Sultan Saad Abubakar to Governors: Emulate Sokoto Govt, Treat all Nigerians as Indigenes

•As state parliament lauds Aliyu over many devt projects, zero borrowing

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar has urged other state Governors across the federation to emulate Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State by removing the non-indigenes syndrome in the interest of the nation.

He made the call during his Sallah homage on Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto.

He said in Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the state a sense of belonging.

In another development, the Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim Kware, has commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.

He gave the commendation when he led the members of the legislature on Sallah homage on Governor Aliyu.

“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, in the Sultan’s words: “In Sokoto, we don’t have non-indigenes, but rather members of the resident communities, he added.

The monarch, therefore, called on other states to copy this pattern so as to further foster sustainable peace, harmony and good brotherhood among all Nigerians.

Sultan Sa’ad also stressed the need for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.

“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing in transforming our state.

“The governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.

He also commended Governor Aliyu for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, which he said has never happened in Sokoto State.

He also called on Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may geopardise the long-lasting peace the country is enjoying.

The President General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, further frowned at the way and manner some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.

He therefore called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.

Responding, Governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.

He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.

According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups to be getting stipends to make ends meet.

“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.

“I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed

Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.

He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for its sustenance.

Meanwhile, according to the Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim Kware, Governor Aliyu’s prudent financial footing is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.

Also commenting on behalf of the state’s Judiciary, the Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.

He also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear indication of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.

Responding, Governor Ahmed Aliyu stressed the need for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.

He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state, in line with campaign promises.

Aliyu urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.

The governor said: “I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”

He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.

Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor tasked Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.

“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.

“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.

“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.

Governor Aliyu further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.