Kaduna Gov Launches Trust Fund For Poor, Vulnerable, Swears In 14 Commissioners

Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, has donated 50% of his salary to a special Trust Fund for the poor, underserved and vulnerable in the State.

The governor dropped the hint on Thursday while swearing-in 14 Commissioners that would form his new cabinet, following their successful screening and confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

He explained that arrangements had already reached advanced stage for the establishment of the Trust Fund for the poor and vulnerable in the State with a committee to guide the entire process about to be set up soon.

The governor said a special committee will be set up to develop a framework for the establishment of the Trust Fund, assuring that he will donate 50% of his salary to the Trust Fund for the next two years.

The donation, he further explained, will be part of his sacrifices towards reducing the cost of governance in the State, and rebuild the lives of the poor, underserved and vulnerable in the state, based on the mantra of SUSTAIN Agenda.

The swearing-in ceremony attracted a very large crowd of enthusiastic citizens, which according to the governor, “marks a major milestone in the journey of our administration. Those who made it to the cabinet were considered based on their proven track records, skills and competences, as well as dedication and commitment to the service of Kaduna State.”

Turning to the new commissioners, he reminded them that they were joining the administration at the most challenging time in the history of the nation, adding that “We are confronted with serious economic challenges” that “require the taking of extraordinary measures.”

He stated that “it is for this reason that the President Bola Tinubu Administration has taken some hard, painful, but necessary decisions like the removal of subsidy on fuel.”

“We are therefore in a period of emergency. This is a time for belt-tightening. We must take firm measures in Kaduna State to cut down on the cost of governance. We must, as political leaders, show our people the way. We must avoid ostentatious lifestyles. We must not be telling our people to make sacrifices while we are busy living in opulence.

“We are already matching our words with action in Kaduna State. I will continue to use the old cars inherited from the previous administrations in Kaduna State. All Commissioners must also use the old cars. We must collectively make sacrifices. If we lead by example, our people will follow and support us,” he advised.

He then recalled: “I signed my first Executive Order on Tuesday, 25th July 2023. It is on Financial Inclusion in Kaduna State. We are committed to improving the lives of our citizens, especially the poor, underserved and vulnerable. Majority of our people are excluded from financial services, and by extension access to opportunities from the State and Federal Government. This is unacceptable.

“We shall develop a credible State Registre that will capture our people in the rural areas, as well as the urban poor. We shall assist them to open bank accounts to enable them to benefit from available opportunities. Our goal is to effectively integrate the poor, underserved and vulnerable in Kaduna State into the financial ecosystem, so that they can benefit from State and Federal Governments social investment programmes, as well as donor agencies interventions.

“Our people-centered administration will not rest until we positively impact the lives of the poor, underserved, voiceless and vulnerable in our state,” he assured.

Senator Uba Sani also charged the Commissioners to adopt the inclusive approach to leadership, saying “They must build a team and see everybody as important. They must get down to work immediately and deliver on the 7-Point Agenda of our administration, namely: Safety and Security, Upgrade of Infrastructure, Strengthening Institutions, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Investing in Human Capital, and Nurturing Citizens Engagement. The central focus of our administration is however the Transformation of the Rural Areas. We want to revitalize the economies of the rural areas through massive infrastructural development.”

He then warned the Commissioners to rise to the demands and challenges of their assignments “because excuses for lacklustre performance will not be accepted. In the service of our dear state, we must put personal friendship aside.

“We shall strictly assess themm(Commissioners) based on performance indicators. Anyone that fails to measure up will be shown the way out.”

Governor Uba Sani, therefore, assured them that they will be given the support and tools they require to perform optimally.