The Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalising the State Bureau of Statistics.
Speaking on Wednesday during a two-day orientation workshop organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Zayyana highlighted the importance of accurate and up-to-date statistical data in driving development.
He stressed that without reliable data, effective policymaking and implementation would be impossible.
He urged staffs to adopt a more proactive approach in fulfilling their duties, emphasising the bureau’s critical role in policy formulation and economic planning.
He said, “The work of the Bureau is vital. Teamwork and commitment are essential to change the narrative.
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“Staff must be diligent in collecting, compiling, interpreting, analyzing, and disseminating data on the state’s social and economic conditions.”
The commissioner also noted that efforts are underway to enhance the capacity of the bureau’s staff through a series of planned activities aimed at ensuring optimal performance.
He emphasised the need for continuous data updates to reflect current realities and aid decision-makers, planners, and researchers in shaping policies for the state’s development.
In his address, the overseer of the Sokoto State Bureau of Statistics, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, who also serves as the Director of Planning at the ministry, explained that the workshop aimed to familiarize participants with their core responsibilities.
He urged staff to actively engage in the training and seek clarifications where necessary to improve the bureau’s statistical standards.
Also speaking at the event, the Sokoto State Coordinator of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Alhaji Sa’idu Saleh, expressed optimism that the training would enhance the efficiency of the bureau’s operations.
He reiterated NBS’s commitment to collaborating with the Sokoto State Bureau of Statistics in achieving its objectives.
Representatives from civil society organizations also commended the initiative.
The Sokoto State Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, Comrade Bello Gwadabawa, along with Co-chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Safiya Abdullahi, and Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant, Comrade Bello A. Bello Gidadawa, lauded the commissioner’s dedication to strengthening the bureau for improved service delivery.
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