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Author: Habibu Harisu

  • Don tasks students on profitable ventures in chemistry education

    Don tasks students on profitable ventures in chemistry education

    Chemistry

    By Habibu Harisu

    Sokoto, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Dr Surajo Zauro, a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS), has urged science students and graduates to harness profitable ventures of chemistry education. 

    Zauro gave the charge on Friday in Sokoto during his lecture titled ”Chemistry is Everywhere, Revisiting Some Interesting Chemistry Around Us”.

    The event is part of the 2024 Festival of Chemistry organised by American Chemical Society (ACS), Sokoto State University (SSU) chapter.

    He said science of chemistry is everywhere from sunlight, water treatment, cooking and heating systems, waste recycling techniques, plants and environment.

    According to him, chemistry touches all sectors of human lives as industrial and small scale products are being produced daily for consumption and other services in the society.

    The lecturer listed the products on agricultural practices, human lives, building as well as construction materials and others all produced through education at different formations.

    He said that chemistry education had made impacts in the society and beneficial to the society.

    The Faculty Adviser, SSU chapter of ACS, Dr Thompson Izuagie, said no fewer than 100 secondary school chemistry students, teachers and academic staff of tertiary institutions, technologists participated in the quiz competition organised by ACS.

    Izuagie explained that the competition aimed at  sharing knowledge and experience on enterprenuership in chemistry, chemical safety management and improving chemical laboratory practices.

    According to him, the knowledge is expected to broaden participants horizons on chemistry education and available business opportunities for self reliance.

    In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Sokoto State University, Prof. Bashar Garba, urged the participants to utilise the opportunity by putting the skills acquired into practice.

    Garba, who was represented by the Director, SSU Equipment Centre, Dr Ibrahim Muhammad, said the university’s chemistry programme was accredited and urged ACS members to develop more skills in students as well as prepare them for a global workplace practice.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were presented to winners of the quiz competition and certificate presented to all participating schools.

     

    Federal Government College Sokoto emerged first position in the quiz competition, while Sultan Bello Secondary School and BUA Cement Secondary School came second and third respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    HMH/FAA

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    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

  • UNICEF engages Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara on safe schools initiative

    UNICEF engages Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara on safe schools initiative

     

    Schools

    By Habibu Harisu

    Sokoto, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for effective implementation of the safe school initiatives in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

    UNICEF Chief of Field Officer in Sokoto, Mr Micheal Juma, made the call during two-day seminar on Safe Schools in Northern Nigeria on Friday in Sokoto.

    ” UNICEF has developed a monitoring tool for the implementation of Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS).

    ” The MSSS outlines minimum capacity, infrastructure and disaster preparedness a school must implement to protect children from all forms of threats.

    ” It also has six result areas that are; strong school system, violence against children, natural hazards, conflict, everyday hazards and safe school infrastructure, ” he said.

    He explained that lack of safety in the school environment has the tendency of reducing school attendance, lower academic performances and increase drop-out rates.

    He, therefore, urged governments at all levels to provide the needed safety in schools.

    He reiterated that the objective of the seminar was to promote awareness, present insights on monitoring the implementation of safe schools and explore actionable strategies to address the gabs.

    In his address, the Zamfara Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Wadatau Madawaki expressed optimism that the efforts would enhance learning and safe school environment as relevant stakeholders were involved at all levels.

    Madawaki said the documents were aligned with religious and cultural contents that were suitable for the three states as they share similar values and perspectives.

    He assured  stakeholders of a rebost committment to ensure the provisions were maximally implemented.

    Speaking also, the Sokoto state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Tukur Alkal  described the seminar as relevant .

    Alkali urged assured parents and guardians that donor agencies supported programmes were in accordance with state government policies of ensuring quality education, morals and productive skills training.

    Prof. Suleiman Khalid, the Chairman of Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Kebbi, said the seminar had accorded opportunities for participating states to leverage on individuals’ success and share solutions on challenges.

    UNICEF Education Specialist, Believe Eke, presented an overview of minimum standards for safe schools while Francis Elisha spoke on creating safe, conducive school environment through effective strategies and functioning of infrastructures. (NAN)  (www.nannews.ng)

    HMH/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • No NYSC member in areas with security challenges — Sokoto Coordinator 

    No NYSC member in areas with security challenges — Sokoto Coordinator

    NYSC
    By Habibu HarisuSokoto, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinator in Sokoto State, Alhaji Usman Yakubu-Yaro, says no corps member is serving in areas with security challenges in the state.

    Yakubu-Yaro disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Sokoto.

