Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
As part of efforts to ensure the delivery of quality education is being delivered to the citizens of Sokoto State and in a conducive environment, the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has approved sum of 200,000 thousand naira as maintenance fees for Principals of each secondary schools across the state.
The governor make the announcement on Monday during the Sokoto State 2025 Citizens Budget Discussion, held at the Sultan Abubakar Maccido Institute of Quranic and General studies.
The governor also acknowledge the contributions, support and assistance made by USAID State2state Project and other donor partners.
“I appreciate the participation of the Civil Society Organizations and other None Governmental Organizations to this forum. For the religious leaders, women wing and youths”
Speaking earlier in his remarks, the former deputy governor in the state, Chiso Abdullahi, appealed to the state governor to approve a certain amount of money to Principals of secondary schools across the state to cover immediate maintenance of the schools.
Abdullahi said the money will assist the schools principal to repair some little damage notice either on the infrastructure or any other thing without having to wait for long for approval by the government.
He said the money if approved will enabled the schools to have their carpenters, brick layers, among others that can be mobilized to make amendment on such items whenever the needs arises.
Reacting on behalf of the state governor, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abubakar Bawa, said the state governor has graciously approved the sum of 200,000 thousand naira for each school across the twenty three local governments every month.
Bawa while making the announcement said the state governor has approved the January 2025 as the commencement date for the release of the fund to each of the school principals across the state.
According to Bawa, “Before I called the next speaker, let me inform this honorable gathering that the governor in his usual manner asked me to inform the general public that in line with the appeal made by the former deputy, he has agreed to be given each school principal sum of two hundred thousand naira each monthly.
“The payment according to His Excellency will commence in January 2025 and will cover all the secondary schools across the 23 local governments area of the state”
Meanwhile the governor has also directed the state Commissioner for local government affairs in the state, Dadi Adare, to as a matter of urgency looked into the allowance of traditional rulers in the state by making proper adjustments in accordance with present economic reality.
This follows the request by the District head of Kilgori, Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, during the discussion, who makes a passionate appeal to the state governor for improved allowances to reflect the current economic situations in the country.
Meanwhile, the governor has also assured that education and health will take 25 and 15 percent of the total 2025 budget of the state.
He also commend the USAID State2State for its collaboration with the state in the provision of good governance for citizens of the state.
Earlier in his remarks, the state team lead of the State2Satate, Dr Aminu Lada said the USAID Sate2State will continue to partner with the state government in ensuring the development of key sectors such as education, health, WASH facilities among others.
He further made a passionate appeal for 15%, 25% and 5% budgetary provision for health, education and WASH sectors respectively”
The Governor in his response approved 15% and 25% for health and education sectors respectively and instructed Ministry of Budget to ensure compliance.
“USAID State2State will follow on with the Ministry of Budget and Sokoto State House of Assembly to ensure such commitment is fulfilled” he added.
