By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem is the current member representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, in the 10th National Assembly.
He has been able to stabilize the politics of the area, making it less acrimonious through determination and his ability to bring development closer to the people of the area. With Hon. Abdulraheem’s intervention, Political patronage in the area has gone beyond sharing of rice and beans to real empowerment, ranging from training to provision of equipment through which the people can truly actualize their dreams in their chosen career.
Obansa Ibrahim, writes on the drive of the member to combine legislative business with constituency engagement which he said has endeared him to his people.
The Member Representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, has carried out several empowerment programmes since he resumed office in June 2023. It is however not a surprise to many as this has become his trademark, even before he ventured into the political dance arena. Like a traditional masquerade who has learnt the act of dancing in the arena long enough, he is dancing both to the songs and the drumbeat of the people to their admiration
Some call him SEA of Hope , others address him as an emancipator, while the Hause Community in the area address him as Shugaba, Meaning a Leader. Whichever way one chooses to address him, he is simply a God sent to the people of Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, who have been yearning for good leadership and true representation.
For Sandra Musa, a former Senior Special Assistance to former Governor Yahaya Bello and now Special Adviser on Kogi State Emergency Management, Honourable SEA’s leadership is all inclusive and Democratic. This was evident as his first assignment on assumption of office, was the setting up of a need assessment Committee to ascertained what the people actually need. This is to ensure that the people in the various communities actually spelt out what is good for them and not what the leader wants as was the case in the past.
Well over 100 participants, after undergoing professional training, under the SEA Empowerment Scheme, recently received certificates and farming equipment, including spray cans, various types of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and funds to enhance their farming processes.
The training and empowerment programme was organized by Honorable Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, Representative of Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, in collaboration with the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM).
He recently carried out another mega empowerment programme cutting across the entire Fourteen wards of the Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.The women group, youths men and the vulnerable group in his constituency benefited from the gesture. This was seen as the first of it’s kind, since the peoples knowledge of empowerment has been food stuff. But to their admiration, the real empowerment is teaching the people how to fish and empowering them with nets and canoes.
Speaking during the flag-off of the empowerment in Ajaokuta, the Kogi state Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo praised Representative Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem for giving back to his People in an unprecedented way. Well over 3,000 youths and women in his constituency, benefited from this singular gesture.
The governor, who was visibly delighted, commended the congressman for adding value to the ruling All Progressive Congress in Ajaokuta through his remarkable impacts on the lives of his people.
He encouraged the beneficiaries who are massively empowered to take the opportunity seriously and assured them that with cooperation and support for Hon. Sanni Abdulraheem and the state government policies, Ajaokuta would be greater.
Governor Ododo also restated his administration’s commitment to supporting initiative that is geared towards empowering the people of the state. This initiative includes the empowerment of Individuals with Skills for Personal and Professional Growth for the people of Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.
The empowerment programme was aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of his constituency as a way of thanking them for giving him their mandate to represent them at the National Assembly.
Items distributed includes Refrigerators, sewing Machines, Grains, Generators, Fertilizer, Grinding Machines, Point Of Sale (POS ), Farm Inputs and One hundred Thousand Naira Cash for three Hundred Beneficiaries.
Addressing the Beneficiaries Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo described the gesture by the member Representing Ajaokuta Federal constituency, Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem as giving his people a chance to prosper, saying it is through empowerment one can foster economic inclusion.
He emphasized the importance of such empowerment initiatives in fostering local development and reiterated his administration’s dedication to fulfilling his campaign promises.
Governor Ododo also commended Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem for his efforts in empowering the people of Ajaokuta and assured of his administration’s support.
The Governor advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity given to them and urged them to continued in their prayers for Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem.
Governor Ododo described Hon. SEA “as a leader who possess the qualities of humility, honesty, and cooperation. He has the ability to communicate clearly to help others take action.
The Member Representing Ajaokuta Federal constituency at the Federal House House of Representative, Sani Egidi Abdurahim said the Initiative is a testament of his commitment to improve the life of his people by fostering sustainable development in his community.
He said the empowerment programme is designed to equip his constituents with the necessary tools and resources to enhance their full potential.
Speaking on other interventions he has undertaken since his assumption of office, Hon Abdulraheem Said “We have successfully provided two schools with Six class rooms blocks at the Comprehensive Community High school Egayin and two class rooms blocks at the Government Science High School Adogo , procurement and Installation of Solar light to improve security and access to essential services. ”
He noted that the beneficiary has been carefully selected based on their needs and potentials to be able to overcome challenges and contribute meaningfully to the economy of the State.
The Lawmaker thanked the governor for his support and belief in him from the onset. He also appreciated the people of his constituency for believing in the programmes and policies of Governor Usman Ododo, which are aimed at promoting greater development.
According to Representative Abdulraheem, “My zeal for my people is borne out of the mandate given to me by them to serve them, and I am wholeheartedly ready to listen to their voices and meet their yearnings and aspirations.”
He added that the empowerment gesture would be a continuous exercise aimed at instilling sanity and self-reliance for the people where their constituency allowances will be used judiciously.
The Director-General of NACETEM assured the people that Representative Sanni Abdulraheem had more good plans for them and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity to bring dividends of democracy to the people.
He also revealed that he had requested the House of Rep member to help acquire over 100 hectares of land for agricultural purposes, which would create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Ajaokuta youths in collaboration with foreign investors.
Earlier the Chairman of the Programme Committee M.J. Ahmed appreciated Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem for equipping the people of his constituency with the necessary equipment based on their needs to improve their living conditions.
He Commended Governor Ododo for the appointment of three of their illustrious sons as Permanent Secretary in his administration
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the youths in the area, Yaqub Onde Muhammed, simply said
“We express our gratitude to God for providing us with the leader we have long prayed for. An exceptional leader, who possesses an unwavering love for his people. He is humble, dedicated, and truly purposeful in his service.
Thank you God for given us Hon. Sanni Abdulraheem, Member Representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, who thought it wise to also include in the constituency projects, the Training and Empowerment of Physically Challenged Persons on ICT.
“This constituency project by Ajaokuta House of Representatives Member is laudable, massive and unprecedented in the history of our dear constituency. Muhammed stressed
The event was attended by top government functionaries, party stalwarts, friends, and colleagues of the governor, as well as members of the National Assembly, Ajaokuta APC party leaders, stakeholders, youths, women, and well-wishers.
Obansa Ibrahim is a journalist, editor, writer and analyst based in Lokoja, Kogi State
Phone. 09052591698
E-mail address; obansaib@gmail.com