As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has called for greater collaboration between the Federal and State Governments to end banditry and other forms of criminality bedevilling parts of the country.
Aliyu made the appeal in his goodwill message to the people of Sokoto State to mark the 66th Independence anniversary.
He commended the support of the Federal Government in the fight against banditry in the state and stressed the need for the support to be sustained, expressing optimism that stronger synergy would make insecurity a thing of the past.
”There is a strong synergy between the Sokoto State Government and the Federal Government in our collective commitment towards protecting the lives and property of our people,” he said.
The governor listed some of the interventions by his administration to complement conventional security agencies, including the provision of over 200 patrol vehicles, two bulletproof vehicles for emirate councils, 100 Buffalo APCs, 200 motorcycles, 3,200 security hardware, 2,000 bulletproof vests and 200 night-vision goggles.
Other interventions, according to him, include 100 thermal-vision scopes, facilitating the full operationalisation of the Nigerian Air Force Base, Sokoto, upgrading the DSS tracker from 4G to 5G, and establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps.
He added that the government procured 40 Hilux vans and 700 motorcycles for the Corps and facilitated the establishment of a military barracks in Illela and a Police Mobile Barracks at Tara village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Aliyu reassured the people of the state of his administration’s determination to bring an end to banditry and appealed to citizens to support security agencies with useful information.
He also paid glowing tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers for their struggles and sacrifices, urging citizens to draw inspiration from their patriotism to build a better nation.
In a related development, Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, remain united and continue to pray for leaders at all levels as the country marks its 66th Independence anniversary.
Idris, in his message, described Independence Day as a moment of national pride, sober reflection and renewed hope for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
He said, “Today, we honour our founding fathers whose sacrifices gave birth to Nigeria, while celebrating the resilience of our people, particularly the people of Kebbi State, who continue to uphold peace and productivity.”
The governor said his administration has embraced people-centred governance, noting that Kebbi now pays N75,000 minimum wage, above the Federal Government benchmark, and has cleared more than N10 billion in gratuities and death benefits.
He added that N2.11 billion was recently released to settle entitlements of 772 retirees and bereaved families, while over 2,000 schools have been constructed and renovated and 2,000 professional teachers recruited.
On healthcare, Idris said 22 general hospitals, 179 primary healthcare centres and 63 dispensaries have been revitalised, with over 2,200 health workers recruited to strengthen delivery.
On infrastructure, he cited the construction of the ultra-modern State Secretariat named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dualisation of 88 roads, reconstruction of Kayan Gwari Market and deployment of over 800 mass transit buses.
He said agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy, disclosing that his government secured N45 billion African Development Bank financing for the Special Agro-Processing Zone in Argungu and disbursed N100,000 each to 65,000 citizens under the Kaura Cares programme.
Idris further disclosed that 500 affordable houses have been distributed to workers, five female Permanent Secretaries appointed, over N30 billion invested in security, while the maiden Kebbi Investors Forum attracted $4.1 billion investment commitments.
He urged Nigerians to reject division and embrace unity, stressing that with perseverance and collective commitment, Nigeria will continue to move forward.