Christian faithful have lauded the peaceful co-existence between adherents of Islam and Christianity in Sokoto, and urged the government to consolidate on the achievements recorded.
Members of the Sokoto State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) spoke when they visited Governor Aminu Tambuwal at Christmas.
Their spokesperson, Rev. Steven Okafor, hailed the people for their tolerance and hospitality.
He said Christians in the state had a peaceful celebration, which he described as laudable.
Okafor thanked Tambuwal for his people-oriented projects and urged him not to relent.
Governor Tambuwal urged Christian and Muslim faithful to continue to live in peace with one another.
He stressed the need for adherents to be their brother’s keeper and strive to ensure rapid socio-economic development.
“Peace is the key to national development, hence, the need for all citizens to work towards ensuring a long lasting peace in the country,” Tambuwal said.
Tag: Tambuwal
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Sokoto Christians visit Tambuwal for Xmas
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Tambuwal: Nigerians must consolidate unity
Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has urged Nigerians to bridge the gaps in the country.
The governor noted that what united the people is more important than things that divided them.
Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, when he joined two Muslim Northern governors to participate in Christmas, Tambuwal said Nigeria’s diversity was a source of strength, which should be cherished and nurtured.
The other governors are Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi.
The three joined Governor Udom Emmanuel to celebrate Christmas and commiserate with him on the church building collapse in which nearly 30 persons died.
Speaking when he met with Akwa Ibom governor, Yari, who is also chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), described the tragedy as unfortunate.
He said the decision to set up an investigative panel to unravel the causes of the collapse was a right move.
Yari said: “Your Excellency’s miraculous escape from death in the sad incident is surely one of God’s wonders.
“We at the NGF received with shock the sad news of the church collapse and we want to send a message of solidarity to the people and government of Akwa Ibom State at this unfortunate incident. Our prayers are with those who lost their loved ones and those who sustained injuries.”
Emmanuel thanked the governors, especially for choosing the Christmas to visit Akwa Ibom.
He described Nigerian governors as a big and important family.
The governor said the unity exhibited by the visit would further cement the cordial relationship among Nigerians. -
Sokoto APC passes vote of confidence on Tambuwal
Sokoto State All Progre-ssives Congr ess(APC) has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Its chairman, Usman Danmadamin, said the party was united behind the governor.
He lamented that the governor’s attention was being diverted by the antics of elements bent on destroying the party.
The chairman said Senator Dahiru Umar, who is challenging the nomination process that threw up Tambuwal as the party’s candidate for last year’s election, was on his own.
Danmadamin, who spoke with reporters in Sokoto, the state capital, described Tambuwal as a resilient political pillar.
He said: “We were living witnesses to his struggle as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He is a committed and patriotic leader. As governor, he is demonstrating the political will to transform Sokoto State and ensure good governance for dividends of democracy to reach the nooks and crannies of the state”
Danmadami hailed the judgment of the apex court, saying: ”Itwas in order and we are satisfied.”
The chairman said the litigation by Umaru was not aimed at unseating the governor, but scuttling and destroying the party.
He added: “I am convinced that Dahiru’s action is a grand design aided by the opposition party to bring down the APC in Sokoto State. He is acting the script of the opposition party. We have not seen any offence that will hold waters and form the basis of unseating Tambuwal. He was duly nominated as the candidate for the governorship election and he won at the poll.”
The chairman advised Umaru to close ranks and keep the flag of the party flying in the state.
Danmadamin said: “He should embrace the principle of party loyalty and promote the ideals of the APC through positive commitment.”
Danmadamin also spoke on the Buhari administration, saying that it was on course.
He assured that the dividends of change will soon be felt by Nigerians, urging them to cooperate with the administration.
Danmadamin said: “The steps he is taking are considerably provoking good tidings and restoring hope.”
He said the country has changed for better since president Buhari begun to steer the affairs of the country.
The chairman noted that the cprevious administration created problems that will take time to resolve, urging Nigerians to endure.
