even socio-economic development.

    He stated this yesterday in Sokoto when he received a team of experts from a consortium, ‘Solid Minerals Development Funds’, led by Exploration Manager, Sheikh Mukhtar.

    The visit was to seek the consent of the state government and partner it in the exploration of the phosphate mineral resources around Dange-Shuni Local Government Area.

    Read Also: New vistas of development in Aliyu’s Sokoto

    Tanbagarka was optimistic that these efforts would translate into substantial and rapid development in improving the standard of living for the citizens in line with Governor Ahmad Aliyu administration’s nine-point agenda.

    He also said: ”Traditional rulers must be fully involved in this quest in mining our God-given resource as they know the terrain better.”

    Tanbagarka expressed the state government’s commitment to harness and utilise the resources efficiently.

    He said: ”We will do this proficiently to make solid minerals the next economic power house in the state and the country at large.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by Aminu Abubakar-Gawo, Permanent Secretary of the ministry and Vikas Dhiman, Engineer in-charge of drilling and a Geologist, Lawal Abdulrahman.

  • Sokoto is a symbol of national unity, says Uzodinma

    Sokoto is a symbol of national unity, says Uzodinma

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has commended his Sokoto State counterpart, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, for his resilience towards promoting national unity and making life meaningful to resident communities.

    The governor, who had one of the newly constructed roads named after him,  also called on resident communities to brace and cooperate with Sokoto whom he described as a purposeful leader who believe in transforming the state.

    He added: “Now that you have seen the light, join hands with the ambitious Governor in his efforts to reposition the state in all ramifications.”

    Uzodinma, who is also the Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum, made the remarks during the week at the inauguration of link road projects in Sokoto constructed by the governor in fulfilment of his campaign promises to electorates.

    The Imo State governor noted that Sokoto was poised to right the wrongs to improve the wellbeing of Sokoto people.

    According to Uzodinma, “I charge Igbo community in the state to be law-abiding and act within the ambit of the constitution and the law of the land.

    Some of the roads inaugurated by the Imo State governor included Kamba and Bungudu roads which are two-lane roads, linking major roads in Sokoto metropolis; Gusau and Birnin Kebbi roads lining the two neighbouring state capitals.

     Sokoto said his administration was in place to reduce the sufferings of the citizens by delivering beneficial services through good governance.

    This, he said, would be driven  by the provision of quality roads, revamping the health sector and providing clean water through rehabilitation of the Sokoto water works which residents were witnessing.

    Read Also: Tinubu felicitates with the Alake of Egbaland at 80

    “Sahara is the economic nerve center of the state, but all roads leading to the area were not motorable, despite its contribution to the economic development of the state.

    “Today is a turning point for recording a milestone, having this all important area transformed and more of such are under way to give Sokoto metropolis a new look, ” he stressed.

    Similarly, he acknowledged  the contractor for doing a good job despite short notice to have the N.3billion road constructed.

    “I wish to name the newly constructed road as Hope Uzodinma road, which is an honour to the visíting Imo state Governor”, announced the governor who assured that his government would focus on human oriented projects that would bring succour to citizens in the state.

    Aliyu Sokoto stressed that his administration’s 9-Points agenda was a deliberate blueprint and template to right the wrongs of the immediate past administration in the state.

    “We will remain focused , determined and result oriented in driving our meaningful agenda for the benefit of our people and prosperity of the state “, he reiterated.

     The Leader and Chairman of Sahara Igbo Community, Mr Okwu Chukwu, thanked Sokoto for reconstructing Bungudu and Kamba roads which he said were abandoned by the immediate past government of the state.

    Chukwu recalled that the Kamba Road was not motorable throughout the tenure of former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    According to him, residents of the area and their businesses suffered the deplorable condition of the road which made it difficult for vehicles to ply.

    He lauded the governor for keeping to his promise of rebuilding the Sahara area neglected by the immediate past administration in the state.