Tag: Sokoto

  • Tambuwal Attends Graduation Ceremony Of 38 Sokoto Students In Khartoum

    Tambuwal Attends Graduation Ceremony Of 38 Sokoto Students In Khartoum

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    …..says he can’t accept Honorary Degree while Nigeria isn’t secure

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has humbly declined the proposed conferment of an honorary degree on him by the Nahda International University College (NIUC), Khartoum, Sudan.

    This was contained in a release by his media aide, Muhammad Bello.

    The award, he said has been slated as part of the graduation ceremony of 38 students of Sokoto state extraction who bagged degrees in Medicine/Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Laboratory Sciences and Information Communication Technology (ICT) at the Ibn Sina University (ISU) and NIUC.

    Gov. Tambuwal declined the offer shortly after his arrival in Khartoum on Sunday, informing the management of the two universities that he would not take their offers because of the prevailing situation of insecurity in Nigeria.

    “I won’t be able to oblige your humble request because of the condition in which my country finds itself at this time,” he said.

    “But you may wish to defer the conferment until a later date. For now, I have come to see my children and wards,” he told the Prof. Qaribullah Abbas, the Acting Dean of NIUC.

    In his response, Prof. Qaribullah craved his indulgence to accept an Award of Excellence instead of the honorary degree.

  • How Dr. Wamakko Solve Problems Of Almajiri Integrated Model Schools (AIMS) In Sokoto

    How Dr. Wamakko Solve Problems Of Almajiri Integrated Model Schools (AIMS) In Sokoto

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    Almajiri system of education is as old as it is. It also remains one of the traditional ways of searching for Qur’anic knowledge by the young male children who leave home or sent out by their parents to the network of Islamic Boarding Schools in cities and villages of northern Nigeria.

    The ancient practice has a long history and cultural base in Islam. It is unfortunate that, the golden side of it has been submerged by social vices and future light blockage (begging).

    Indeed, in the past, products of the Almajiri system commanded high respect in the society for the vastness of their Islamic knowledge, personality recognition and responsibility in the society. All these have either been eroded or reduced as a consequence of civilization and human development.

    The social constructs that made man self-reliant and responsible for not begging.

    Indeed, the effects of street begging on the personalities of Muslims in northern Nigeria is sympathetic as it creates the largest proportion of beggars and promotes idleness in the society.

    The genesis of all these and other vices emanates from children roaming streets to beg for food in the name of searching for knowledge. The acts that have no future life earning plans.

    The young pupils who roams the streets are sometimes coopted into mini jobs at residences, restaurants and other public places. They are also engaged in hawking, load carrying in the markets and barrow pushing. Above all, these children are subjected to what literally amounts to force labour in which the proportion of the benefits go to Mallams (leaders).

    In Nigeria today, ALMAJIRI has been considered as any unprivileged child who begs for assistance of food and other things in order to survive. For them to survive, these children beg from dust to down daily on streets before they retire back to their respective Malams so as to be taught how to recite and memorize the Holy Qur’an and Hadith.

    Similarly, it was reported that, there are about seven million children and teenagers identified as street beggars in the northern part of Nigeria which could be traced to Almajiri system of education. In the report of World Health Organization (WHO) over three percent of these children suffer child abuse and neglect. A situation that worried many northern political and religious leaders.

    Although, series of attempts were previously made by different organizations and individuals, but the result was not felt or recognized.

    As such, the Sokoto state government headed by Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko contained the problems through an intellectual and social perimeters of establishing Almajiri Integrated Model Schools in Sokoto state.

    The social preparation for the establishment of AIMS saw eradication or modernization of Almajiri schooling system that has been perceived as very difficult or impossible project.

    The simple reason being that of parents’ rejection and Malams blockage. Most parents do not value any form of modernization in the process of acquiring Islamic education, talk less of including modern education in the program of their children.

    The conviction change of such parents is not easy as they hold the view of valuelessness and destructiveness of education that is not traditionally Islamic.

    For the Malams, Almajiri pupils are the major source of their income. Infact, the means of their survival. Parents of these pupils bring foodstuffs during harvest, some send different things at their will to the Malams. As they (children) engage in many forms of child abuse and other activities whatever they might have gotten Malams have share either daily or weekly. Consequently, the stoppage of their system was not going to be taken lightly by these Malams.

    To succeed, efforts were made to meet with the officials of the Almajiri Teachers Association of Sokoto State. During the meeting three points were presented clearly to them:-That the government of Wamakko was not aiming at closing or destroying their historic schools, that the efforts was geared to assist them in managing the Almajiri pupils and Almajiri system of education, and that the traditional system of reading Qur’an will be included in the programme in the Almajiri Integrated Model Schools.

