The Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (MBEP) hosted its 2025 Staff and Partners Award Night, marking the first such recognition ceremony in the ministry’s history.
The event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and ministry staff to celebrate excellence, commitment and collaboration in driving the state’s planning, budgeting and economic coordination agenda.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, said the award night was part of the ministry’s deliberate effort to entrench a culture of recognition, motivation and reward for hard work and dedication.
Dr. Zayyana described the 2025 annual awards as a landmark initiative aimed at appreciating the tireless efforts, support and commitment of staff, associates and development partners toward the ministry’s achievements.
While noting that the ministry had not yet attained all its set aspirations, the commissioner said it was important to pause and celebrate progress, stressing that the ministry was on a positive trajectory.
He congratulated the award recipients for their outstanding contributions, professionalism and commitment, and commended the entire workforce and partners for their collective dedication. Dr. Zayyana called for sustained commitment, teamwork, shared responsibility and collaboration to take the ministry to greater heights.
The commissioner also expressed gratitude to the Governor of Sokoto State for his unwavering support, which he said had enabled the ministry to pursue its goals and objectives effectively.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Maryam Ahmad Barade, reaffirmed MBEP’s commitment to its core mandate of planning, budgeting and economic coordination for the overall development of Sokoto State.
She acknowledged the leadership, mentorship and guidance of Dr. Zayyana, noting that his stewardship had significantly strengthened the ministry’s performance and impact. The permanent secretary also appreciated development partners, civil society and non-governmental organisations for their technical assistance, funding support and shared vision for inclusive and sustainable development in the state.
Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees, the Chairman of the Sokoto State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Tambuwal Local Government Area, Abba Shehu Tambuwal, thanked the ministry for recognising their contributions. He described the partnership as instrumental to the ministry’s success and pledged continued collaboration.
Other award recipients included the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Sokoto State Accountant-General, the Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SOSMEDA), and the District Head of Gagi, among others.
The event was attended by representatives of development partners, civil society and non-governmental organisations, government officials, as well as staff of the ministry and its parastatals.
