2015: Niger State Women Have A Choice – Hafsat
The race for the Minna Government House seems to have started. Choices are emerging but Women for Progressive Nigeria (WPN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Abuja, seems to be rallying behind Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello. In this interview with UCHENNA AWON, the Public Relations Officer of the organisation, Hafsat Mohammed, she declares that Bello owes Nigerlites the duty call. Also, she speaks on women and youth empowerment.
What makes you think Sani Bello is good for the governorship?
He is a performer per excellence, so we the women are urging him to make it bold and declare to run for the governorship position of Niger State. Our position was unanimously agreed upon in the last annual review meeting. We are convinced that he will turn things around in the state. So, he has no choice than to join the race.
You are the PRO of the organisation. What is it all about?
Women for Progressive Nigeria is a non-governmental organization established in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with head office in the Federal Capital City of Abuja. Our chairperson and National Co-ordinator, Hajia Talatu Zubairu Usman, is the founder of the organisation and has worked very hard to bring it to this enviable height. We were there during the 2007 general elections that ushered in the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as his running mate. We have as our mandate, the responsibility to assist the less privileged in the society by engaging in women and youth empowerment on the one hand and promoting quality leadership on the other hand. As you know, if we are able to entrench people-centred leadership in our governance, poverty and deprivation will be greatly reduced across the nation.
This is a very lofty idea that is not quite easy to accomplish. How have you been able to overcome the various challenges to arrive at this point?
God has graciously helped us in the past few years of our existence; we have been able to touch the lives of women and youths by providing opportunities for skills acquisition, human capacity development and financial empowerment through the provision of soft revolving loans to beneficiaries. It is common knowledge that the poverty level in the country is alarming because of massive unemployment. We are making our little contributions towards a better society with the hope that gradually, as good governance takes roots across the states as it is presently happening in Niger state under the administration of the Chief Servant and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, hunger, poverty and lack of basic amenities will soon be things of the past.
Talking about leadership at the states, what is the organisation doing to identify and promote credible people oriented leaders in 2015 as the people are tired of self-centred leaders at all levels?
The national coordinator, along with the executive have been strategizing and galvanizing our people across the nation do identify and scrutinise prominent indigenes of the various states, and at our annual review meeting, we have so far found a man in Niger State who is focused, people oriented, an administrator per excellence with proven track records both in business and public endeavours, a captain of industry, and above all, a philanthropist with a good heart for the people. His name is Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.
Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello fondly called Abu Lolo by friends and well wishers is an institution, a colossus, an astute businessman who is on the board of directors of many leading companies in Nigeria and abroad including Broad Bank, Prudent Healthcare Ltd., Millennium T & T, MTN Nigeria to mention but a few where he has created gainful employment for Nigerians especially Nigerlites. He is also a seasoned administrator having served as a commissioner of Commerce and Industry under the present administration of the Chief Servant of Niger State.
Are these the qualities that endeared Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello to the Women for Progressive Nigeria?
Let me cut in here, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello hails from Kontagora in Niger North senatorial district and is from the well known family of Col. Sani Bello, a former Military Administrator of old Kano State and given his training and family background coupled with his wealth of experience acquired so far, we are convinced that he is the best candidate who will deliver to the people of Niger state the desired dividends of democracy. Let me quickly mention also that he is happily married to the daughter of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former Head of State of the country and the marriage is blessed with children. Now, having worked harmoniously with the present Governor and Chief Servant of the State, coupled with all the aforementioned qualities, we at WPN believe in him and are urging him that the time is now.
What is your advice to Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello?
As our national co-ordinator, Hajia Talatu Zubairu Usman, has affirmed that we at Women for Progressive Nigeria have followed his antecedents as a philanthropist with proven track records in business and government and given his wealth of wisdom and experience, we believe that the time is ripe for him to mount the rostrum of leadership in Niger State and provide the people with quality, people centered leadership that will transform their lives and the entire Niger State.
We therefore beckon on him to heed this call to service and keep faith with destiny by openly declaring to run for the position of the office of the Executive Governor of Niger State. He cannot afford to delay any further as the people are eagerly waiting for his manifestation and declaration. In him, we see hope and we believe that he can take us to the promised land of abundance for all Nigerlites.
What message would your National chairperson and co-ordinator, Hajia Talatu Zubairu Usman, wish to send to the good people of Niger State?
She has asked that I use this medium to urge the entire people of Niger State to support this time tested and illustrious son who has demonstrated sufficient capacity to serve and deliver on his words and mandate. As a matter of fact, we know that Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello is always seeking opportunity to serve his people as he has made full use of every opportunity he had to serve his people. We therefore commend Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, a proven performer and philanthropist to all Nigerlites both within and outside the state to rally round him and give him the support he may require when he declares his intention to run for the office of the Executive Governor of Niger State.
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