    The resolution of the meeting was the total conviction and acceptance of the Almajiri Integrated Model Schools by the association. The association entertained the fear of not knowing what would be happening in the schools. The Ministry requested the association to provide two members of their association for employment as teachers in the schools. They sent names of two teachers who were since employed. The association agreed to instruct their members to send the students in their schools who cannot have houses to get food.

    Intellectual preparation for the establishment of of AIMS is another institution that has been termed as one of the northern child problems. The problem is not of the school types but on the process the children are subjected to. As a recognized basic problem in the society that needs special attention of governments, organizations, associations and individuals, efforts need to be made to dig out the genesis and solutions to the problems. In that process, the government of Sokoto state sponsored a research of problem discovery. In that research, many factors were discovered to be the roots of the problems. The major among them are the very high motivation towards the knowledge acquisition of Al-Qur’an, poverty especially of food security and joblessness in the villages during the dry season.

    The then administration of Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has already addressed the last two problems (joblessness and poverty) through different agencies and ministries (ministry for Social Welfare and Youths Development, Poverty Reduction Department, ministry for Special Duties and Department of Disable among others),etc.

    The first factor was what was being addressed through Ministry for Religious Affairs through the proposed establishment of 23 AIMS in all the 23 local government areas of the state. The of the motivation was to establish schools where Qur’an would be taught in three different forms. The first was the local form of learning Qur’an as obtained in the local schools using slates and other things. The second was the teaching of Qur’an in the modern musabaqa way. The third was the teaching of Qur’an with all the sciences of Tajweed.

    Apart from the teaching of Al-Qur’an in the above forms, other Islamic disciplines were being taught to the students. The programme did nod not stop there as there were other modern courses of English, Arithmetic, General Sciences and Vocational skills that were also being taught.

    As time progressed, the successor to Wamakko,Aminu Waziri Tambuwal intend to establish Technical schools where these less privileged children could learn one aspect of technology or handicrafts.

    The prevailance of corona virus eleven months ago apprehend the effort due to lockdown period that affects both economies and all aspects of development worldwide.

    That is merely saying the deadly corona has affected the activity and is still threatening role, value and development of education.

  • Sokoto PDP Prays For Peaceful Coexistence – Chairman

    Sokoto PDP Prays For Peaceful Coexistence – Chairman

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    The Chairman, Sokoto state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party Alhaji Bello Aliyu Goronyo has called on the general public to always abide with the rules, regulations and ethics of various religions an the country for peaceful coexistence.

    Goronyo who was addressing newsmen at the party office further said the country needs prayers particularly at this period when the lives of its citizens are not safe considering the lives lost by bandits, kidnappers and other I’ll vices activities particularly in northern Nigeria and the country in general.

    He also reminded on the influential figures in the to know that the poor are always depending on them for their daily meals and that the economy of the Nation rest on their steering leadership modesty and quality.

    “As a person and a leader, I always put my people closer to my heart, the reason why I use to interact with them in order to know their feelings and needs”.

    He added that Nigeria as a nation is blessed with fertile lands, human beings and human labour should therefore be blessed with peaceful coexistence.

    ” It is only when movements from one place to another is safe that the country can boast of adequate foodstuffs, raise in economy and tourism”.

  • Sokoto Strengthen Ties With UK

    Sokoto Strengthen Ties With UK

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    Expressing gladness for receiving the United Kingdom Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sam Wadock, governor Tambuwal said there is a very important issue that is bedeviling of lives of the people of Sokoto state and Nigeria in general that needs the immediate assistance of UK.

    “We thanked UK government through you for taking interest in Sokoto state and all the partnership and support in the past and as well to show common interest in the security of Sokoto state and Nigeria in general”, averred the Governor.

    He also said he ones had a meeting with the High Commissioner in the UK Commission office and acknowledged the contributions accorded to help Nigeria out of the security challenges the country is facing adding that looking at the security structure of the UK, there is no better country to move Nigeria towards the establishment of peace despite the efforts Nigeria is making towards banditry, kidnapping and all unnecessary activities.

    He appealed on them to them to do more than they had done to Nigeria in the past.

    Earlier, the UK Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sam Wadock commended the Governor for the hospitality accorded them and that they were in Sokoto to express their support in the security challenges saying the old existing relationship with Sokoto will be strengthened.

    ” We would do all we can to assist in the fight against insurgency and other related vices”, said Mr. Sam.

  • Constitution Review; 103 Memoranda During The Two Day Hearing

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    A total of one hundred and three oral and written memoranda were so far received at the North West, Sokoto Centre, Public Hearing on the Proposed Review of the 1999 Constitution.

    Wamakko, who is also a Member of the Committee, told Newsmen shortly after the conclusion of the exercise in Sokoto, Thursday .

