Events

Nasarawa State Government Signs Pact With UKNIAF On Gudi Industrial Hub, Others.

Nasarawa State Government and the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), have signed a Public Private Partnership for the establishment of the 450 hectares Gudi Industrial Hub, as well as a 4000-bed student’s hostel at the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK).

The agreement between the two bodies were signed at a ceremony in Abuja, on Thursday.

Speaking shortly after signing the agreement, Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, restated the commitment of his administration to develop the state and its people.

According to Engineer Sule, the PPP agreement with UKNIAF, was a fallout of the reforms introduced by his administration geared towards boosting the confidence of private investors, especially in the area of sustainability of project.

“In Nigeria, most times without sustainability that is how projects are killed. That is the reason why all aspects of our vision we want to back them by law so that somebody don’t just wake up tomorrow and say I don’t like this and kills it. Because people are going to invest their resources into this and they will want some level of sustainability,” he state.

The Governor explained that his experience from the Dangote Group, with investments across 14 African countries, informed the decision of his administration to back all the systems and processes established during the past four years, to be backed by law, in order to guarantee sustainability of project.

United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), a power sector and infrastructure finance development programme funded through the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), and delivered by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

Sally Woolhouse, Head of Economic Development, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), said with the signing of the agreement, UKNIAF and the Nasarawa Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), will be collaborating to develop climate smart infrastructure projects and unlock critically private financing for the development of the state.

“The support is provided through the UKNIAF which is our flagship infrastructure and energy programme. It is central to the long standing partnership between the UK and Nigeria on infrastructure.

“Infrastructure is critical to economic growth and transformation. The PPP offers the opportunity to leverage that important private sector capital. No state government can do that on their own but to accelerate infrastructure development and help meet the needs of citizens,” she said.

She explained that Nasarawa State was chosen for the project mostly because of the reforms introduced by the state government under the leadership of Engineer Sule in the area of ease of doing business.

“We are very excited to be working with you given the positive context we can run a programme such as this. It’s not coincidence that those things go together. But equally we see the need for infrastructure in addressing climate change both in terms of decarbonizing the economy, also increasing resilience to impact,” Sally added.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Managing Director UKNIAF, said five key reforms initiated by the Engineer Sule administration, were the catalyst that is facilitating the PPP agreement between UKNIAF and Nasarawa State.

Prof Onyia particularly mentioned the development of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), evolving a PPP framework backed by law, with Nasarawa State among the few states to initiate the policy, establishment of NASIDA, an agency constituted beyond the state for sustainability and most significantly, establishment of Nasarawa Infrastructure Fund, as well as instituting a high-powered investment advisory council chaired by the Governor.

“These five high level processes and systems, are part of the reasons why it was not difficult for us to select Nasarawa State

“The work that we are doing with your team is something that is quite remarkable. UKNIAF, on the leadership side, we really appreciate your forthrightness, even in giving us the necessary data to begin to think about the pipelines

“One thing we have learnt over the years in engaging with some state governments and governors, is that they are not always forthright in what is not there. They paint glossy picture when we begin to dig deep, we found out that things are not there. That has not been the case with you, you have always been open. That is why we are commiting to work with Nasarawa State,” he state

Also speaking, Managing Director/CEO of Nasarawa Investment Development Agency, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the state under Engineer Sule is committed to the partnership for mutual prosperity

Abdullahi assured that, Nasarawa State will continue to have deliberate policies to ensure that when developers come to the state, communities engage with them and traditional rulers give the necessary support.

His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule and Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of NNPC represent President Muhammad Buhari at the Presidential Flag-off of the Spun-in of Ebenyi-A Well, in Ajibu (Kayarda) Obi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday 28th March, 2023.

As President Muhammadu Buhari officially flags off the spud-in of the Ebenyi-A Well located in the Middle Benue Trough, in Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule, has appealed to both the President and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), to expedite action to develop the field, especially with rising competition from green energy.

