A powerful synergy between the Sokoto State Government, UNICEF, and local communities is reshaping the narrative of adolescent girls in the state, as the two-year REACH programme winds down with lasting impact across six local government areas. The initiative—Reaching and Empowering Adolescent Girls in North West Nigeria (REACH)—focused on reaching the most vulnerable girls: those who never enrolled in school, those who dropped out early, and others struggling to stay in school. But what truly set the programme apart was the deep-rooted community involvement that drove its success. UNICEF Nigeria’s Adolescent Development Specialist, Ngozi Izuora Songu, underscored the importance of…
Author: TheStories
The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is concluding a transformative two-year implementation of the REACH Programme—an initiative dedicated to empowering adolescent girls through education, life skills, and community support. REACH, which stands for Reaching and Empowering Adolescent Girls in North West Nigeria, was implemented across six local government areas in Sokoto. The programme targeted girls who had either dropped out of school, never enrolled, or needed extra support to transition and complete their basic education. The number of female who graduated from Primary 6 across the 6 LGAs was 19,455,…
The Sokoto State Government in collaboration with UNICEF has launched a two-day capacity-building workshop for planning, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) officers, in a bid to enhance planning and service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The training, which kicked off at Azbir Hotel in Birnin Kebbi, brought together key stakeholders in governance and development to strengthen institutional frameworks for planning, documentation, monitoring, and reporting. Speaking at the opening session, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Mohammad Zayyana, emphasized the importance of proper planning in achieving sustainable development goals. He said the training was timely, coming…
A recent academic study has confirmed that Form-Based Language Instruction (FBLI) significantly improves English performance among secondary school students in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The groundbreaking research, conducted by Dr. Muhammad Aliyu Sajo and Dr. Isah Muhammad of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, found that students exposed to FBLI demonstrated substantial gains in their command of the English language compared to those taught using traditional methods. Published in the Global Journal of Research in Education & Literature, the study titled “An Exploratory Investigation of the Pedagogic Value of Form-Based English Language Instruction in Selected Secondary Schools in Sokoto State” sought to…
Nigeria stands at a precipice. Two years under President Tinubu’s leadership have unleashed a torrent of suffering: inflation rages at 24%, over 10,217 lives have been lost to insecurity since 2023, and families are crushed under the weight of subsidy removals and a crippled naira. This isn’t mere misfortune—it’s the direct consequence of policies divorced from the people’s reality. Yet in this gathering darkness, a powerful force is emerging. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has become the vessel for an unprecedented coalition of Nigeria’s most experienced leaders, united by one urgent mission: to rescue Nigeria in 2027. The architects of…
At the recent public presentation of the book “According to the President” by Mallam Garba Shehu, former presidential spokesperson precisely on July 9, 2025 a moment of unexpected eloquence and emotion stole the spotlight. Amidst a sea of statesmen and dignitaries — including former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, and a host of ministers and public figures — a young boy, no older than nine, confidently approached the podium. Clad in a flowing white babanriga, he moved with the grace of royalty and the command of a seasoned orator. With the…
In Nigerian history, few figures have resonated as profoundly as the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. His tenure was marked not only by the political and economic challenges of a nation in transition but also by an unwavering commitment to the principles of integrity and trust. Since his passing, a chorus of voices has emerged, each recounting personal anecdotes that underscore Buhari’s steadfast dedication to these values. Reflecting on my own interaction with him, I’m reminded of the profound impact a single conversation can have—particularly when it centers on the ethical foundations of leadership. In 2014, while serving as the…
In a powerful show of unity and purpose, the Sokoto Advancement Forum (SAF) has taken bold steps to drive inclusive development across Sokoto State — placing ordinary people at the heart of its mission. At its third stakeholders’ meeting held at Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, members of the forum rolled out a strategic roadmap aimed at tackling pressing issues such as poverty, insecurity, poor healthcare, and limited access to education — especially for women and youth. Professor Mohammad Ahmad Wali, Interim Chairman of SAF, spoke with passion about the journey so far. “SAF is not just an idea anymore.…
Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko is renowned for his philanthropy, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the less privileged. From his childhood to his current stature, he has consistently shown empathy toward those struggling to make ends meet. As a blue-blooded prince growing up in Wamakko town, he was known to frequent nearby fields with other boys, especially during the rainy season, to pluck grasses for animal feed and sell them at the local market. The proceeds were often given to the needy in his community and among his peers. Those who grew up with him recall a deeply ingrained sense of…
A Sokoto-based heritage group has renewed its call on the Federal Government to immortalize Nigeria’s first executive president, Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR, by renaming the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in his honour — a move aligned with a 2018 pledge made by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The call was made by Professor Uthman Abdulqadir, who read a statement on behalf of Sokoto Heritage Reloaded Initiative in an open appeal addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The group urged the President to honour the legacy of Shehu Shagari by fulfilling the promise of national remembrance earlier made…