ABUBAKAR LABARAN writes that the search for resourceful and courageous lawmaker by the indigenes of Kaduna South senatorial zone in Kaduna state with a view to tackling their myriads of problems is yielding results
The socio-economic and political situation of Kaduna South senatorial district in Kaduna state, for quite a reasonable period of time has persistently been of great concern to many.
Thus unanimity amongst the people to elect an outspoken passionate and resourceful lawmaker to represent the people in order to bring solutions to the myriads of challenges confronting the zone has been the uppermost desire of the people.
Consequently, a relief Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung stands tall among other candidates considering his antecedents as a former lawmaker at the House of Representatives.
It was Chairman, Senior Staff Union, Colleges of Education Nigeria (SSUCOEN) Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya Chapter, Comrade David Yashim Thomas, who first described Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung as a trailblazer among all other contestants and urged Southern Kaduna to queue behind him and give him their mandate come 2023 general elections.
Yashim said “although different elected senators from the area at different times, showcased their leadership abilities in their separate attempts to improve the general situation of the area, either by making laws that helped turn around the fortunes of the area or by attracting federal government presence, unfortunately, not much has been achieved especially in terms of infrastructural development.”
Perhaps, this explains why many aspirants are aspiring to represent the area ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country, so that they could change the narratives by contributing their quota to improve on the current situation of the area if given the opportunity.
Many indigenes of the area are unanimous that one of the prominent aspirants, and in fact, the only aspirant to beat in the 2023 senatorial race as far as Kaduna South is concerned is Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung.
The reasons they adduce are his ingenuity, diligence, frankness and high sense of responsibility demonstrated in handling affairs concerning the senatorial zone over time.
Born in 1961 in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state, Barrister Katung, who is vying for the Senatorial seat under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) obtained in 2005 and another Masters in International Law and Diplomacy in 2014, aside from other educational qualifications obtained from different educational institutions within and outside the country.
Katung unequivocally and doggedly brought his experience to bear when he was appointed Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Water Resources, and later Commissioner for Finance again between July 2010 and September 2013, a period his outstanding performances came to limelight and till date, he has been unrelenting in his good deeds.
Yashim Thomas who spoke glowingly about Katung said, “in fact, his track records of achievements, wealth of experience, especially his unassuming character as well as his friendly and peaceful disposition have endeared him to many that have come across him.”
Also Abdullahi Abubakar said “of importance is that Barrister Marshall Katung’s passion for Southern Kaduna which is driven by his desire to have a more economically robust senatorial district that will improve the economic status of the people is better imagined than rated.
“This, no wonder has won the hearts of the people of Zangon Kataf/Jaba constituency who massively voted him in 2015 to the lower chamber of the National Assembly (House of Representatives) where he did not only ensure quality representation as his primary responsibility but also magnanimously rendered live touching philanthropic gestures to improve on the quality of life of not only his constituents but all that came his way.
Some achievements worth noting about Barrister Katung, especially regarding his primary responsibility of lawmaking when he was in the House of Representatives (2015 -2019) include the fact that he did not shy away from making strong statements in support or against what he considered inimical to the well-being of the people.
He did so by not only raising motions on the floor of the House but also in many of his media appearances. Some examples of his courageous appearances can handily be recalled.
On November 24, 2017, Barr Katung urged the federal and state governments to immortalise late Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok, a well decorated son of Southern Kaduna, for his patriotic service to the state and country.
On January 22, 2018, the ex lawmaker Katung rejected the federal and Kaduna state government’s attempt to establish the land grabbing cattle colonies in Southern Kaduna.
On June 22, 2015, Hon. Katung also protested the incessant killings and attacks on the peaceful and defenseless communities of Southern Kaduna.
Similarly, Hon. Katung in his quest to serve his people also called on the Kaduna state government to reopen all tertiary institutions that were shut down for several months in the southern part of the state.
Yet, disturbed by persistent dastardly killings in Southern Kaduna, Hon. Katung on October 18, 2016, issued an “Enough is Enough” statement, in which he warned that “Southern Kaduna people will no longer tolerate the deliberate plans to annihilate its defenceless people.” That particular courageous outburst got the attention of the federal and Kaduna state government.
Also, he marched his words with action on the killings in Southern Kaduna by providing relief materials to victims and survivors of different dastardly attacks.
Interestingly too, even after leaving office as a lawmaker, Katung is always eager to send relief materials to communities each time they come under attack.
He also undertook visits to victims of attacks in Southern Kaduna at various IDP camps. The survivors of the recent attacks in Madamai and others across Atyap, Attakar, and Adara Chiefdoms, among others, have benefited immensely from Katung’s compassionate gestures which they have attested to.
Another indigene of the zone, Grace Dauda also poured encomiums on Hon Katung when she said, “What is more! Barrister Katung in his philanthropic gestures too, gave gifts of cars to many people; paid school fees to hundreds of students in need at various levels; paid hospital bills for hundreds of his constituents; gave business grants to so many youths/women, and provided potable water to communities using his resources, among other outstanding gestures.
“Katung has positively shaped every Community he has represented, and distinguished himself on different fronts displaying competence, capacity and experience laced with courage, candour, clarity and uncommon vision.”
Now, considering these achievements and many more salient, heartwarming and life touching endeavors he achieved, some citizens of the area said it is wise and beneficial for the people of Kaduna South senatorial district to throw their weight behind him to enable him clinch the senatorial seat come 2023.
