By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
As part of activities marking one year anniversary of the current administration and the commemoration of this year’s democracy day,a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations converged in Arewa house Kaduna to congratulate and appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a meritorious one year in office including his progressive policies, support to People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens at any rate.
Addressing a Press conference in Kaduna, the Coalition chairman Aliyu Muhammad Sani, also thanked the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu for her firm support to Mr. President, in addition to the agricultural support she has recently extended to women and youths as well as PWDs across the country as the farming season has begun in earnest while they equally salute and describe the both leadership of national assembly as symbol of democracy.
The chairman for the Coalition, Comrade Aliyu Muhammad Sani maintained that their main aim of organizing the press conference was to join several other groups and individuals to drum support for Mrs Halimat Adenike Tejuosho who has over the years distinguished herself as a true humanitarian to be appointed as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“today we join PWDs across the 36 states and FCT as well APC PWDs leaders in the 36 states and all other stakeholders like Senators, APC stalwarts, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), credible and objective observers and youth parliaments across the country
who have been agitating and consulting widely for the appointment of this seasoned humanitarian as a Minister.
“As a selfless patriot who has be using her personal resources to bring succour to senior citizens, PWDs and the less privileged through her well thought out Queen Adenike Tejuosho Foundation (QAT Foundation), giving her a position of responsibility in line with her passion and interest will energize her to do more for the downtrodden of our society.
“As a mark of true philanthropy, the quintessential lady recently celebrated Children’s Day with vulnerable and indigent children where over 500 school books, bags, shoes, water bottles, foodstuffs and writing materials where shared.
Her Ramadan largesse to over 1000 PWDs as well as Sallah packages to hundreds of households who could not afford to celebrate the festivities cannot be forgotten.
“Judging by all the individual sacrifices and the sheer passion to touch lives,the Coalition appealed to Mr. President to urgently consider filling the vacuum created with the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu by appointing Dame Halimat Adenike Tejuosho as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to enable Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda especially in the area of poverty alleviation.
“It goes without saying that since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has been without a Minister, Government is failing in providing basic succour to the less privileged.
From her antecedents and if given the opportunity, Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, will continue to extend her generosity and passion to bring a turn around in the fortunes of the less privileged and downtrodden in Nigeria”, the text noted.
On the argument that Halimat Adenike Tejuosho is not from the South South region where the former Minister hailed from, the Coalition revealed that Adenike Tejuosho’s maternal home is actually from Delta State which makes her a full blooded South South person even though her father that’s from Lagos State.
“We do not want to trivialize the issue of origin and region as competence and merit should trump over issues of origin and other differences that only serve to divide rather than unite us.
“It is therefore our earnest appeal to Mr. President to consider appointing this noble, hardworking and dedicated humanitarian and party stalwart as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation”, the text added.
The Coalition reiterated the support and efforts made by PWD community in Nigeria who have worked for the election of Mr. President and appealed to him most fervently to grant their only wish by appointing one of them who has distinguished herself as a Minister considering the length of time the Ministry has been left vacant and the danger it portends for the smooth running of government affairs.
“Mr. President, we are united with one voice without any external influence in making this appeal and prayer. It’ll be a privilege to appoint this selfless woman as a Minister because we are very sure will deliver.
“This is our collective resolve born out of the conviction that with the support she has been giving people in the community for over 10 years, she’s the right person for the job. Politics, region and other considerations should be put aside to allow competence and merit to prevail”
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