Governor Abdullahi Sule just clocked 100 days in office having been sworn-in for second tenure on May 29, 2023. Within the period under review, consolidation of his industrialisation and policy evidently got Nasarawa people excited. MOHAMMED YANGIDA reports.
In the past, second tenure for elected public servants was seen as a period of lack of productivity, but with Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state, the story is different as he has changed the focus to maximise his second tenure better for citizens and residents of the state.
This is why he considered their votes as an affirmation of his stewardship of the past and an endorsement of his commitment to future generations.
Sule assured that he would continue to focus his vision and preoccupation with developmental and harmonious governance.
According to him, “I hasten to say that with your votes, you have given vent to our renewed resolve to foster a new and better Nasarawa state which we had begun in our first tenure.
“Today marks another watershed in our democratic journey in Nasarawa state while this is my second inauguration. It is also the 7th in the unbroken political sojourn in our democratic experience in the governance of Nasarawa state since 1999. I appeal to you all to join us to move Nasarawa state to a new level of development and progress.”
Sule, according to popular opinion, is a reward to Nasarawa citizens for his ability to defend their interest. He reiterated his commitment to using his second term to consolidate on his first tenure.
In the first 100 days of his second tenure, youth empowerment forms one of the cardinal goals of his administration even as he continues with his social intervention to the youths. He stated that his administration would deliver on grooming skilled technical workforce and human capital development.
Security
Looking at his second tenure so far, he has scored a plus on security especially by checkmating criminals who have been terrorising the state. In the recent past, 100 of them were behind bars even as he puts in place certain security measures to reduce farmer/herders clashes.
The governor has convened an expanded security council meeting with a view to addressing some emerging threats capable of disrupting the relative peace in the state.
The meeting which had in attendance security chiefs, selected local government chairmen and traditional rulers, was held at the Government House.
Reviewing the agenda, Gov Sule raised alarm over the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition which was made known during the recent visit by the zonal coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Part of the agenda included reviewing the movement of herders in areas bordering neighboring Benue state which pose security threat.
Accordingly, the state Commissioner of Police Maiyaki Baba reiterated the commitment of security agencies to nib the activities of criminals in the bud.
Also on Thursday, August 17, Sule met with the Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun at the Force headquarters in continuation of measures towards maintaining peace in the state.
Infrastructures
Governor Abdullahi Sule has also given attention to infrastructure within this period. Nothing can be more fulfilling than the dualisation of Shendam road connecting the Government House in Lafia the state capital that previous government failed.
The road leads to the Government House, state House of Assembly both federal and state High Court headquarters. In fact, all the three arms of government are located on that road including the State Security Service, Police Command and 24 Special Squad of Nigeria Air Force, among others. It was a single lane road riddled with portholes until the intervention of the administration. The dualisation has also witnessed increased tempo within the 100 days.
Passionate appeal was also made to the governor to kindly consider and construct the road behind the Government House leading to Umgwar Rere as it would create an enduring economic development and individual prosperity for the residents.
Similarly, the governor had on Friday, June 30 2023 inspected ongoing road construction of Gurku, Dari, Arusu Basa road in Kokona LGA. Also on Saturday, August 12, Sule inspection took place at Ungwar Dan Kanzo road in Akwanga LGA and charged the contractors on timely completion of the road. These amongst many other road projects were inspected within his 100 days in office.
Investment
In other sectors especially Investment, Governor Sule has fulfilled promises made, achieved the giant strides and realised dreams.
Recently, the 14th Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria visited governor Sule which marked a significant step in the ongoing investment efforts of the administration.
During the visit, Sule expressed a strong commitment to collaborating with China in agriculture, mining and infrastructure.
The governor highlighted the potential for an integrated field development approach, with Chinese companies contributing to refining and processing of oil, power generation and fertilizer production at Ebenyi-A oil field in Obi local government area.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of trust and interdependence between governments and businesses, highlighting the need for harmonious political interests and a focus on economic cooperation, infrastructure development, industry growth, investment, and import-export activities.
According to the Chinese Ambassador, only through industries would the desired prosperity for the people be created.
Governor Sule equally emphasized the need for Chinese mining companies coming to invest in the state to set up factories that would process the raw materials into finished goods before exporting such. According to him, this is the only way opportunities would be created for the people.
The visit therefore, highlighted a strong desire for collaboration between Nasarawa and China in various sectors, including Oil and Gas, mining, agriculture, and Infrastructure.
The Nigeria-China 5-GIST strategy offers a holistic approach to deepen the partnership over the long term, while specific initiatives such as rail development and the establishment of a free trade zone demonstrate practical steps towards realizing these goals.
On Friday, June 2, Governor Sule played hosts to China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) & China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) with interest to do business in the Oil and Gas value chain of the state following the discovery of oil in the the state.
Consequently, Monday, June 26, Sule hosted Sasakawa African Association led by its Country Director Dr Godwin Atser who made an elaborate presentation on $739 US Dollars investment in establishing agricultural aggregation centre in Assakio and Shabu.
Also, Friday, June 30, 2023, Sule visited Landmark Lithium Mining Company to inspect ongoing construction of Lithium Finishing Factory capable to processing 3,000 metric tons a day where they are investing over $100m.
Thursday July 6, 2023 Sule met with another set of investors interested in doing business in the area of renewable energy.
The company is looking to build Africa’s largest renewable Energy and solar power station in the state. The team was led by the Emir of Keffi, HRH Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III.
Thursday, July 6, Sule met with Tongyi Group of Company in Lafia to discuss in the area of investing in lithium mining in Nunku, Akwanga LGA.
Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 Sule receives in audience a delegation of Korean Country Director of KOIKA Nigeria led by Mr Son Sungil at Government House for inspection of the Smart School project ahead of its take off in Lafia.
Similarly on July 12, 2023 Sule performs groundbreaking ceremony of Greenville LNG and L-CNG Energy Plant, for North Central located at Shabu Lafia.
In the same vein, Sule paid a courtesy visit on the permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development Mrs Mary Ada Ogbe where he canvassed for synergy with the ministry towards mitigating some noticeable challenges associated with mining activities in the state.
The MD/CEO of The Infrastructure Bank (TIB) Mrs. Nkiru Chime and Mr Abdul Aziz Mustapha met with Governor Sule to discuss various partnership opportunities with the state government which involves advisory on the infrastructure development, expanding mining, mineral and agriculture sector.
The governor further reiterated his commitment to further engage on developing these areas with The Infrastructure Bank.
Empowerment
Sule so far has empowered 130 widows with N100,000 each as capital to start their own businesses.
He equally empowered over 100 orphans with N5,000 each, alongside bags of rice to support them towards improving their livelihoods.
The governor distributed the cash and rice to the beneficiaries at his Gudi country home in Akwanga local government area, on Saturday 13 August.
There, he urged the beneficiaries drawn from his immediate community of Gudi to utilize the money by engaging in businesses that will improve their condition of living.
