By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), comprising of over 100 CSOs, has drummed support for Mrs Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, who has over the years, distinguished herself as a true humanitarian to be appointed as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday, the chairman of the group, Comrade Aliyu Muhammad Sani, said, “Today we join PWDs across the 36 states and FCT as well APC PWDs leaders in the 36 states and all other stakeholders like Senators, APC stalwarts, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), credible and objective observers and youth parliaments across the country who have been agitating and consulting widely for the appointment of this seasoned humanitarian as a Minister.
“As a selfless patriot who has be using her personal resources to bring succour to senior citizens, PWDs and the less privileged through her well thought out Queen Adenike Tejuosho Foundation (QATFoundation), giving her a position of responsibility in line with her passion and interest will energize her to do more for the downtrodden of our society.
“As a mark of true philanthropy, the quintessential lady recently celebrated Children’s Day with vulnerable and indigent children where over 500 school books, bags, shoes, water bottles, foodstuffs and writing materials where shared. Her Ramadan largesse to over 1000 PWDs as well as Sallah packages to hundreds of households who could not afford to celebrate the festivities cannot be forgotten.”
Judging by all the individual sacrifices and the sheer passion to touch lives, the Coalition appealed to Mr. President to urgently consider filling the vacuum created with the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu by appointing Dame Halimat Adenike Tejuosho as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to enable Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda especially in the area of poverty alleviation.
“It goes without saying that since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has been without a Minister, Government is failing in providing basic succour to the less privileged. From her antecedents and if given the opportunity, Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, will continue to extend her generosity and passion to bring a turn around in the fortunes of the less privileged and downtrodden in Nigeria,” he explained.
On the argument that Halimat Adenike Tejuosho is not from the South South region where the former Minister hailed from, the Coalition revealed that Adenike Tejuosho’s maternal home is actually from Delta State, which makes her a full blooded South South person even though her father is from Lagos State.
The chairman explained, “We do not want to trivialize the issue of origin and region as competence and merit should trump over issues of origin and other differences that only serve to divide rather than unite us. It is therefore our earnest appeal to Mr. President to consider appointing this noble, hardworking and dedicated humanitarian and party stalwart as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.”
The coalition reiterated the support and efforts made by PWD community in Nigeria who have worked for the election of Mr. President and appealed to him most fervently to grant their only wish by appointing one of them who has distinguished herself as a Minister considering the length of time the Ministry has been left vacant and the danger it portends for the smooth running of government affairs.
The chairman added, “Mr. President, we are united with one voice without any external influence in making this appeal and prayer. It’ll be a privilege to appoint this selfless woman as a Minister because we are very sure will deliver. This is our collective resolve born out of the conviction that with the support she has been giving people in the community for over 10 years, she’s the right person for the job. Politics, region and other considerations should be put aside to allow competence and merit to prevail.”
