From SA on ICT, Kaduna

May 4,  2008

The War against illiteracy and poverty in Kaduna State is irreversible and would be pursued with vigour and all sense of purpose. In making sure that the war is fought and won, strategies have been mapped out and implementation being carried out systematically in the agriculture, education, commerce and health sectors. Governor Arc  Mohammed Namadi Sambo restated the commitment to fight and eradicate poverty and illiteracy by his administration as part of his eleven point agenda at the 2008 Khituk Gwong grand reception organized by the people of Kagoma, Jemaa Local Government area over the weekend.

He stated that education at the primary school level is free and compulsory apart from the increase in the wages of teachers and other plans to provide qualitative education at the secondary school level. Two Schools of Nursing would be established to cater for the training and retraining of Health staff the Governor further stated that work on the development of the Kaduna State University would continue with the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine, adding that a campus would be established soon in Kafanchan.

Arc Namadi Sambo said that apart from spending N7Omilhion monthly on the provision of free treatment to pregnant women and children, under five years additional 260 primary health centers will be established across the State this year. Plans have been completed, he revealed, to create 60 irrigation schemes for all-year round farming and over 70 tonnes of fertilizer worth seven billion naira, most of which would be sold to farmers before the planting season sets in. Tourist development is being boosted; while plans are on to provide the State with stable electricity to stimulate industrialization and commercial activities, he added.

The Governor announced that a census will be carried out of all unemployed youths and women who would be educationally and economically empowered with soft loans through small and medium scheme financing for self reliance. The sum of N7Omillion in addition to an earlier N5Omillion has been disbursed to fourteen banks for micro-credit scheme.

On the aspect of peace and security, the governor stated that sustenance of these are paramount and key to any development, therefore his government has strategies to sustain the existing peace being enjoyed with the establishment of a security network known as “Operation Yaki” whereby the criminality and insecurity would be wiped out or reduced to the barest.

He enjoined people of the State to live in peace with one another and report any suspected criminals to the law enforcement agents, stressing the need for people to form themselves into cooperative societies which would further strengthen the bond of unity and guarantee them to benefit from government micro- finance scheme and loans for their economic and social empowerment. The Governor congratulated his Deputy, General L. N. Yusuf and other sons of Gwong chiefdom for the titles bestowed on them.

Barrister Gideon Monk, the Chairman Jema’a Local Government expressed delight as history is being marked with the commissioning of the Gwong Development Area Secretariat, honouring of illustrious Sons arid friend’s of the area with chieftaincy titles which was graced by dignitaries within and without the State.

Governor Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo is a true democrat, whose approach to problems is always humane and conciliatory he is a man of peace who patiently looked to the future with courage and hope. His commitment in the direction of transforming the state into a relatively better integrated and functional polity is continuing  with a mission  to create a stable  and cohesive polity capable of securing effectively the interests of the various communities and giving them the opportunity to develop and live in peace  with one another.

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