Gov. Sani launches Trust Fund for Kaduna poor, vulnerable person

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani has donated 50% of his salary to a special Trust Fund for the poor, underserved and vulnerable in Kaduna State.
The Governor dropped the hint on Thursday while swearing-in 14 commissioners that would form his new cabinet, following their successful screening by the State House of Assembly.
He explained that arrangements have already reached advanced stage for the establishment of a Trust Fund for the poor and vulnerable in the State, even as a committee to guide the entire process is set to be set up soon.
The Governor said, a special committee will be set up to develop a Framework for the Establishment of the Trust Fund, assuring that he will donate 50% of his salary to the Trust Fund for the next two years. The donation, he further explained, was part of his sacrifices towards reducing the cost of governance in the State, and rebuild the lives of the poor, underserved and vulnerable in the state, based on the mantra of SUSTAIN Agenda.
The swearing ceremony, which attracted a very large crowd of enthusiastic citizens, according to the Governor, “marks a major milestone in the journey of our administration. Those who made it to the cabinet were considered based on their proven track records, skills and competences, as well as dedication and commitment to the service of Kaduna State.”.
Turning to the new commissioners he reminded them that they are joining the administration at the most challenging time in the history the nation, adding that “We are confronted with serious economic challenges” that “require the taking of extraordinary measures.” He stated that “it is for this reason that the President Bola Tinubu Administration has taken some hard, painful, but necessary decisions like the removal of subsidy on fuel.”
“We are therefore in a period of emergency. This is a time for belt-tightening. We must take firm measures in Kaduna State to cut down on the cost of governance. We must, as political leaders, show our people the way. We must avoid ostentatious lifestyles. We must not be telling our people to make sacrifices while we are busy living in opulence”, he warned.
“We are already matching our words with action in Kaduna State. I will continue to use the old cars inherited from the previous administrations in Kaduna State. All Commissioners must also use the old cars. We must collectively make sacrifices. If we lead by example, our people will follow and support us”, he advised.
He then recalled: “I signed my first Executive Order on Tuesday, 25th July 2023. It is on Financial Inclusion in Kaduna State. We are committed to improving the lives of our citizens, especially the poor, underserved and vulnerable. Majority of our people are excluded from financial services, and by extension access to opportunities from the State and Federal Government. This is unacceptable”, he declared.
“We shall develop a credible State Registre that will capture our people in the rural areas, as well as the urban poor. We shall assist them to open bank accounts to enable them to benefit from available opportunities. Our goal is to effectively integrate the poor, underserved and vulnerable in Kaduna State into the financial ecosystem, so that they can benefit from State and Federal Governments social investment programmes, as well as donor agencies interventions”, he disclosed.
“Our people-centered administration will not rest until we positively impact the lives of the poor, underserved, voiceless and vulnerable in our state”, he assured.