Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has convened the first executive council meeting in 2023, using the opportunity to inform the people of the state on recent developments that has bearing on the development of the state.
At the meeting which held at the Government House, on Wednesday, Engineer Sule particularly appealed for calm as his administration works tirelessly to resolve the unfolding security challenge aa a result of the bomb blast that occurred in Doma Local Government Area and which resulted in the killing of some Fulanis and their cattle.
The Governor said since the unfortunate incidence, his administration has been on top of the situation aimed at dousing tension in the area.
“At one point I was contemplating whether to move the meeting because of some security challenge which we had in Benue yesterday but then it crossed to our state. It had to do with some Fulani that actually got to rescue their cows and after rescuing their cows, there was a bomb blast at the area they gathered their cows to bring them back to Nasarawa State.
“As a result of that, I have been on it throughout last (Tuesday) night trying to resolve the matter with the Chief of Defence Staff, Miyetti Allah, Whirl Stroke and all the other security agencies, including our Commissioner of Police.
“Our Deputy Governor and CP are on their way to Doma right now to ensure we continue to douse the tension that may generate as a result of it. We will work to ensure we maintain peace in that area where such bombing took place,” he stated.
While welcoming members of the state executive council into the new year, Engineer Sule described 2023 as being critical especially that the general elections are billed to commence next month.
“It’s indeed a year we are going to have a change of baton from an outgoing president who has completed his two terms from our party, to an incoming president that all of us are working very hard to bring in.
“I urge everyone to continue to work very hard in that order and for us to work within the context of the rule of law, so that we don’t fall overboard, we don’t participate in anything that will cause disharmony in the state,” he said.
As part of the preparation for the election, he said his administration, on 27th January, flagged off a voter education campaign, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, with the theme ‘Ensuring Free, Fair and Credible Election in Nasarawa State’.
The Governor recalled that his administration signed the 2023 appropriation bill into law on the 29th of December, thereby ushering in a new working budget for the state.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity of the meeting to urge members of the executive council to work strictly within the budget as passed.
He equally recalled his recent visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor in Abuja, on the 12th of January, as a proactive measure to address emerging security challenges similar to what occurred in Doma.
The Governor expressed optimism that the military hierarchy will continue to give maximum support towards ensuring the security of lives of the people of the state.
“I also led a high-powered delegation on the 13th of February, to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, as well as the Group Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, on the discovery of oil in Nasarawa State. During the visit, we didn’t even know the plan they had for us when they said that in the month of March, the first oil well will be drilled in Keana,” Engineer Sule added.
He also recounted the number of thank-you visits he made to President Muhammadu Buhari, for the numerous interventions in the state by the Federal Government, especially the conversion of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) into the Fulafia teaching hospital.
“And I had to see the President on the issue of the oil discovery which Mr President has continued to give maximum support,” he said.
Engineer Sule brought up the scheduled visit by President Buhari, who is billed to attend the presidential campaign rally of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the 4th of February, when he is also expected to commission the newly completed federal secretariat, as well as the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI).
“We just have roughly 10 days to go for that event and there is lot of work for us to do as a state. I urge everyone of you to participate in ensuring that we work very hard to see that happens,” he said.
Also, the Governor recalled that a combined convocation held for the College of Education Akwanga, where after 8 years in limbo, over 3000 graduates were issued with certificates.
“Indeed, on the 28th of this month, we are also going to have another combined convocation of the College of Agric, Science and Technology Lafia. This is the first convocation since the institution was upgraded. I look forward to the support of everyone of you to see that happens properly,” the Governor added.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity of the meeting to review vital health statistics in the state as it concerns the outbreak of major diseases namely Covid-19, measles, cerebrospinal meningitis, cholera, Lassa fever and monkey pox.
“As at today, we have three diseases outbreak data ongoing, the Covid-19, Lassa fever and monkey pox. For Covid-19 there were 2 new cases reported within this period of review.
“As far as Covid-19 vaccination, Nasarawa State is currently still maintaining its first pisition in the country, over 98 percent coverage. For monkey pox, there is one case and Lassa fever four new cases so far recorded.
“We have to continue to do the best that we can do and to continue to inform our people of what is happening in the state,” he stated.