Home NEWS POLITICS Jonathan Seeks Blessing Of Yaradua’s Mother In Katsina

Jonathan Seeks Blessing Of Yaradua’s Mother In Katsina

Jonathan in Katsina
Jonathan Knelt Down

President Goodluck Jonathan knelt before the mother of late President Umar Yar’adua, asking her blessing.
The President, who has been in Katsina for a two-day official visit, took time off today to see Hajiya Aya Dada in the Yaradua’s family house.
The President arrived the compound of the Yar’Adua at about 9.20 a.m and was accompanied by the State governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema and other dignitaries from within and outside the state.
Jonathan was received on arrival by the younger brother of the late President, Alhaji Mustapha Yar’adua who led them to their matriarch .
The President was introduced to Hajiya Yaya Dada by Shema whereupon, President Jonathan  knelt down before her to receive motherly blessings.
The President also paid homage to late President Yar’adua’s elder brother, Alhaji Yusuf Musa Yar’Adua before leaving the compound.
Hajiya Yaya Dada’s husband, Alhaji Musa Yar’adua was the Minister of Lagos Affairs in the first republic. His son, Shehu Musa Yar’adua was Second in Command to General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) when he was military Head of state.
Another son of Yaya Dada, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was two- term governor of Katsina state and former president of Nigeria who died in power on the 5th of May, 2010.
This is even as President Jonathan assured the people of Katsina State that his government would do everything possible to complete the Wind Mill power project located in Rimi local government area of the state.
The President stated this on Thursday evening when he inspected the 10 megawatts power project as part of his 2- day official visit to the state.
Jonathan  said that the Federal Government would work with the state government to ensure the project is completed and put to use as soon as possible.
The ministry of power officials who conducted President Jonathan round the project told him that the wind power project, the first of its kind in West Africa, was 90 per cent completed and would be ready for commissioning in three months.
The fund for its completion was said to have been captured in the 2014 budget.
The project was stalled for some months in 2012, following the kidnap of one of the consultants.
As part of the programmes lined up for his state visit, the President was also hosted to a dinner held at Banquet Hall of the newly commissioned Katsina Government House.
Speaking at the dinner later on Thursday evening,  Jonathan disclosed that the Federal Government would construct dry port in Daura.
He said the federal ministry of transport had already initiated discussions with the state government for the construction of the dry port.
The President said that the federal government has awarded the contract for the dualisation of the first phase of the Kano- Katsina road to terminate at Yankamaye, the border village between both States.
He assured that the contract for the 2nd phase of the dualization of  the road from Yakamaye to Katsina metropolis would soon be awarded.
The President said that certificate of no objection has been raised by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for the award of contract for the feasibility study for the Kano- Bichi- Katsina rail line.
Jonathan said that the administration had done a lot in the area of agriculture in the State.
“Here in Katsina, in 2013, 210,000 farmers benefitted from the Federal Government Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), in partnership with the Katsina state government.
“As part of the agricultural transformation agenda, I launched the dry season farm support programme to help further increase our food production and stimulate jobs for the youths.
“In 2013, 3300 rice farmers from Katsina State benefitted from the dry season rice farming support of the Federal Government with free seeds and subsidized fertilizers.
“The impact was dramatic, as Katsina state rice farmers produced  a record 13000 MT paddy rice, which added an estimated 1 billion to the local economy, and created over 6000 jobs.”
President Jonathan said that Katsina State is the largest producer of cotton in Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will support the revival of cotton production in partnership with the State government.
He said that over 65,000 cotton farmers in Katsina state were revived with financial support of the Federal Government.
Jonathan commended Shema for sustaining the legacy of late President Yar’Adua who was also governor in the State for eight years.
“If he were today, I have no doubts that he would be impressed with the visible transformation that is taking place throughout the length and breadth of this state.
“Governor Shema  and his able team deserve commendation not only for initiating new projects, but also for ensuring the completion of all the projects initiated by the Late Yar’Adua who by providence was his, and also my own predecessor in office.”
Speaking during the dinner, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema thanked the President for the visit, saying with the support the Federal Government had given him under Jonathan, the history of Katsina state would not be complete without the mention of the current President.

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