In Nigeria, floods destroy houses, farmlands, and properties worth billions of naira every year across different states. This problem has persisted for decades, yet many communities continue to suffer its devastating impact. Whenever the rainy season begins, especially in Northern Nigeria, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) usually issues high-level warnings. Despite repeated alerts and calls for preventive measures, this year alone NiMet recorded several cases of severe flooding, including one in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, which killed more than 200 people and left thousands homeless. The flood, caused by heavy rainfall and rising water levels from nearby…
Author: Shehu Muhammed
The Sokoto State Traders Association has criticised food vendors for keeping prices high despite a 20–30% drop in grain costs. Speaking on Rima Radio’s Lokacin Abu on Sunday, the Chairman, Abubakar Chika described the situation as “artificial hardship,” noting that Allah had blessed the people with reduced commodity prices, yet vendors failed to pass on the benefit to consumers. He revealed plans to set up a monitoring committee to enforce price adjustments and praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration for distributing subsidised food items during the cost-of-living crisis. “Prayers have been answered, so why keep punishing the public?” he asked, urging…
A university Don from the Department of Economics at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Professor Chika Aliyu, has identified key strategies to revamp Sokoto State’s agricultural sector and enhance food security, despite the myriad challenges confronting the industry. He presented these insights during a public lecture titled “Strategic Enhancement, Value Addition, and Agricultural Development of Sokoto State”, held recently in Sokoto. He outlined a range of practical approaches to improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods across the state. Citing official government data (Sokoto Government, 2025), Professor Chika acknowledged the current administration’s efforts, noting that 27,166 jobs have been created in…
The Senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Senator Ibrahim Lamido, on Thursday, 31st July 2025, flagged off the distribution of free fertilizer for the 2025 wet farming season to his constituents. Speaking during the flag-off in Sokoto, Senator Ibrahim Lamido said that 16 trucks of fertilizer would be distributed to farmers across eastern Sokoto. Represented at the event by Kabiru Sarkin Fulanin Goronyo, Senator Lamido emphasized that the fertilizer was provided free of charge for small, medium, and large-scale farmers, including farmers’ associations in the area. He said no one would be asked to pay a penny, adding that the…
The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the agricultural sector through strategic investments in irrigation, mechanization, and input support, all aimed at enabling year-round farming and boosting food production. This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Muhammad Tukur Alkali, during the 2025 Annual Management Lecture and Merit Awards organized by the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Sokoto State Chapter. The event was held at the Sokoto Guest Inn. Represented by Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, Deputy Director of Agricultural Services, Alkali emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Sokoto State’s economy, sustaining the livelihoods of a vast…
As the 2025 farming season began with early and promising rains, local farmers in Sokoto State are struggling to cultivate their lands due to a lack of government support, particularly the unavailability of subsidized fertilizer and other essential inputs. Farming is considered almost the only means of combating food insecurity in Northern Nigeria—especially now that many families can no longer afford three square meals due to the rising cost of living, insecurity, and other challenges. Approximately 80% of communities in Sokoto and other northern states rely on farming as their main source of livelihood. Yet, the majority of these farmers…
The Sokoto State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Sightsavers and other development partners, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, flagged off the free distribution of Azithromycin for children in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Speaking at the launch event held at the palace of the District Head of Gwadabawa, the Special Assistant to the Governor on the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Bello Marnona, said the initiative aims to reduce infant and child mortality across the state. Dr. Marnona, who represented the State Commissioner for Health, noted that the programme is being implemented across all 23 local…
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, flagged off the distribution of farm inputs for the 2025 wet season and officially commissioned the new Fadama House at the Ministry of Agriculture in Gusau.
The Sokoto State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Usman Yakubu Yaro, has called on the state government to recognize and reward corps members who make outstanding contributions to the development of their host communities. He made this appeal while commissioning community projects facilitated by a corps member, Yaseera Aliyu Wamakko, at Muhammad Bidda Primary School, Arkilla, and the NYSC State Secretariat in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Yaro praised Yaseera for her exceptional commitment and initiative, describing her efforts as a model for others to emulate. “She has excelled by distinguishing herself through a project…
The Sokoto State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has pledged to collaborate with both local and international organizations, including the State Chapter of the Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI), to advance agricultural development in the state. This commitment was made by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Muhammad Tukur Alkali, during a courtesy visit by members of the State Chapter of AANI, to his office. Alkali emphasized the Sokoto State Government’s dedication—under the leadership of Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu—to transforming the agricultural sector. He highlighted ongoing efforts, including the distribution of free fertilizers, improved seed varieties, and…