The Grand Patron Shuaibu Abubakar Audu Foundation, Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has congratulated Nigerians for their bravery, resilience, and loyalty to the country despite the economic and security challenges the country faced in 2021.
The seasoned banker praised Nigerians and good people of Kogi State on Saturday, 1st January 2022 in a statement as part of his new year goodwill message.
He urged the government to diversify the economy, reduce the cost of running the government and execute more projects that would impact positively the people.
The award-winning philanthropist who is a son to the first and second executive governor of Kogi State, late Alhaji (Prince) Abubakar Audu of the blessed memory urged the government to create more jobs and address the issue of insecurity.
According to him, many lives have been lost due to insecurity in the country.
“The root cause of insecurity is joblessness; over 90 percent of those who are gainfully employed have no time for criminal activities. He said.
While congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello, he calls on Nigerians and the Kogi State populace irrespective of their faiths to rally around their leaders to succeed in all endeavors.
Speaking on the achievement and what the foundation will do in the new year, Alhaji Shuaibu Audu praised God for the new year, noting that the year 2021 had been eventful and phenomenal for the foundation as the lives of many were impacted positively across the three senatorial districts in Kogi State through the many projects initiated and commissioned.
He said the foundation is determined that it will focus and initiate more projects in the year 2022.
He noted that the foundation is poised for greater and better people-oriented projects/programs that will better the lives of the citizenry in Kogi State and the country at large.
He unveiled some projects and targets of the foundation in the year ahead which include, Provision of rural electrification projects, potable water, construction of feeder roads, Award of scholarship to indigent students, Provision of improved and free health care facilities, Provision of leadership training and mentorship programs for the teeming youths.
Others include the Establishment of vocational centers for different skill acquisition where starter packs shall be given to successful participants to start their businesses and become employers of labor, Giving of soft loans to the market women and other people engaged in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Renovation of dilapidated primary and Secondary schools in Kogi communities and beyond, Engaging in sensitizing the youths on the need to shun thuggery and election violence as the 2023 general election draw closer.
Global Times Nigeria report that the Grand patron appreciated God and the people of Kogi State for the opportunity to use the God-given potentials for the good of the populace, assured of more dividends in the new year.
He explained further that the foundation’s mission and mission will be achieved through constituting a network of partners both home and abroad for wider outreach. He said.
Recall, that the Shuaibu Abubakar Audu had over the years provided some social amenities to Kogi communities such as health care delivery system, provision of potable drinking water, educational support programs, infrastructural development, women and youth empowerment among others.
Given that, the foundation has also received leadership awards from within and outside Kogi State as part of efforts to spur them to do more.