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By Nengi David
The Program Manager, Nigeria Early Recovery Initiative, (NERI) Mrs Chikodinaka Omokide has described the former Chairman, Jema’a Local Government Area, Hon Peter Danjuma Averik as a broad minded politician who cares for the people of Jema’a LGA in particular and Southern Kaduna in general.
Mrs Omokide said this on Monday during a brief handing over and commissioning ceremony of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) community sub-station, Kafanchan, renovated by NERI.
Mrs Omokide explained that NERI’s intervention activities in NTA and other broadcast media stations in Kafanchan was sequel to a special request made by Hon Peter Averik during their visit to his office to discuss the take up of their activities in Jema’a Local Government.
“I was impressed he didn’t make a personal request or made a case for his community as did most Local Government Chairmen where we worked. His concern all through our engagements with him was the good of the people of Southern Kaduna” she said.
She commended the former chairman for his support and cooperation which she said has motivated them to do more for the people and have even exceeded their target in Jema’a Local Government.
Mrs Omokide tasked the Staff of NTA Kafanchan substation to devote quality time for programs that promote unity and development as that she said was the reason for establishing community broadcast stations.
In his speech, the Zonal Director NTA Kaduna Network Centre, Mr Hamza Musa Makarfi, thanked NERI/USAID for the gesture which he described as very critical and timely considering the present national challenges and the roles of Television broadcasting in advancing the cause of unity and peaceful coexistence in a multicultural nation like Nigeria.
Mr Hamza who also presented Ietter of commendation to NERI/USAID said with the quality of the renovation work and the standard of studio equipment, NTA Kafanchan substation is now the second best in the country after the Gashua sub-station in Yobe state.
He thanked Hon Averik for his relentless concern and continued support to the station and described him as a visionary political leader worthy of emulation.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Manager NTA Kafanchan substation, Mrs Rifkatu Dakop said Hon Averik’s assistance to the station have been outstanding compared to other political leaders in Southern Kaduna and prayed God to reward him.
In his good will message, the former Chairman, Jema’a Local Government area, Hon Peter Danjuma Averik said the importance of community broadcast stations in mobilising communities towards a particular course of action became more striking during the heat of COVID-19 pandemic and struggles to mitigate its spread.
He said with NTA Kafanchan now back on air, the people of Southern Kaduna would not only be kept abreast with the state and national developments but would also be a good avenue for learning and for the propagation and transmission of our cultural heritage.
Hon Averik advised the staff of NTA Kafanchan substation to reciprocate the gesture by living up their professional callings especially featuring developmental programs and messages that would promote peace and economic prosperity in Southern Kaduna.
While thanking NERI/USAID for obliging his request to renovate the station, Hon Averik used the occasion to advise the people of Jema’a local government and southern Kaduna at large to patronise NTA Kafanchan as the station he said was back on air to serve their economic and social interests.
Also speaking His Highness Agwam Zikpak II, Dr Josiah Tagwai Kantiyok thanked NERI/USAID for their developmental activities in communities in the area and Southern Kaduna at large and wished they would stay a little longer to continue their good works.
Represented by the Wazirin Fantsuwam, Mr Samaila Maigida, the Chief also eulogised the selfless leadership style of Hon Averik and commended him for suggesting to NERI/USAID without bias areas and communities with critical need and advised other political leaders in the area to emulate him.
