By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Barr Sunday Marshall Katung has in commemoration of his birthday, donated food items worth millions and N11 million cash to orphans, widows and other vulnerable persons across Southern Kaduna.

The Senator who said the donation was a yearly event as he had for a long, decided to celebrate his birthday with orphans and the underprivileged, reiterated that he derived pleasure from sharing with the people, especially the vulnerable who were in need.

Mr Katung said he donated the items as part of activities to mark his birthday and his mother’s birthday which coincided.

Speaking at the Rafiki Orphanage home near Kafanchan,the Chairman of the distribution committee,Mr. Gideon Gwani said that the distribution of the items was part of the lawmaker’s effort to promote unity, love and kindness in his constituency.

The food items were donated separately at the Rafiki Orphanage Home, the ECWA widows’ training school in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area and at the Gweimen Centre in Jaba Local Government Area.

At the three centres,Senator Katung explained that the gesture was borne out of his desire to assist vulnerable members of society,something he vowed to continue doing.

A member representing Jema’a constituency at the Kaduna State House of Assembly,Hon. Ali Kalat,confirmed that giving to the less-privileged on his birthday has been a yearly act by Senator Katung and he had assured to sustain the gesture.

According to the Chairman of the distribution committee, Gideon Gwani, the food items donated were bags of rice, indomie, semolina and spaghetti,worth millions.

Rev. Yunusa Madu, a former ECWA General Secretary who offered special prayers to the Senator and his mother, thanked the Senator for chosing the Orphanage Centre for the donation.

He said assisting orphans and widows is a very noble act, and encouraged others to emulate the Senator by making humanity happy.

Chairman, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Jema’a LGA, Alhassan Garba, also commended Senator Katung for the humanitarian gesture.

He said orphans and widows are children of God and “if one helps them, one is crediting one’s personal account and making deposit with one’s maker.”

Chairman of Southern Kaduna Professors,ProfJohn Laah extolled the virtues of Senator Katung and thanked him for his efforts towards establishing the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia which has brought development to the region.

Former Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Hon.Dogara Mato said it’s necessary to do whatever we can to encourage children to grow, and thanked Senator Katung for doing the right thing for the less privileged children on their path to growth.

Hon.Yusuf Akuso,Zonal Chairman of the PDP in Southern Kaduna, said Senator Katung has done much in terms of welfare and empowerment in the region, adding that the PDP is very proud of the Senator.

A member of the Organizing Committee, Hon.Comfort Amwe, assured that Senator Katung will continue to give back to the community in such noble ways.

At the Widows Training Centre in Samaru Kataf, the PDP women leader, Hon.Lolo ,admonished the widows to continue believing in themselves and not to despair.She told them that Senator Katung believe in them and shall continue to render assistance.

Hon.Danjuma Bello Sarki, a PDP chieftain, appreciated Senator Katung and offered a personal donation of N50,000 to the centre, an action which prompted others to donate thousands to the center for the upkeep of the widows.

At the Gewimen centre for the vulnerable at Kwoi,the state PDP Chairman,Hon. Edward Masha, said that Senator Katung had enhanced the party’s image in the zone through his philanthropic activities.

He therefore called on other well-meaning citizens to emulate Katung’s gesture and put smiles on the faces of the less privileged members of the society.

Other dignitaries at the occasion such as former Minister, Hon.Hassan Hyet,forner Deputy Governor, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga,member of the House of Representatives, Hon.Daniel Amos,forner Commissioner ,Hon.Ben Bako,CAN Chairman in Kaduna State, Rev Ma’aji among others, made glowing remarks on Senator Katung, appreciated his love and commitment to his people, and wished him and his mother a happy and prosperous birthday.

Head of the Gweimen Centre in Kwoi, Dr Felicia Kajang,went down memory lane on how the centre was established through her research activities in the USA,and thanked Senator Katung for his tremendous support to the less privileged.

Earlier, Head of the Rafiki Orphanage Home, Cornelius Samuel and Head, ECWA Widows Training School, Sarah Bature,expressed happiness over the gesture and wished the Senator and his mother, well.

At the three centres, all the orphans and widows sang in praises of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung who they called a father, and prayed for his continued good health and success in life.

One of the beneficiaries, Amina Musa, thanked Mr Katung for his continued support and urged him to sustain his invaluable gestures.