Senatorial Aspirant Donates N40m to 7,000 Physically Challenged Persons, Women in Katsina

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

An aspirant for Katsina Central senatorial district on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and one time senator of the zone, Senator Ibrahim Idah, has donated N40 million to 7,000 physically challenged persons, women and youth across the constituency.

The beneficiaries were drawn from 116 electoral wards of Katsina, Batagarawa, Kaita, Jibia, Batsari, Rimi, Kurfi, Dutsin-Ma, Charanchi, Danmusa, Safana Local Governments that constituted the senatorial zone.

He said the gesture was borne out of his goodwill for many of the women and youths who have found themselves living in abject poverty and lacked the right and necessary assistance.

Idah told journalists at the distribution venue at the state Local Government Service Commission’s Hall, in Katsina, the state capital, Wednesday that alleviating the plights of the masses remained his cardinal objective, hence the donation.

He said: “Giving adequate attention to our widows and youths is long overdue issue. We must give attention to the challenged women, widows and youths in our country.

“It is my belief that empowering disabled people, youths, women, including widows, is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty and are integral part of the society.

“I am committed in making sure that women, youths and widows’ empowerment becomes a live reality and not just a mantra.”

He therefore called on other wealthy Nigerians to emulate his gesture by helping the needy, particularly the widows, stressing that he has a robust package for the widows and vulnerable women in the zone, if given the mandate in 2019.

Similarly, Idah has officially declared his interest to run for Katsina Central Senatorial District seat in the forthcoming general election, pledging to consolidate on his previous achievements to better the lives of his constituents, if given the mandate.

The ex-lawmaker, who was at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday to declare his interest to join the race on the platform of APC, vowed to rekindle the hope of his constituents via developmental projects.

He said: “I was in the Senate from 2007 to 2011. And I have represented the zone. I will do much, much better than I did before. And I want to also ensure that the National Assembly supports the president in all he does.

“If elected, my priorities would be firstly to facilitate developments from the federal government to impact positively on the people of my senatorial district.

“Secondly, I am interested in getting the young people employed. During my first tenure, I was able to get 1,800 youths employed. And most of them have also helped others to sustain their families.

“I also have as priority to ensure that the president gets the representation and the support he needs in the National Assembly. Myself and late Senator Kanti Bello stood our ground for Yar’Adua. I’m going back to do same and even more.

While lamenting what he described as a face-off between the president and Senate, Idah said: “Myself and late Senator Kanti Bello stood our grounds by standing against all odds for late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua at the Senate. So, I will do same to President Buhari if given the mandate.”

On his part, the state APC Chairman Shitu Shitu, reiterated the party’s commitment of ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants, challenging them to shun politics of bitterness and hatred but strive to mobilise and get the support of the people to emerge victorious at the end of the day.