Sokoto: The Sai Alu factor
The administration of Governor Aliyu Wamakko has done a lot for his people. In an effort to eradicate the Almajiri syndrome in the state, the government constructed Almajiri Schools at Tudun Yandogo in Dange/Shuni local government and other local government areas of the state. It also ensured that the state indigenes are well trained in […]
The administration of Governor Aliyu Wamakko has done a lot for his people. In an effort to eradicate the Almajiri syndrome in the state, the government constructed Almajiri Schools at Tudun Yandogo in Dange/Shuni local government and other local government areas of the state. It also ensured that the state indigenes are well trained in Islamic jurisprudence. At least, Wamakko’s government sponsored many students to undergo Islamic courses in various fields at the Ain Shams University and Al-Azhar University in Egypt. Presently, the Wamakko administration has embarked on the construction of more Almajiri Schools in some local government areas across the state.
Also in the offing is the plan by the administration to construct 23 Class Rooms at Islamic Education Trust Complex (IET) to provide the new converts with a befitting accommodation. To ensure that Islamic education is imbibed by the indigenes, there are concrete arrangements with Islamic Universities in Makkah, Medina, Jedda, the Universities of Morocco, International Language Centre, Yemen, and African Universities of Sudan to provide admission for the state indigenes to pursue Islamic courses.
The government has been active in the area of procurement and distribution of assorted fertilizer, tractors, rehabilitation of Wurno Irrigation Scheme and Lugu Dam, which also include the provision of rice and animal traction loan to farmers and youths in the state. Attention is also being made by the administration of Aliyu Wamakko to procure water pumps, fertilizer, agro-chemicals, seeds, additional tractors and other spare parts. This is in addition to the rehabilitation of the major irrigation schemes at Kalmalo, Kware and Taloka. The government is assiduously working to provide funds to support and facilitate credit acquisition by small scale farmers, establish and develop zonal Agricultural Offices at Tambuwal and Isa towns respectably. Already, about N1 billion has been earmarked by the government as take off grant of the long awaited College of Agriculture, Wurno this year.
The “Sai Alu” administration has ensured the completion and settlement of all the inherited electrification projects in various parts of Sokoto state and has connected over 143 towns/villages to the national grid. This is in providing additional150 towns/villages across the state with electricity
As we know, education is a vehicle for socio- economic change and a means to uplift the standard of living of the people. It plays a critical role for the attainment of meaningful development. This explains why “Sai Alu” administration has given the sector top priority in the state. Thus, in its efforts to revitalize and reposition education in the state, Wamakko administration has executed various projects aimed at providing qualitative, accessible and affordable education to the people. These include the construction and expansion of secondary schools as well as rehabilitation of dilapidated structures at various schools across the state. Wamakko government also upgraded and established women centres, girl child education, procurement of science equipment, stationery and other teaching aids. The government also distributed assorted textbooks for junior and senior secondary schools, as well as provision of sports equipment and drugs to secondary school clinics across the state.
The coming of “Sai Alu” administration has witnessed the promotion of human development, self reliance and economic growth. A number of strategies have been put in place to address the problem of poverty, youth restiveness and unemployment. The establishment of Skills Acquisition Centres, renovation, rehabilitation and extention of orphanage and Remand Homes has enhanced the social well being of the Sokoto people. These Skills Acquisition Centres have yielded dividends as over 5,750 youths have so far graduated while 4,320 apprentices are undergoing training across the state. This year, Wamakko”s government will witness the admission of a reasonable number of youths from each of the 23 local government areas into these centres. Similarly, the government is making it possible to recruit about 2,600 youths in the second phase of Neigbourhood Initiative Programme where they will be trained in the area of first aid and neighbourhood watch services.
Health, they say, is wealth. Conscious of the healthcare needs of his people and the need to replace obsolete equipment and furniture in the state general hospitals, the Wamakko government procured and distributed medical and furniture equipment, mobile clinic vans, utility vehicles and ambulances to government hospitals to boost monitoring and supervision of health programmes in the state.
In the government’s avowed determination to provide the teeming population with a befitting shelter, it provided 500 units of both three and two bedroom houses at Bado and has also entered into a Public Private Partnership agreement with a housing developing firm which built an additional 500 unit of houses at Mana to solve the housing problems being experienced by civil servants and members of the general public. Justice delayed, they say, is justice denied. “Sai Alu” government accorded serious attention to the judiciary and the legislature. They were provided with conducive environment by constructing courts and judges quarters in about 18 local government areas of the state.
Going by these various achievements of the governor, the sky is no doubt his limit in the transformation of Sokoto state. Having tested and trusted him, the people of Sokoto are ever ready to repeat their mandate for him as they did in 2007. In view of the love and trust that the people have for the governor, one is yet to see if any one else can deny “Sai Alu” from them in 2012. Ask an average Sakkwato person who is his choice of the 2012 governorship contest, the obvious response one gets is “Sai Alu.” Such is the result of hard work and integrity which Governor Aliyu Wamakko has brought to his government.
Jirgi, a public commentator writes from Abuja.