By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Group under the auspices of Southern Kaduna Professionals (SKP) has honoured the former Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NOC) representing Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulmalik Durunguwa over his two-term successful tenure.
The event which was held at Unity Wonderland Hotel Kafanchan yesterday, attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, and members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, amongst many others.
A former Kaduna-South Senator, Dr. Danjuma Laah, described Dr. Abdulmalik Durunguwa as a hardworking gentleman, who has led a successful life that included service to humanity.
Senator Laah observed that Durunguwa has fostered understanding, unity, and partnership across the landscape of the collective existence of the people of Southern Kaduna.
He said Durunguwa has also impacted and mentored many people of the area, including women and youth against which backdrop, he described the home welcoming lunch organized for the former Federal Commissioner as well deserved.
He then commended the organizers of the occasion, the Southern Kaduna Professionals, for their foresight, and urged them to sustain the tempo.
Earlier in an address, the acting President of the Southern Kaduna Professionals, Architect Samuel Yakubu mentioned that it was with great delight that the association welcomed everyone to the occasion of the home welcoming of a Southern Kaduna kinsman, Alhaji Abdulmalik Durunguwa a unifier and a worthy ambassador that served diligently as the federal commissioner representing Kaduna State at the National Population Commission (NPC) and finished his two-term period meritoriously.
He said Southern Kaduna Professionals is an association of committed personalities from different tribes who have made remarkable achievements in their areas of calling.
“We have identified that societal building is a collective responsibility hence the resolve to form a formidable front to advance community development.”
“Our coming together is rooted in the realism that we are stronger together if we want to achieve the desired development and harmonious relationship across our ethnic nationalities” he added.
He added that the associations do not intend to dwell on things that have not benefited the people of the area but to initiate programs that are people-centric in promoting youth and women empowerment, wealth creation, and the promotion of multiplier activities to help boost the local economy.
The President noted that the event was one of the Association’s numerous interventions, and they are committed to sustaining it by the grace of God. Also, it shall front conversations that will promote unity, job creation, mentorship, and much more.
He said, the Southern Kaduna Professionals, have carefully studied Dr. Abdulmalik’s progression and development in peace building of our region for a very long time, and as an unbiased organization, we’ll continue to project people with proven integrity, and independence who will protect the interest of our people and use their influence to attract Government presence
He appealed to leaders and stakeholders from the region to forget about the past and find a common ground to use their high-powered connections to attract development, since over the years, Southern Kaduna has been on the news for the wrong reasons, it is time for everyone to come together irrespective of tribe, religion, or political affiliations to build Southern Kaduna of their own, ” He added.
Yakubu observed that the event was timely and necessitated by the starling achievements of their amiable mentor and a detribalized leader.
While enjoining all the people of the area to hold onto the Southern Kaduna dreams, he also urged them to be intentional in adding value to their communities and promoting economic activities at every given opportunity.
The immediate past NPC commissioner, Dr. Abdulmalik Durunguwa, tasked the people of Southern Kaduna to embrace peace and unity by shunning politics of diversity and religion.
He observed that with peace the people would be able to harness the huge natural resources and agricultural potentials in the area adding that ” There is no place in Africa that’s well blessed like Southern Kaduna”.
He said Southern Kaduna is blessed with very intelligent people and rich land for the cultivation of various food and cash crops, citing the example that the ginger produced in Southern Kaduna is the best in the world.
He further commended the Southern Kaduna Professionals for a brilliant initiative and thanked all the people who attended the occasion, noting that with unity of purpose, Southern Kaduna will rise again.” He concluded.
