Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling youth restiveness and crime through job creation and skills development.

He spoke when he hosted members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to an Iftar at the Presidential Lodge in Sokoto.

Addressing guests after the breaking of fast, Aliyu said his government would sustain youth empowerment initiatives to reduce unemployment across the state.

“It is our belief that the most effective way to reduce youth restiveness and crime is to ensure that our youths are gainfully employed,” he said.

The governor noted that since the inception of his administration, thousands of youths and women had been trained in vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

He said the establishment of the Ministry for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship was aimed at equipping young people with practical skills to become self-reliant.

Aliyu added that beneficiaries of training programmes had also emerged through the Ministries of Local Government Affairs and Women Affairs, as well as the State Poverty Reduction Agency.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to deliver democratic dividends across the state, assuring that security, religious affairs, education, healthcare, water supply and infrastructure development would continue to receive priority attention.

The governor commended commissioners, special advisers and senior special assistants for their support and urged them to sustain their efforts.

He also called on residents to assist vulnerable groups during Ramadan to earn “Allah’s mercy and blessings”.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, praised the governor for ongoing projects across the state.

“Your Excellency, what you have achieved in just two years is far greater than what the immediate past PDP administration accomplished in its eight years in office,” he said.

He assured the governor of the continued loyalty and support of political appointees and described the Iftar as a demonstration of humility and inclusive leadership.

In Sokoto State, it is customary during Ramadan for the governor to host members of the three arms of government for Iftar, a gathering seen as promoting cooperation among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.