    The former Governor of Sokoto State, said that , the memoranda were received from various Groups, Governmental Agencies, NGOs and individuals, among others .

    Wamakko said: “The memoranda will be streamlined and presented to the main Committee, for eventual deliberations and approvals .

    ” We will sit together and digest all the collated , and later submitted to the Senate for consideration .”

    Wamakko also expressed delight with the high response of the people , saying, ” it has never been so on the history of the state .

    ” They are very unique and solid memoranda which reflect what Nigeria is.”

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Sokoto Centre, Senator Adamu Aliero said that, all the collated memoranda will help the Senate to make informed decisions on how the Constitution can best be reviewed.

    He commended all the presenters of memoranda and promised that, they will be given expeditious treatment .

    Aliero further said that, the Secretariat will remain open up to Friday, May 28,2021, for the continuation of the collation of more memoranda .

  • Sokoto NUJ Commiserates With Tambuwal over Commissioners’ Demise

    Sokoto NUJ Commiserates With Tambuwal over Commissioners’ Demise

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council has commiserated with the Sokoto state government, the Sultan of Sokoto and the entire people of Sokoto state over the death of Muhammadu Arzika Tureta, the Commissioner for Agriculture who passed on last Monday at the age of 62 after a protracted illness.

    The statement by the state Secretary of the Sokoto chapter of the Council Abubakar Imam further said the council described his death as a monumental loss not only to his immediate family but the entire people of the state, considering his sterling contribution to the development of the state.

    It also described the late Commissioner as a ” grassroot politician” who had paid his due as he served his people and the entire state in numerous capacities deligently.

    Arzika was the longest serving commissioner ever had in the state, having served as Commissioner of Education, Water Resources and Agriculture during Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko’s administration.

    When Tambuwal came on board, he retained him as his Commissioner for Water Resources before he was redeployed to the Ministry for Local government and lastly Ministry of Agriculture.

    Arzika also served as the state’s PDP chairman after representing Bodinga-Dange Shuni-Tureta federal constituency at the House of Representatives.

    The Council while praying Allah to grant him one of the highest places in paradise, it however, appealed to the state government to immortalize him by naming any of it’s projects or street after him.

    It also pray Allah to grant his aged mother, family and Governor Tambuwal the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

  • Sokoto Government To Improve Animal Rearing

    Sokoto Government To Improve Animal Rearing

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    …….Partners Indonesia, IsDB,NIRSAL

    In its drive to further curtail the menace of banditry occasioned by the marauding activities of unknown gunmen often speculatively associated with Fulani nomads, Sokoto state government is mulling the modernisation of animal health centers across the state.

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State made this known when he received the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, AVM Usra Hendra Harahap and his team who are in the state for a working visit at Government House, Sokoto.

    The release by the SA Media to Governor Tambuwal Muhammad Bello said the drive towards this initiative is geared towards addressing the challenges of cattle rearing, farmers-herdsmen clashes that has catalyzed security challenges in the country.

    In order to achieve this feat, the governor stated that his administration is poised to partner the Indonesian government, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

    According to him, the target of this partnership is to avail farmers in the state and even neighbouring states as well as Niger Republic the opportunity of livestock rearing without the intermittent skirmishes that accompany it.

    He also reiterated that the state government is giving attention to agricultural mechanization and plan to engage the private sector by giving them incentives to establish plants in the state.

    Applauding the Indonesian embassy for its sustained interest and collaboration with the state in many sectors, Governor Tambuwal said the technical support that the state Zakkat and Waqf Commission (SOZECOM) have been enjoying from the Indonesian government is yielding the desired results.

    He listed other areas of support from the Asian giant as: education, including theprovision scholarships to Sokoto State indigenes, health, agriculture and others.

    He noted that were it not for the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic the state’s technical team would have gone far in its development of the required templates to fast track the realization of the thematic areas of cooperation.

    He also appreciated the Indonesian embassy’s outreach to indigent areas of the state where
    both last year and the current one Ambassador Harahap and his wife have donated items to the less privileged.

    Tambuwal said this gesture shows the personal attachment of the envoy a d his country to the development of the people of Sokoto in addition to the deeper collaboration and cooperation between the two entities.

    Earlier in his remarks, AVM Harahap expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment between his country and Sokoto State, noting that the bilateral relationship, now slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has nonetheless reached advanced level.

    Top of the list he said is his country’s consideration for the reformation of the Almajiri system of education, with a view to remodeling it by providing basic needs such as clothing, shelter, medical facilities and and empowerment to the students.

  • Three Suspected Bandits Burnt To Death In Sokoto

    Three Suspected Bandits Burnt To Death In Sokoto

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    Residents of Goronyo Local Government of Sokoto state have burnt three suspected bandits to death following inactive attitude of security agencies in the environment.

