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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Tambuwal, Wamakko empower Sokoto inmates

    No fewer than 107 inmates of the Sokoto Central Prisons have graduated from various Qur’anic recitation and memorisation courses and skills acquisition programmes. They received cash donations of N2.88 million from Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and his predecessor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The donation was to enable them to set up their own businesses which will make them to be self-reliant.

    Forty-Four of the inmates graduated from the recitation and memorisation of the Holy Qur’an, while 63 graduated from various skills acquisition programmes.

    Theý donations were announced in Sokoto during the graduation ceremony of the inmates organised by the state command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) in conjunction with Senator Wamakko. As a result, Tambuwal donated N2 million while Wamakko donated N 880,000.

    Speaking at the event, Governor Tambuwal, who was represented by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Mani Maishinku Katami commended the command for organising the event, which is second in its annual series.

    Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111, who spoke through the ý District Head of Sokoto North, Alhaji Buhari Abubakar, called on Nigerians to complement the efforts of the government in providing the welfare needs of prison inmates.

    In his brief remarks, Senator Wamakko, who pledged the commitment of the National Assembly towards decongesting Nigerian prisons, noted that the prisons were established in order to reform inmates and give them a new sense of life and not to expose them to hardshipý.

    ‘’I am also calling on Chief Justices in Nigeria, the police and the courts to make deliberate efforts to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

    ‘’This is important in decongesting the prisons which are overwhelmed with awaiting trial inmates across the nation,’’ Wamakko said.

    He explained that his plea premised upon the adage that justice delayed, is justice denied.

    Senator Wamakko, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, had also donated copies of the Holy Qur’an, clothing materials and various working tools to the inmates.

    The items donated included sewing and knitting machines, equipment for welding and electrical electronics, as well as items for soap making, among others.

    The Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Dr Peter Ezenwa, who was represented by Assistant Controller-General Budget and Finance (ACG), Mr Shehu Kangiwa said the Federal Government is fully committed to prisoners’ reformation.

    ‘’The service is also committed to improving staff welfare in accordance with the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he added.

    The Controller of the state command of the service, Mrs Hauwa Shettima Bukar lamented that the prison was overwhelmed with awaiting trial inmates.

    ‘’The capacity of Sokoto Central Prison is 576, saying that the prison is hosting above its capacity. Currently, the prison is hosting about754.

  • Golden garlands for Tambuwal at 50

    Golden garlands for Tambuwal at 50

    One bright January morning, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was immersed in his private library at his home when I walked in, uninvited. At the door, I was informed he had been in the library for at least four hours. Seeing him alone with his thoughts and books, I considered moving away in order not to disturb. Quickly reading my intentions, he motioned me to sit down.

    Spread on his reading table was four books: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala’s Reforming the Unreformable: Lessons from Nigeria, Hernando do Soto’s The Mystery of Capital, Rashid Al Maktoum’s My Vision and Muhammad Yunus’ Banker to the Poor. It took the next six hours of total concentration, silence and absorption, before he finally closed his books, turned over to me with a smile, and said ‘good day Malam Imam.’

    That particular day was January 10, Tambuwal’s birthday. I recall vividly asking him why he had to spend 10 hours on his birthday reading books about leadership and development. And his answer was succinct: “We were elected to lead. Every day, birthdays inclusive, we will lead. I subscribe to Albert Pike’s assertion that ‘what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.’”

    I don’t know what Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State since May 29, 2015, will be doing today, seeing that it is a day he achieved the milestone of witnessing his 50th birthday, but having worked closely with him in the last six years, one thing is for sure, he will busy himself, through hard work, dedication and commitment, on providing the needed leadership that will deliver on his change agenda.

    Tambuwal, like all good leaders, are social revolutionaries. They are people who dare to dream big and seemingly unrealisable dreams. They are the precursors of a new and better world. They are the visionaries of their time. They are change agents, harbingers of hope and heralds of freedom. They are people totally dedicated to the struggle for a better future. They have redefined the unpalatable narratives of dearth of quality governance in our country – an existential reality even in global political discourse.

