TheNewsGuru

Tag: Sokoto

  • Sokoto Govt, Navy team up to build eco-friendly classrooms

    The Sokoto State Government will partner with the Nigerian Navy to construct blocks of classrooms using the affordable burnt brick technique in all the 36 districts in the state, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has stated.

    The project, according to the Governor, will be executed under the State Consultative Committee on the Development of Education headed by Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

    Tambuwal spoke at the flag off of an intensive advocacy campaign to boost school enrolment for the eastern part of the state in Durbawa village of Wurno LGA.

    “We initiated this advocacy committee, under the leadership of the Sultan, with the aim of sensitizing parents on the importance of sending their children to school. Any parent who refuses to heed the call will be sanctioned in accordance with the laws of Sokoto State.

    “These classrooms are important because they’re eco-friendly and cost effective to build.

    “To encourage our traditional leaders to take active part in the promotion of education, let me announce here that each block of classroom constructed will be named after the District Head of the area it was sited,” Tambuwal stated.

    While adding that the measure will also ensure that the schools are properly taken care of by the communities, the Governor urged parents to compliment government’s efforts by enrolling their children into schools and ensuring they attend classes on schedule.

    In his remarks, Sultan Sa’ad said the committee’s assignments include raising awareness on the importance of both Western and Islamic education, and ensuring children are properly educated especially at the foundation level.

    He assured that the committee will ensure all eligible children will benefit from the state government’s education policy.

    “I am reminding traditional rulers to brace up to the challenges ahead of us,” he added.

    On his part, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Jabbi Kilgori, said the new enrolment push will be conducted in the three senatorial zones of the state.

    He said the programmes to enhance quality of teaching will target both traditional tsangaya schools in which 4000 out of 30,000 will benefit in the first phase, and conventional schools.

    The occasion features presentation of school uniforms, bags and writing materials to less privileged children in the localities.

  • Six die, 14 injured in Sokoto auto crash

    Six persons have died and 14 others were injured in an auto crash on Sokoto-Jega road in Sokoto State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Sani Hamzat, the Sokoto State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) said the crash occurred on Wednesday.

    He said all the victims were in a Toyota Canter truck conveying goods and passengers when the driver lost control and ran into a ditch.

    Mr. Hamzat said all the victims were evacuated to hospital by road marshals.

    Meanwhile, another accident involving two cars had claimed the life of one person on Sokoto-Gusau road.

    The sector commander attributed the crashes to over speeding and dangerous driving and urged motorists respect traffic rules and regulations.

    Mr. Hamzat advised motorists to always ensure that their vehicles, screens and tyres are in perfect condition before putting the vehicles on road.(NAN)

  • Sokoto state Govt. to establish Ministry of Energy in 2018

    Sokoto state Govt. to establish Ministry of Energy in 2018

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said on Friday that his administration would create Ministry of Energy in 2018 to facilitate project execution in the energy sector in the state.

    Tambuwal dropped the hint while addressing newsmen at the Government House, Sokoto.

    He said that the ministry would help promote economic and commercial activities as well as create employment opportunities all over the state.

    The governor added that N1.4 billion had been earmarked for the energy sector, including the take-off of the new ministry in the 2018 budget.

    He said the ministry was expected to handle the completion of the 38 megawatts independent power project inherited from the previous administration, among others.

    Tambuwal said government would also construct feeder roads across the state, including the 30 kilometre Kuruwa-Kaurare road in Tureta Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    He listed other roads as the10 kilometre Goronyo-Birjingo road in Goronyo LGA, 18 kilometre Toronkawa-Binjin-Muza-Kibiyare road in Yabo LGA and 15 kilometre Kebbe-Girkau-Mazoji road in Kebbe LGA, among others.

  • Sultan declares Dec. 20 as first day of Rabi’u Asani

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Dec. 20 as the first day of the Islamic month of Rabi’u Asani, 1439 AH.

    The declaration was contained in a statement issued in Sokoto on Wednesday by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

    It said:”The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs,in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee, did not receive any reports from various moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Rabi’u Asani 1439 AH on Monday, which was the 29th day of Rabi’u Awwal , 1439 AH.

    ”’The Sultan and President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (NSCIA), has accepted the reports and accordingly declared Wednesday, 20th December, 2017 as the first day of Rabi’u Asani, 1439 AH.

    ”The sultan wishes all Muslims, a happy new Month. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds.”

    It urged all citizens to care, love and protect one another, adding that the Islamic virtues of unity, peace and honesty should be imbibed all Muslims.

