Gov Aliyu vows to sustain partnership with USAID State2State, others for development

Gbolahan Salman Sokoto

The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has vows to ensure the sustenance of partnership with Nigerian Governor’s Forum, USAID State2State and other donor agencies for the development of the state.

The governor gave this assurance while making his remarks during the Sokoto State 2025 Citizens Budget Discussion, held at the auditorium hall of Sultan Maccido Institute of Quranic and General Studies.

” I wish to 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; we thank you for your invaluable support to our common cause.

“We shall continue to partner with Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the World Bank, USAID State2State and other Development partners working in the State for a mutually beneficial collaborations for the overall good of our people.

Speaking on the preparation of the 2025 budget, he said , “The platform of Citizens consultation has become an annual exercise in which the State and none State Actors meeting with the sole aim of showcasing our scorecard during the year and collectively plan for the coming with mutual understanding and respect for realities around us.

“The exchange of Ideas between the Citizens and Government has clearly demonstrated our collective resolve to carry everyone along in the development of the State at both conception and implementation level.

“This Approach has further consolidated our Democratic principle of people participation which make it very necessary for all relevant Stakeholders to partake in this important component of budgetary processes in order to ensure their concerns are heard and taken into consideration”

He said the engagement will further broaden and enable Citizens appreciate the complexities, and difficulties inherent in navigating economic policies by Government in the current environment of uncertainties.

“I am touched and encourage with the maturity and the level of constructive engagement, robust discussions and inputs from all and sundry. I assure you that, your collective and individual concerns are heard and noted. Insha Allah, we shall go back and consolidate as much as possible your invaluable inputs.

“This administration will continue to sustain and improve on the current practice of the State Fiscal Transparency and Accountability sustainability and other related programs that focuses on strengthening Fiscal Monitoring, Accountability and Transparent manner in the conduct of Government Business.

” This as you are aware, is in line with this Administration nine Points Smart Agenda”

The governor however assured that as part of his plan for the health and education sector in the state, the government has allocated fifteen percent of the 2025 budget to health with twenty five percent to education sectors.

Speaking with our correspondent, the state team lead of USAID State2State, Dr Aminu Ladan, commend the state governor for providing enabling environment for donor agencies to work in the state.

He 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 said, “we have requested 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.