    A journey of 50 years has no doubt shaped Tambuwal’s life. Even though born into a royal household, he remains a simple, humble and self-effacing leader whose politics is defined by passion for discovery and service. Endowed naturally with knowledge and sense of perception, closely observing Tambuwal at work leaves one with impression of a man who refused to be encumbered by the nation’s fault lines. Just as prophets refuse to be defiled by the iniquities of the moment; Tambuwal has risen above the bitterness and acrimony of ethnic, tribal and religious divide.

    Being born into an aristocratic family on January 10, 1966 shaped his passage into adulthood without airs and graces. For Tambuwal, nobility of birth in a predominantly peasant milieu was more of a challenge than the comfort it provided. In fact, it was this outlook that formed the canvass on which his life and leadership style has remained oiled. In Sokoto today, the citizens are rightly rich in huge expectation from the Tambuwal administration. This, in all honesty, is not unfounded because of his pedigree and passion for service. The people’s prayers for his success are rooted in their belief that his emergence is not only beyond accident of history but a well-timed epiphany.

    For Tambuwal, there is an element of freshness about him even at the Golden Age of 50. Freshness of spirit, freshness of ideas, freshness of vision and mission for him as a person, as a leader and for the state he has superintended in the last eight months. He has unarguably, run a dazzling race of his life as a politician, an administrator and a leader. Despite the howling success he has made of all of his endavours, he exudes, yet a seeming urgency to reach the finish line in his chase to get his faithful citizen-colleagues to the Promised Land.

    Eight months ago, he set the momentum going by building on his predecessor’s developmental framework. Methodically, he set about adding to the foundation the necessary ingredients for Sokoto State to attain its potential. As an astute husbandry of resources, Tambuwal sees plenty, even in the face of paucity. It is his rare determination to make the most out of nothing that he has been able to put in place all that is needed to ensure Sokoto grows in leaps and bounds and eventually raise the bar by setting standard for others. That Sokoto has become a template and a reference point for most of the states today is not owed to Tambuwal’s complacency or passivity in governance but more to his conscientiousness and forthrightness.

    Allied to these is the enthronement of calm and consensus building in the political spectrum. Through consensus, thorny political issues have become free of tumult, acrimony and bad blood. This was made possible by Tambuwal’s calm persona on a very volatile system. By entrenching core values of selflessness and integrity, he has effectively earned the confidence and trust of his friend and foes alike. He has re-defined the concept of leadership and effective governance by effectively re-orientating the mindset of the political class to see politics as a call to service.

    As he clocks 50 years today, his high-octane performance in governance and in the leadership of his state sure sets him apart as a selfless and passionate leader who burns to put his state on the world developmental map.

    Happy birthday our amiable governor!

    –Imam is Governor Tambuwal’s spokesman. Follow him on twitter: @imamdimam

  • Tambuwal visits Hajj victim

    Tambuwal visits Hajj victim

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday visited recuperating Hajiya Fatima Isa, popularly called Dammu, the last patient from the state in a Saudi Arabia hospital.

    She was hospitalised, following last September’s hajj stampede.

    A statement by Tambuwal’s spokesman Malam Imam Imam said Dammu, who had been on admission at the East Jedda Hospital, Saudi Arabia since the tragedy, is from Sokoto South Local Government.

    The incident claimed over 2,000 lives. Two hundred and seventy four are Nigerians. One hundred and fourteen are from Sokoto State.

    Tambuwal vowed that the government would give her medical care when she returned.

    He donated N500,000, which his administration promised, to the victims’ families.

  • Tambuwal presents N174b budget

    Tambuwal presents N174b budget

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday presented a budget estimate of N174.35 billion for the 2016 fiscal year. The education sector has the highest allocation of 29 per cent.

    The budget estimate stands above N125.9 billion presented last year.

    Tambuwal told the House of Assembly that N123.8 billion was set aside for capital expenditure and N50.5 billion for recurrent expenditure.

