The deputy governor of Sokoto state, Manir Dan’iya has said that the current administration, under the leadership of Aminu Tambuwal, is a clear departure from past governments since the creation of the state 43 years ago.
Dan’Iya stated this when he received members of the Advocacy for the Empowerment of Nigerian Women Initiative (AENWI) in his office on Thursday.
He told the group which honored him with the ‘Integrity & Peace Award 2020’, that women inclusion in governance is a ‘grand style’ cultivated by Tambuwal.
“It is clear without contention that under Tambuwal, women in this state have enjoyed his patronage. This is evident in their number currently holding political and civil service positions.
“Presently, we have three commissioners in the cabinet, four Special Advisers to the Governor, three Permanent Secretaries, four Directors General and many Directors, across civil service cadres.
“The governor has instructed all the 23 local government councils under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to appoint three supervisory councilors each. This will bring to a total of 69 women holding political positions under this administration.
“Of recent, under his administration efforts have been made to assist women and men who run small businesses with a soft grant of N4 billion in all local government areas of the state,” Dan’Iya said.
Speaking earlier, the President of AENWI, Mrs Hussaina Adamu said they were in the Deputy Governor’s Office to present him with the Integrity and Peace Award as an ‘Epitome of Peace Icon of Societal Transformation’ because of his contribution to women, youth and humanity.
Hussaina said the position of Dan’Iya as an astute participant in good governance, necessitated the group’s choice, which is predicated upon his advocacy for the inclusion of women in governance and in key positions of leadership.
She described Dan’Iya as a friendly person who has done a lot in supporting Tambuwal’s initiative on women inclusion in governance and empowerment.
The group urged the Deputy Governor to convey their heart-felt greetings to Governor Tambuwal for the good job he is doing to women folks in the state and the nation at large.