    The suspects, two male and a female were burnt amidst public in Goronyo town.

    They were arrested on Wednesday this week, and the residents without taking them to security agencies decided to burn them alive giving signal to those attempting to visit again for terrorism.

    A unanimous source disclosed that it actually happened without any hesitation

    “The annoying thing about these bandits is that, they may be arrested and handed over to security agencies, but would be seen patrolling the streets some days later and terrorise the community again”.

    The Goronyo council Chairman AbdulWahab when contacted on the issue was not happy saying they supposed to be interrogated and source for information about their team, hideout and important information that can lead their arrests.

    “Seriously, I am not happy, these must mates, they should be forced to speak out, whatever information got from them must lead to the àrrest of others”, averred the chairman.

    The Police Command spokesman ASP Abbas Adamu when contacted said he was aware of the occurrence but was also of the view with the chairman’s submission.

  • Coalition Praise Sokoto AIG For Steadfast, Justice

    Coalition Praise Sokoto AIG For Steadfast, Justice

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    With reference to the letter CZ:5650/ZN.10/PRD/VOV.1/68 dated 05th May 2021,the Assistant Inspector General of Police Ali Aji Janga psc mni, received in audience the executives of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa Iamati Sunnah Sokoto State Branch o the Wednesday, the 5th of May 2021 at about 1100hrs.

    The release by the Command Public Relations Officer ASP Abbas Adamu further said after the opening prayer and formal introduction, Sheik Imam Abubakar Usman, the leader of the delegation and the chairman of Ulama Council of the Sokoto State Branch spoke Un-behalf of the Association. He started by giving thanks to Allah for blessing Zone 10 with the Calibre and personality of the AIG Ali Aji Janga psc mni.

    He praised the AIG for his steadfastness and as a symbol of Justice in his entire career so far. He equally stated that, their Association is legal, which encouraged the seeking of knowledge and also propagate peaceful co-existance among the people. And he prayed that Allah will assist the AIG to pilot the affairs of the Zone 10 effectively which consists of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara state Commands, with the wealth of experience which he has acquired.

    AIG Ali Aji Janga psc mni, in his remarks thanked the entire Executives of the Association for the Courtesy call and also stated that security is a prerogative of everyone and not the security forces alone.

    He equally reminded them of what the country Nigeria is currently passing through as regards to poverty and insecurity which has bedeviled the Country.

    According to the AIG, there is no love anymore as the issue of trust is gone, people of Goodwill are very rare in this contemporary Times and that, the lack of faith and fear of God almighty is responsible for the chaos which the country is experiencing at the moment.

    The various Crimes ranging from terrorism, Kidnappings, Armed Banditry, Cattle rustling etc are all happening as a result of people not having God fear in their heart.

    He concluded that, though it wont be easy but by the special grace of God,all these will be a thing of past if we put heads together to embrace positive changes with the fear of God almighty .

    The Call came to an end with a closing prayers from the Zonal Imam, Ustaz SP Muhammad Ibn Tahir.

  • NUJ Sokoto Council Calls For Improved Police, Journalists Relationship

    NUJ Sokoto Council Calls For Improved Police, Journalists Relationship

    By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

    As Nigeria cue in to celebrate World Press Day, the Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has stressed the need for improved working relationship between the media practitioners and security operatives, particularly the police in the state.

    A statement signed by the Secretary of the Council, Abubakar Auwal Imam and made available to newsmen in commemoration of this year’s world press freedom which is being celebrated all over the world today , said the two need one another to discharge their respective constitutional responsibilities effectively.

    “Security operatives should always see journalists as friends and necessary partners in achieving their core mandates of maintaining law and order in our societies.

    “On our part, we assure them of all the support necessary to achieve those mandates because no society would thrive in a state of insecurity.

    It urged the general public to always support the security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and to avoid taking law into their hands.

    The council however, described the recent attack on police divisional headquarter in Kware as unfortunate.

    While calling on the security operatives to sustain their fight against bandits and other criminal elements, NUJ advised them to also try as much as they can to win the heart of the locals whose support is necessary to achieve success in their operation.

    The council while commending its members for discharging their responsibilities deligently and in line with the ethics of the profession, it however reechoed its call on them to remain apolitical.

    He enjoined them to continue to practice in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations of the profession.

    The council reappealed to the state government to enhance the welfare of working journalists in the state, by increasing their allowances, providing them with working tools and operation vehicles.

    It urged the government to work towards maintaining the existing relationship between it and members of the council.

    The council also appealed to the state government to ensure timely completion of the on going projects and hasten the payment of retirement benefits to the retired civil servants as well as restore water supply to those communities cut off by developmental projects being executed in the state.