    He said education got the largest allocation to underscore his policy of declaring a state of emergency in the sector.

    According to him, “the policy thrust of the budget is to ensure development of the state by focusing on the critical sectors of investment, such as Education, Agriculture, Health, Environment Solid Minerals and Rural Development.

  • Tambuwal: I won’t sack teachers

    Tambuwal: I won’t sack teachers

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has promised that his administration will not sack any teacher from the state civil service.

    “But we will not fail to reassign any teacher that does not have the requisite qualifications to be in the classroom,” Tambuwal said on Monday in Dogon-Daji, Tambuwal Local Government Area.

    The governor made the promise in his address at the annual national congress of the old Boys’ association of his Alma-mater, Government Secondary School, Dogon Daji.

    He said: “Beginning from the next budget, government will ensure continuous training and retraining of teachers to update their knowledge and make them conform to modern teaching techniques.

    “Huge sums of money have been budgeted for that purpose.

    “Let me announce it here that we do not plan to retrench any teacher working with the state government.

    “In fact we need qualified teachers to address shortfall in numbers.

    “What we will not condone in our schools are unqualified teachers who have nothing to offer our children.

    “If after giving you the necessary training, we discovered that you do not have the capacity or enthusiasm to teach, we will reassign you to where your expertise if most needed.”

    While commending the executive of the association for its diligence in the face of mounting challenges, Tambuwal solicited its support in government’s efforts to take Sokoto state to greater heights.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the end of the congress, Alhaji Nasiru Idris was elected national President of the association while Abdullahi Muhammed was elected Secretary.

  • Day of double honour for Tambuwal

    Dateline Enugu and Lafiagi: In two of Nigeria’s ancient and historical cities, two unrelated but eventful events will take place today. In the Coal city, the world will witness the official investiture of Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, with the Degree of Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) by Godfrey Okoye (Catholic) University.  In Lafiagi, Kwara State, Tambuwal will be installed as the Garkuwan Lafiagi by the Emir of the town, HRH Sa’adu Kawu Halliru, at the 40th anniversary of his rule.

    Tambuwal has come a long way in national consciousness. To be honoured on the same day by two respected institutions only highlights not just his growing reputation as man of honour and distinction, but his tolerance and acceptability among Nigeria’s diverse socio-ethnic configuration.

    The Sokoto Governor, having served with distinction as the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives between 2011 and May this year, comes with a distinguished political and public service antecedent. As an accomplished lawyer who is well-versed in both Islamic and Western scriptures, Tambuwal’s other numerous achievements, including his meteoric rise in politics, has proved him to be tactician and Master of the Game, not in the sense of dirty game, as some people often mistakenly label politics, but a clean discipline built on the philosophy of self respect, fair play, hard work and the spirit of give and take which.

    Since his election as governor earlier this year, Tambuwal has embarked on far reaching reforms in various sectors in the Caliphate State. As the leader of a vanguard of new breed politicians determined to halt the drift and make the system work, Tambuwal’s contribution towards national development and integration has been appreciated not only in his immediate constituency, but in the country as a whole. What he has done, first as the Speaker and now as a Governor, have increased transparency in governance and made for a better economic management of affairs in Nigeria.

    I am sure the authorities of Godfrey Okoye University are not oblivious of the effort put by Tambuwal to uplift the standard of education in his state. Knowing well that no human endeavour will move successfully without quality education, Tambuwal made the revamping of the sector his top priority. Within days of taking over the reins of affairs, he received an unusual request from Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, to introduce a school transportation system for children in the state. His thinking was that with this arrangement on ground, learning will be enhanced. Tambuwal promptly took up the challenge. Modalities for implementation are currently being developed, pending budgetary approval from the state legislature.

    In a bid to boost enrolment figures and halt historical anomaly, government announced a policy that will criminalise the refusal to send children to school. The policy, seen as both radical and revolutionary, has drawn applause from social commentators and other stakeholders. This was followed immediately by recruitment of 500 teachers to address the shortfall in teaching personnel in public secondary schools.

