Tag: Sokoto

 

 

Sokoto State Government has developed an Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a significant step toward addressing the pervasive issue of GBV in the state.

Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting on GBV prevention on Friday in Sokoto.

Alhaji said the action plan was developed in a roundtable meeting organised with partners in June this year.

He said the meeting was centered on national and international frameworks, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), the National Gender Policy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

”The action plan aims to provide a comprehensive and coordinated response to GBV, promote prevention strategies, and ensure access to justice and support services for survivors.

”This initiative was spearheaded through a multi-sectoral and participatory process involving key stakeholders from government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, and development partners.

”Through a series of consultative meetings, workshops, and technical sessions, the stakeholders identified prevailing GBV trends, existing gaps, and priority areas for intervention, ” Alhaji said.

According to him, the GBV Action Plan is structured around five key pillars: prevention, protection, response, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation.

The permanent secretary highlighted specific objectives and actionable strategies, including awareness creation, community engagement, legal reform and enforcement, capacity building for service providers, establishing referral systems, and survivor-centered care

”A clear implementation framework has been developed, highlighting roles, timelines, and resource requirements.

”By adopting this action plan, Sokoto State demonstrates its commitment to eliminating gender-based violence, safeguarding the rights of vulnerable populations, and promoting a safer, more equitable society.

”The plan serves as a guiding framework for action and a catalyst for sustained investment and collaboration among stakeholders to end GBV in all its forms, ” he added.

He explained that part of the recommendations at the programme included effort for effective sensitization and stepdown of laws to surveillance team members at the ward level, while violence in any form should be preached against in all the activities of the religious leaders,

He said others were rehabilitation of perpetrators, effective collaboration between stakeholders on GBV prevention and response, and capacity building for religious and traditional leaders on the concept of gender.

 

The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has charged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the State to make their service year productive and memorable.

He made this call on Friday, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch B stream 11 orientation exercise for Corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wamakko.

Governor Aliyu represented by his chief of staff Alhaji Aminu Haliru Dikko, emphasized the importance of acquiring relevant skills to become self-reliant and wealth creators, rather than job seekers.

He encouraged the Corps members to take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development program seriously, as it has been designed to equip them with the necessary skills to succeed.

“The National Youth Service Corps initiative which has been developed to groom young graduates to become dynamic in meeting and solving new challenges for the development of our country is a laudable one,” Governor Aliyu said.

“NYSC’s unquantifiable contributions to the invisibility of our country cannot be overemphasized.

The scheme has not compromised its mission to mobilise and groom graduate youths for the promotion of national unity, sustainable development, self-reliance and prepare them for the challenges of leadership.”

He appealed to the Corps members to take the programs seriously, especially the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development program, designed to equip them with relevant skills to become self-reliant and wealth creators rather than job seekers.

“Orientation course is the foundation of your one year national service, packaged in a regimented way with rich programmes including physical, leadership, Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship (SAED) trainings,” Governor Aliyu explained.

The Governor commended the efforts of parents and guardians for their sacrifices in giving their children the best gift. “I want to encourage you not to disappoint them as I pray for them to eat the fruits of their labour.”

On security, Governor Aliyu urged the Corps members to accommodate and tolerate others, remembering that “our diversity is our identity and understanding binds us together as a nation.” He assured them that Sokoto State is safe, peaceful, and habitable for all, regardless of cultural background, religion, or tribe.

“Sokoto State is totally safe, peaceful, and habitable for all and sundry irrespective of your cultural background, religion, and tribe. We have a flourishing economy thriving on the industrious, friendly, and hospitable nature of our people. In short, our dear State is blessed with all that pertains to good.”

“As a Government, I want to reiterate our uncompromising commitment towards providing adequate security for lives and property of citizens and residents of our dear state. We remain resolute on maintaining our pacesetting role in terms of Corps welfare.”

Earlier, the Sokoto State NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Usman Yakubu Yaro, congratulated the Corps members on completing their academic journey and transitioning into the NYSC scheme. He lauded the efforts of Governor Aliyu and the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 for their tireless support of youth development and partnership with the NYSC.

The coordinator specially thanked the Governor for his apt and timely intervention for the renovation of the camp hall and pavilion that was recently devastated by the windstorm and also giving approval for total renovation of the camp.

The Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Justice Muhammad Saidu Sifawa, represented by Justice Hadiza Sahabi Jaredi administered the oath of allegiance to the Corps members.

 

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Hajia Fatima Aliyu, the wife of Sokoto state governor on Thursday launched the disbursement of cash support 41,821 female students under Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

The Newsmen reports that the disbursement was a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme aimed at advancing girl-child education in Sokoto state through the support.

Aliyu said the initiative aims to support girls financially, helping them overcome economic challenges and continue their education without interruption.

“I am pleased to learn that the AGILE project is significantly contributing to reducing the burden of Out-of-School Children in our communities by increasing secondary school enrolment among adolescent girls in Nigeria.

“It is on the strength of the impact of the project more states are benefiting with education support. By educating girls, AGILE is helping to build a more just and prosperous society,” Aliyu said.

She urged the beneficiaries and their families to ensure judicious use of the funds through school attendance and concentration on studies for thee future.

