News
2025: Sokoto Govt To Expends N998 million On Free Ramadan Feeding Programme
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
As Muslim faithful across the globe, prepares to commence fasting this week, Sokoto State Government has disclosed that it will be spending no fewer than 998million naira in free feeding programme.
The state governor, Ahmed Aliyu who made this disclosure Tuesday during the inauguration of Ramadan Feeding Committee, added that the feeding centers has been increased to 155 from the initial 130.
“”As you all know, Ramadan feeding programme was first initiated by my mentor and father, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko when he was the Governor of the state.
“”It is in the realization of the importance of this programme, that this administration decided to sustain the gesture so as to help the vulnerable, the poor, the needy and the physically challenged persons to have a place to break their fast on daily basis””.
Continuing, the governor said no less than 20,000 people are expected to break their fast in each of the 155 free feeding centers on daily basis for the 30 days duration which the fasting will last.
He further added that, the gesture will also provide job opportunity for no fewer than 610 women and another 1500 adhoc staff.
Recalling that his government had earlier distributed 990 bags of maize and 50,000 to each of the clerics of 90 Juma’at Mosques across Sokoto metropolis, the governor he has equally directed the distribution of financial assistance to key Islamic groups in the state.
”These funds are intended to support and uplift our Islamic scholars, leaders, and educators, who play an essential role in guiding our community through this blessed month and beyond.The distribution formula is as follows;N200,000 each to 300 senior Islamic scholars.N100,000 each to 100 Ulamas.N50,000 each to 2,900 Malaman Zaure across the 23 local governments of our state, with at least 10 Malams in each ward””.
While calling on wealthy individuals in the state to also open free feeding centers to recieve reward from God in this Ramadan period, the governor however, appealed to all and sundry to use the holy fasting month to pray against banditry, insecurity and all forms of criminality in the state and Nigeria at large.
Speaking earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111 commended Sokoto State government for it’s continued support to the upliftment of religious activities in the state.
Sultan who was represented by
the Sarkin Malamai Sokoto, Alhaji Buhari Namalam Boyi further appealed to all and sundry to imbibe the true tenets of the religion and remain steadfastly upright in their dealings with all.
On his part, the state commissioner of Religious Affairs, Dr Jabir Maihula noted that, the state government is delivering good governance to the people of the state as enshrined in their campaign promises.
The Association of Scavengers, Scrap Dealers, and Recyclers, Abuja, has publicly dissociated itself from a Federal High Court suit filed by unregistered scavengers and beggars against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the association’s chairman, Mallam Muntari Mohammed, clarified that the group is a duly registered body, with members holding valid identity cards and engaging in legitimate waste management, scrap trading, and recycling businesses.
He stressed that the association has always complied with the FCT Administration’s rules and regulations, maintaining a clean record.
Muntari noted that the association had formally written to the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to affirm its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and adhering to stipulated guidelines.
He distanced the group from unregistered scavengers, whom he accused of tarnishing the reputation of legitimate operators through theft and other illicit activities.
The chairman addressed the FCT Minister’s recent ban on scavenging, which stemmed from misunderstandings about the distinction between honest scavengers and rogue elements.
“We have never confronted the FCT authorities and will never do so,” Muntari said, emphatically dissociating the association from the court case against Wike.
The Vatican has confirmed that only one round of voting will take place this Wednesday afternoon as the conclave to elect the next pope officially gets underway.
Cardinals from around the world gathered earlier Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel, where they took a sacred oath of secrecy before the chapel doors were ceremonially closed with the Latin phrase “extra omnes,” meaning “everyone out.” The papal master of ceremonies then declared the start of the conclave, invoking a centuries-old tradition whose name comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “locked with key.”
Wednesday’s solitary ballot marked the opening step in the process to choose the new leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Should the vote prove inconclusive requiring a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope, cardinals will resume the process on Thursday, casting up to four ballots daily until consensus is reached.
Each cardinal votes by writing “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) on a paper ballot, followed by the name of their chosen candidate. In a quiet and orderly procession, they approach the silver and gilded urn in order of seniority to place their ballots.
As the final vote is cast, the tension rises in St. Peter’s Square, where the faithful and millions watching around the globe await the first sign of smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Black smoke will indicate that no decision has been made; white smoke will proclaim that a new pope has been elected.
The last two conclaves, in 2005 and 2013, ended on the second day, with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis elected after a series of swift ballots, respectively.
As the doors remain closed and Vatican cameras withdraw, the world waits in hushed anticipation for the next chapter in the history of the Catholic Church to be written.
Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House had summoned the governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.
Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.
He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.
“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.
“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.
Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.
He said: “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”
Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.
According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.
He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.
In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.
“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.
He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.
“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.
He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.
“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.
He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.
“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)