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Tag: Sokoto

  • Dangote to launch 25,000 hectares of rice outgrower sheme in Sokoto

    Dangote to launch 25,000 hectares of rice outgrower sheme in Sokoto

    The Dangote Group has announced that its subsidiary, Dangote Rice is set to launch a multi-million naira 25,000 hectares of rice outgrower scheme in Sokoto with a prospect of hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities for the rural communities inhabitants.

    President of the Group, Aliko Dangote disclosed at the weekend that the Company will on Wednesday, flag off with a pilot project of 500 ha by Gonroyo dam, in Goronyo community.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Gonroyo dam is the second largest in the country, after Kainji.

    The flag off ceremony which will be performed by the governor of the state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwa will witness seedlings being distributed to the primary local farmers who will in turn plant the seed after which Dangote Rice company will purchase from them for milling and final processing.

    Sokoto state is the second after Jigawa out of the 14 states spread across the state where Dangote Rice plans to operate outgrower scheme to empower local farmers and create job opportunities for community dwellers and reduce migration to the cities.

    Dangote Rice projects in the 14 states, when, operational, will generate a significant number of jobs and increase take-home income for smallholder farmers, all while diversifying Nigeria’s economy and reducing the nation’s food import bill.

    Statistics from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) estimates that rice demand in Nigeria reached 6.3 million MT in 2015, with only 2.3 million MT of that demand satisfied by local production.

    This local production shortfall leaves a gap of 4.0 million MT that is currently being filled through formal importation of rice or illegal imports over land borders.

    By year-end 2017, Dangote Rice plans to produce 225,000 MT of parboiled, milled white rice. This will allow us to satisfy 4% of the total market demand within 1 year. Our model can then be successfully scaled to produce 1,000,000 MT of milled rice in order to satisfy 16% of the domestic market demand for rice over the next 5 years.

    By end of 2017, Dangote Rice will have 25,000 Ha under rice cultivation across 3 sites in Northern Nigeria having identified rice-growing communities in Jigawa State (5,000 Ha), Sokoto State (10,000 Ha) and Zamfara State (10,000 Ha).

     

  • Sokoto establishes task force to ease distribution of petroleum products

    Sokoto establishes task force to ease distribution of petroleum products

    As an effective measure of curbing diversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) meant for public consumption, the Sokoto State Government has established a task force that will monitor the even distribution of the products in the state.

    Malam Imam Imam, spokesman to Governor Aminu Tambuwal, said in a statement issued on Tuesday that the task force will monitor and ensure effective dispensing of petroleum products by all selling outlets in all parts of Sokoto.

    It said the aim was to return to normal distribution since no part of the country is presently experiencing disruption in the supply chain of the product.

    It said the members, drawn from public and private sectors, will liaise with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to track movement of petroleum products meant for Sokoto State from loading points to final destinations.

    “The task force will also liaise with relevant agencies to ensure full compliance with regulations governing distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum products in Sokoto State.

    “The task force should also take any other action deemed necessary towards ensuring effective distribution and sale of petroleum products in the state,” the statement added.

    While Alhaji Magaji Magaji Gusau will serve as the Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar of the State Civil Service Commission (CSC) has been appointed as the Secretary.

    Other members are the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce,Alhaji Haruna Maishanu, a member of the Sultanate Council, Alhaji Malami Maccido, Barrister Muhammad Muhammad of the state Ministry of Justice and Sokoto NLC Chairman, Comrade Aminu Umar Ahmed.

    Others are the Chairman of the Sokoto branch of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Secretary of the state chapter of the National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Rufai Mode Danlikita and Squadron Leader Aminu Bala.

    While urging the members to be diligent in their assignment, the statement said all efforts will be explored to ensure availability of petroleum products in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that Tambuwal had, at the weekend, threatened to revoke the certificate of occupancy (C of O) of any filling station found hoarding petroleum products in Sokoto.

  • We will revoke C of O of filling stations hoarding fuel in Sokoto – Tambuwal

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the government will revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of any filling station that is found to be hoarding fuel in order to create artificial scarcity or is selling above official rate.

    He said the government, along with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), will set up a joint task force to move round filling stations to ascertain their compliance with laid down rules and regulations guiding their operations.

    The Governor’s threat followed the excruciating fuel scarcity bedeviling Sokoto town and environs which has been lingering for over two weeks.

    Speaking when he inspected sale of fuel at some filling stations in Sokoto Sunday, Tambuwal said government will not fold its arms and watch unscrupulous marketers hold the people to ransom.

    He said the supply of the commodity from the Nigeria national Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) has not altered, as such, no one should create artificial scarcity to burden the people.

    The Governor, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Salihu Maidaji, urged all those hoarding the commodity to quickly open their stations.

