Skip to main content

El-Rufa’i: People no longer first?

By Lawal Adamu Usman

 

SIR: During the 2015 and 2019 general elections, the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i, was famous for his campaigns slogan – “Putting the people first’.

After six years in office, the question on the lips of many Kaduna State people is whether El-Rufai can still claim to have put Kaduna people first. In my estimation, he has derailed from that campaign mantra. His actions are contrary to all that he promised.

A people-first-government will always value the welfare and well-being of its citizens, especially women and children. I am here referring to paying careful attention to their needs and vulnerabilities. No doubt, development is good for the upliftment of the socio-economic well-being of the general public; it would inevitably attract investors and add prestige to the state. However, while that is a-given, you cannot achieve it by trampling on human beings like they do not matter.

The recent ‘unfair’ increase in school fees by the El-Rufa’i administration (even though there are contradictory statements from the same government with some section of the administration denying the hike), is certainly coming at a most inauspicious time. It shows that the administration does not care about its citizens, most especially the commoners, the poor and the most vulnerable. The measure has only further exacerbated the hardship being suffered across the federation of which Kaduna State has borne a huge chunk of its share.

Read Also: El-Rufai: ransom payment hasn’t stopped kidnapping

 

With such untimely increase in tuition fees, most students will have no option but to drop out of school while some of our female students in particular could be pushed into anti-social acts. In the end, it can only add to the burden of insecurity currently ravaging the state. The earlier the government rescinds this outrageous decision, the better for us and our children.

Moreover, given the negative effects of the on-going urban renewal policy which has affected many small businesses in the state, the expectation is that the state government will move aggressively to create an enabling environment for the displaced business owners to get back their means of livelihood. This can be done in collaboration with the banks.

The banks can be made to grant soft loans to small and medium scale entrepreneurs who will be closely monitored by the administration against defaults and also provide student loans for poor children to be able to put themselves through school while they engage in the crafts and other menial jobs they are good at.

  • Lawal Adamu Usman,

Kaduna.



from Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics https://ift.tt/3vA9l4V
via IFTTT

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

We're glad you want to comment, kindly avoid spamming the page, thanks

Popular posts from this blog

Edo Museum of West African Art

The Benin Kingdom is known for its arts, many of which are scattered in museums around the world. The Edo State government’s decision to establish the museum of West African art will further the state’s image, writes Robert Egbe   On Friday, November 13, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki announced a post-COVID-19 recovery plan to strengthen the public sector. But perhaps the most interesting component of his proposal was the announcement of a new partnership that seeks to return Edo State to its competitive advantage many centuries ago, and establish the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA). It is a fact that the Benin kingdom was one of the most powerful and creative kingdoms in Africa, with its art and craftmanship so globally acknowledged and renowned that European explorers marvelled at the level of sophistication of the art and culture emanating from this kingdom. Very few would argue with the fact that at some point in its history, this great kingdom was regarded as th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Boko Haram lures recruits with N5,000, says Zulum

Our Reporter Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday said Boko Haram fighters lure recruits with as low as N5,000. The governor also reveals how his government sustained the fight against insurgents in the state in the last two years. He made the revelations in his statewide broadcast to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day (June 12, 2021) and his second anniversary in office, stating that “of all Nigeria’s 36 states, none is faced with the level of Borno’s security and by extension, social and economic challenges. According to him: “From day one, we were faced with an acute humanitarian crisis, particularly in northern and some parts of the central senatorial zones. As such, we made it a policy that as governor, I assume the role of chief humanitarian officer for different reasons. “On one hand, it was our duty to deliver help to our fellow citizens that were either internally displaced or taking refuge in neighbouring countries. “On the other hand, there was ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Church launches NGO for children

By Oluwatomisin Amokeoja International Church of Christ (ICOC) Nigeria has launched Caring Hearts Initiative (CHI), which is designed to cater for the developmental needs of children between 1 to 6 years old. At the ceremony held yesterday at the ICOC’s Missions House in Ikeja, Lagos, the initiative was flagged off with the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, which will assist targeted children within and outside its community to develop their full potentials. ICOC’s Lead Evangelist, Mr. Chris Ogbonnaya admonished the church to ensure all that they do to glorify Christ and not jeopardise the purpose for which the initiative was founded. In his words, CHI’s Programme Director, Mr Jide Ojo noted the newly incorporated charity is posed to be the “foremost in the provision of quality and endearing care for all.” According to Ojo, 77 children from ICOC’s 11 regions in Lagos, selected through a survey, will be the first set of beneficiaries for one year. For the first batch, h...
Post a Comment
Read more