The Sokoto State government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the negative human development indices historically linked to the state. This assurance came from the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, who emphasized that all efforts will be directed towards reversing these troubling trends.
Dr. Zayyana made this known during a Sectoral Meeting organized by the ministry at Sokoto Guest Inn.
He said the government would assess the progress, challenges, and future directions of its partnership with development agencies to ensure full alignment with the standard protocols and goals of Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu’s Nine-Point Smart Agenda.
According to him, despite substantial investments by the state government and its partners in various developmental sectors, the emerging statistics remain discouraging.
He cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2022, which he described as concerning for both the state and its development stakeholders.
The Commissioner therefore urged all partners and relevant stakeholders to strengthen their collaboration through improved coordination, timely information sharing, and joint monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to effectively track progress and change the narrative.
He also appreciated the commitment and support of Governor Ahmad Aliyu towards the overall development of the state, especially through his continued backing of the ministry’s initiatives.
In their separate remarks, Commissioners of various sectors including Basic and Secondary Education (Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala), Health (Dr. Faruk Abubakar Wurno), Higher Education (Professor Isah Muhammad Maishanu), Agriculture (Tukur Alkali), Humanitarian Affairs and Social Welfare (Assabe Balarabe), and Youth and Sport Development (Engineer Mustapha Kofar Marke) all praised the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for the foresight in organizing the meeting.
They noted that the forum presented an important opportunity to strengthen synergy among government institutions and partners working towards the development of the state. They also called on development partners to increase their productivity to achieve common goals more efficiently.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Maryam Ahmad Barade, expressed optimism that the meeting would play a vital role in accelerating the state’s growth and development.
Other speakers included Special Advisers and Assistants, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Religious Affairs, and the State Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, among others.