    “The committee will go round, and any filling station found hoarding fuel will face the full wrath of the law,” Tambuwal added.

    The Governor commended the management of one of the filling stations visited, SAK Petroleum, for discharging the commodity promptly and at official price.

  • Sultan of Sokoto cautions against inciting comments by religious leaders

    Sultan of Sokoto cautions against inciting comments by religious leaders

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ ad Abubakar, has advised religious leaders to eschew inciting statements capable of igniting trouble among Nigerians.

    Abubakar made the call at the Abdullahi Fodio award presentation and book launch in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

    The event titled “Gwandu Emirate: the domain of Abdullahi Fodio since 1805, was organised by the Gwandu Emirate Development Association.

    He said inflamatory comments would further divide and polarised the nation, and pointed out that every religion was preaching peace,unity and solidarity among its faithful.

    The sultan condemn the insurgent activities parvading the North eastern part of the country, and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in curtailing the menace.

    Abubakar commended the Federal Government for reintroducing history as a subject in schools, stressing wothout history humanity would not discover itself.

    The sultan said the book, which chronicled the religious and cultural heritage of the Gwandu Emirate was timely, adding: “we will continue to support historical findings”.

    Earlier, in his remarks, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, said the event was an attempt to reward those who contributed to the development of the emirate, especially preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the emirate.

    Bashar commended the efforts of Buhari to diversify the economy and the fight against corruption.

    He said the nation under the present administration was heading to progress devoid of religious, tribal or sectional consideratioms.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar extoled the virtues of Abdullahi Fodio, and called on leaders to emulate the legacies of the late Islamic scholar, especially on federalism, revenue allocation and the rule of law.

    He said as an elderstatesman he would continue to support historical investigations with a view to promote research and intellectual development.

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu commended the efforts of Gwandu Emirate for launching the book and recognising those who contributed immensely to the development of the emirate.

    Bagudu said the book would serve as very important tool in tracing the historical happenings in the emirate, stressing that Abdullahi Fodio was a hero.

    He said the state government would continue to preserve historical facts and artefacts for ptesent generation and posyerity.

    The governor also reiterated the state government resolve to continue to support agriculture.

    Fourteen people were honoured during the ceremony.

    They are; a former Chief Justice of Nigeria Legbo Kutigi, Aliyu wammako, retired Col. Sani Bello and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Lamido Birnin Bayero and Justice Abdulkadir Ore.

    The others were Gov. Atiku Bagudu, Jaiz Bank, Isah Mafara, Usman Magawata, Prof. Aisha Aliyu and Chairman of Daily Trust Newspapers, Kabiru Yusuf.

    A total of N101million was realised at the launching with the highest donation of N10 million from the former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

  • Sokoto launches community health scheme with N100m

    The Sokoto State Government on Wednesday launched its community contributory health scheme.

    Speaking at the event, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal described the take-off of the scheme as one of the most important interventions of his administration in the healthcare sector.

    “ Government has set aside N100million as seed fund for the take-off of the scheme which will ensure the implementation of the universal health coverage through contributions from various stakeholders,’’ he said.

    According to him, the scheme is an important policy whose impact will positively be felt on the lives of the people.

    “It will also protect families from the financial hardship of huge medical bills and limit the inflationary rise in the cost of healthcare services in all parts of the state.

    “Apart from ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare costs across different income groups, this scheme will improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of healthcare services in Sokoto,” the governor added.

    In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, dispelled the notion that Islam was against contributory health scheme

    Islam, the Sultan said, encourages members of the society to help each other at all times.

    Giving an insight into the benefits to be derived, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kakale Balarabe, said the new policy would ensure that all residents of Sokoto have access to effective, quality and affordable healthcare services.

    “It will facilitate training of human resource development and ensure availability of alternative source of funding to the health sector for improved service,’’ Balarabe said.

    While commending the state government for its foresight in implementing the policy, the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, said that the benefits of the policy would be felt for generations to come.

    Others who spoke at the event, which also served as the beginning of a sensitization programme for religious scholars and community leaders on the scheme, included the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammad Iliyasu, and the Director-General of Ja’iz Foundation, Ambassador Adamu Babangida.

     

  • Sokoto discovers coal deposits in commercial quantity

    The Sokoto State Government says it has discovered coal deposits in commercial quantity in the state.

    This discovery boosts Sokoto’s share of solid minerals awaiting exploration by the authorities. Others earlier discovered include phosphate for making fertilizer, gold, limestone, gypsum, iron ore, copper, columbite, tantalite, zinc, kaolin among others.

    Speaking during a capacity building workshop on Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV)s for beneficial participation of state governments in mining, jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the Sokoto Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources Development, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the state government has already engaged a Chinese company to make research on the available mineral resources, determine their locations and their commercial viability.

