By Ibrahim Muhammad
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged the Sokoto State Government to ensure that traditional rulers benefit from the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage.
The appeal was conveyed on Sunday during a Town Hall meeting organised by the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning as part of consultations ahead of the presentation of the 2026 budget proposal. The Sultan was represented at the event by the District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabiru Cigari-Alhassan.
The meeting also provided a platform for inputs from various stakeholders, including representatives of persons with disabilities, women groups, and civil society organisations. They raised concerns on key areas such as inadequate water supply, shortage of school furniture, healthcare gaps, and the need for youth empowerment initiatives.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Zayyana, said the engagement was designed to broaden public participation in shaping the 2026 budget.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmad Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining budgetary provisions for projects in religious institutions, education, water, and healthcare. He added that the state government was also implementing measures to enhance electricity supply, improve school infrastructure, and strengthen child welfare programmes.
