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Sokoto now has 21 general hospitals, 824 health centres – Govt
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, has announced a major revival of the state’s health sector, revealing that Sokoto now has 21 functional general hospitals and 824 primary health centres across its 23 local government areas.
Describing the transformation as a “rescue from the Intensive Care Unit,” Abubakar credited the rapid progress to the leadership of Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, whose administration he said inherited a crumbling healthcare system riddled with obsolete equipment, broken infrastructure, and years of neglect.
“When Governor Ahmad Aliyu assumed office, the health system was in critical condition, hospitals had torn mattresses, broken beds, and outdated tools,” the commissioner said during a media briefing in Sokoto.
Abubakar, a veteran health administrator and former CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, while addressing newsmen on Monday, said the governor’s swift intervention through his 9-Point SMART Agenda has brought urgent relief and long-term reforms to the sector.
He revealed that nine ultrasound machines have been procured and distributed to general hospitals across the three senatorial districts, along with X-ray machines allocated to each geopolitical zone, significantly reducing the need for patients to travel to Sokoto metropolis for diagnostic services.
In addition, ten general hospitals are currently undergoing phased rehabilitation, while the government is fast-tracking the completion of two abandoned hospitals in Dange Shuni and Wamakko local governments.
“All general hospitals are now being equipped with new beds, incubators, reliable water systems, and solar-powered electricity to ensure 24-hour service delivery,” Abubakar added.
Beyond secondary healthcare, the state has 824 primary health facilities, at least one in each of the 240 political wards, consisting of primary health centres, clinics, and health posts, making basic medical care accessible at the grassroots.
The commissioner further disclosed that plans are underway to establish a world-class hospital in Sokoto, in line with the state’s strategic push to reduce medical tourism and provide comprehensive healthcare within its borders.
“This administration is not just reacting; it is planning and executing a sustainable roadmap for the future.
“Our needs assessment exposed critical gaps, and we are addressing them at all levels, primary, secondary, and tertiary,” he said.
He emphasised the government’s “twin-pronged” strategy that focuses on both curative and preventive healthcare, aimed at improving the state’s overall health indices.
“With the reforms we’ve implemented so far, we are no longer in emergency mode.
“We are building a resilient health system that works for the people,” the commissioner concluded.
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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared the air on the incident that happened at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving Fuji music legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, and some ValueJet pilots ‘.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on Tuesday night suspended two pilots working with a domestic carrier, ValueJet, for what it described as a serious breach of aviation safety protocols at the airport.
In a statement released NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a statement issued late Tuesday, confirmed the development, saying the NCAA was notified of the violation by the pilots. A 23-second video posted on the X page (formerly Twitter) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) showed that the aircraft involved was a CRJ-900ER with registration 5N-BXS.
The aircraft was seen taxiing from its bay with some ground staff maintaining close proximity to the plane indicating that it is not yet cleared to depart. Some of them were seen running away from the aircraft as the pilots taxied with speed from the apron.
According to FAAN, preliminary investigations confirmed that the passenger was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201).
FAAN says during boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain.
FAAN stated that in accordance with international aviation security standards, specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17, liquids exceeding 100ml “are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared.”
It said the passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply. While the boarding continued, an airline security officer was said to have asked the musician to step aside for further clarification.
However, the passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol.
“The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door. At this juncture, the passenger moved to the front of the aircraft and refused to leave the area despite repeated requests. He was ultimately escorted away by AVSEC crime unit for further investigation, after which he was released.
FAAN reiterates its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all passengers, crew, and airport personnel. The Authority will not tolerate any actions that compromise operational integrity or undermine aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved.
This matter remains under thorough investigation, and all parties found culpable will be held accountable according to the law.”
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Corruption: Many people in public office today were not well brought up – Emir of Kano, Sanusi II
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has decried the erosion of values among different strata of the Nigerian society.
According to him, many people in public office today were simply not well brought up, and so they go into office to loot the national treasury with reckless abandon.
In a interview with Channels TV, the monarch said
‘’I think what has failed in this country is upbringing. The truth is that many people you have in public office today were simply not well brought up. When I was in Kings college in form 1 and 2, we had a class called Civics and it was taught the principal himself.
So from a very young age you were taught certain values. You were taught the importance of honesty and integrity, you were taught the importance of human rights, you know it’s important to live a good name, you know that when you go into public office, it is an opportunity to serve. You do not go into public office to make money.
Many of the people that have assumed office simply did not have that upbringing, they did not have that training. Many people go into government for the wrong reasons.”
He said the Nigerian society must stop rewarding people who stole the nation’s commonwealth as public office holders with more public opportunities.
“The entire value system of the country has been eroded. We have been ruled by people with no values, they have no names behind them and have no desire to leave a name after them. These are people who define themselves by what they own , how many houses they have, how many private jets they have, how many billions they have in their bank accounts.”
Speaking further, he said
“A society in which material wealth, no matter how you get it, is respected, is glorified, where people who are known to have stolen money get rewarded with ministerial appointments, that society will continue to reproduce itself.
We don’t have a sense of disgust for people who hold public office and amass wealth; we reward them with appointments, with more public offices, and more opportunities to amass wealth, and this is what Nigeria has become.”
The emir, who reflected on the memories of the late former military head of state Murtala Muhammed 50 years after, said the Nigerian society needs a regeneration of values.
He said both leaders and citizens alike are responsible for the regeneration of values in the country.
For him, material wealth should not be elevated beyond values such as honesty, diligence, compassion, among others.
“I think we need an entire regeneration of values. It is not about one person, the president or the governors, or the ministers cannot on their change this country” he stated
Sanusi further claimed that politicians destroyed the civil service, stressing that Nigeria needs to go back to strengthening the system to embolden civil servants to say ‘no’ when asked by politicians to break the rules.
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The Kebbi State Government has approved the creation of a new district—Sarandosa—in Maiyama Local Government Area of the state and announced the appointment of two new district heads as part of its ongoing administrative restructuring.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Garba Dutsinmari, and made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the newly created Sarandosa District, with headquarters in Sarandosa town, was carved out of the existing Maiyama District (Sarkin Kudun Maiyama). The new district comprises five village areas: Gubba, Sarandosa, Acikaratu Ubandawaki, Acikaratun Dodo, and Tsalibi.
Dutsinmari explained that the creation of the district became necessary due to the rapid expansion and administrative demands of the area, which required decentralization for effective governance and traditional leadership.
The government has appointed Dr. Faruk Maiyama as the pioneer District Head of Sarandosa with the traditional title of Sarkin Gabas Sarandosa.
Similarly, Haliru Maiyama has been appointed as the new District Head of the restructured Maiyama District, retaining the title of Sarkin Kudun Maiyama.
The statement also noted that the existing Maiyama District will now cover seven village areas, including Dangaladıman Maiyama, Yarıman Maiyama, Giwatazo, Kurya, Rafintofa, Zara Birni, and Idiga.
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