By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
SOKOTO — The Sokoto State Government has said it will intensify efforts to improve security, expand infrastructure, empower citizens and deepen grassroots development as Governor Ahmad Aliyu marks three years in office.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Dadi Adare, said the administration had recorded significant achievements under its nine-point Smart Agenda, describing the past three years as a period of purposeful governance and people-oriented interventions.
Speaking in an interview to mark the administration’s third anniversary, Adare said the government remained committed to implementing projects and programmes aimed at improving the welfare and living standards of residents across the state.
According to him, the education sector has witnessed substantial improvements through the rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools, construction of new classrooms and direct financial support to school principals for maintenance and operational needs.
He said the government had also invested in religious institutions through the renovation of mosques and Islamiyya schools, while providing support to Imams, Muazzins and other religious leaders.
On youth and women empowerment, Adare disclosed that thousands of beneficiaries had acquired vocational and entrepreneurial skills through government-sponsored programmes designed to promote self-reliance and economic productivity.
“The objective is to make our youths and women self-reliant, economically productive and capable of contributing meaningfully to the growth of the state economy,” he said.
He added that the programmes had helped improve the livelihoods of many families across the state.
Addressing security challenges, particularly in the North-West, the commissioner said the administration had taken proactive steps to support security agencies in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities.
According to him, the state government provided more than 200 operational vehicles and other logistics to security agencies, while establishing the Community Guards Corps in 13 local government areas affected by insecurity.
He said the corps had been equipped with motorcycles, vehicles, office accommodation and other operational tools to enhance intelligence gathering, community policing and collaboration between residents and security agencies.
Adare also highlighted achievements in infrastructure and social services, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, installation of solar-powered streetlights, urban renewal projects and investments in water supply schemes.
In the agricultural sector, he said farmers had benefited from the distribution of fertilisers, agrochemicals and improved seedlings aimed at boosting food production and strengthening food security.
He added that the administration had sustained scholarship programmes for students studying within and outside Nigeria.
As the government enters its fourth year in office, Adare appealed for continued support from residents, assuring them that the administration would consolidate on its achievements and deliver more development projects.
“We will continue to serve the people better through more development projects, stronger institutions and programmes that directly impact the lives of our citizens,” he said.