Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared Thursday and Friday this week as work-free days to give workers the opportunity to register for their Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
The governor, while addressing the protesting members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Government House gate, said the only assurance for good leadership is their voting power.
Fintiri, who was represented by the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Amos Edgar, said the two work-free days were for civil servants to get their PVCs and demonstrate their rights to choose their leaders through the ballot.
According to him, the 2023 general election is close and will give Nigerians the opportunity to decide on those that will pilot the affairs of the country in the next four years.
In his speech, the Chairman of Adamawa NLC, Emmanuel Fashe, told the governor that the protest was in solidarity with the five months strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which, he said, the government ignored.
NLC is worried over the negative attitude of the Federal Government towards educating children of the poor in the country, he added.
The visibly angry Fashe lamented that while the children of the poor were at home, those of top government officials were graduating in foreign countries, a situation he described as worrisome to the union.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has declared Friday March 17th, 2023 as work free day for civil servants in the state to prepare for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Governor Fintiri who in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou approved the holiday noted that, public servants are expected to utilise the opportunity to travel to their homes where they registered to vote.
While applauding the citizenry for their understanding amid the daunting challenges they face, Governor Fintiri said “This is the time to show more commitment, love for State and ensure peaceful democratic process by being law abiding as you vote this Saturday”.
The Governor noted equally that it is the time for all citizens to exercise their voting rights.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State Wednesday commissioned another new sixty-bed cottage hospital in Girei LGA.
The hospital project which was awarded in 2020 has male and female surgical wards, laboratory complex, mortuary, Out Patient Department, Maternity complex and staff quarters.
Speaking at the event at Sangere Futy in Girei , Governor Fintiri said the hospital would lessen the pressure of referral services at the Sate Specialist Hospital, Yola and Modibo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola.
While underscoring the benefits of health, Governor Fintiri says his administration has bridged the gap between primary healthcare and Secondary health centres by constructing hospitals in places where there is none.
Fintiri said Health occupies a central place in his administration and the government has so far revitalized the sector to providing optimum services to the people in the state.
While we continue to deliver creditably well on the other development agenda, health is one sector we shall continue to invest in with obligatory comfort because it directly translates to our collective wealth.
“The Girei Cottage Hospital is yet another project our administration is proud of. It is a project carefully selected and strategically earmarked to serve the good people of Girei and its surrounding communities.
“With this formal commissioning, this hospital becomes fully operational today. It is expected to lessen the pressure of referrals on the State Specialist Hospital and even the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital , both in the State capital, which are by design, primarily conceived to provide tertiary health care services to the people.
“It is a fully functional 60 – bed capacity Hospital with all required equipment of a modern secondary healthcare center.
“We shall continue to draw joy in the completion of these projects as we round up the last lap of this administration and thank God for his mercies upon us.
“We did make resolve to serve our people with everything at our disposal. This is what we are doing and it is what we shall continue to do.
“It has been our moving testament that we shall continue to initiate and commission project till the last day of this administration; this is gravely embedded in our governance philosophy of no one is left behind and nothing is left untouched,” he said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Prof Abdullahi Isa said the hospital is equipped with mordern medical facilities to provide services to the people.
He urged the residents of Girei to protect and maximise the benefits of the hospital and however announced that Governor Fintiri has approved new salary structure for health workers in the state.
The Executive Chairman Girei LGA Council, Mr Juda Amisa commended Governor Fintiri for providing purposeful leadership to the people of Girei and Adamawa at large.
Contributing, the State Commissioner of Livestock and Acqaculture, Usman Yahaya Diyajo called on the Girei residents to reciprocate Governor Fintiri’s gesture by massively reelecting him this Saturday.
Highlight of the event was various dance display by groups and individuals.
The Adamawa State Government has reiterated that activities of Local and International Non Governmental Organisations operating in the State is still restricted until after the March 18th Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who in a statement by his Press Secretary Mr Humwashi Wonosikou directed the restriction during a state-wide broadcast on 28th February, 2023, noted that the involvement of some of them in politics instead of their core responsibility of humanitarian assistance necessitated the move to ensure sanity in their activities.
“Relevant enforcement agencies will continue to assert their authority. They have been directed to ensure compliance. Anybody found wanting will be treated as a saboteur and made to face the full wrath of the Law,” the Governor said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, your operation remain restricted across the 21 Local Government Councils of Adamawa State until the elections are completed and declared; The Government will continue to monitor your activities to restore sanity and halt the disregard for the rules of engagement.”