    He said even though the scheme ensured constant partnership with security agencies and community groups in safeguarding members, “we will not post NYSC members to the eastern part of the state where there are security challenges.

    “Wherever we deem not secure, we will not send corps members and we will continue to maintain that.

    “The security of corps members will be guaranteed. For any flashpoint where insecurity is pronounced, we don’t send members there.”

    According to him, the scheme is expecting 2,000 prospective corps members posted to Zamfara and Sokoto states from Wednesday for a joint orientation exercise under the 2024 Batch B Stream 1 in Sokoto.

    He said several measures were ensured before the deployment of the corps members that comprised pre-orientation camp workshop, contacts with security agencies and others to ensure the success of the orientation.

    Yakubu-Yaro advised the prospective corps members to utilise the opportunities provided by the scheme’s skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development training programmes.

    He urged them to participate in camp and post-camp training to enable them to be self-reliant after the service year, as white-collar jobs are not easy to get these days.

    He expressed optimism that when the NYSC Trust Fund Bill is assented to by the president, it would go a long way in ameliorating the plight of members interested in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development.

    The coordinator explained that the scheme enjoyed cordial support from the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Sokoto State Government for their unflinching support.

    He urged the state government to do more in the rehabilitation and improvement of facilities in the orientation camp. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HMH/HA
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    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

  • NGO offers family planing services to 500 women in Sokoto

    Services
    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The DKT International Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation, says it has offered free family planing services to 500 women in Sokoto.
    Speaking during the outreach, the Marketing Director, Dr Ajayi Titilayo,  said the initiative was intended to mobilize families to embrace and access child spacing services.
    Titilayo said that the programme was part of events to honour the organisation’s Founder, Mr Phil Harver.
    She said that similar health services would be extended to men and women in other locations in Sokoto metropolis.
    The marketing director, further stated that the programme was aimed at enhancing maternal and reproductive health services across the state.
    She stated that DKT International Nigeria had also trained community mobilizers to refer women to designated service providers in the state.
    According to her, the outreach programme has enlightened the community people on the need for planned parenthood, hygiene and other health needs.
    Also speaking, Dr Tukur Magaji, the Director, Community Health Services,  Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, commended the organisation for choosing Sokoto for the outreach programme.
    Magaji reiterated the importance of child spacing towards enhancing maternal and child health, reducing financial constraints and promoting physical and psychological well-being of parents.
    “Nigeria is confronted with social, economic and development challenges, so there is the need for quality family health services,” he said.
    Responding on behalf of the benefiting communities, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, the District Head of Gagi, commended the organisation for the exercise.
    Represented by Alhaji Malami Marafa, Umar-Jabbi urged the community to embrace child spacing, considering the health benefits advocated by experts.
    The district head urged the people to disregard any non-expert information earlier given to them about family planning.
    He said that the community was open to supports from the government and donor agencies that were capable of helping the people to live a better quality of life.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    HMH/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • UNICEF, Sokoto Govt. partner to train out-of-school children

    UNICEF, Sokoto Govt. partner to train out-of-school children

    Training
    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto, June 25, 2024 (NAN) UNICEF,  in collaboration with Sokoto State Government, has commenced skill acquisition training for vulnerable Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was initiated to promote the overall wellbeing of out-of-school children and adolescent girl drop-outs in the state.

    It was being supported by ELEVA Foundation.

    In a field visit to Sokoto on Tuesday, the UNICEF Child Protection Officer, Mr Ibrahim Sessay, said that the programme was being conducted in two established Community-Based Child Protection Multipurpose Centres in Kware and Dange/Shuni Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    Sessay said that at present no fewer than 4,700 Almajiri and out-of-school adolescent girls were registered for training to prepare them on livelihood skills for their  wellbeing.

    He said that the training would cover tailoring, soap making as well as antiseptic and shampoo production.

    According to him, 3,000 of the trainees were Almajiri children, 1,700 were out-of-school adolescent girls in eight LGAs.

    Sessay further said that at least 2,000 out-of-school children were also identified and referred back to schools in the covered LGAs.

    He said that the two multi-purpose centres would provide recreational facilities for children, safe space for counselling services, mental health support and psycho-social services, besides occupational training.

    He, therefore, appealed to the State Government to increase budgetary allocation to sectors impacting children’s education, health, sanitation and protection to ensure the expansion and sustainability of the interventions.

    Sessay underscored the importance of scaling up the initiative in other locations in the state to ensure that a larger number of vulnerable Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls had access to education.

    Earlier, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Sokoto, Mr Michael Juma, said the initiative would reduce the vulnerability of children in the state.

    Juma said that the state Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, supported by UNICEF, had identified and registered vulnerable children in the state.

