By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jnr, Thursday, visited Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State to discuss on ways the embassy could intervene in building the state especially in the areas of security, healthcare and education, stating that Sokoto is very crucial in Nigeria because of its religious and cultural relevance.
The American Envoy who expressed satisfaction with the 9-Point Agenda of the state governor, added that he has come to discuss further on challenges the state is facing and how best they want the US to help out.
”I am here for some reasons. I recently arrived Nigeria as the American Ambassador to Nigeria. And I know Sokoto as an important cultural and religious place in Nigeria.
‘”I am here to talk to the people of the state to find out what the issues are, what the US has been doing for the people of the state, and to hear what are the priorities”.
The governor of Sokoto, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu, in his response to Ambassador’s earlier statement on the reasons why he is in the state, enumerated some intervention executed by American government in the state.
He said the interventions especially those of USAID were of great assistance to the people of the state
However, the governor appealed for more assistance in the fields of women and youths empowerment, security as well as education and similar activities that would develop the state.
Giving brief rundown of his stewardship, the governor said, in less than two years in office, he has carried out lots of activities in the areas of security, water supply, human capital development and more.
Talking specifically on tbe issue of insecurity, the governor said he believes states are at better positions to address their challenges because they are familiar with the terrain and the people.
Governor Aliyu further noted that, he has so far provided 130 vehicles to security agencies in the state as a way of aiding their jobs in addition to restoring and increasing incentives to security personnel deployed to the state.
“”My government also set up local security known as Community Guard all geared towards ensuring a safer state for all”‘.
Talking on the recent #EndBad Governance Protest that happened in Nigeria, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said it was instigated by opposition parties with the sole aim of causing mayhem just to discredit the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
