The Sokoto State Government and the United States of America will continue to partner through exploring more areas that contribute immensely to development.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills Jnr, made the commitment when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Government House, Sokoto State.
Mr Mills extolled Governor Aliyu’s 9-point agenda which encompass various sector of human endeavors.
He said he was in Sokoto to brainstorm with the state government on his areas of priority for the state.
“I am impressed with the 9-point agenda which the governor has laid out.
“It touches many areas that we feel are the most dear to you; security, education and youth empowerment among others,” he said.
He further said he was in the state to find out how the US programmes have been going on.
The US Ambassador described Sokoto State as very important in the religious and political spheres of the country.
USAID
Responding, Governor Ahmed Aliyu commended the US Government for the various initiatives it has introduced such as the USAID programmes that have made a lot of impact on the lives of people in the state.
He also said USAID has been impactful in the areas of education, healthcare delivery, youths and women empowerment as well as humanitarian affairs.
“Sokoto is really benefiting from your interventions and we need more and more of your support,” he said.
He noted that his administration is working hard to improve the standard of living of its citizens through the provision of infrastructure, healthcare delivery, water supply, provision of quality education and youth empowerment.
“In the area of security, we have distributed 130 patrol vehicles to the security agencies to enhance the fight against bandits, established the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps, procured 40 patrol vehicles and 700 motorcycles for the corps as well as the provision of the needed facilities for the operationalization of the Air Force Base in the state.
“We have also restored and reviewed upward the monthly allowance given to the security personnel deployed to flash points in the state,” the Governor added.
State Police
On the issue of State Police, the Governor said discussion was ongoing between the federal and state governments, with a view to coming up with a framework on how best it can be implemented.
The Governor thanked the US Ambassador for the visit and wished him a successful duty tour of Nigeria.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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