    Then also, in Sokoto, emphasis is now on technical education to ensure all students who graduate from secondary school are equipped with necessary skills for self-reliance. Feasibility studies have been completed for the opening of entrepreneurship development centres in the three senatorial zones of the state.

    It is not just in his contribution to the education sector that Godfrey Okoye University authorities found Tambuwal a worthy recipient of their honourary degree. In words and deeds, Tambuwal has proven himself adept at providing quality leadership needed to make the necessary impact in the polity. He has proven that when the time and place are right, a leader is often judged not by the rightness or wrongness of what he had to say, but by the dashing jauntiness of his words, the sweet cadence of his expressions, and how effectively the words persuade the heart rather than the head.

    In moving with the current realities of change in the affairs of the nation, Tambuwal has demonstrated courage, intelligence and goodwill towards the Nigerian masses through his actions and commitment regarding issues that affect them. This is no surprise considering his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies that had stunted our progress in the past.

    The exemplary conduct of Tambuwal convinced the Lafiagi Emirate Council to bestow one of its highest honours on him. His widely circulated opinions and discourses on good governance, public service, constitutional reform, youth and women empowerment and national development was not lost on the council when it decided to make him its Garkuwa — shield or defender of humanity. In all his conducts, Tambuwal has maintained the humble and truthful disposition universally associated with the descendants Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio. Na Shehu da gaskiya aka san ku is a euphemism known all in Hausa-speaking areas to mean people of trust, respect, integrity and love for humanity. No wonder he was named Aminu—the trustworthy.

    Finding himself with a traditional title is not something new to the Governor. A scion of a noble and respected family, the Waziri Family of Tambuwal, Aminu also holds the title of Mutawallen Sokoto.

    Having served and acquired considerable experience in his chosen profession of law, between 1992 and 2002, Tambuwal ventured into politics, the platform that was to see his meteoric rise to even greater heights and which enabled him to marry the experiences of his legal profession with those of his new career in politics. The marriage produced a balanced and patriotic Nigerian with vision who saw politics as a caring profession and a means to fulfill a mission, the mission of moving the nation forward through collective and peaceful bargaining, a philosophy he eagerly shared with all like-minded politicians, regardless of party affiliation.

    Tambuwal is known to have extended warm handshake of rapprochement and diplomacy to all categories of persons. He has been noted to bare his mind on matters of national importance, some of them thorny and critical, even when such matters directly relate to his own political base. His philosophy of detente already resonates with many politicians across the nation. And, in any case, is there anything more powerful than an idea whose time has come? For those whose paths have crossed with the affable gentleman, they found him as an inspiration and symbol of the emerging army of younger generation of politicians whose main preoccupation is to create a better future for Nigeria.

    On this day of double honour, I say congratulations, our dear Governor.

     

    • Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Governor Tambuwal

     

  • Death of party’s candidate painful, say Tambuwal, Oshiomhole, others

    Death of party’s candidate painful, say Tambuwal, Oshiomhole, others

    SOKOTO State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, his counterparts in Kwara State, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, Edo State (Adams Oshiomhole), Niger State (Abubakar Sani Bello) and others yesterday described Prince Abubakar Audu’s death as painful.

    They enjoined the family and supporters of the late governorship candidate to take heart and consider the death of the politician as an act of God.

    Tambuwal, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Imam Imam, described Audu’s death as shocking.

    Ahmed, in a condolence message, commiserated with the government and people of Kogi State on the death.

    “It is particularly painful that Nigerians, especially the people of Kogi State, have lost the services of Alhaji Abubakar Audu, who was on the verge of being re-elected as the governor of Kogi State, going by the results of the election declared so far by INEC.

    “It is, however, noteworthy that the political history of Kogi State will be incomplete without a chapter on the contributions of the late Audu to the democratic and infrastructural development of Kogi State,” Ahmed said.