    He said the company has presented the first phase of its findings and identified 20 varieties of solid minerals.

    On coal, the government said the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), otherwise known as Sokoto Cement and owned by the BUA Group, has started using the substance as a source of energy in operating its plant.

    “BUA will use coal sourced from Sokoto to fuel the 40MW power plant being constructed at the factory. The new cement plant can use both coal and LPFO (Low Pour Fuel Oil), and will source its power needs from the power plant, with the excess generated power moved to the national grid,” BUA Founder, Abdussamad Rabiu, told reporters during a recent tour of the factory.

    He added that BUA’s $300 million investment in the new cement plant is the single largest private sector-led investment in Nigeria’s North West and has the capacity of producing 1.5million metric tonnes of cement per annum.

  • Task force to curb drug counterfeiting in Sokoto

    The Sokoto State Government on Friday inaugurated an inter-agency task force to fight drug abuse and circulation of counterfeit drugs and other unwholesome products.

    According to NAN, reports that the task force inaugurated by the state Health Commissioner, Dr Balarabe Kakale, had its membership drawn from ministries, military, voluntary organisations and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps also has representation.

    Kakale said: “The state government set up the task force out of great concern for the future of our people, especially youths.

    ” The task force is to be creating awareness and sensitising the public to the dangers of drug abuse, and tackling circulation of substandard and counterfeit medicines.”

    The commissioner charged the members of the committee to discharge their assignment without fear or favour.

    The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Almustapha Othman, and the Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Alhaji Muhammad Musa, solicited the support of the state residents and other stakeholders for the success of the task force.

    He advised dealers on illicit drugs and other killer-substances to steer clear of the state.

    ” If they don’t heed to this clarion call, nemesis will soon catch up with them, as their days are numbered.

    ” The state government will leave no stone unturned to apprehend them,” Kakale warned.

  • Supreme Court affirms Tambuwal as Sokoto Gov, others High Court to retry Dahiru’s case

    Supreme Court affirms Tambuwal as Sokoto Gov, others High Court to retry Dahiru’s case

    The Supreme Court on Friday declined to remove Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from office as Sokoto State duly elected governor.

    However, the appellate court ruled that a case filed by Senator Umaru Dahiru challenging the nomination of Tambuwal as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 2015 governorship election be retried at the Federal High Court.

    Recall that Dahiru contested for the governorship election in the December 2014 primaries of the APC, but lost to Tambuwal, who eventually went on to win the gubernatorial poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in April 2015 and was subsequently sworn-in as Governor on May 29 of the same year.

    Friday’s ruling followed an earlier judgment given by the Supreme Court in June this year which dismissed application by the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s governorship candidate, Senator Abdallah Wali, to be joined as parties to Dahiru’s suit.

    In a judgement written by Hon Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammed JSC and read by Hon Justice CC Nweze JSC, the court held that rather than consider the case as mere academic exercise, the High Court should retry the case on its merit.

    Counsel to Tambuwal, Paul M. Kassim Esq, who led six other lawyers, said the defence are are satisfied with the ruling and will get set for trial at the Federal High Court.

    “Our position remains unchanged, that our client was validly nominated by the APC and was duly elected Governor by the good people of Sokoto State,” he told reporters after the judgement.

    In the June ruling by now retired Justice Sulaiman Galadima JSC, the Supreme Court held that PDP and Wali lacked the locus standi to apply to be joined in the suit, describing the two as interlopers who should not take part in a matter purely involving another party.

    Even though Sokoto PDP had announced that they will not challenge the election of Tambuwal in 2015, they however, through case number SC/67/2016, sought to be joined as parties in Dahiru’s suit on the grounds that if it succeeds, Wali should be declared winner of the election.

    In a notice of motion for joinder filed at the apex court by EK Ashiekaa SAN, Wali and PDP contended that having participated in the 2015 governorship election, and having scored the next highest number of votes cast after that of Tambuwal, they have sufficient grounds to be joined in the case.

    They said the reliefs sought by Dahiru would have an effect on the outcome of the Sokoto governorship election by creating a vacuum.

    “That the vacuum likely to be created by the success of the Appellants appeal can only be filled by the applicant who scored the next highest returned votes,” they argued.

    Justice Galadima however struck out the application, foreclosing any move by the PDP to get APC removed from power in Sokoto through the back door.

    No date yet has been set for hearing on the interlocutory appeal filed by Senator Umar Dahiru challenging the ruling of the Appeal Court which held that his case at the Federal High Court against Tambuwal’s emergence as APC candidate for the April 2015 governorship election could not proceed since it has been overtaken by events and will be a mere academic exercise if it proceeds.