A group of people under the umbrella of Southern Kaduna People’s Union SOKAPU, Rivers State Chapter, has concluded its Grand Reception/Launching of N100 million for the Building of Secretariat/Purchase of Bus and a Public Lecture.
It was on Saturday 8” of December 2012, at the Police Officers’ Mess, Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the presence of Hon. Ali Kalat, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Kaduna State, who represented His Excellency, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Executive Governor of Kaduna
State.
In his presentation, Dr. Ephraim Goje, National President, SOKAPU, recalled on how some of the states that are presently enjoying developmental strides in the north, started in their agitation for state creation in the early 70s. He reiterated that Gurara State, if created has all that is needed for it to be a state having made all the necessary presentations to the government.
Dr. Goje emphasized that the creation of Gurara State will extend development to the grassroot of all the localities in the state. He lauded the developmental effort of Ibrahim Yakowa in Kaduna State and urge the people to hold all the political office holders accountable for all the monies that are being given to them for the development and betterment of their people, telling them not to vote for those that have nothing to show from the positions they held and thereby called on Nigerians to support the people of Southern Kaduna in their quest for Gurara State.
However, Hon. Mi Kalat, Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties, Kaduna State, who represented the Executive Governor of the state, Mr. Patrick I. Yakowa, said that the government meant well for the people of the state as it has never been so well until the emergence of Yakowa as Governor of the state and the need for the people to support his administration.
Hon. Kalat spoke on some of the projects that were inherited by his boss and already completed, adding that their government is stable, delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state, flagging off of over 32 new road networks to enhance transportation of goods and services in the state, despite the problem of insecurity in the state, which he attributed to the handi-work of detractors, that are not happy with the developmental change that is already taking place in Kaduna State.
Kalat disclosed that government is putting in place, a vigilante security outfit and provision of vehicles to help curb the problem of insecurity in the state, adding that the state governor is trying to right all that were wrong in the past.
He stated further that the creation of Gurara State will be realistic through the law makers and the support of Nigerians and promise to liaise with his boss to support the proposed Secretariat for SOKAPU, Rivers State branch.
In a chat with the Newswriter, Mr. Stephen Majam, one of the sponsors of the event and the Managing Director of Environmental Associates Ltd., described the day as a day for them to unite and remind themselves that they have a goal to achieve as an individual or group.
He pointed that the struggle for states creation started at the same time, affirming that time will come when some will have and some left behind, for the reason that they may be politically motivated, given way for those that have met with the necessary criteria to be created as states.
In his financial contribution to the launch of SOKAPU projects, Majam was of the view that he contributed nothing, compared to the estimated 100 million naira that is required to actualize the dream of SOKAPU, which needed the moral support of everyone according to him. Mr. Stephen advised the people of Southern Kaduna to remain one and encourage others, expressing that the best legacy one can leave behind is to encourage others by giving them the best education.
Other dignitaries at the event include: Elder Dr. I. O. Akpoko, who called on SOKAPU to be proud of their identify and also a representative of Prof. Isaya Nock, Mr. Musa Samuel Jackson, immediate Past Chairman of SOKAPU and National Organizing Secretary of SOKAPU, urged the people to remain focused, while Mr. Tabara Samuel Kato, one of the event sponsors and former Public Relation Officer (PRO) of Kaduna South LGA, opined that Gurara State is realizable, pointing that the Hausas are not up to 3rd of the total population in the North and urged the people of Southern Kaduna to remain resolute to continue to win elections in Kaduna State. ###
By Blaise Elumezie
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