Shagari Urges Support For Gov. Aliyu’s Transformation Agenda
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman, Governing board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has appealed to patriotic citizens of Sokoto State to unite behind Governor Ahmed Aliyu and support his administration’s efforts to transform the state and restore its developmental fortunes.
Shagari made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday in Sokoto by his Media Aide, Musa Ubandawaki, from the Republic of Cape- Verde, where he is attending the ongoing African Bar Association Conference.
He said the pace of development currently witnessed across various sectors of the state warranted collective support for the governor, stressing that the task of rebuilding Sokoto and repositioning it for sustainable growth required the cooperation of citizens irrespective of religious or other affiliations.
According to him, Governor Aliyu’s administration has recorded visible interventions in critical sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, road infrastructure, water supply, mass transportation, youth and women empowerment, security and other areas of human and infrastructural development.
Shagari said the emerging developments across the state should encourage citizens to contribute positively to the government’s efforts rather than undermine initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.
He said: “The development taking place across Sokoto State requires the support and cooperation of every citizen. The governor needs the support of all the people of the state to enable him consolidate these achievements and move Sokoto to a greater height.”
The NIWA chairman, however, emphasised that government alone could not guarantee lasting peace and security, stressing that citizens had a crucial role to play in protecting their communities and providing useful information to security agencies.
He therefore called on traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, activities and developments in their respective communities to the appropriate security agencies.
“Security is the responsibility of everybody. It is an issue that concerns each and every individual, because without peace and security, development cannot be sustained. I therefore urge our traditional and community leaders to remain extra vigilant and report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies,” he said.
Shagari maintained that the restoration of Sokoto’s socio-economic fortunes would not happen overnight, noting that rebuilding institutions, infrastructure and other critical sectors weakened over the years would require patience, continuity and sustained investment.
He said it would take considerable time and resources to restore the state to what he described as its former glory, particularly following what he alleged were years of deterioration across several sectors met by the present administration.
He nevertheless expressed optimism that with collective commitment, responsible citizenship and sustained government intervention, Sokoto could reclaim its position as a leading centre of development in the North-West.
Shagari urged the people of the state to place the broader interests of Sokoto above partisan considerations, saying constructive engagement, unity and cooperation remained essential to achieving sustainable development.
He called on political, traditional and community leaders to work together with the government to consolidate ongoing projects and programmes, stressing that the ultimate beneficiaries of successful governance would be the people of Sokoto State.
He further call on religious leaders to eschew statements detrimental to the peaceful co-existence of people of the state.
“Sokoto belongs to all of us. We must therefore join hands to support every genuine effort aimed at improving the state, strengthening security, developing infrastructure and creating opportunities for our people,” Shagari added.
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