As he took oath of office for his second term, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state announced approval of six months maternity leave for female public servants in the state, to encourage healthy development of infants through prolonged breastfeeding.
Governor el-Rufai who was sworn-in alongside a new female Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, acknowledged that the challenges confronting his government are numerous and hard, but expressed confidence that, with hard work and support of the people, the challenges would be surmounted.
He asked people of the state to forgive him in advance, as he will continue to take very tough and painful decisions.
Some of the tough decisions of el-Rufai’s government during his first term included demolition of houses and structures encroaching into government institutions, sack of 21,000 ‘incompetent’ primary school teachers and sack of many district heads, among others.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the Murtala Mohammed Square Kaduna, el-Rufai said, “the challenges confronting us are numerous and they are hard. But if we do our job well we will solve them, with your help, support and prayers. We will continue to take very difficult, and sometime painful decisions. We ask your understanding and forgiveness in advance.
“With your support and prayers, we will not waiver in supporting ordinary people to attain their aspirations. We will continue our tradition of cooperation with the other arms of government in the service of our people. We will devote every energy and talent in putting people first and making Kaduna great again.
“I am grateful for this mandate, and will discharge it responsibly. Please be assured that our Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and I will work tirelessly in the service of all the people of Kaduna state.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to place on record my sincere appreciation for the service that Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala, has rendered to our state. As Deputy Governor, he was a committed partner as we worked tirelessly to make this state better. As he leaves the office of Deputy Governor today, I wish him and his family the very best. I am certain that we will continue to enjoy the privilege of his wise counsel and support.
“Ours is the government of everyone who lives in Kaduna State. I call on every resident of Kaduna state to join hands with us in the hard tasks that lie ahead. Back in March 2019, we all made our democratic choices, and freely expressed our preferences. Whatever our partisan affiliations and however we might have voted, we are all compatriots and fellow citizens. It is time to put politics aside and work together in the urgent task of improving the lives of all our people, and keeping them safe. Amidst so much poverty, division is an unaffordable luxury.
“This government has spent much on internal security operations, supporting the security agencies with equipment, vehicles and other logistics and funding. The huge resources that are expended on these internal security operations and containing conflict can be better directed towards improving lives in peaceful communities.
“We have also established the Kaduna State Peace Commission, chaired by Reverend Dr. Josiah Idowu/Fearon, Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion Worldwide and former archbishop of Kaduna. Beyond boots on the ground, the most sustainable guarantee of peace is the willingness of communities to live in harmony. “Fellow citizens, let us unite in a common endeavour to make ours a state of peace and concord, working to promote equality of opportunity for every resident. Let us cherish our diversity while embracing equal citizenship, the rule of law, and respect for the lives and livelihoods of all who call Kaduna state home.”
