By Muhammad Amaan
The Sokoto State Afric Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH), Community of Practice (CoP) has paid an advocacy visit on immunization accountability to the Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Engr. Muhammad Idris Gobir.
The visit came ahead of the technical session to commission the development of the 2024 Sokoto State Immunisation Budget Accountability Scorecard.
Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr Aminu Magashi Garba led the ZDLH Team to paid the advocacy visit to the Deputy Governor, Engr. Gobir.
The meeting reiterated the need for mutual accountability in the allocation, release and utilisation of Immunisation Funds, strengthen governance and coordination via the State Immunisation Task Force.
It also called for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) participation and joint supportive supervision between senior government officials and the CSOs to track funds utilisation and ensuring reduction of zero dose children.
The advocacy visit was attended by Hon. Muhammad Usman, Dr Opeyemi A, Mal Umar Kadi, Sokoto State Community of Practice (CoP) Co-chairs (Govt/Mal Nasiru Abubakar and CSO/Mal Yusuf Ibrahim).
In a related development, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has assented to the 2025 Appropriation Bill, promising to deliver more dividends of democracy to the state.
He described the 2024 budget implementation as a success story and reiterated his administration’s determination to execute people-oriented projects already started.
“In the outgoing year, we succeeded in executing many developmental projects that had impacted positively on the lives of our people.
“We would Insha Allah sustain this invaluable gesture by delivering more dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of our people,” he vowed.
“l further reaffirmed his administration’s support to the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.
Governor Aliyu also thanked the lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bill, which he said has demonstrated their unwavering commitment to making the lives of their people better.
He further thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and continued support of his administration.
Earlier, the Speaker, of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga, said the lawmakers had subjected the appropriation bill to a thorough scrutiny to ensure that it is in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the electorate.
He commended Governor Aliyu for the myriad of dividends of democracy he had so far delivered across the state.
He assured the governor of the lawmakers’ support for his plausible policies and programs aimed at transforming the state.