Governor Sule made the appeal while flagging off the spud-in of the Ebenyi-A Well, in Ajibu, Obi Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

This is even as the Governor further appealed to the NNPCL to equally adopt the Integrated Field Development it is employing in Kolmani, Gombe State, to develop the Ebenyi-A oil field.

“Let me make this special appeal to you Mr President and of course, the NNPCL. With the strong competition that the fossil oil is getting from green energy, we will to appeal Mr. President, that the NNPCL should expedite action on the development of this field.

“While congratulating the NNPCL once more on the concept of the Integrated Field Development that was just carried out in Gombe, we also pray and hope that the Ebenyi-A field will also experience another IFD,” Engineer Sule stated.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the President, GMD/CEO NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari and all those who made the spud-in possible.

He equally solicited for the continued support and cooperation of the host community towards ensuring the success of the project.

“I call on our host communities to see this project as your own. I ask you to take ownership to ensure you not only protect the project but the people working on the project. As somebody who has worked in similar conditions, the relationship with the host community is extremely important. The cooperation that we will get from you, will make the people more comfortable to believe that this is also their home,” he stated.

While declaring that the discovery and drilling of oil in Nasarawa State will lead to greater prosperity for Nigerians as well as enhance overall energy security for the country, President Buhari directed NNPCL and its partners to take due care of the environmental consequences of these oil exploration activities and to mitigate the negative effects.

The President recalled that the official commencement of drilling activities in the Middle Benue Trough is in line with ongoing campaigns for the exploration of crude oil and gas in the Nation’s Frontier Basins.

He listed the Chad Basin, Dahomey Basin, Anambra Platform, the Calabar Embankment, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin, Benue Trough as well as the Ultra-Deepwater Niger Delta as areas where NNPC is extending its crude oil exploration.

‘‘This is consistent with the commercial discoveries of hydrocarbons in the Kolmani Area of the Upper Benue Trough.

‘‘I am pleased to note that activities are currently ongoing to develop the Kolmani petroleum discoveries to commercial production to add to the nation’s considerable hydro-carbon assets.

‘‘I am encouraged by the enormous work done by NNPC Limited to exploit the prospects in the Middle Benue Trough, leading to the event of today.

‘‘I congratulate NNPC Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other partners for their immense contributions towards making this day and this event possible,’’ he said, directing Governor Abdullahi Sule and Group CEO, NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari to spud on his behalf.

Earlier speaking, Group Managing Director/CEO of the NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari pointed out that findings are very indicative of potential commercial hydrocarbon discovery in the area.

The GMD/CEO expressed optimistimism that the positive outcome of the campaign will contribute to increasing the country’s national hydrocarbon reserve from 37bn barrels to 50bn barrels in the short, while also increasing its oil production capacity to the target of 3m barrels per day.

He equally assured stakeholders that NNPCL will conduct its activities in Obi Local Government Area with utmost care and attention to health, safety and environment.

His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule inspects ongoing setting up of the Control Tower, at the Lafia Airport, on Tuesday, 1st November, 2022

His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule alongside the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hameed Boboyi at the Commissioning and handing over of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) 2nd Chance Model School at Kurmin Tagwaye, Wamba Road in Akwanga LGA. 6th September, 2022

His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule performs official ground breaking of the Karu Retail & Recreational Center at the Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Karu LG. 3rd February 2022

Engineer Sule performs ground breaking for N2bn Karu retail, recreational centre

Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has performed the ground breaking ceremony of the Karu Retail and Recreational Centre, estimated to cost N2bn.

Engineer Sule performed the ground breaking at the site of the project into Karu, Karu Local Government Area, on Thursday.

The Karu Retail and Recreational Centre is a joint venture between the Nasarawa State Government and the Barlow and Barrow International Nigeria Limited.

According the governor, it is a dream come through for his administration for retail institutions such as ShopRite to come to the Karu International Market, which was built from public funds but left to fallow.

