Mr Dio Awemi Maisamari, was confirmed as the new substantive President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) on Saturday, 10th September, 2022 in Kaduna.
His confirmation took palace during the Second National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of SOKAPU under the present national Exco. The brief ceremony was conducted by the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of SOKAPU, Elder Stephen Bangoji with some members of the Board in attendance.
A unanimous decision of the the NEC, with no single opposition, confirmed Maisamari's substantive position. This is coming after his immediate predecessor, Hon. Jonathan Asake resigned to contest for the Governorship of Kaduna State under the Labour Party (LP).
The NEC of SOKAPU is made up of its Central Executive Committee (CEC), Chairman and Secretaries of all State Chapters and local branches. It also includes the Women, Youths and Students wings and all past Presidents of SOKAPU.
Mr. Maisamari in his acceptance address, thanked the NEC for his confirmation and promised to improve on the legacies left behind by past leaders. He said that he was already working on a one year roadmap for SOKAPU and called for inputs, suggestions and contributions.
During the meeting, he briefed the SOKAPU NEC about the achievements of the present National Exco under the leadership of Hon. Jonathan Asake. Among them were:
Fundraising, procurement and distribution of palliatives to distressed citizens of Kaduna State during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.
Intensive media sensitization and campaign against the violence taking place against the natives of Southern Kaduna which has led to national and global awareness of the heinous crimes.
Movement of the SOKAPU National Secretariat to a more spacious, well furnished and equipped office in Kaduna. NEC was also informed that the design of permanent National Secretariat had been completed.
Establishment of Southern Kaduna Peoples Empowerment Foundation (SOKAPEF) with Apostle Emmanuel Kure as it's BoT Chairman. As an incorporated body, SOKAPEF will do many things which SOKAPU was unable to do because of its registration status.
Fundraising and provision of humanitarian intervention to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in communities across Southern Kaduna from the inception of the current security challenges to date.
Setting up of a high powered Political Committee to brainstorm and chart the best political direction for Southern Kaduna.
Building on the efforts of past leaders to raise the standing, credibility and goodwill of SOKAPU as a major pressure group in Nigeria; among others.
During the meeting, the SOKAPU Predident informed NEC that an Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be called in a month's time during which the full financial report of SOKAPU will be submitted. Meanwhile the President gave some financial highlights on the total income and expenditure of SOKAPU from December, 2019 to date. He also briefed the meeting on the N120m donation in April, 2022 that came to SOKAPU from Rivers State Governor, His Excellency Nyesom Wike. He clarified that under his predecessor, Hon. Asake, the procurement and distribution of food stuff and other basic necessities was done in Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, Zangon Kataf, Kachia. Also, other forms of humanitarian assistance were rendered where necessary. At the point of his resignation, the former President left a balance of N60 million for the continuation of the humanitarian intervention. The above briefing stirred harsh comments by some members of the NEC. These were complaints of poor engagement with community development associations whose members are the target of the intervention, exclusion from decision making during the intervention implementation process and even the inability of some communities to get the relief materials.
In his reaction to the complaints, the President said all the points made had been noted and would be addressed in the next phase. He also reminded them that because of the enormity of the challenges, they should know that even several billions of Naira will not solve the problems. Meanwhile, he called on the Southern Kaduna community wherever they are to continue to thank His Excellency, Governor Nyeson Wike for doing what the Federal and State governments refused to do.
Furthermore, the new President assured the NEC of his determination to reposition SOKAPU to more effectively address the challenges confronting Southern Kaduna. He said the one year action plan will be unveiled during the AGM and intensive consultations will be made to get inputs from far and wide. Finally, he appealed for support and cooperation from all and sundry.
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