POLITICS TODAY

By Hadiza Mohammed

Kaduna Central Senator, Uba Sani has unveiled the blueprint for his constituents during an elaborate Post-inauguration Dinner hosted by close friends and associates in Kaduna.

The post-inauguration Dinner, which was Chaired by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Elrufai brought together some of the most influential power-brokers of Kaduna, including the ruling APC leaders and the civil society.

An excited Senator Uba Sani who expressed gratitude to Allah for his electoral victory, restated his commitment to attracting dividends of democracy to “our long-suffering constituency”.

This was contained in the Senator’s first detailed post-electoon public speech titled ‘MY PACT WITH THE GOOD PEOPLE OF KADUNA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT’, with   synopsis of the specific areas of focus he identified.

He also restated his willingness to move motions and sponsor bills that will address key challenges in the senatorial zone.

The Senator disclosed that he has identified the major challenges confronting Kaduna Central and has already swung into action in a collaborative strategy with the Elrufai-led Kaduna State Government. He then gave graphic details of what he intends to do, notably in the areas of agriculture through provision of access loans and fertilizer, supporting irrigation; technical support and easy access to market for the farmers of his Constituency.

Other areas he gave elaborate details of re-invigorating include security, job creation, primary healthcare; empowerment of youth, women and children.

The Post-inauguration Dinner also featured the presentation of appointment letters to the seven Local Constituency officials who will serve as the connecting rod between him and the people of his Constituency. He explained that the seven officials would be in constant contact with the people, to feel their wishes and expectations of his senatorial sojourn. He also noted that security will be the key plank of his pact with his constituency, stressing that he will delay no action in attracting investments to the Senatorial zone.

“We have a well-thought-through strategic action plan with deliverables and timelines. We intend to vigorously pursue them for the good of our dear constituency”, the Senator went on to say.

“I will always stand to be counted in respect of any bill or motion that will contribute to lifting our people out of poverty”, he pledged.

“All that I have outlined will be done in consultation with my constituents. I am accountable to them. They will own the process,” the Senator guaranteed.

The full text

MY PACT WITH THE GOOD PEOPLE OF KADUNA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

I heartily welcome great stakeholders of Kaduna Central Senatorial District to this gathering. Let me start by thanking the Almighty Allah for my electoral success. He made all things possible.   I thank our dear stakeholders most profoundly for giving me the opportunity to represent you in the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is an honour and privilege I will never toy with. I will reciprocate your confidence with total commitment and devotion to my legislative duties and by attracting dividends of democracy to our long suffering constituency.

My profound thanks and appreciation also goes to our resourceful, innovative and focused Governor, the irrepressible Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for being my pillar of support and for his uncommon love for Kaduna Central Senatorial District. I owe a debt of gratitude to the  National and State Working Committees of our great party, the APC, campaign coordinators and everyone who laboured tirelessly towards my emergence not only as the APC candidate at the polls but the eventual winner of the Senatorial elections. I am indeed very grateful.

Upon my declaration as the winner of the 2019 Senatorial election by INEC in February, I made a pledge to the good people of Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone that I will be your true representative and I will be selfless in my pursuit of the things that will bring progress and development to the zone. I also made a commitment to move motions and sponsor bills that will address key challenges in the zone. Having been sworn in on the 11th day of June, 2019 and consequently taken my Oath of office to serve, I hereby reiterate my commitment to be a Senator for all.

To this end, and with the help of my team, I have identified certain challenges which are affecting the different Local Government areas under Kaduna Central Senatorial District and will immediately move to collaborate with the State Government in addressing them as follows:-

1. AGRICULTURE:

It is no longer news that Kaduna State is the number-one producer of cotton in Nigeria. We are also blessed with several agricultural resources like Groundnut, Ginger, Maize, Millet and so on. We will encourage and motivate farmers in in all the Seven Local Governments of Kaduna Central, be it those engaged in subsistence or commercial farming by:
a. Influencing discounts on acquisition of fertilizers and machinery;
b. Providing irrigation;
c. Providing expertise and technical know-how through training exercises;
d. Providing easier access to markets;
e. Sponsor and support bills that will make it safe for Animal Husbandry and Cattle-rearing;
f. Sponsoring bills that will ease access to credit facilities (grants and loans).

2. SECURITY:

Security is tied not just to protection of lives and property but the growth of communities, trade and economy and even investment. An insecure community will consequently hinder infrastructure, income a reliable workforce; and will scare investors away. The recent crisis in Kajuru saddened the people of Kaduna State to no end. Crisis or conflict is a major disincentive to growth and development. It is bad for people eager to confront their developmental challenges.

