News
Senate President seeks Federal govt support for livestock business
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has made a strong case for those engaged in livestock business to be assisted by the Federal government.
Lawan made the appeal at the weekend during the flag off of the Free Mass Animal Vaccination which he sponsors every year, since 2018, for his constituents in Yobe North Senatorial District, Yobe State.
This year flag off ceremony held on Saturday at Jajuwa in Jakusko Local Government Area.
In his remarks at the flag off ceremony, the Senate President said: “It is our belief here that the livestock industry in Nigeria is one of the biggest contributors to the economy of Nigeria.
“And it is only fair that the livestock industry is supported by government because we benefit immensely from this sector of our economy and it is unfair for anyone to say that livestock industry is private business and therefore should not be supported. That is unfair.
“We have so many private businesses including banks that are supported by government. And therefore our livestock sector and those who man it deserve the support of government particularly the Federal government.
“And I will push for that, that this industry is supported by government to ease the problems that those who run the industry suffer from time to time.
“Today we are here to flag off the livestock vaccination for our livestock, our cattle, cows, our sheep, our goats and other smaller animals.
“This has been an annual event and this year is not different. Last year we set a target of about a million cows and about 500 smaller animals like sheep and goats particularly. This year we are going to do the same or even slightly higher than that in number.
“What is also different this year is that we are going to increase our support to our Fulani herdsdsmen and livestock rearers.”
The free Veterinary Services cover Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP), Peste Petits des Ruminants(PPR) and treatment and medication of minor illnesses.
Also at the weekend, the Senate President flagged off the fifth Annual Medical Outreach for his people in Yobe North which is being sponsored by his foundation, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan Foundation(SAIL).
The outreach, which was also started in 2018, covers free medical services for eye treatment, surgical services, Gynecological check up and surgeries for families and free screening for clinical cancer for women
Lawan flaged off the programme for this year at the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Gashua and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.
The Senate President said this year outreach would accommodate about 5000 beneficiaries for various ailments.
“We have just witnessed how those who had surgeries on their eyes now can see. Some of them for four years, they have not been able to use their eyes to see anything.
“This year free annual medical outreach marks the fifth edition, which is a legacy project
“In line with our tradition and resolve, the SAIL Foundation, as part of our convenant with the good of Yobe North Senatorial District, we will continue to scale up the number of beneficiaries of both initiatives,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said the initiative was to complement the efforts of the state and federal government and pledged to sustain the programme whether still in public service or out of public service.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony at Nguru, the Acting Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Dr Adamu Abdullahi spoke of the tremendous impact of the medical outreach on the people.
“These continuous interventions have reduced the prevalence of the disease burden. The impact is both direct and indirect. The quality of lives of many beneficiaries had improved and the effect on their families is very noticeable and the community is appreciative,” Abdullahi said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
-
News6 days agoBill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute in Kogi passes first reading in Senate
-
News6 days agoReport of attack on Wike’s Port Harcourt residence false, misleading – Police
-
News6 days agoShehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence
-
News5 days agoPlateau gov’t expresses concern over violence in Shendam LGA, calls for calm
-
Sports1 week agoMerino gives Arsenal win over Chelsea
-
Interview7 days agoSenators Natasha-Akpabio saga should have been resolved privately – Rev. Mrs Emeribe
-
Politics3 days agoOpposition leaders announce coalition to challenge Tinubu in 2027
-
News1 week agoAs Committee Chairman, I did not authorise Natasha to petition IPU over her suspension from Senate – Jimoh Ibrahim