  • Sokoto targets 1m children in anti-measles campaign

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has flagged off the 2017 measles vaccination campaign with a target of reaching one million children across the state.

    Speaking at the flag off ceremony in Gwadabawa local government area of the state, Tambuwal said all necessary arrangements have been concluded for a successful exercise.

    He said the one million children targeted is realistic considering the fact that the vaccines will be administered in two phases.

    “Twelve local government areas will be covered in first phase while eleven local government areas will be covered in second phase. So far, the state government and our development partners have committed huge resources in order to eradicate measles and other killer diseases among our children.

    “Enough vaccines have been provided that will cater for children in all the nooks and crannies of the state,” he added.

    According to Tambuwal, the state government has already paid all its obligations in the form of counterpart funding and that all partners have been up to date in their payments for the exercise.

    He urged parents and healthcare givers to sustain the efforts to eradicate the disease, assuring people that the vaccines were safe.

    The Governor directed all local government areas to flag off the same campaign in their various localities.

    In his remarks, the state commissioner of health, Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, said 1500 teams have been set up to work across all the local governments in the state in order to ensure every eligible child has been immunised.

  • Fuel queues resurface in Sokoto metropolis

    Fuel queues have resurfaced in Sokoto metropolis and its environs, creating hardship for motorists and commuters, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    A NAN correspondent reports that the queues, which started two days ago, became worse on Monday morning as motorists resorted to panic buying.

    Some of the filling stations belonging to Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria have increased the price of a litre of petrol from N145 to N150.

    At NNPC mega stations and other filling stations run by major marketers, the queues were longer, as they maintained the official price of N145 per litre but were reluctant to sell to motorists.

    Some motorists on the queues expressed displeasure over the situation and urged the government to act fast before it degenerated into a major problem.

    “We were happy that fuel scarcity during the yuletide had become history, only for the problem to resurface now.

    “Efforts must be made to curb the problem; especially with the current socio-economic realities in the country,’’ a Motorist, Mr Sifawa Ahmad said.

    Another motorist, Mary Onya said the situation was a cause for concern and government must take immediate action.

    NAN

  • Restructuring: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara support devolution of powers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Monday agreed to support devolution of powers in the country, saying the federal government should transfer some aspects of health, transport, fire service among others to the states while it focuses on defence, foreign affairs, security and currency.

    This was the position of the three states at the APC North-west zonal public hearing held in Sokoto.

    The position of Sokoto as presented by former deputy governor Chiso Abdullahi, rejected the creation of new states, saying many states in the country at the moment are not viable.

    He advocated that the presidential system and fiscal federalism should be maintained as enshrined in the constitution while power rotation and zoning should be maintained to foster national unity.

    He also advocated for a unicameral legislature while traditional institutions should be given advisory role in the constitution.

    He also highlighted that revenue allocation should be shared on the basis of 43 percent for the federal government, 35 percent for states and 23 percent for local government councils.

    Kebbi state, on the other hand, rejected the creation of new states and bicameral legislature while zoning should be practised between North and South.

     

     

    Kebbi also advocated for a revenue-sharing formula with the federal government having 40 percent, states 40 percent and local government areas 20 percent.

    It also canvassed for devolution of powers whereby the federal government should transfer some aspects that will be better handled by the states.

    Zamfara state presented its position at the meeting while insisting that the status quo should be maintained on issues of state creation, derivation, devolution of powers, presidential system of government and land tenure system.

    Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the APC Restructuring Committee for North-west and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, said all the views collated would be taken back to the APC national headquarters.

    “At the end of the exercise, all the views collated will be analysed and this will form the opinion of the APC and the federal government,” he said.

    In his remarks, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said the aim of the public hearing was to collate views of the people on how the country should be restructured and governed.

    He said this would enable the party to have a better-informed position on the issue whenever it is making its presentation.

    Tambuwal commended the APC for its moves to get feedback from the people on the way the country should be governed.

    Also speaking, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, said the North would not be stampeded into accepting other people’s agenda but would only be guided by reason.

    He noted that some of the issues being clamoured by certain groups in the country were subject to a lot of sentiments.

    “Some of these issues people are clamouring for do not have a clear definition. Some of them are partisan in nature. However, these issues are better discussed than avoided.

    “So, we must not be stampeded or become emotional by the agenda of some group but will only be guided by reason,” he said.

    He expressed satisfaction with the modest achievements recorded by the APC across the country

    He described the meeting as apt, saying APC was committed to true federalism as enshrined in the manifesto of the party.

