Nigerian Government Monday says its National Theatre will always remain a national monument and will not be sold for whatever reason.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said during a visit to the complex, as part of the tour of the parastatals under his Ministry.

He said the process of selecting a preferred bidder under the PPP arrangement is currently underway.

”But we are not averse to a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement that will add value to the iconic (National Theatre) complex,”

”The National Theatre is a national monument and a tourist attraction. We will not allow it to go derelict or become a magnet for hoodlums. This monument is the pride of the nation, and it has always served as the point of convergence for Nigerians seeking fun and relaxation, especially  during festive periods, and a centre for the promotion of arts and culture,” Mohammed said.

He said the security around the complex would be beefed up to prevent a recurrence of the molestation by hoodlums of fun seekers at the National Theatre on Christmas Day, and also ensure the safety of the priceless artifacts within the complex.

”It is totally unacceptable that fun-seeking individuals who throng the National Theatre for relaxation during festive periods or at any time will become the victims of attacks by hoodlums.

”We will work with the security agencies, especially the Police and the State Security Service, to upgrade security at the National Theatre. It is also important for the management of the complex to ensure that its perimeter is better secured to ward off hoodlums,”

The Minister said a high-tech security surveillance system may even be introduced to better secure the complex

Mohammed said the on-the-spot assessment of the security and other situation at the National Theatre has revealed the challenges being faced by the management, and assured that there will be noticeable changes at the complex within the next few months.

”We will restore the National Theatre to its pride of place and make it more user friendly. We will also ensure that the management engages with stakeholders in order to increase the patronage of the various facilities at the complex,” he said.

General Manager of the National Theatre, Kabir Yusuf Yar’Adua, conducted the Minister around the facilities at the complex, including the banquet, cinema and exhibition halls, the sub-power station, the water works, the police post and the artiste village, among others.

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Senator representing Kaduna Central in Nigeria’s national assembly, Shehu Sani has expressed readiness to partner Christian Association of Nigeria  (CAN) on skill acquisition for youth.

He said the youth need education, work and moral direction for a better future.

Senator Sani disclosed this while addressing some officials of the state chapter of CAN in northern state of Kaduna State, when he paid a courtesy call on them.

“My office is open to you for any assistance to the young ones who need education, work and moral direction for their future. My office will partner with CAN to set up skill acquisition centre to empower the youths” he said    

The Lawmaker called on CAN members to continue to play a role in ensuring that blood is no longer shed in the name of religion, adding that CAN has come a long way in building peaceful co-existence in the State and the country at large.

 “Government at all levels have a role to play in supporting religious body, otherwise, vacuum will be created for extremists to take over the religious body that is working towards the sustainability of peace and harmony among the people” he said.

He commended the Christian body for the role it played during the 2015 general election by mobilising the people for the change of government in ensuring the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said it could amount to a dangerous development if religious leaders stand against the Will of the people, adding that any religion that preaches materialism and profiteering should be discouraged and condemned.

Assistant secretary, Kaduna State CAN, Mr. Raphael Adejumobi, in his response thanked the Senator for deeming it fit to visit the Christian body after his election as the senator.

Adejumobi said Senator Sani’s brilliant contributions on the floor of the senate so far showed that there are good things in offing for the people of his constituency.

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Senator Representing Kaduna Central, in Nigeria’s National Assembly, Shehu Sani, monday paid hospital bills of 40 patients from his constituency.

Sani was at St Gerard’s Catholic Hospital Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, on private visit to meet with those on admission for different ailments.

He described the situation of some of the patients as pathetic.

“What I saw with regards to the condition of the patients are pathetic and need assistance. Pathetic in the sense that these people need help.

“As a senator, I will help with their hospital bill and I will make sure I foot the bills of 40 patients on admission in the hospital. I will also make sure that we sit with the management of the hospital to effect bills of some patients  in emergency unit,” he said.

He also pledged to fashion out a bill to ensure that National insurance covers unemployed individuals in the country.

Shehu Sani also pledged to get a land to build a neo-natal units fully equipped with incubators.

Nigerian Senator Adopts 60 orphans, Sends 2 To Study in China

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — As part of new year festival, Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, Shehu Sani has adopted all sixty (60) children in the Adonai Orphanage Home, Kaduna, as his children.

He also sent two out of the children to China to study so as to become beneficial to the society.

Senator Sani was moved when he visited the orphanage to present food items for new year celebration.

According to him, the ophanage deserve a future like every other child despite the fact that they are orphans.

 The Senator who also gave food items to the ophanage home said they need to be   supported and make their lives useful and beneficial to the society.

‎” what we can do is to give their lives hope, and to make it possible for them to realize their dreams, these are all handsome and beautiful children when you see their faces you remember the ones you have in the house. 

“We should also take cognizance that any child can fall into this circumstance, so as a senator representing this Zone, I formally adopt this children as my own, and we will quarterly send support to this home enable you feed this children and take proper support of them and work on the possibility of their education. 

‎”I will also like to know if there are those of them that has been able to finish their SSCE, and I will sponsor two children to China to study, so that these two children will serve as beacon of hope to others that will be able to support. 

‎”So the orphanage should give me two names and they must be those that are here, that you know will make use of the resources that will be invested in their education,” he said.

Senator Sani called on all Nigerians who have the means to help the orphans to come and make their own contribute in helping the orphans, adding that “as orphans, their basic needs are food, clothing, shelter and education and we all own them that.”

‎He commended the matron of the orphanage on his commitment to the child and the home, saying she is rendering services to God.

Earlier, Evangelist Elizabeth Afuwape, matron of the orphanage, who was represented by Pastor Samuel Oyelowo  commended the Senator for his kind gesture to the home.

He prayed God to protect and guide him, pledging ‎the home’s commitment to judicious use of resources donated by Senator Sani, adding “our major responsibility is to the children survive. “