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Tag: Housing Minister

  • Housing Minister empowers over 100 non-indigenes in Kano

    Housing Minister empowers over 100 non-indigenes in Kano

    The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Yusuf Atah, has empowered more than 100 economically vulnerable non-indigenes residing in Kano State as part of efforts to promote social inclusion and poverty alleviation.

    The minister provided each beneficiary with undisclosed cash support to either start small businesses or improve their living conditions, describing the gesture as part of his sustained commitment to grassroots engagement and support for the less privileged.

    A statement by his publicity aide, Seyi Olorunsola, said the empowerment exercise formed part of Atah’s End-of-Year outreach programme, aimed at assisting economically disadvantaged individuals from various non-indigenous ethnic nationalities living in Kano State.

    According to the statement, the beneficiaries were drawn from low-income groups who have contributed to the social and economic life of the state but often lack access to structured support systems.

    Atah explained that the initiative was driven by his belief that governance must translate into tangible relief for ordinary Nigerians, regardless of ethnic background, faith, or state of origin.

    “This initiative is a modest but deliberate effort to make life a little better for the ordinary Nigerian, particularly those who live and work outside their ancestral homes and are often the most vulnerable to economic shocks. Every Nigerian deserves dignity, opportunity, and a fair chance to survive and thrive,” he said.

    The minister noted that the government alone cannot address poverty nationwide, calling on privileged individuals to see supporting the less fortunate as both a civic and moral responsibility.

    “Eradicating poverty requires a collective crusade that cuts across government, individuals, and communities,” he added.

    Atah said the empowerment programme aligns with his long-standing approach to public service, which prioritises identifying vulnerable segments of society and implementing practical interventions to support them.

    He added that he has remained actively engaged with grassroots communities in Kano State over the years, listening to their challenges and responding with targeted assistance.

    The minister emphasised that the End-of-Year empowerment initiative is not a one-off event but part of a broader philosophy aimed at narrowing the gap between the haves and the have-nots through compassion, shared responsibility, and collective action.

    The beneficiaries, in turn, expressed appreciation to the minister for what they described as his inclusive approach.

  • El-Rufai‘s theatrics won’t distract Tinubu govt, says Housing Minister

    El-Rufai‘s theatrics won’t distract Tinubu govt, says Housing Minister

    Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Ata, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the government of President Bola Tinubu will remain focused on keeping to the promises of the party, despite the theatrics by the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

    The minister said El-Rufai’s anger with the ruling party stems from his failure to secure a ministerial position in the Tinubu administration, explaining that El-Rufai was disqualified because he failed security screening.

    According to Ata, El-Rufai’s recent attack on the Tinubu administration, including his defection to the SDP, is the “dance of a sinking politician.”

    Ata said: “His tenure as the minister of the FCT under President Olusegun Obasanjo was marked by contentious policies and an abrasive leadership style.

    “This trend continued throughout his political journey, from his days in the opposition during the formative years of the APC to his tenure as a two-term governor of Kaduna State.

    “It is, therefore, not surprising that in the present dispensation, while President Tinubu remains focused on tackling the multi-faceted challenges facing Nigeria, El-Rufai has chosen to embark on yet another round of political mischief.”

    The minister, in a statement by his media aide, Seyi Olorunsola, said he needed to set the record straight and address El-Rufai’s theatrics, following his (El-Rufai’s) vitriolic outbursts and unwarranted attacks on the leadership of the APC and the Tinubu administration.

    Ata pointed out that during his reign as governor, El-Rufai presided over an era of unprecedented insecurity, where ethnic and sectarian violence reached alarming levels.

    “Under his watch, Kaduna recorded some of the highest fatalities linked to communal conflicts and terrorist activities. Infamously, he once admitted to making payments to foreign militias, a statement that remains a dark stain on his record and raises questions about his role in fostering peace and stability.

    “His leadership style was often criticized as divisive, with policies that alienated minority groups and exacerbated communal tensions in the state.

    “El-Rufai’s latest political outburst stems from his disappointment over his failure to secure a ministerial position in the current administration.

    Read Also: El-Rufai protesters demand removal of SDP National Secretary Agunloye

    “Feeling entitled to a role in President Tinubu’s government, he was unable to pass the necessary security clearance, leading to his rejection by the Senate. Since then, he has carried himself like a man scorned, unleashing a barrage of unfounded criticisms and engaging in political brinkmanship.

    “His recent defection from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is nothing more than an act of desperation—an attempt to remain relevant in Nigeria’s political discourse. However, this move was long anticipated, given his history of political opportunism and self-serving maneuvers,” he said.

    The minister said the administration remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing Nigeria’s critical challenges, including economic reforms, infrastructural development, and national security.

    “While detractors like El-Rufai seek to distract and derail progress, the government and its supporters remain undeterred.

    “His political career, which has been marked by opportunism and a penchant for controversy, is practically over, and his recent actions are nothing more than the last gasps of a politician grasping at straws,” Ata added.