Sokoto Gov’t graduates 1,550 security marshals
From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government on Thursday gtaduated no fewer than. 1,550 operatives of the Sokoto State Marshald Agency (SOSMA), in its bid to bolster the security of the lives and properties of the people of the state.
Our Correspondent in Sokoto reports that the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, was the Special Guest of Honour at the epochal event that has for the first a set of seventy female operatives.
Our Correspondent further reports the new Marshals are in four categories of environmental, security and intelligence, traffic management and those who are to be guarding public infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, described Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, as a true leader and respected elder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.
While expressing gratitude to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for giving him the rare opportunity to visit Sokoto State for the first time, Oyebanji said he has tremendous respect for his Sokoto State colleague.
According to Oyebanji, the training of the new Marshals was a testament to his determination to promote sustainable peace, security and national unity.
The Ekiti State Governor also extolled the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto to safeguarding the lives and properties of the people of the state.
He expressed hope that the new Marshals will complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies in enhancing the safety and security of the people of the state.
Oyebanji also added that the efforts would augment the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in combating criminality across Nigeria.
He extolled the sustained support of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto towards ensuring the success of all the programmes and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Also speaking, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, who thanked Oyebanji for honouring his invitation, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the protection of the lives and properties of all the law-abiding citizens of the state.
The Sokoto State Governor further promised to provide all the needed vehicles, motorcycles and other equipment needed to bolster the operations of the new Marshals wolho would be deployed across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto said that they will team up with their old colleagues, operatives of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps and the various security agencies to adequately safeguard the lives and properties of the people of the state.
While acknowledging the sustained moral support of the APC leader in the state, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko to his adminstration, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto urged the Marshals to be good ambassadors of their various families and LGAs.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his relentless efforts to protect the lives and properties of the people of the state, as well as his numerous other programmes and policies aimed at boosting the well-being of the citizens of the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar also applauded the efforts of the state government in guaranteeing the safety of the lives and properties of the people of the state, insisting that security is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians.
The Secretary to the State Government,Alhaji Bello Sifawa, vowed that the incumbent administration is not handling the issue of security with kid gloves, saying, ” the administration is expending huge amount of money routinely in this direction.”
The Security Consultant who coordinated the training, retired Lt.-Gen. Shehu Ya’u, who commended the Governor for reposing tremendous confidence in him, said that the new Marshals were roundly trained to effectively handle a myriad of security issues in the larger society.
The historic event was attended by the former Governor of the state, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt.-Hon
Tukur Bala Bodinga, National and State Members from both Sokoto and Ekiti States, among other dignitaries.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards and prizes to the Marshals who distinguished themselves during the training.