In her remark, the National Coordinator of AGILE, Ms Fatima Buba-Haruna, said the CCT programme is a vital AGILE strategy to boost enrolment, retention, and transition of girls in public secondary schools.

Buba-Haruna expressed hope that the CCT initiative would deliver long-term benefits and transform the lives of many girls.

“The success of AGILE also reaffirms the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda to focus on education as an essential pillar of development by providing unhindered access to quality education for every Nigerian child.

” AGILE showcased empowerment of girls through education and celebration of talents, creativity, and excellence of Nigerian children.

“The additional financing to other states is a testament to the project’s impact and a bold step toward deepening its reach and sustainability, ” She said.

She highlighted that the expansion would enable the project to reach more states, empower more girls, and expand the innovative interventions that have already begun to reshape learning outcomes and social inclusion for adolescent girls across the country.

Speaking also, the Programme Coordinator, Dr Mansur Isa-Buhari, said under the programme, no fewer than 749 classes were renovated, 11,221 students desks provided and 214 solar-power boreholes also provided across different schools.

Isa-Buhari said 1,652 toilet facilities were constructed, 4,480 tress planted in schools environments and 11,325 adolescent girls enrolled in the safe space activities.

According to him, no fewer than 97,446 teaching and learning materials have been provided while 2,240 School Based Management Committee (SBMC) members trained on the roles and responsibilities under the project.

“Our mission is not just to get children into school, but to ensure they learn, grow, and thrive in safe, inclusive, and stimulating environments, ” he said.

Isa-Buhari commended Gov. Ahmad Aliyu for his support that ensure maximum success of the project and urged parents to ensure strict school attendance for their daughters.

He stressed that before the end of the project about 200,000 girls are expected to be empowered across the state.

A cross section of parents praised AGILE project describing it as a beacon of hope for girls and encouraged full community support for the programme.

 

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders have emphasised the critical need to strengthen humanitarian services coordination in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Mr Michael Juma, made the remark in a validation workshop jointly organised by the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States with support from UNICEF on Friday in Sokoto.

The Newsmen reports that the events Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) validation meeting was aimed at strengthening and streamlining the coordination of humanitarian responses to emergencies across the three states.

Juma said the exercise marked a significant step towards faster, more efficient disaster response in the region and emphasized the need for more partnerships among agencies.

He described the SOP as a practical step-by-step guide for all humanitarian actors, ensuring clarity from the first trigger of an emergency to final deactivation.

” It begins with emergency trigger and notification, clearly identifying lead agencies, activation triggers and alert mechanisms. Search and Rescue arrangements follows, covering search and rescue team mobilization, evacuation protocols and public communication, ” Juma said.

Speaking also, Mr Olayinka Afolabi, the UNICEF Emergency Specialist said SOP entailed that once an emergency incident is confirmed, coordination structures were activated through establishing the state emergency operation centre and multi-sectoral coordination.

Afolabi said the joint rapid need assessment phase sets timelines, priorities and responsibilities timely and accurate data collection.

He explained that flowing steps included response and operational planning stage to look at sectoral priorities and mobilize stocks while the next stage of implementation and service delivery easy and successful.

He called on participants to always ensure that response is appropriately monitored to track the progress made and gather feedbacks and also ensure that regular public information is given at intervals via situation report of the incident to the people.

In his remarks, the Head, NEMA, Sokoto Operations Office, Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, thanked all the participants and particularly UNICEF for the support and urged the stakeholders to be committed to the SOP to ensure it successful implementation.

Kafindangi who was represented by the Head of Planning Unit, Mr Tukur Abubakar, said through the participatory discussions, stakeholders mapped institutional roles and streamlined communication channels.

He added that participants have agreed on the designed operational workflows for different emergency scenarios, outcomes for improved clarity of roles as well as stronger interagency linkages.

” The developed draft SOP have reflected on the ground realities, developed respond to emergencies like cholera, crises and flood.

” This is coming at a time that stakeholders in disaster management described as timely due to the flood that is already affecting many communities, ” he said.

Newsmen reports that participants were drawn from Federal and State Fire service, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) from Sokoto Kebbi and Zamfara States, NGOs, Nigeria Police Force, Disaster Response Units of the Nigeria Army, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ministries of Health and Agriculture from the three states.

 

 

The Sokoto State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged party loyalists to remain resolute and calm in the midst of political intimidations by the ruling party.

A statement signed by party spokesman, Malam Hassan Sayinnawal, expressed concern over escalating deployment of state institutions as tools of repression against political opposition in the country.

Sayinnawal described the arrest of the immediate past Governor of Sokoto State, Senm Aminu Waziri Tambuwal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a glaring example of attempt to silence the opposition.

” It’s viewed by Nigerians as the continuation of the assault on political dissent in the country, especially against the background of the gathering coalition of progressive forces against the ongoing misrule by the incumbent administration.

” The selective and discriminatory manner the anti-graft agency conducts its activities, clearly proves the desperation of the APC-led government to cling to power against growing national rejection, ” Sayinnawal said.

