By Teddy Daniel
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called on the people of Southern Kaduna to support Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, while sustaining constructive engagement with the government on security and other challenges affecting the region.
Shehu Sani spoke in Kaduna when the newly elected executives of the Southern Kaduna Journalists Forum paid him a courtesy visit at his official residence.
He said the appointment of a son of the region to a strategic federal position should be an opportunity to press for improved security, insisting that political representation must translate into results for the people.
“If you have one of your own serving as Minister of Defence, you should support him to succeed in addressing the security challenges facing the country,” he said.
The former senator, however, stressed that supporting the minister should not prevent Nigerians from questioning government policies or demanding action over attacks, killings and kidnappings.
“The security situation is still a major challenge, and nobody should pretend that everything is well when people are being killed, communities are being attacked and citizens are being kidnapped,” he said.
Sani maintained that government must remain accountable for the protection of lives and property, regardless of political affiliation or the region from which public officials emerge.
He urged Nigerians to assess successive administrations objectively, examining their security records and identifying areas where further action was required.
On Kaduna State, Sani called for an assessment of the administration’s performance in infrastructure, education, healthcare and political inclusion, particularly in Southern Kaduna, which he said had experienced marginalisation in previous years.
“When you are assessing a government, you must look at what it has done in education, healthcare, roads and other areas of development,” he said.
He added that the people should acknowledge verifiable achievements while continuing to demand improvements in areas where government performance remained inadequate.
Sani also highlighted community development interventions in parts of his former senatorial district, including the installation of a solar power system at the General Hospital, Sabo-Tasha, to support electricity supply for critical medical services.
He spoke of plans for a kidney dialysis centre, citing the difficulties faced by patients requiring specialised treatment and the need to improve access to essential healthcare.
Turning to the media, the former lawmaker urged journalists from Southern Kaduna to take greater responsibility for documenting the region’s challenges, achievements and development prospects.
“You have a responsibility to tell the story of Southern Kaduna yourselves. You know the history of the people, the challenges they face and the things they aspire to achieve,” he said.
He called on the forum to organise a conference bringing together journalists, social media influencers, professionals and other stakeholders to discuss security, education, healthcare, economic development and political participation.
The former Senator said such an engagement would provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify practical solutions and strengthen collaboration towards addressing the region’s challenges.
He urged the newly elected executives to promote responsible journalism, scrutinise government policies and ensure that the concerns of ordinary citizens remained central to public debate.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
