Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu has reiterated his administrations commitment to ensuring good health quality education and peace across the state as necessary criteria for wealthy nation.
The governor, who spoke at the Sultan Maccido Institute of Qu’aranic and General studies during the 2025 Budget town hall meeting, further noted that, in line with vision governance policy of according priority to those key areas, the education and health sectors will take leading budgetary allocation of 25 and 15 percents in 2025.
“”We will continue to renovate all hospitals in the 244 council wards of the state. And provide mobile ambulances each to all of them in addition to providing medicaments, the health ministry will get 15 percent of Sokoto’s 2025 Budget”.
On the education sector, the governor said, “”we will ensure that the sector gets 25 percent of the 2025 budgetary allocation.
He further noted that his administration is very concerned about Tsangaya education adding, the Almajiris roaming the streets of Sokoto are not those studying in the states Tsamgaya schools where they are fed, housed and clothed.
“‘Our known Almajiris are in schools getting the needed care and studies that include both Islamic and Western education.
”Promoting Islamic affairs is second in my administration policy, hence
Sokoto state is hundred percent Muslims and we will continue to do what we can including improvement on the Tsangya education to ensure that our religion remain the best””, governor Ahmed Aliyu enthused.
While emphasizing that skill acquisition is equally crucial in his governance policy, the governor says he plans to
positively engage unemployed youths, women on skills of their choices, ensure that they are equally be certificated, given grants and tools.
”By so doing, we would be reducing idleness and bad social vices from amongst our society to a large extent””.
Delivering his goodwill message, the UNICEF Sokoto Chief of Field Office, Mr Micheal Juma said they have concluded plans to invest 16 billion naira for children and women wellbeing in the Sokoto by 2025.
The UNICEF scribe however appealed for the introduction of child benefit allowances for poor and vulnerable households in Sokoto to help address their basic needs and improve their access to services.
Collaborating UNICEF appeal, Malam Rabiu Gandi, the Head of Migration, Mobility and Protection of Save The Child Initiative (STCI), Nigeria urged the state government to take advantage of the interest invested on the Tsangayya school by the PLAN International and other donors to continue to give priority to that critical sector.
On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 appealed for a possible upward review of allowances given to traditional leaders in the state in view of the challenging economy of the nation.
Sultan who was represented by the sayin Kilgori, Dr Muahhmad Jabir Kilgori said these traditional leaders are the custodian of their cultural values and closest to the locals.
Reacting to the town hall meeting on 2025 budget, former deputy governor of the state, Muktari Shagari said governor Ahmed Aliyu has initiated a budget wit human face, hence demonstrating highly
commendable step towards ensuring delivery of good governance.
Towing same lane another former deputy governor, Chiso Abdullahi Dantijo appealed to the governor ro review special assistance to principals across the state to enable them carry out minor repairs without waiting until it becomes worse.
Also advising, Senator Salihu Bakwe urged the governor to ensure sustainability of all programmes and policies initiated, adding only that can guarantee genuine development in a state.
Those that monitored the Sokoto state citizens budget include, NGOs such as USAID, PLAN international, UNICEF, Save The Child Initiative (STCI), Nigeria, CBOs, Youths and Women Groups as well as representatives of people with special needs.