He added: “The country has been sick for a long time. The administration is working assiduously to make life better for Nigerians. It takes time. The government deserves the cooperation of Nigerians.”
“It is not a day’s work to fix the rot. The country cannot be transformed immediately. Buhari needs time to fix the ailing economy and stem the tide of destruction.”
The politician said Nigeria was heading to its rightful destination of hope and opportunities.
He added: “ President Buhari will restore the culture of transparency, accountability and integrity. We appeal for continuous prayer for peace, progress and unity.”
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Tambuwal inaugurates transformer
Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday, launched a 60 MVA transformer, with a promise to sustain government’s investment in infrastructure in the power sector.
The ceremony took place at the Sokoto Transmission Station, under the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The project, which has improved the station’s capacity to 140 MVA, will also accommodate 33KV feeders expected to supply the new injection substation in Farfaru, outskirts of Sokoto town.
Tambuwal explained that the IPP had been test run for the ninth time.
According to him, ”the test runs had been successful and soon will be fixed and connected to the National Grid.”
He praised TCN’s Managing Director Abubakar Atiku for his commitment to the upgraded facility.
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APC governors condemn Zamfara attacks
The All Progressive Congress Governors’ Forum on Tuesday condemned the persistent attacks on villages by armed bandits in Zamfara, describing the killings as unfortunate and unacceptable.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at least 155 people were killed and over 50 people kidnapped in less than a month by bandits in Maru, Shinkafi, Maradun and Zurmi local government areas of the state.
A delegation of the forum led by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, urged people in the state to remain calm and support government’s efforts to dislodge the bandits.
Tambuwal, accompanied by Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, said they were mandated by the forum after its meeting in Kano on Monday, to express its solidarity with the people of the state and sympathise with the victims.
“We were delegated by the Progressive Governors’ Forum after our meeting in Kano to come to Zamfara today and condole with Governor Abdulaziz Yari and also sympathize with the people of the state over the attacks.
“On behalf of progressive governors, I want to use this opportunity to condole with the families of those who lost their lives in the attacks and the entire people of Zamfara State over the loss of our brothers and sisters, and we pray Almighty Allah to forgive them.
“We are also appealing to the general public in this state to remain calm as Zamfara and the Federal Governments are doing their best to ensure that peace is restored in the affected areas,” the governor added.
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Tambuwal urges judiciary to work together to tackle corruption
Stakeholders in the judiciary must work as a team to overcome the challenges confronting the arm of government, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said yesterday.
Speaking at the swearing-in of the state’s new Chief Judge, Justice Bello Abass, Tambuwal said recent arrests of senior members of the judiciary has placed a huge burden which requires unity of purpose to overcome.
He said the judicial arm plays an important role in the society and judges must always live above board to set example.
He said his administration would partner with all the arms of government to ensure quick and efficient dispensation of justice for the benefit of the society.
“For us in the executive, we consider the other two arms of government as equal partners. We will stand side-by-side with the judiciary to ensure quality justice is dispensed.
“What the judiciary is facing in Nigeria today is a trial moment. As Chief Judge in Sokoto, you are likely to face similar challenges confronting judiciary in Nigeria. I want to assure you that we will work with you to achieve success,” the governor added.
Tambuwal admonished family and friends of the chief judge to avoid exerting undue pressure on him, because he has little or no favour to dispense.
“Let me appeal to family, friends and well-wishers not to exert undue pressure on the chief judge. As you are aware, he has no contract to give, and has no favour to dispense. You should pray for him to enable him succeeds in his new task,” he added.
The governor urged members of the bar and the bench to support the CJ, and appealed to them to see themselves as one family working for a common purpose.
Justice Abass succeeded Justice Aishat Dahiru, who retired from service in August after 20 years as chief judge.
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Tambuwal: more political engagement required to end Niger Delta crisis
The crisis in the Niger Delta region requires more political solution than military, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said.
The governor spoke yesterday in Sokoto when he hosted participants of Course 25 of the National Defence College, who were on a study tour of the state.
Tambuwal said: “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 socio-economic stability.”
