By Olawale Lamina
The leader of a political support group, Northern Emilokan Movement, Abdulazeez Maccido has called on the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim and Member of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, to extend necessary support to the northern states of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara through the empowerment initiatives of their offices.
In a statement made available to The Pinnacle Times on Friday, the Leader of Northern Emilokan Movement made a passionate appeal for attention to be given to the concerned states.
But Mallam Abdulazeez Maccido acknowledged the good works of the honourable minister, particularly for showing understanding of the nation’s diversity.
“The last time I checked, I was impressed by your vast experience, which clearly qualifies you to lead as a minister or even hold a prominent position in the cabinet, if not represent my good people of Nasarawa State in the Federal House of Representatives or Senate seat, comes 2027,” Maccido stated.
He recalled how he took part in writing a piece titled “On Support for the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim: A Call Against Misguided Criticisms and Protests,” where his group engaged in mass orientation to counter what he described as “selfish motives behind the recent protests.”
He pointed out that, following a recent allocation to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, for empowerment initiatives across Nigeria, which included food items, Maccido noted that the minister began the empowerment initiative with Edo and Delta states with the three northern states yet to be reached.
He commended the minister that through her efforts, the group witnessed a significant distribution of empowerment materials, adding that, “The people of Nasarawa and Adamawa states warmly received you, and your commitments were felt with the distribution of various items, including laptops among other materials.”
Expressing his group’s concerns further, despite its contributions, Maccido said: “However, I am writing to express my concern about why Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States have not received similar empowerment resources, despite the significant votes cast in support of our President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. I am sure other states share similar grievances regarding the democratic benefits under your stewardship.
“As a member of the Tinubu Support Organization (TSO), Emilokan Freedom Movement, and Arewa Movement for BAT, I want to highlight our contributions to the victory of the present government. We feel disappointed by the apparent lack of support and development initiatives for our communities compared to neighbouring states such as Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom.”
The Leader of Emilokan Freedom Movement in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states enumerated challenges faced by the states, including poverty and malnutrition, apart from inadequate economic development.
“While we appreciate the efforts your Honourable Office has made in various regions, it is disheartening to realize that Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states have been overlooked. We face challenges in areas like business empowerment for men and women to combat poverty, food items to address malnutrition, as well as infrastructure and economic development.
“Many of us your supporters and core APC youth, feel neglected, and we believe the absence of your initiatives in these critical areas hinders our progress.
“We kindly urge you to allocate empowerment resources to support the good people of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, ensuring we are not left behind in the benefits of the current democratic government.”
Maccido assured the minister and members of the Federal Executive Council from the affected states of the readiness of communities under the group to collaborate and work together, especially with the minister who he referred to as “the daughter and Queen of the North,” to ensure equal development and opportunities that will greatly benefit the residents.
“I am confident that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will appreciate your attentiveness to our concerns and that solutions to our problems will be granted, as the Renewed Hope Agenda is yielding fruitful results both within and outside the shores of Nigeria,” he said.
The Leader of the Northern Emilokan Movement thanked the minister and FEC members from the affected states in anticipation of their attention to the concerns raised.
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