The District Head of Gagi in Sokoto State, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, says improved security has enabled farmers who previously abandoned their farmlands because of insecurity to return to their farms.
Jabbi disclosed this while speaking with journalists at his palace in Sokoto, where he acknowledged efforts by the state and federal governments to improve security across communities.
He said the improved security situation had allowed farmers to access more farmlands this year after abandoning several farms in the previous year because of insecurity.
“Last year, we abandoned a lot of farmlands because of insecurity, but this year, we are able to access more farmlands,” he said.
The monarch said the state government had supported conventional security agencies while also strengthening collaboration with vigilante groups to complement formal security structures.
He also said government interventions in agriculture, including the distribution of fertiliser to farmers, had supported agricultural activities in the area.
“Never in the history of Sokoto have I known fertiliser was given free until now, under the government of Ahmed Aliyu,” he said.
On healthcare, Jabbi said the Gagi health facility, established in 1979, was being upgraded from a Primary Health Centre to a General Hospital.
He said work on the project was progressing and expressed optimism that it would be completed and commissioned soon.
The district head also acknowledged investments in healthcare, including the recruitment of health professionals, capacity-building initiatives and improved health financing.
On education, he said government interventions had contributed to efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, while measures had also been introduced to support school administrators.
Jabbi said interventions in sanitation, water supply and hygiene had also improved conditions in some communities, noting that water facilities in Gagi, Mana Babba and Tamaje had been restored after periods of inadequate supply.
On internally displaced persons (IDPs), he said their welfare had improved through empowerment programmes, cash transfers and support for their children’s education.
He added that the AGILE programme had helped reduce street hawking among girls by supporting women economically and encouraging girls to remain in school.
Jabbi acknowledged the contributions of officials in the health and education sectors, including the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, to the implementation of various programmes.
He expressed appreciation to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as interventions benefiting residents and IDPs in the Gagi area.
