By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Auchi Progressive Union (APU), Kaduna Chapter, has outlined a series of welfare interventions—ranging from food subsidies and medical support to interest-free loans and social assistance—as part of its achievements over the last two years. The announcement was made during the 2025 Auchi Day Celebration and Awards Presentation held on Sunday in Kaduna.APU President, Alh. Mohammed A. Giwa, said the union’s food support programme provided rice and beans to more than 200 families during critical periods, including Ramadan. He noted that the initiative was designed to cushion economic hardship and strengthen community solidarity.According to him, the union also disbursed over ₦1 million to members battling health challenges under its medical support scheme. Additional social assistance was provided to members during marriage ceremonies, naming events and Qur’anic graduation programmes.
Alh. Giwa further disclosed that the union released more than ₦2 million in interest-free loans to help members meet business and personal needs. He added that the union granted full and partial debt amnesty to members who were genuinely unable to repay.Despite these accomplishments, he said the union still faces challenges. Chief among them is the absence of a permanent secretariat for Auchi indigenes in Kaduna, a situation he said limits effective coordination and member engagement. He also lamented the low participation of Auchi natives in union activities across the state. During the event, the Chief Imam of Barakallahu Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Aminu Sale, delivered a lecture titled *“Marriage, Family and Modern Relationships: Rights, Responsibilities, Conflict Resolution, Financial Stress and Parenting in the Digital Age.”
The Imam described marriage and family as divine gifts and essential pillars of society. However, he noted that modern pressures—including digital distractions, rising living costs, and evolving social norms—have intensified marital and family challenges. He emphasized that financial issues remain one of the leading causes of conflict in contemporary marriages and urged couples to adopt Islamic principles of moderation, transparency and mutual support.The ceremony also featured the presentation of Excellence Awards to nine distinguished community members, including two posthumous honorees. Some awardees received monetary gifts in recognition of their contributions to community development.
The APU Kaduna leadership reaffirmed its commitment to expanding welfare programmes and strengthening unity among Auchi indigenes in the state.
