He stated, “We must appreciate the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in ensuring the disbursement of public funds to alleviate the hardships caused to Nigerians by the economic downturn we are presently facing. Mr. President has done very well and should be commended for taking this timely step, particularly at this critical time. I believe the N5 billion that has been disbursed to all the 36 state governments will be well utilized for the purposes for which it was given.”
He also highlighted the positive impact of these palliatives in Katsina State, where Governor Alhaji Umar Dikko Radda has utilized the funds to purchase and distribute essential food items, reducing poverty levels across the state.
**On NLC’s Strike and Niger Republic Crisis:**
Regarding the two-day warning strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Hon. Abubakar Muhammad expressed his belief that dialogue and negotiations should be prioritized over strikes. He emphasized that prolonged strikes negatively affect the masses and suggested that dialogue with the federal government would be a more effective approach.
Addressing the ongoing crisis in Niger Republic, Hon. Muhammad advocated for peaceful dialogue and mediation rather than war. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the neighboring country to address the insecurity, banditry, and terrorism issues affecting Katsina State due to its proximity to Niger Republic.
**Legislative Priorities:**
Hon. Abubakar Muhammad outlined his key legislative focus areas, including education, employment, women and youth empowerment, healthcare, and support for vulnerable groups like orphans, widows, and the physically challenged. He expressed his commitment to providing opportunities for gainful employment, empowering women and youth, ensuring accessible education, and improving healthcare services.
He also mentioned his recent initiative to provide financial support for female students to gain admission to the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Malumfashi, Katsina State.