Sokoto in 2018

Some notable things took place in Sokoto in 2018, our Correspondent rakiya A Muhammad recalls some of them: JANUARY

Sokoto State government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Goronyo Sugar Company for the establishment of a N2.3 billion new sugar factory in the state in a move to create job opportunities and diversify the state’s revenue sources.

Also in January 2018, an intensive training programme for 3,374 primary school teachers from the 23 local government areas commenced in the state as part of the state government’s efforts to address challenges of the education sector in the state. The training executed under the Teacher Professional Development Programme of the state Universal Basic Education Board was aimed at to updating the knowledge of the teachers and acquaint them with modern teaching techniques.

Reverend father Nuhu Iliya emerged as Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria as the association elected new officials to run its affairs at a congress in Sokoto.

FEBRUARY

In what was described as a major cabinet reshuffle Governor Aminu Tambuwal re-assigned nine commissioners and assigned portfolios to four recently-appointed commissioners.

MARCH

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dangote Foundation and six northern state governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on extension and improved access to routine immunisation, towards total eradication of polio and other diseases The state governors who signed MoU were Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Muhammed Abubakar (Bauchi) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna). Yobe State governor was represented.

APRIL

Four new senior judges were sworn-in, the first time in 10 years.

The new judges were for the state High Court and Shariah Court of Appeal.

Also in April , the first military hospital in Sokoto state opened.

The facility aimed to serve as centre of excellence for military related diseases, and has a research institution with United Nations standard international public health laboratory.

But the month ended on a sad note with the death of Special Adviser to Tambuwal on Media, Imam Dalhatu Imam on April 27, at the age of 41.

MAY

Governor Aminu Tambuwal flagged off Sokoto-Niger International Transport service to facilitate the movement of goods and passengers between Sokoto and Niger Republic and enhance trade and economic activities between Nigeria and Niger

JUNE

Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency fixed June 30 as the deadline to complete payment of 2018 Hajj fare by intending pilgrimages in the state.

JULY

In what was a prelude to his defection from APC to PDP, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal dissolved the State Executive Council,directing the former commissioners to hand government property to the ermanent secretaries in their respective ministries, immediately.

Malam Abubakar Shekara, Director General Media and Public Affairs in Government House, explained in a statement that the dissolution would pave way for “restructuring and re-strategizing the cabinet for optimum efficiency and service delivery to the people of State”.

Also in this month, some bandits attacked villages around Gandi in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing more than 30 people and displacing residents who were consequently camped at Gandi Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) camp.

AUGUST

Governor Aminu Tambuwal dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC for the People’s Democratic Party PDP. Tambuwal said   he took the decision after a wide consultation especially with the people of the state whom he said assured him of their support for his next political move.

Also in August , newly established College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State commenced academic programmes. Provost of the College, Prof. Aminu Abubakar, said the college admitted its first set of regular students into six programmes.

SEPTEMBER

Sokoto State Government confirmed nine deaths due to suspected gastroenteritis in some local government areas of the state.

Affected local government areas included Illela, Sabon-Birni, Gada, Goronyo, Isa and Tureta.

OCTOBER

The state Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu revealed that 19,000 rice farmers lost an estimated 61,197.5 tonnes of rice valued at N27.5 billion, to flood.

NOVEMBER

Four months after the dissolution of his cabinet Governor Aminu Tambuwal swore-in 26 new commissioners in the state.

Also in November, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu resigned as the deputy Governor of Sokoto state. Aliyu had remained in APC as Tambuwal defected to PDP.Aliyu is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, and would contest against, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer at the gubernatorial poll in 2019 elections.

 DECEMBER

Second Republic President Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari died at 93, at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness. He was buried at his country home in Shagari.

Also Chief Judge of Sokoto state, Justice Bello Abass retires after attaining 65 years of age. Governor Aminu Tambuwal appointed Justice Sa’idu Sifawa as acting Chief.