From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
In a bid to strengthen food security, reduce poverty and tackle unemployment, the Sokoto State Government has trained no fewer than 95 staff drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas of the state in agricultural technology and other relevant fields.
The Permanent Secretary of the Local Governments Service Commission (LGSC), Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Rijiya, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Sokoto.
Rijiya said the initiative was part of measures introduced by the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu to modernise and reposition the state civil service and the local government system for effective service delivery.
According to him, the training programmes are aimed at improving productivity and enhancing the working conditions of workers across the state.
He explained that the 95 staff members were trained at the state-owned College of Agriculture, Wurno, and had successfully completed their studies before returning to their respective local government areas.
“So far, we have started reaping tremendous benefits from the specialised courses they underwent,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary further disclosed that another batch of 102 staff from the Agriculture Departments of the 23 local government areas are currently undergoing similar in-service training at the same institution under the 2024/2025 academic session.
“They are pursuing the programme diligently and there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
Rijiya also revealed that hundreds of other workers from various departments across the 23 LGAs are currently being sponsored by the state government through the commission to undergo different training programmes in Colleges of Education, polytechnics and other related institutions.
According to him, the state government has, over the past three years, invested heavily in capacity building for civil servants, including those in the local government system.
“We have done a lot in the last three years. The commission is committed to the training and retraining of local government staff through workshops, seminars, courses and in-house training programmes,” he said.
He explained that the commission engages professionals, educational institutions and retired local government workers with vast experience to conduct the training sessions.
“We ensure that the training programmes are impactful by evaluating participants after every session. This is to ensure that the exercises do not become mere jamborees without meaningful results,” he stated.
Rijiya said the commission was impressed with the performance of the workers during the training exercises and commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for prioritising workers’ welfare and professional development.
He also praised the governor for improving the welfare of local government workers in the state.
“The governor has increased workers’ salaries and payment is made promptly on the 19th of every month alongside those of other civil servants in the state,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary further noted that the commission had continued to promote eligible staff regularly, stressing that no worker was being denied promotion or any legitimate entitlement.
According to him, promotions for local government workers are conducted twice yearly with fairness, diligence and professionalism.
“We have introduced several reforms aimed at strengthening the local government system, improving service delivery and creating a conducive working environment,” he said.
On politics, Rijiya maintained that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had insulated the local government system from political interference.
He said the governor had consistently warned local government chairmen and secretaries against victimising workers on political grounds.
“Everyone has the right to vote and be voted for, but such rights must be exercised within the provisions of the law,” he said.
According to him, any civil servant intending to contest for elective office must first resign from service in line with laid-down procedures.
“So far, we have not seen anyone violating these procedures. Postings, trainings, promotions and deployments are carried out strictly on merit and not based on political affiliation,” he added.
Rijiya stressed that no worker in the state was being denied his or her rights because of political differences.
“We must all work collectively to justify the confidence reposed in us by the governor and continue to improve service delivery to the people of the state,” he said.
