News
Rep Amos Sponsors Free Surgeries, Empowers Constituents With N150m
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The member representing the Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Daniel Amos, has provided succor to over 1500 constituents as he provided free fitted glasses and medical surgeries to over 2000 residents, even as he also empowered 1,500 constituents with N100,000, each totaling 150 million.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the medical surgeries were held at the Throneroom’s Salem Hospital in Kafanchan, Kagoma, Gidan Waya, Fadan Karshi, and Gwantu to reach diverse beneficiaries.
Our correspondent recalls that during the celebration of his one year in office four months ago, the lawmaker had equally donated N500,000 to business owners as grants to each of the 60 beneficiaries.
Amos, who is the Chairman House Committee on House Services at the 10th Assembly, at the event had reiterated his commitment to healthcare and economic empowerment.
He emphasized that “leadership is not just a title but a responsibility and a trust bestowed upon him by his people to serve and uplift their communities.”
The lawmaker recounted the struggles that many constituents face in accessing basic healthcare and reiterated his determination to provide inclusive, quality medical services.
Amos who further explained that the empowerment grant aimed at supporting constituents in agriculture, small businesses, and crafts by providing essential business skills training alongside financial support to create economic resilience within the community, pointed out that, “With good health and empowerment, our people can fully engage in the workforce, education, and entrepreneurial activities that will fuel our local economy.
“We are not just handing out funds but offering a chance for our youth and women to start ventures or expand their businesses that will benefit their families and their communities.
“We would also provide training in essential business skills like financial management, digital marketing, and planning to ensure that these grants lead to sustainable growth,” he added.
While commenting on the newly commissioned constituency office in Kafanchan, he remarked that the office would serve as a center for constituents to voice their concerns and seek assistance.
“Through this office, I pledge to be more accessible, transparent, and accountable to my constituents while also pledging to continue advocating for projects that would enhance health, education, and infrastructure in the area.”
The PDP Chairman in Kaduna State, who also doubles as the North-West Forum Chairman of PDP chairmen, Hon. Edward Percy Masha, commended Hon. Amos for his philanthropic efforts and dedication to his campaign promises.
While advising the beneficiaries to make judicious use of their grants, he seized the opportunity to update the party members on the status of the party’s ongoing legal challenge to the recent local government election results, which he condemned and described as alleged abuses of democratic principles.
The Association of Scavengers, Scrap Dealers, and Recyclers, Abuja, has publicly dissociated itself from a Federal High Court suit filed by unregistered scavengers and beggars against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the association’s chairman, Mallam Muntari Mohammed, clarified that the group is a duly registered body, with members holding valid identity cards and engaging in legitimate waste management, scrap trading, and recycling businesses.
He stressed that the association has always complied with the FCT Administration’s rules and regulations, maintaining a clean record.
Muntari noted that the association had formally written to the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to affirm its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and adhering to stipulated guidelines.
He distanced the group from unregistered scavengers, whom he accused of tarnishing the reputation of legitimate operators through theft and other illicit activities.
The chairman addressed the FCT Minister’s recent ban on scavenging, which stemmed from misunderstandings about the distinction between honest scavengers and rogue elements.
“We have never confronted the FCT authorities and will never do so,” Muntari said, emphatically dissociating the association from the court case against Wike.
The Vatican has confirmed that only one round of voting will take place this Wednesday afternoon as the conclave to elect the next pope officially gets underway.
Cardinals from around the world gathered earlier Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel, where they took a sacred oath of secrecy before the chapel doors were ceremonially closed with the Latin phrase “extra omnes,” meaning “everyone out.” The papal master of ceremonies then declared the start of the conclave, invoking a centuries-old tradition whose name comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “locked with key.”
Wednesday’s solitary ballot marked the opening step in the process to choose the new leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Should the vote prove inconclusive requiring a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope, cardinals will resume the process on Thursday, casting up to four ballots daily until consensus is reached.
Each cardinal votes by writing “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) on a paper ballot, followed by the name of their chosen candidate. In a quiet and orderly procession, they approach the silver and gilded urn in order of seniority to place their ballots.
As the final vote is cast, the tension rises in St. Peter’s Square, where the faithful and millions watching around the globe await the first sign of smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Black smoke will indicate that no decision has been made; white smoke will proclaim that a new pope has been elected.
The last two conclaves, in 2005 and 2013, ended on the second day, with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis elected after a series of swift ballots, respectively.
As the doors remain closed and Vatican cameras withdraw, the world waits in hushed anticipation for the next chapter in the history of the Catholic Church to be written.
Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House had summoned the governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.
Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.
He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.
“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.
“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.
Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.
He said: “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”
Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.
According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.
He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.
In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.
“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.
He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.
“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.
He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.
“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.
He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.
“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)