The governor noted that the ability of the country to tackle the challenges facing the nation would ultimately define the essence of its leaders.
He said: “Every country in 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 hailed the military and other security agencies for tigtening internal security.
The governor said the successes recorded in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast should inspire them to look for solutions for other security challenges, such as kidnapping and robbery, in other parts of the country.
He said because 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: Enhancing Food Security for National Development: The Role of State Governments, Tambuwal said Sokoto had embraced modern farming techniques and joined other entities in declaring food as a major security issue.
He said: “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, such as millet, rice, sorghum, onions, tomatoes, cowpea and variety of vegetables. From next farming season, we are including sesame among the crops to be cultivated because of its economic value.”
The team leader Prof Istifanus Zabade said the participants comprised Nigerians and their counterparts from other countries who required to study cultural, social and political environment of chosen localities to broaden their knowledge of all sections of the country.
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Buhari, Dogara, Tambuwal meet in Aso Rock
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed-doors with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The duo that came together in one vehicle to the forecourt of the Presidential Villa spent over 45 minutes in the President’s office.
They declined to speak on the purpose of the meeting with State House correspondents when they came out from the President’s office.
While Dogara kept mute, Tambuwal parried most of the questions from the journalists.
On whether the meeting has to
do with the House of Representatives, Tambuwal said: “Not at all.”Asked if it has to do with recession and sale of assets, he replied the journalists with: “I have already aired my views on the sales of assets.”
Asked further if the meeting has to do with the clash between the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, he responded with: “I don’t know about that.”.
Speaking on the visit to the Villa, he said: “We are here to meet Mr. President and greet him and to show our support.”
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Buhari, Dogara, Tambuwal meet in Aso Rock
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed-doors with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The duo came together in one vehicle to the forecourt of the Presidential Villa and spent over 45 minutes in the President’s office.
They declined to speak on the purpose of the meeting with State House correspondents when they came out from the President’s office.
While Dogara was silent on the visit to Aso Rock, Tambuwal parried most of the questions from the journalists.
On whether the meeting has to do with the House of Representatives, Tambuwal said: “Not at all.”
Asked if it has to do with recession and sale of assets, he replied the journalists with: “I have already aired my views on the sales of assets.”
Asked further if the meeting has to do with the clash between the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, he responded with: “I don’t know about that.”
“We are here to meet Mr. President and greet him and to show our support.”
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Tambuwal seeks time frame for budget passage
Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal yesterday recommended a time frame for lawmakers to consider the budget.
He called for an amendment of the Constitution to make the President submit his proposals at least three months before the end of the preceding year.
Tambuwal made the suggestions at a colloquium on “Budget as tool for efficient Executive-Legislature relations” in Abuja.
He said: “There is a need to amend the Constitution to make the President submit his proposals at least three months before end of the preceding financial year so that the legislature can perform its vetting duties in time for the Budget to be operational by January 1.
“Indeed, it will be helpful if the National Assembly gets some kind of timeframe within which it is expected to finish deliberations and return the budget to the President for assent.
“For the process of passing our national budget to become harmonious, less turbulent, and implementable, stakeholders must develop the principles of collaboration, consensus and compromise.
“Most significantly, the Executive must plan ahead, submit the proposals early, and make wide consultations to encourage input from stakeholders.
“There are suggestions that we take a cue from the system in the United States where agencies take two years to prepare their budget proposals, finetuning them so well that one year before the budget year they get to submit it to the Budget Office for inclusion in the President’s budget estimates to the National Assembly.
“According to Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution, “the President shall cause to be prepared and laid before each House of the National Assembly at any time in each financial year estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Federation for the next following financial year”. This implies that a President is expected, at the least, to present his budget before January 1 of the New Year.”
“We must always remember that this country comes first and we owe it to the people to make the budget an effective instrument for redistributing wealth and bringing the dividends of democracy closer to our people.”
Tambuwal said it was time to reform the budgetary process to end the recurring crisis between the Executive and the Legislature.