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Saraki donates N3.25m to victims of Ilorin violence

By Abiodun Fagbemi (Ilorin)
07 May 2015   |   5:04 am
FORMER Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki has splashed a sum of N3.25 million on victims of recent violence in Ilorin. Saraki, at present, the Senator representing Kwara Central gave a sum of N500, 000 to each of the landlords whose houses were burnt during the mayhem that claimed three lives. Besides, he gave…
Saraki

Saraki

FORMER Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki has splashed a sum of N3.25 million on victims of recent violence in Ilorin.
Saraki, at present, the Senator representing Kwara Central gave a sum of N500, 000 to each of the landlords whose houses were burnt during the mayhem that claimed three lives.

Besides, he gave a sum of N250, 000 to Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Zubir who was equally a victim but at a lesser magnitude as only the windows of his operational base in Idi-Ape area were vandalised.

According to Saraki, who paid a sympathy visit to the victims, it was a necessary for him to put up a palliative economic measure for the victims who are members of his constituency. But he cautioned against the recurrence of the ugly incident.

Represented by the spokesman for Abubakar Bukola Saraki Constituency Office, Alhaji Oba Olabinto, he said, “The unfortunate incidence was an ugly episode. I therefore appeal to the youth to stay away from violence, because it does not augur well for the society.

“This is our widows mites to those whose houses were either burnt or vandalised during the crisis. I thank you all for not allowing it to degenerate beyond the level it went. We need to continually uphold our toga as a state of peace and harmony by shunning all forms of thuggery and brigands act.”

Those who benefited from the kind gestures are: Alhaji Lateef Baanu, Magaji Ile Eleku, Rafiu Ibrahim, Lanre Nakowa, Baba Yakub all from Agbarere area of Ilorin. Imam Ajia from Ita-Ajia and Mogaji Aare of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Zubir.

Reacting on behalf of the beneficiaries, Zubir thanked the senator for his “timely intervention” just as he praised the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and the security operatives for taken pro-active role stemming the disturbance.

Meanwhile, a political group, ‘Maja Movement’ (MM), has canvassed reasons why former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki should be the next Nigerian Senate President.

The MM, through its National President Suleiman Yusuf said in Ilorin that Saraki with his political attributes remained the most qualified candidate for the leadership of the Red Chambers.

He spoke during a special Islamic prayer session at Old Central Mosque Idi-Ape, Ilorin, organized by the forum as “a spiritual back up” for the present political ambition of Saraki.

Over 200 Moslem scholars across three of the states of North Central political belt; Kwara, Kogi and Niger attended the session in which numerous Quoranic verses were chanted for over five hours (9am-2pm) urging God to support Saraki over his ambition.

Yusuf, who explained the reason for the MM organization of the prayers, noted that the Senator now representing Kwara Central remained the only Nigerian state Governor who did not experience workers strike action throughout his eight years tenure at the saddle.

He added, “his tenure as the Chairman of the States’ Governors Forum was the most peaceful and flowery era of the forum. He does not only have influence through out Kwara he commands respect in the neighbouring Kogi State, which is also another North Central geo political zone as Kwara.”

For the MM leader, Saraki was among the very few leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who not only took the greatest risk of decamping from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC but delivered 100 per cent to the latter party in all the elective posts in the last general elections.

According to him, “APC won all the 193 Councillorship posts, all the 24 House of Assembly seats, the entire six House of Representatives slots, three senatorial positions and the governorship. This is nothing but a show of great commitment to the course of the APC.”

He added, “As a Governor, his achievements in office were unprecedented. He built International College of Aviation, Shonga Commercial Farm, Kwara Football Academy, Sub Power Station at Ganmo, Water Reticulation of Asa Dam, establishment of the state’s University, building of Mega Schools among others.

“If a man of this magnitude is allowed to pilot the affairs of the Senate, Nigerians will immensely benefit from his wealth of experience. Besides, due to his travelling exposure, Saraki will among other things make legislation a beauty to watch at the National level.”
In a retrospect, Yusuf said Saraki among those who formed an alliance transforming into the APC, took the greatest risks leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when he had already established himself as a colossus within the party.

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