    The Zamfara State Governor, Abdulazeez Yari, who was represented by the deputy governor Ibrahim Wakala, said the state was solidly behind the unity of Nigeria.

  • Committee recommends sale of 1500 Govt Houses in Sokoto

    The committee set up by Sokoto State Government on sales of government quarters to deserving public workers has recommended the sale of about 1500 houses located at various locations in the state.

    Chairman of the committee and state commissioner of lands and housing, Bello Abubakar Guiwa, stated this when he presented their report to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at Government House, Sokoto.

    “According to our verification, a total number of 1,497 houses have been identified as belonging to the state government located within and around the metropolitan city. The houses are mostly located around Guiwa, Bado, Arkilla, Nasarawa, Runjin Sambo, Eastern and Western GRA areas,” the chairman said.

    He said in order to ease the burden faced by many of occupants some of who are retired civil servants, the committee advised the government to sell 90 percent of the houses at a minimum of N1 million to N6.2 million.

    Guiwa said in deciding who should benefit from the sales of the houses, government should give priority to Sokoto indigenes working in the state civil service or unified local government service of the state.

    In addition, it said special consideration should also be given to Sokoto indigenes working in the federal government or non-Sokoto indigenes who are working for the state government.

    Speaking after he received the report, Governor Tambuwal said government plans to reinvest proceeds of the sales in completion of the new estates under construction in the state capital.

    “I thank you for a job well-done. We are forwarding this report to the state executive council for deliberation and necessary approval,” Tambuwal added.

  • 2017 Hajj: Two Sokoto pilgrims die in Makkah while eating, on queue back home

    The Director General of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Alhaji Ibrahim Umar has confirmed the death in Makkah of two pilgrims, a male and female from the state following natural causes.

    The deceased pilgrims are Luba Usman and Musa Haruna, from Illela and Gada Local Governments respectively.

    Umar is said to have made the disclosure while giving updates on the state’s pilgrims situation Sunday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

    Umar explained that late Luba Usman was eating her breakfast on Saturday morning when she collapsed and died. Late Musa Haruna who was in the first flight of Gada Local Government, was on the queue on Saturday night for the weighing of his hand luggage.

    ” The deceased who was also together with his son, just laid down to rest and that was the end of his life”, the DG said.

    According to the PWA Boss, the deceased pilgrims had since been buried according to Islamic rites after their funeral prayers were conducted at the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

    Meanwhile, the first flight of the state’s pilgrims had arrived Sokoto, with 550 pilgrims from Gada and Sabon-Birni Local Governments.

    The second flight is expected to leave the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah for Sokoto by 11pm on Monday, with 520 pilgrims.

    Umar further said that the officials of the agency and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON), had met with the officials of the airlines.

    The DG added that the meeting was to ensure that the airlines adhered strictly to the schedule of fights.

    ” They have assured us that all Nigerian pilgrims will be transported back to Nigeria before the October 5,2017 deadline given by the Saudi authorities.

    ” I am assuring all the pilgrims that none of them will be left here and everybody will be transported back to Nigeria in the respective flights they were brought into the Holy land,” Umar, added.

    Umar also stated that all the state’s 4852 pilgrims were hale and hearty.

  • Sokoto Govt assists victims of Illela rainstorm

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has directed the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency to quickly deliver relief materials to victims of rainstorm which wreaked havoc at Illela, Araba, Gati and surrounding villages in Illela local government area of the state.

    The storm, which occurred last Friday night, destroyed houses, livestock and farm produce while rendering many families homeless.

    Already, a government delegation, led by the Sokoto State Chairman of the ruling APC, Alhaji Usman Danmadami, has visited the affected villages to commiserate with the victims.

    Speaking at the Palace of the District Head of Illela, Danmadami said the government will work with local authorities to assist victims and ensure they are fully rehabilitated to enable the return to their normal activities.

    He prayed to Allah to give all the victims strength in these trying moments and assured that all efforts would be made to make them rebuild their lives.

    The delegation later presented cash assistance to the victims.

    In his remarks, Wakilin Sarkin Rafin Illela, Alhaji Sahabi Isa, thanked the Governor for his concern and to prayed Allah to reward him abundantly.

    Others in the delegation were commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Manir Dan’Iya, Government House Chief of Staff, Mukhtar Umar Magori, Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Magaji Gusau, State APC Treasurer, Mukhtar Bello Maigona and Director General of SEMA, Ibrahim Haliru Dingyadi.