    He also said that in a comprehensive survey by the office, 449,523 children were verified and registered, comprising 113,208 Almajiris and 136,315 out-of-school children and adolescent girls.

    He said that the initiative was targeted at other vulnerable groups, such as survivors of Gender-Based Violence, Victims of Violence against Children and others.

    In a remark, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, thanked UNICEF and ELEVA Foundation for the gesture.

    Alkali said that Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s administration was poised to reduce the number.of the out-of-school children through deliberate policies targeted toward massive enrollment of children in school.

    Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the District Head of Kware, Alhaji Muhammad Dan’Iya, thanked UNICEF and ELEVA Foundation for building and equipping the multi-purpose centres.

    Dan’Iya gave assurance that the community would provide more support to the project for maximum success. (NAN)(wwwnannews.ng)

    HMH/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • Danfodiyo varsity DVC killed by bandits laid to rest in Sokoto 

  • Sultanate council: Disregard mischievous groups – Sokoto Govt tells MURIC, VP

    Sultanate council: Disregard mischievous groups – Sokoto Govt tells MURIC, VP

    Sultan
    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto state says his relationship with the Sultanate Council remain cordial and urged the  Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) and Vice President Kassim Shettima, to disregard mischievous groups.
    This is contained in a statement issued by  Aliyu’s spokesman, Malam Abubakar Bawa, on Tuesday in Sokoto.
    He said MURIC’s allegation on a plan by the state government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, was baseless and unfounded.
    ” It is an attempt by mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate false and unsubstantiated information, just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.
    ” We assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state, cherishes and respect the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.
    ” The Sultanate Council which has a long standing historical importance is so  reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the  institution in very high regards and esteem, ” Aliyu said.
    According to him, the relationship between the present administration and the Sultanate Council led by respected traditional ruler, Abubakar has been very cordial.
    Aliyu added that his administration always consulted with Sultan on issues affecting the state and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.
    He noted that the sacking and transfer of some District Heads made by Sokoto state government was done due some unbecoming behaviours by the affected traditional rulers which they exhibited.
    Meanwhile, Aliyu urged Vice President Shettima, to  disregard the false information on the issue of removal of the Sultan.
    ” The Sultan enjoys all the powers he is entitled to, we never denied him any of his freedom or rights.
    ” We do not need to be told to guard, protect, and promote the Sultan, it is our sole responsibility.
    ” The government and People of Sokoto state cherish and adore the sultanate council and would do everything possible to protect the dignity of the revered institution” . Aliyu said.
    NAN reports that Shettima had on Monday while delivering his speech at the ongoing North West Peace & Security Summit in Katsina State said:”the Sultan is an Institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve, and project for the growth of our nation.”“In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.

    “And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto. But he is much more than that.

    “He represents an idea. He is an Institution, that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve, and project for the growth of our nation,” Shettima said.

    (NAN)

    HMH/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Sokoto: PDP loyalists seek neutrality, urge leaders to resist impositions

    Sokoto: PDP loyalists seek neutrality, urge leaders to resist impositions
    Neutrality
    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto, June 22, 2024 (NAN) A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalists in Sokoto State has urged its leaders in the state to be neutral on all issues and resist all forms of impositions.
    The group named ‘Concerned PDP Members’, made the charge at a press briefing on Saturday in Sokoto.
    Speaking on behalf of the group, Prof. Hamza Maishanu, criticized the state party Chairman, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, over some comments during a recent stakeholders’ meeting.
    Maishanu alleged that Goronyo said some party members were contracted to destroy the party in the state.
    He said the statements were capable of creating disunity among the party members as he could not categorically mention the persons concerned or the specific anti-party activities.
    Maishanu, who was a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 general elections explained that its disturbing scenario on the heels of efforts being put by the party to wrest power from the ruling APC in the state come 2027.
    He said the group comprised representatives of party executives from the 23 Local Government Areas in the state and some national and state executive party officials in the northwest.
    ” We are concerned members of PDP in Sokoto State, believe in democratic principles and want democracy to thrive in the party.
    “We want the chairman to tell us who are those contracted?; who contracted them and how much was paid or promised?
    ” And we will not accept appointments of crownies, or to satisfy primordial and selfish interests of few,” he said.
    According to him, efforts were made to contact Goronyo for explanations as the issue is within ‘party internal wranglings’, however, not fruitful.
    He added that the group was still examining the situation and would come out with bold steps. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    HMH/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mnai

  • Gov. Aliyu distributes N100m to victims of Sokoto market fire

  • Sokoto: NGO tasks stakeholders on inclusive education, Tsangaya schools reform