Atiku: We Won’t Neglect Women, Niger Delta, West Africa Integration, Others

 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated that his government, if he is voted into power in 2023, will give premium to the empowerment of women, strengthening of the Niger Delta ministry and reclaiming of Nigeria’s leadership position in the West African region.

Alhaji Atiku also pledged to develop young businesses, human capital and roll back insecurity.

The PDP presidential candidate made these known on Friday when he interacted with the Abuja business community on the vision and mission of his administration when it captures power next year.

Recalling the success recorded by the PDP when he was in power as Vice President, Atiku said the administration then, complied with the Beijing Rule of 35 per cent women inclusion in political appointments. “We have done it before. We can do it again,” he said.

“Not because you (women) are here. My greatest respect is to my mum. I lost my dad when I was young. It was my mum who raised me to where I am today. That was why when I established a micro finance bank I gave instructions to the management that they should  give more loans to women. They did and we had 90% recovery,” he added, emphasizing his belief that women can contribute significantly to national development and should be supported to do so.

He, therefore, urged women to come forward for empowerment once he has been voted into office, assuring them of broad spectrum inclusion.

On the resource control mantra of the Niger Delta and how he intends to address it, the candidate said he would domicile the headquarters of the Niger Delta Ministry within the region for better service delivery.

According to him, way back in 2007 when he sought to become president of the country, he had a template for this vision, and the amnesty program for the region’s agitators, which he handed to late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua when he couldn’t secure the ticket to run for President.

He said the Niger Delta agitation for resource control “is more than that. You will get resources and chance to utilize same,” indicating that the dislocation of the vision of a better managed Niger Delta and the pilfering of the humongous fund allocated to it will be checked by the provision of more equipment to the Ministry of Niger Delta, giving more attention to health, education and many other developmental issues begging for rectification in the area.

Turning to regional integration and insecurity, the former Vice President said Nigeria will bounce back and take up its leadership role in West Africa, pointing out that he would resuscitate the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), to checkmate terrorism and the influx of small and light weapons into the region.

“I will bring back ECOMOG to ensure regional security and stability; and, to deal with insecurity, insurgencies and the proliferation of small and light weapons in the sun-continent,” Atiku said, adding that the Nigerian Police, currently under-manned, ill-equipped, poorly trained and poorly motivated, will be transformed and reinvigorated.

Again, giving credit to the PDP for creating the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), a development which sparked growth back in 1999, he appealed to Nigerians base their choice of who becomes the president next year on patriotism and performance.

“You have tasted PDP. You said you wanted change and you got it. Now, it is time to make another change,” by giving mandate “to the PDP, the oldest political party in the history of Nigeria,” he further added.

In his remarks, the Vice Presidential candidate, who is also the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, described his principal as Atiku experienced, educated and well grounded in the knowledge of Nigeria, this soliciting for Nigerians to vote for the PDP in the forthcoming elections.

The Director General of the Atiku/Okowa Campaign Team, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, assured that the candidate is a president that will be hands on and ready to take up challenges as he comes aboard. He said the country is sick and needs recovery.

Introducing the event, the Director Strategic Communication of the campaign team, Dele Momodu, explained that it is a presentation of the recovery message packaged by the campaign team to engage Nigerians.

The event, tagged: ‘Nigeria’s Time To Recover,’ was attended by the acting chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Liyel Imoke, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Mr. Boni Haruna.

Others were Senators Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Adamu Maina Waziri, Dino Melaye, Chief Yomi Edu and the National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Umar Bature.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Education Remains a Top Priority of Our Policy Thrust: Gov. Fubara

Image
The Rivers State Government says it will continue to place education as one of the top most priorities of its policy thrust. Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the 34th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt on Saturday 24th February, 2024. The Governor who spoke through his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, said although the University of Port Harcourt is a Federal University the State Government would continue to support and collaborate with it to place it in a path that  would be the envy of other institutions. “We shall support you because whenever we add value to this institution, you add double value to whatever we have placed before you and we shall continue to ensure that you are given a place of high distinction and excellence”, the Governor stressed. Governor Fubara disclosed that his administration was desirous to create the enabling environment to ensure Rivers State remains a preferred destination to achieve quality education in the count...
Read more

Governor Mutfwang Crowns New Ngolong Ngas, HRH Nde Jika Golit

Image
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has performed the coronation of the New Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit. The ceremony is coming nine years after the demise of the late Ngolong Ngas, Nde Joshua Dimlong. Governor Mutfwang, who performed the presentation of staff of office and certificate to the New Ngolong Ngas at the Pankshin Township Stadium, praised the Ngas Nation for a rancor-free selection process of the new Ngolong Ngas. He warned mischief makers against needless court actions that are capable of delaying or frustrating the selection and installation of traditional rulers in the state. He also implored citizens to alway accept the will of God in all circumstances. "I congratulate the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit, on his ascension to the throne of his ancestors. His selection by the kingmakers, through a peaceful and rancor-free atmosphere, is worthy of emulation by other ethnic groups in the state." the Governor stated. "Let me s...
Read more

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF AN ENLARGED MEETING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024

Image
The PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of H.E. Governor Bala A. Mohammed, CON, held an enlarged meeting at the Bauchi State Governors’ Lodge, Tatari Ali House, Asokoro on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Rising from the consultative meeting of the various organs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Party resolved as follows: 1. The National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting originally slated for October 24, 2024, has been rescheduled to November 28, 2024. 2. The postponement is to ensure that the party goes into the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections of November 16, 2024 with the unity and strength demanded to unseat the floundering All Progressive Congress, APC government in the state. 3. Reiterating the need for unity in the face of efforts by detractors to divide the party, the meeting called on all members to shun divisive utterances that could undermine ongoing efforts at strengthening the party to effectively play its role as the country’s main opposition, preparatory...
Read more