By Onuminya Innocent, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has strengthened educational, health and agricultural ties with the Hungarian Government.
This move is aimed at fostering international cooperation and driving the education, health, agriculture and other development areas in the state.
The state Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, stated this Wednesday while hosting a high-powered delegation from Hungary, led by Tristan Azbej, the State Secretary for the aid of persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Programme.
The delegation’s visit was aimed at strengthening the partnership between Sokoto State and the Hungarian government.
According to Governor Aliyu, the partnership is expected to yield benefits in various sectors, including education, agriculture, health, and other development areas.
He expressed the state government’s readiness to continue partnering with the Hungarian government to address insecurity, improve essential services, and promote youth development in the state.
The Governor explained that the potential areas of collaboration include educational infrastructure development, teacher training, and student exchange programmes in the education sector.
In agriculture, there are opportunities for knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and investment in agricultural projects.
In the health sector, the partnership is expected to lead to collaborations in healthcare infrastructure development, medical research, and capacity building for healthcare professionals.
Aliyu said: “We provided over 140 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state, and we restored and reviewed the financial assistance given to security agents posted to troubled areas in the state.
“We have also established a state security outfit to assist the conventional security in fighting banditry in the state.”
The governor presented his administration’s nine-point agenda and highlighted how the agenda has been guiding the government’s direction towards development and progress, as well as improving the living standards of the people.
He said the state government has also committed huge resources and efforts to end insecurity and create an enabling environment for development.
Aliyu assured the visiting delegation that the state government will fulfill all its obligations regarding the partnership with the Hungarian government with utmost commitment.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Tristan Azbej, said the Hungarian government is committed to supporting the development of Sokoto State.
Azbej said Hungarian government has already invested over $1 million in Sokoto State in the areas of education, healthcare, agriculture, and other interventions over the last five years.
“We have invested over $1 million in Sokoto State in the last five years, and we are willing to do more,” he said.
Azbej emphasized that the Hungarian government is not seeking to exploit the resources of Sokoto State but rather to partner with the state government to address common challenges.
“We are here to learn from you and to understand the challenges you are facing,” he said.
Other members of the delegation included the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Lorand Endreffy, and Deputy Ambassador Kristof Kristi, among other embassy staff.
Governor Ahmad Aliyu later presented a souvenir to the visiting Hungarian delegation, assuring them of the state’s total commitment to the partnership.
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