Sokoto is home to every citizen of this country. That was why when we came in 2015 we met the then policy of Gov. Wamakko where citizens of Nigeria, irrespective of where they come from, no matter their religious leaning, their children studying in public primary schools and secondary schools do not pay a dime as school fees. That policy is still sustained under this administration. We also pay WAEC, JAMB and NECO fees for all of these citizens that are studying in Sokoto State irrespective of where they come from.
We still have in the service of Sokoto State citizens of Nigeria who are not from Sokoto state working in the government of Sokoto State. When it was time to sale our government quarters, we didn’t discriminate against our brothers. We sold to the occupants of those houses and even those who died in service. We sold to their families, including those who are not from Sokoto state.
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We have a Zakkat and Waqf Commission (SOZECOM). The Commission is saddled with the responsibility of looking after indigent citizens and members of the society. As we speak today, if you are a citizen of Nigeria and you took ill; and you are taken to any of the hospitals that we have subscription, and it is established that you are an indigent patient; wherever you come from in Nigeria, your bills are picked by SOZECOM; all to the glory of God.
I don’t have to belabor you with the history of Sokoto and the rest of Nigeria; and, what our forebearers have done to, by way of working together with other nationalists in securing the independence of Nigeria and engendering democratic governance by making sure that every citizen of Nigeria feels at home in any part of Northern Nigeria.
The name that readily comes to mind is that of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. And, you know, Your Grace, that it was Sir Ahmadu Bello, who when he was told about a student who has done very well in Kabba Province, he traveled all the way from Kaduna to Kabba to see that student. And, when he asked that student, our leader [Archbishop John Olorunfemi] Onaiyekan, what was his ambition, he said he wanted to be a Reverend Father. Sardauna supported him in actualizing his dream.
When we returned to democracy in 1979, late President Shehu Shagari was from here. And, we all know how he ran this country. He did so in a very transparent, inclusive and democratic manner.
So, these are the leaders that Sokoto had produced and contributed to the development of Sokoto State and Nigeria. There are also several others who have not attained their heights. We have learnt from these legacies of our leaders the virtues of accomodation, brotherhood, humanity and working together for the service of humanity.
So, Your Grace, we are happy to receive you today. This is your first official visit to Government House since your assumption of office in Sokoto as far as I can recall. I congratulate you on your appointment and elevation. We assure you that we shall continue to relate with the Anglican Communion here in Sokoto. Members of the Communion here have been very peaceful.
Our brother, Reverend Augustine Omole Akinyele, who passed on, was a very good man. He was a man of peace. He related with other religious leaders very closely. We worked with him and others too. And, we are still working as a family in Sokoto, with all of our religious leaders and all our community leaders under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan.
I appeal to Your Grace and all of you religious leaders to pray for the unity of this country, for peace to be reestablished. We still appeal to you to do more.
(Being text of the address Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State delivered at Government House, Sokoto on April 26, 2021), when the Primate Leader of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba led a team of the church leaders from Kano, Kebbi and Zamfara states to condole the people and government of Sokoto state over the demise of the Bishop of the Anglican Communion of Sokoto Diocese, late Rev. Fr. Augustine Omole Akinyele,
