VP Shettima Flags off N306m Empowerment Scheme In Katsina

VP Shettima Flags off N306m Empowerment Scheme In Katsina

By Dauda Salisu

For the umpteenth time, Vice President Kashim Shettima has implored Nigerians to be patient with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, disclosing that the President has very beautiful plans to improve their living conditions.

According to him, while leadership is about show of empathy and support for the people, President Tinubu has the interest of Nigerians at heart.

The Vice President gave the assurance on Saturday in Kafur, Katsina State when he flagged off an empowerment scheme sponsored by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters.

Noting that the Nigerian government under President Tinubu has beautiful plans towards improving the living conditions of the citizens, he said, “The President is quite thrilled by the show of support and empathy by Hon Ibrahim Kabiru Masari. Leadership is all about showing empathy and support to the people. The President has the people of this our great nation at heart.

“I am here to reassure the people of Katsina and by extension the North West that there are very beautiful plans for the people.”

The VP also declared that the restoration of peace in areas where there are security challenges is of paramount importance to President Tinubu.

Lauding the empowerment scheme he flagged off, the Vice President commended Hon Ibrahim Masari for extending the gesture to his people, even as he called on “well-meaning individuals to emulate Hon Ibrahim Masari, who is a lover of his people”.

Senator Shettima acknowledged that God is the giver of power, expressing optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) “shall continue to govern Katsina State because of the achievements of the current and previous administrations in the state”

Also speaking at the event, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, commended the SSA on Political Matters to the President, Masari, for bankrolling the empowerment scheme, adding that both chambers of the National Assembly are happy with what the presidential aide has done.

“He has done something unique and I call on other political appointees to emulate this gesture because times are hard and this is the right time to give such support to the people,” the lawmaker stated.

For his part, Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, who spoke on behalf of his counterparts, appreciated the donor for coming to the aid of his constituents.

Governor Yahaya urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the cash and items given to them.

“I also urge you to imbibe the habit of helping others in the future,” the Governor added.

National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who was represented by Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, noted that the empowerment scheme floated by Ibrahim Masari, which is in line with the manifesto of the APC, aims at improving the lot of the people.

Earlier in his remarks, Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, who was represented by his Deputy, Farouk Lawal Jobe, advised the well-to-do in the society to always support the needy.

“Doing so will help alleviate poverty as well as boost our economy,” he said.

On his part, the immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari disclosed that over N306 million would be disbursed across 11 local government areas of Katsina South Senatorial District where the philanthropist, Ibrahim Masari, hails.

Items distributed to beneficiaries include sewing and welding machines, water pumps for irrigation farming, fertilizer, motorcycles, cars and buses, among other items.

Among other dignitaries that graced the occasion were the Governors of Borno, Yobe and Jigawa States; Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; his Arts, Culture and Creative counterpart, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and members of the National Assembly from Katsina State, among others.