I will never step down for anybody, Kano ADP guber candidate vows

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Kano governorship candidate for Action Democratic Party (ADP) and a member of the House of Representatives for Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, Shaaban Sharada, has assured the Kano people and the electorate that he will never withdraw his candidature for any candidate during the forthcoming governorship election slated for March 18, 2023

.Sharada made the statement during an interactive session with some selected journalists from some radio stations based in Kano, according to his campaign spokesman, Abbas Yushau in a statement yesterday.

He said the ADP candidate said he is committed to participating in the gubernatorial election, which is why, at the first instance, he joined the race to slug it out with other contestants with the aim to govern Kano and not to withdraw for anybody, as was insinuated in some quarters.

Sharada said so far indicators had shown that he is the most competent and prepared candidate “because he is not the political godson of any body, and as such, he is not withdrawing for any candidate.”

“The Honourable Shaaban said it doesn’t make sense to withdraw for candidates who are godsons of some prominent politicians.

“Honorable Sharada cited the example of NNPP’s Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was presented by his political godfather, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and who cannot do the bidding of anyone except his political godfather,” part of the statement reads.

“Honourable Shaaban Sharada said part of his mission is to make Kano a hub for exports to the West and Sub-Saharan Africa, especially fish.

“He also promises to increase internally generated revenue for Kano from 2 billion to 10 billion monthly.

“The radio stations that aired the live program were Premier Radio FM, AREWA Radio, Aminci Radio, Vision FM, and on their social media handles,” the statement concluded.

L-R: Partner at I create Africa / Chair Admissions Nigerian Institute of Architects Abuja Chapter, Arc. Zulaiha J Baba Girei , The Founder / CEO, I Create Africa, Mr. Bright Jaja and the General Manager IL Bagno Black Pelican Ltd, , Princess Kay- Olufade, during the events for women in construction industry in commemoration of the 2023 international women’s day celebration, Organise by I Create Africa conjunction with the ILBagno, held recently in Abuja.

NEXIM Bank, stakeholders harp on gender equity, women’s empowerment

Mr Abubakar Bello, the Managing Director, Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM), and other stakeholders have stressed the need for gender equity and women’s empowerment to improve access to health, education, economic and political opportunities in the country.

They made the call at a family fun weekend, organised by NEXIM Bank, in commemoration of the 2023 international Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in Abuja.

The NEXIM Bank boss said women play significant role in every area of human development, hence the need to ensure they had access to opportunities that would further harness their potentials for the development of any nation.

According to Bello, the bank prioritises anything concerning women, adding that women should be celebrated all the time for their immense contribution to the society.

“We should not just celebrate women only on women’s day or month.

“Women should be celebrated everyday. This year’s theme, which talks about embracing equity, should not be celebrated only on women’s day, but all the time as we are talking about moving forward to the future.

“Every women’s day, we make promises on equal opportunities, equity, amongst others.

“I want a feedback from the women from all the promises made in the past, where are we? Are you satisfied with what we have done?” he said.

The NEXIM Bank boss further added that the bank prioritises the well being and health of its workforce to ensure maximum productivity.

“We take the competence of women seriously, especially when bringing in new staff. It’s not a favour that we are doing to the women, it is a favour that we are doing to the agency.

“We are happy about the issues discussed by the speakers. One spoke about being focused, another on health and wellbeing.

“Another one spoke about motivation and how to remove obstacles and barriers affecting women’s development,” he said.

He, therefore, stressed the need to accommodate more women so that they can give in their best in any workforce and the society in general.

Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, stressed the need for programes that would bridge the gap for women to become independent and contribute to national development.

On the issue of challenges affecting women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Sulaiman-Ibrahim decried its effects on them, calling for more collaboration to address them.

“Women are the most hit, they loose their privacy when such things happen and it is hard for them.

“They carry a lot of burden because they become the caregivers, heads of households and other challenges for women when displacement and emergency happen.

“We must work collectively to address these challenges facing women,” she said.

Mrs Maryam Lemu, a motivational speaker, encouraged women to key into the digital world and give in their best to the development of their homes, community and nation at large.

“Digital world should be embraced by everyone and stop focusing on the negative.

“Let key people who have access make it possible for more women to have access because once a woman has access to knowledge and she learns, she can empower her family, the society and hopefully generation will be better than what she didn’t get.

“Don’t listen to negativity, sometimes it comes from us, we keep making excuses why we cannot do somethings.

“But it is just background noise, so reduce the volume on that and focus on what you can do. The possibilities are limitlessness,” she said.

Also, Dr Amina Dorayi, Country Director, Pathfinder, encouraged women to prioritise their health, mental well being and eat healthy food and fruits.

“This is one of the best thing you can do for your staff – work that prioritises your wellbeing. You are the most important person in your life and those around you, so do not joke with your health. Health is life, health is everything,” she said.

NAN reports that other highlights of the day were various sporting activities for staff of NEXIM Bank, their family members and other stakeholders.

(NAN)

Ramadan: Cleric urges CBN to release more naira notes

Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, the Chief of Nurul Yaqeen Jumma’at Mosque Life Camp, Abuja, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure the release of more redesigned naira notes as the month of Ramadan is fast approaching.

Al-Yolawi made the call while delivering his Jumma’at Sermon, titled, “the Significance of Ramadan Fast: Health, Spiritual, Social and Psychological Benefits of Ramadan Fast,” on Friday in Abuja.

The cleric noted that Muslims spend more money during the period of Ramadan on food items and other charitable activities which usually comes as a result of carefully examining, budgeting and planning on what, and how to spend their money.

“And that largely depends on the accessibility of cash in and out flow of individual and organisations and that is very essential in the world of business keeping that spirit even after Ramadan is very crucial to the growth and development of your business.

“I will like to use this medium to call on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release more cash to the country as Ramadan is fast approaching.

“People are in utmost need of money for Ramadan expenses and other activities. May Allah make it easier for all of us, ameen.”

He revealed that the mosque would roll out a series of Ramadan activities, starting from Taraweeh, Tahajjud, Tafseer and daily feeding programme to cater for over 200 Muslims daily.

He called on those who wish to support the feeding programme with food items to donate to the worship centre or send cash donations via its bank account number.

He explained that ramadan is a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice by all Muslims around the world to observe one of the five pillars of Islam.

“The significance and benefits of fasting to a believer cannot be over-emphasized due to the number of mercies and blessings of Allah towards a Muslim community throughout the month.