Musa Na-Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Monday inaugurated a nine-man committee to recruit qualified indigenes into the state civil service as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.
The Governor, who announced the initiative in Sokoto, said the measure was aimed at addressing youth redundancy, which he described as one of the root causes of banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes.
The committee, chaired by Jelani Kalgo, has been mandated to collect applications, conduct interviews, and submit a comprehensive report within one month.
Other members include the Commissioner for Basic Education, Abubakar Ala; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Faruk; Muhammadu Bello Umar Nagwari; Sahabi Isah Gada; Bature Shinkafi, Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Service Commission; and Barrister Gandi Umar Abubakar mni, who will serve as secretary.
Director General of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Bawa, said the recruitment drive was not only to create jobs but also to keep youths engaged in productive ventures and discourage their involvement in criminal activities.
Governor Aliyu warned that unless youth unemployment was urgently addressed, insecurity would continue to spread across the state.
“This is about saving our youths, securing our future, and restoring peace to Sokoto State. We will not allow redundancy to continue breeding insecurity in our land,” he said in his appointment letter to the committee.
Sokoto has come under sustained attacks in recent months, with villages deserted, farmlands abandoned, and families displaced.
Civil society organisations and traditional rulers have welcomed the recruitment initiative, describing it as a proactive step, but cautioned that the process must be transparent and based on merit.
Past recruitment exercises in the state were marred by favoritism and political interference, raising skepticism among residents.
Many are now watching to see whether the new committee will deliver on its mandate.
For struggling families, however, the move offers a glimmer of hope.
Analysts say if implemented effectively, the initiative could help break the cycle of idleness and insecurity while revitalising the state’s civil service.
