Saleh Aliyu
By: Godwin Onuh Odeh, PhD
This reflection comes following the meeting of the Sokoto State Governor with Members of Resident Community at the Sultan Maccido Institute on March 11, 2026. The meeting drew members from across Nigerian tribes and ethnic groups residing in Sokoto State. The Governor was ably represented by the erudite Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Muhammad Bello Sifawa, who on behalf of the governor assured residents to feel at home as Sokoto State and the current administration right from the time of His Excellency, Senator Aliyu Magatarkada Wamakko does not discriminate against any person on the ground of religious differences and tribes. He charged them to remain law abiding and peaceful to eat the good of the land.
It may be recalled that following the victory of the APC at the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Sokoto State, the current administration of the detribalised Governor, His Excellency, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, PhD was inaugurated on May 29, 2023. As always with several administration, the foremost challenge is the ability to identify and harvest best brains and personalities with untainted integrity, capable of driving government’s or administration’s policies. Thus, Commissioners and Special Advisers are usually appointed at the state level, while at the federal, ministers takes the place of commissioners.
It was against the above background that Hajiya Maryam Suleiman DMAAS, was appointed by the Sokoto State Governor in 2023 as Special Adviser on “Resident Community and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)”. This appointment was hailed by many keen followers and observers of political development in Sokoto State. It shows the administration’s drive towards competence and inclusive politics in a world and society where women appear greatly marginalized. The appointment in short, added strong voice to the debate that gender inclusivity should be the hallmark of politics of inclusion and development in the 21st century.
The Benue and Idoma born woman, Hajia Maryam Suleiman DMAAS, is a woman with a lion heart, charming charisma, unquestionable character and integrity who pulls crowd wherever she goes and each time she speaks. She has track records of excellent performance in whatever roles and assignments given to her. She has been instrumental in government’s initiatives such as girl child education and women empowerment, welfare of the displaced persons in IDPs’ camps across Sokoto State and environs, distribution of Ramadan food items to Muslims and Christmas gifts to Christians which demonstrate her strong dedication to community welfare.
In addition, she has been a vocal voice and good representative of the members of resident community in the state. In the said recent meeting at Sultan Maccido Institute, each group members of resident community such as Igbo, Yoruba, Edo, Agatu Idoma, Igbira Okene, Borno, among many others received ten 25 kg bags of rice and cash gifts from the governor through the SA on Resident Community and IDPs, Maryam Suleiman DMAAS. The skills she demonstrated in the organization of the program and the success of it, received applause from the attendees and spectators.
On the whole, the great turnout at the March 11, 2026 event shows unity among members of resident community. It also shows that the SA is actually connected with the people she serves as their voice. Of course, no power in history and on earth can withstand the force unity evokes. The outcome of the meeting and exploit among others, have in her favor gone down in women story and in the history of the administration of His Excellency, Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, PhD, FCNA.
Dr. Godwin Onuh Odeh, public affairs analyst and commentor, Sokoto State University.
Gazali Haruna
