4th November, 2024
By Thompson Yamput
Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Sunday unveiled projects and distributed empowerment materials to her constituents to mark her first year in office.
The projects inaugurated included the 1 km road network at the Abdul Azeez Memorial College
The road network was inaugurated by Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, supported by Senate Chip Whip Sen. Tahir Monguno.
Other projects inaugurated by the lawmaker were remodelled nine blocks of classrooms, four boarding houses, and 5,000 digital learning devices in Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College, Okene.
The anniversary also included the inauguration of the reconstructed Ihima Police Station.
The Akpoti-Uduaghan empowerment programme, which was also flagged off by Sen. Moro, distributed empowerment materials to the needy.
The Deputy Senate President, represented by Sen. Ladan, described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s first year in office as very effective and praised her efforts to significantly impact her constituents.
“She invited us to see firsthand how she is improving the lives of her constituents in Kogi Central.
“What makes her unique is her passion for humanitarian service, which seems to be part of her genetic makeup, as her family has a history of giving,” he stated.
On his part, Sen. Monguno emphasised the importance of education in a country’s development and commended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initiative to digitalise learning in Kogi Central.
Sen. Moro applauded her for her exceptional performance.
“We have toured various projects aimed at improving the lives of the people, particularly in the area of security.
“All of us here, the senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are proud to support our colleague, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her achievements in one year of service are remarkable.
“I am astonished by the amount of support gathered here for distribution. It’s evident that this is the kind of representation we need, and I am very pleased that she is delivering.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, in her remarks, reflected on her past year in office, describing it as eventful with many of her campaign promises fulfilled.
“This past year has been a journey of commitment, challenges, and, above all, unwavering dedication to the well-being of our people and the development of our senatorial district.
“When I took on this responsibility, my vision was clear: to create a senatorial district of our dreams, where every child has the opportunity to learn and every young person has access to meaningful employment.
“My dream is that every family can access basic amenities such as clean water and electricity.
“I am honoured by the trust you have placed in me, and I am here today to reaffirm my commitment to delivering a future that reflects our shared hopes and aspirations.
“A cornerstone of this vision has been the digitalisation of education. We have deployed 5,000 digital learning devices to public primary and secondary schools across Kogi Central,” she stated.
The Kogi central senator pointed out that in the coming weeks, the Universal Basic Education Learning Resource Centre would train teachers and programme the devices with the Nigerian educational curriculum.
She expressed belief that education was the foundation of a prosperous society.
According to her, they were beginning the total overhaul of selected existing schools, such as the Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College (AAAMCO) in Okene.
“We will also construct a brand-new model primary and secondary school in Osara and facilitate a centre for artificial intelligence and robotics at the Federal College of Education in Okene.
“We will also ensure the establishment of an automotive mechatronics workshop and cottage automobile workshop at the Technical College in Oboroke.
“Both projects are currently undergoing contracting processes, and construction is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025.
“Moreover, a scholarship scheme through the Natasha Foundation has supported the tuition of 353 vulnerable indigenous students in tertiary institutions nationwide.
“Equally, we have worked tirelessly to attract employment opportunities for various graduates and facilitate capacity-building training and empowerment programs for thousands of beneficiaries from our senatorial district,” she emphasised.
(NAN,)