We are in a hurry to close the developmental gaps in our community. We shall think out of the box in contributing to the building of peace and securing our constituency. To this end, I will key into one of the brilliant recommendations of the APC Committee on True Federalism and sponsor a bill supporting State Police. We will also create an avenue for the Police to partner/liaise with vigilante groups and other native security apparatuses for a more effective community policing network. In addition, I will sponsor/support policies that push for better training, remuneration and recruitment of law enforcement personnel

3. JOB CREATION:

Jobs and wage growth has been the most important driver of poverty reduction globally. The poorest households in Nigeria have one thing in common, a lack of jobs and/or a lack of multiple income streams. This, more often than not, stems from the unavailability of an enabling environment e.g. the right norms and customs, regulations, policies and public infrastructure that facilitates the production of goods and services. I will work closely with my colleagues in the Senate and also top officials of the Federal Government to initiate policies and legislations that would make President Buhari’s promise of 100 million jobs in 10 years a reality.

One of my key interventions would be to engage the Federal Government and advice them that to make the return of recession impossible and for sustainable development, we must make Nigeria a “HUGE CONSTRUCTION SITE.” Massive investment in infrastructure will give jobs to millions of Nigerians, increase their purchasing power and lift many households out of poverty. Kaduna Central Constituency will benefit tremendously if this is done.

I will work closely with the officers of the Federal and Kaduna State Government in the area of Ease of Doing Business, so as to attract Foreign Direct Investment to Kaduna State as this will undoubtedly create more jobs. More jobs mean a larger tax base, which will allow the State Government have more spending power to provide social amenities such as more Primary Health Centers, construction and renovation of Public Schools, furnishing of Hospitals, Construction of roads etc.

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC):

A healthy people constitute the most potent force for development. Access to quality healthcare at the grassroots must of necessity be a major focus of any leader who truly desires the welfare of his people. Our Governor in the first term achieved a commendable record of constructing over 250 PHC’s. We intend to complement his efforts by working closely with community leaders and volunteer groups to ensure that such PHCs are well maintained and indigent people assisted.

5. YOUTH, WOMEN & CHILDREN:

This group is the most vulnerable in our society today and steps must be taken not only to protect them but to give them the wherewithal to fend for themselves. To give them these opportunities, we will look into the following areas:-

For the Youth: We intend to explore vocational skills development for economic empowerment. We want to facilitate the vocational training of youth, equip them with the basic skills and knowledge needed to make them entrepreneurs. These acquired skills can then be used to earn a living of their own and also employ others. For those who choose to formalize their education, we will link them up with the appropriate institutions and establish a department in the constituency office in Kaduna North to specifically perform this task.

Peer education and community awareness meetings on issues like good health, social services and security will also be looked into alongside skills acquisition education programs. We will create a platform for persons interested in improving their numerical and literacy skills. Also, my team and I will liaise with the Sports Ministry and the Sports Commission at the state level to initiate programs and competitions that will create opportunities for the youth to showcase and develop their God-given talents. This gesture will also aid in reducing the risk of idle hands descending into crime.

For Women & Children: Having interfaced with some of the women and children across the length and breadth of our constituency, we have come to the realization that access to education is one of the major hindrances to the growth and development of the girl-child. We shall mount aggressive girl-child school enrolment campaigns. We shall work closely with the State Government, community leaders, parents and our female children on continuous enrolment and retention of female children in schools. Some packages will be on offer for indigent parents to send their children to school instead of condemning them to a life of hawking or child labour.

These are just snippets of what we intend to do. We have a well thought-through strategic action plan with deliverables and timelines. We intend to vigorously pursue them for the good of our dear constituency.

I assure you that my Senatorial sojourn will bring huge dividends to our constituency. I will always stand to be counted in respect of any bill or motion that will contribute to lifting our people out of poverty. Attracting investments to our constituency will occupy my mind throughout my tenure. The search for sustainable peace and security will be a key plank of my pact with our dear constituency.

All that I have outlined will be done in consultation with my constituents. I am accountable to them. They will own the process. In furtherance of this, I have established 7 Constituency offices and consequently appointed 7 Local Constituency Officers who will serve as liaison/bridge between you and I. I hereby introduce to you my LCOs. Please feel free to contact them through their contact details, which are clearly indicated on the back of the Action Plan.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve and build with you all. God Bless Kaduna Central Senatorial District, God Bless Kaduna State and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senator Uba Sani
Being text of his address at the post-inauguration Dinner held at Murtala Square, Kaduna on 13th of June, 2019