    Oshiomhole, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said: “I received with shock, the sad news of the death of Prince Audu, candidate of our great party in the Kogi State governorship election.

    “I was with Prince Audu just a few days ago, at the mega rally of our great party, where we marketed our party’s manifesto to the electorate and he looked hale and hearty as he dished out his plans to restore the glory of his state.”

    The governor said Audu’s death, coming just as APC was getting ready to celebrate his lead at the polls, was sad.

    Bello, who was chairman of the APC governorship campaign committee for the Kogi elections, said Audu’s  death was one of the most tragic moments in the political history of Kogi State.

    He said Audu died a dogged fighter and resilient optimist, who believed in the total rebirth of his state.

    Former Niger State Governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu condoled with Kogi State Governor Captain Idris Wada on the death.

    Aliyu, in a statement by his spokesman, Israel Ebije, described the late APC governorship candidate as a true democrat, a bridge-builder and one of the most experienced politicians in the country.

     

  • We ‘ll deliver Bayelsa to APC, says Tambuwal

    We ‘ll deliver Bayelsa to APC, says Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said the events leading to the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State will not affect the party’s chances of winning the election.

    Addressing reporters at the APC secretariat, Tambuwal said the party was working to ensure that every member in Bayelsa State worked for its success at the polls.

    He said the National Campaign Council, set up by the party, would deliver the state to APC on December 5, adding that signals from the state indicated that the party was sure of victory in a free and fair election.

    Tambuwal said: “Our task is clear to us and the task has been defined and blessed by God Almighty. We shall do everything within the confines of the law to bring Timipre Sylva to the Government House after December 5.

    “I assure you, Mr. President and members of our party that by the grace of God, we shall not fail you in the execution of this assignment. Thank you for appointing us to serve and the service we are going to render.

    “The signals are clear from Bayelsa and by the grace of God, the state is ready for the change train. Bayelsa is set to join the ruling party. Sylva’s records are there to speak for him.

    “I have been to Bayelsa while he was the governor and after he left office. The records are clear. I believe the people have the advantage of comparing the two individuals we are talking about and I believe the APC candidate will be the one the people will vote for.

    “As a party, which has imbibed the culture of winning free and fair elections, you should know that we are ready to set out as a team to ensure that APC and its candidate win the Bayelsa election.

    “Members of the party in the state are working together. You can see that the chieftains were around for the inauguration of the campaign council and it is work in progress.

    “We shall ensure that we bring everybody on board to make sure that the party wins this election. We have taken the factors into consideration and the signs are clear. By the grace of God, APC will win this election.”

     

  • Buhari, Tambuwal, Wamakko meet over ministerial nominee

    Buhari, Tambuwal, Wamakko meet over ministerial nominee

    To resolve the controversy surrounding the nomination of Aisha Abubakar as minister from Sokoto State, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met the Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri and his predecessor, Senator Aliyu Magatakrda Wamakko.

    The Nation gathered that the outcome of the one hour meeting was fruitful.

    “At the moment, all issues are being resolved‎,” a source told our correspondent.

     

  • Tambuwal appoints accountant-general, perm secs

    Tambuwal appoints accountant-general, perm secs

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has approved the appointment of Umaru Ahmad Tambuwal as the accountant-general.

    Other appointments approved by the governor, as contained in a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Imam Imam, included eight permanent secretaries, among who were Aminu Abdullahi, Mustapha Abdulkadir, Haruna Maishanu, Yahaya M. Gobir, Bello Idris and Sani Umar.

    Also appointed were eight directors-general, namely  Shehu Ladan, Sani Daudu Yabo, Bello Bawa, Ibrahim Umar, Aishatu Hassan, Ibrahim Halliru Dingyadi, Bello Umar Alkali and Maikudi Danda Dogon Daji (acting DG, State Protocol Affairs).

    The statement confirmed the appointments of Abubakar Shekara as the managing director, state Media Corporation and Labaran Lumu Dundaye, general manager, Rima Television (RTV).