Nigerian senators have donated over 1,200 bags of rice to civil servants in Kogi state to alleviate their suffering caused by refusal of Governor Yahaya Bello to pay them salaries. It is alleged that the some of civil servants are owed salary arrears of over 22 months.
Last week, a director in the state civil service, whose wife delivered triplets, committed suicide due to his inability to meet his commitments as a father and huband.
The kind gesture by the senators was made known to Journalists on Wednesday by the senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye
Mr. Melaye said the donations were made in response to his clarion call on his colleagues to assist in cushioning the effect of hardship the civil servants who were yet-to-be paid their salaries for over 22 months
The donations also included some bags of fertiliser, Mr. Melaye said.
He added: “Gentlemen, you are aware of acute hardship in Kogi state workforce now due to over 22 months of non payment of salaries.
“At our level, we will continue to do our best to assist where necessary particularly that the situation has led to suicides across the state now.”
According to the senator, it was necessary that he informed his colleagues about the hardships orchestrated by the present administration of governor Yahaya Bello, underlining the spate of suicide witnessed in the state was a result of hardship experienced by the workers.
Melaye revealed that the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu donated 100 bags of rice to Kogi workers while the Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan donated 30 bags of rice.
Others include, Senators Philip Aduda (30 bags of rice), Tayo Alasoadura (20 bags of rice), Obinna Ogba (20 bags of rice), Ibn Na’Allah (20 bags of rice), Ibrahim Gobir (50 bags of rice) Atai Aidoko Ali (70 bags of rice) and Peter Nwaoboshi.
Also donated bags of rice include, Senators Umaru Kurfi (20 bags), Adamu Aliero (50 bags), Danjuma Goje (50 bags), Bayero Nafada (30 bags), Sam Anyanwu (20 bags), Buruji Kashamu (50 bags), Laa Danjuma (15 bags), Rose Oko (20 bags) and Fatima Raji Rasaki (10 bags).
Others are, Senators Suleiman Adokwe (10 bags), Ben Bruce (10 bags) Jerry Oseni (20 bags), Isa Shuaibu (40 bags), Ahmed Ogembe (30 bags), Albert Bassey (20 bags), Mustapha Bukar (20 bags), Yusuf A. Yusuf (15 bags) and Buka Kaka Bashir (20 bags).
Those who donated also include, Senators Abdullahi Ginmel (20 bags), Malam Ali Wakili (20 bags), Ovie Omo-agege (5 bags), Barau Jibril (10 bags), Adeola Solomon (20 bags), Rafiu Ibrahim (30 bags), Stella Oduah (30 bags), Sonni Ogbuoji (10 bags), Shaaba Lafiaji (20 bags), Francis Alimekhena (20 bags), Matthew Urhoghide (20 bags) and Biodun Olujimi (20 bags).
Melaye said that it was only Senator Philip Aduda who donated 10 bags of fertiliser, though he said other lawmakers would donate more materials within the week.
Senator Melaye called on good spirited Nigerians to also donate relief materials to Kogi State workers, saying that only such donations would help ameliorate the sufferings of the workers in “this satanic manifestation of Yahaya Bello’s administration.
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