According to him, it was a common knowledge in many quarters in Sokoto State that the current issue being touted by the anti-corruption body is an old phantom that has repeatedly hit the brick wall.

He added that the matter was a desperate ignited by a political forces, who themselves have genuine corruption case files.

” Our Party wishes to re-echo the demand of the citizens of Nigeria for anti-graft agencies in the country to live above board and desist from being tools for the execution of political agendas.

” Their constitutional obligations to the nation should take precedence over the whims of repressive elements in the corridors of power.

” The PDP shares the confidence of the people of Sokoto State in the unblemished credibility of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and our trust in his ethical and moral uprightness cannot be shaken by trumped-probes, ” he added.

He urged party loyalists remain resolute in following his lead in the pursuit of change in our state and nation at large.

 

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Coalition of youth and women groups in Sokoto-South and Sokoto-North local government areas have declared support for Malam Faruku Sarkin-Fada’s political aspirations, vying for the House of Representatives seat in the coming election.

The groups made the declaration during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders’ meeting attended by different party support groups, party officials and loyalists from the two local government areas in Tuesday in Sokoto.

Former Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Shehu observed with delight how youths across the area have taken advantage of the opportunity provided by the philanthropist.

Shehu who is the former Chairman of Sokoto-North local government opened that stepping out to contest to the seat would be an added advantage of the Sarkin-Fada Fada for continues support to the constituents.

He said that Sarkin-Fada’s philantrophic activities benefit all citizens irrespective of political party affiliation and now stepping into the political arena to contribute to governance would be a good development.

“We believe that the future of governance lies in the hands of competent, visionary leaders who are ready to bring fresh ideas and energy into the system, ” Shehu said.

A Women Leader, Hajia Zara’u Kaza, urged political parties to provide a level playing field for good aspirants and appealed to eligible voters to actively support and vote for candidates who show dedication to the ideals of service, accountability, and community development.

Also speaking, Hajia Rukayya Shaibu, described Sarkin-Fada’s participation in politics and governance as crucial to achieving a more inclusive, innovative, and progressive society,

Responding, Sarkin-Fada expressed confidence that the party’s grassroots mobilisation efforts were yielding results, adding that Sokoto residents were yearning for a return of the PDP to power.

Sarkin-Fada noted that the party’s blueprint for 2027 will be anchored on the aspirations of the people, particularly the younger generation who form the bulk of the electorate.

He explained that part of his philanthropic activity he conducted included provision of 40 tankers of portable water to various communities to reduce hardship among citizens.

According to him, beyond distributing water, he constructed three boreholes, each storing 25,000 liters of water to serve nearby households with plans to build more in the areas.

He added that plans were underway for youth-focused initiatives, including the distribution of tricycles and support for small businesses to empower young people.

“As individuals, we all have a role to play. No matter how small our efforts, every good deed can leave a lasting impact on the lives of others,” he said.

Stakeholders have called for increased support to government officials and community groups, recognising their vital roles in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other harmful practices (HP).

Newsmen reports that the call was made on Friday at the close of a three-day orientation and sensitisation exercise for officials and community members in Sokoto State.

The training, organised by the Sokoto State Government in collaboration with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), focused on Psycho-Social Support (PSS), Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), GBV, and HP.

Hajiya Maryam Ahmad-Barade, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, stressed the need for officials to stay updated on modern response techniques, data collection, and service delivery.

She emphasised that empowering personnel with the right knowledge was key to providing effective services and urged participants to apply what they learned to promote a society that valued and respected individual rights and dignity.

Ahmad-Barade highlighted that the initiative targeted challenges such as maternal mortality, unmet family planning needs, GBV, and vulnerabilities during humanitarian crises, while also discouraging harmful traditional practices.

Speaking at the event, Hajiya Hauwa’u Umar-Jabo, Director of Women at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, described the training as timely and beneficial.

She noted it broadened participants’ knowledge and introduced modern approaches to tackling gender issues.

UNFPA Youth Ambassador, Mr Hamidu Almustapha, emphasised the agency’s commitment to promoting youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health education to reduce early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

He explained that UNFPA implemented various GBV prevention and response initiatives, including safe spaces, psychological support, and legal aid for survivors.

“UNFPA is working with governments and communities to improve tracking of child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and other harmful traditional practices,” Almustapha said.

He added that efforts were also being made to strengthen law enforcement and justice systems to ensure perpetrators of GBV were held accountable.

Malam Musa Wamakko, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, commended UNFPA for working with faith-based and traditional leaders to shift social norms and promote gender equality.

He noted that the campaign for gender-responsive policies was gaining ground and ensuring women’s voices were included in decision-making processes.

Wamakko lauded Gov. Ahmad Aliyu for his administration’s ongoing support to UNFPA and other development partners.

He revealed that a N900 million counterpart fund was underway to further strengthen health and related initiatives across the state, with more projects and investments expected to benefit the public.

Newsmen also reports that various resource persons presented on the use of data and innovation for improved health outcomes, including conducting demographic surveys to inform policies on health, education, and economic planning.

Other topics covered included digital health solutions, mobile platforms for reproductive health services, and strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) to ensure that every birth was recorded, enabling better access to healthcare and social services.