By Umar Muhammad Puma
The Taraba State governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, has commended Taraba Rimamde Shawulu, member representing Donga, Ussa, Takum federal constituency in the House of Representatives for providing free medical services to people of his constituents.
Speaking during an empowerment programme sponsored by the lawmaker, the governor who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Mr. Abachi Musa, said health care of people of Taraba State has always been the priority of the current administration in the state.
“We are indeed very happy about this medical service. We are also grateful to him for reaching out to the people, because what he did is consistent with the programmes of the current administration in the state, and will go a long way in alleviating their sufferings.
He called on other politicians to emulate the lawmaker in uplifting the masses by embarking on similar programmes in their various constituencies.
On his part, Rep Shawulu, who is the chairman House committee on Army in the House of Representatives, said he would continue to provide services to his constituents. He thanked the good people of Donga who came out to seek for the free medical outreach service, saying he would not relent in touching the lives of his people positively.
He disclosed that last year he donated N18 million worth of drug for the constituents, saying that this year he decided to give out free treatment. He also used the opportunity to inform his people that three classroom blocks would be built by the federal government.
Residents of the area, who trooped out in their numbers, were given free medical treatment. They commended Shawulu for his kind gesture touching their lives positively.
Summary of the 2 days medical outreach, includes 54 Surgeries, 457 Eye unit, 38 Dental services 397 Laboratory, 1367 General outpatient, among others.
The lawmaker was accompanied by five other members of the House of Representatives for the empowerment programme.
The United Progressive Party (UPP) has fixed April 2017, for its national convention to elect new leaders.
In a statement issued yesterday, UPP national chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie said in consideration of “the spate of injustice, alienation, inequality, nepotism and abuse of state power”, the party had resolved to convene its national convention in April.
The former presidential candidate explained that the convention would also “ratify the party’s amended manifesto which incorporates provisions for restructuring of Nigeria, true federalism, devolution of power, fiscal federalism, State Police/Community Policing, referendum and self-determination of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities.
“The new UPP manifesto shall be the social contract between our political party and the Nigerian people. Nigeria’s federating units must be allowed to develop at their own pace.
“They must be able to explore and exploit their corporative advantages for the benefit and welfare of their people.”
“We therefore, wish to state that the 2019 general election in Nigeria shall be a direct contest between those who accept restructuring as the panacea for the survival of Nigeria and those who choose to maintain the status quo,” he said.
Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last week announced that it would also hold its special national convention in April.