He pointed that, being an investor and coming from the private sector, it was difficult for his administration to watch while the Karu International Market, located in a prime location, is not being utilised in order to generate revenue for the state.

“It’s a dream come true to have an institution such as the ShopRite coming to open up this area. I think it’s a huge success,” he stated.

He noted that his administration’s leverage on the proximity of the state to the Federal Capital Territory, has continued to yield investments, stressing that the Karu Retail and Recreational Centre is significant offering both for economic and social impact, while being in line with the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS).

Engineer Sule appreciated both the Etsu Karu, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, for ensuring cordial relationship with landowners, as well as the Barlow and Barrow International Nigeria Limited, for investing in the state.

It would be recalled that barely few months ago, the Nasarawa State Government, signed joint venture agreements with private firms for the construction of the Peninsula housing estate and the Nasarawa Technology Village.

Chief Executive Officer of the Karu Retail and Recreational Centre, Yahaya Yahaya, said Nasarawa State has become an investment destination, with the Karu Retail and Recreational Centre a well thought out development and business model, which promises to deliver sustainable return on investment for all the parties involved.

He added that venture will feature ShopRite as the retail anchor and a balance of international and local retail businesses, as well as a community park for recreational activities.

The CEO however urged the Nasarawa State Government to build a pedestrian bridge to link the mall with the newly constructed Karu Mega Bus Terminal.

Yahaya said his firm will uphold the

On his part, Managing Director and CEO of the Nasarawa Investment Development Agency, Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the event as a landmark partnership for the retail sector in the state.

In a goodwill message, the Etsu Karu, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, appreciated the governor for his development initiatives across the state.

The royal father thanked the governor for the significant change in the development of particularly Karu Local Government Area.

Canada Partners Nasarawa State on Renewal Energy, health, mining and Agricultural Development as Nasarawa Liaison officer meets Canada High commissioner to Nigeria in Abuja.

In continuation of his diplomatic relations to drive Gov Abdullahi Sule industrialization and economic development, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Nasarawa State liaison office Abuja HonYusuf Maianguwa had a fruitful discussion with the Canadian high commissioner to Nigeria Ambassador Kevin Tokar at the Embassy of Canada in Abuja.

Maianguwa who used the visit to present Nasarawa Economic development strategy NEDS document to the Ambassador said it would guide him to know the economic potentials of the state for possible partnership and investments.

Mr Kevin Tokar who appreciated the visit expressed his country’s readiness to collaborate with Nasarawa State government especially on Agriculture, health care development at the grassroots, Minerals exploration and Renewable energy.

The Canada Ambassador applauded Governor Abdullahi Sule developmental strides and assured him of his support to exceeds all expectations.

His Excellency Engineer A.A Sule flags off fertilizer sales for dry season farming, warns against racheteering

Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has flagged off the sales of fertilizer to farmers for the 2021/22 dry season farming, warning officials incharge of the distribution of the commodity against racheteering.

Engineer Sule flagged off the fertilizer and other farm inputs sales, at a ceremony which held at the headquarters of the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP), on Wednesday.

According to the governor, his administration will continue to support farmers in the state towards retaining the current position of Nasarawa State in the country in terms of crops production, especially seseme, yams and rice, with the state rated first, second and third respectively in the country.

He announced that for the 2021/22 dry season farming, government has purchased 600 metric tonnes of 50 kg bag of fertilizer at N9, 300 per bag but will sake it to farmers at a subsidized rate of N7, 000 per bag.

Engineer Sule however frowned at situations where fertilizer meant for farmers are diverted and sold in the open market.

He therefore called on local government chairmen to liaise with traditional rulers and community leaders, towards ensuring that the commodity is sold only to genuine farmers.

Commenting further, the governor said his administration has given priority attention to agriculture, because it is the major occupation of the people of the state, aimed at improving the livelihood of the citizens through employment generation, as well as achieving sustainable food security.

He emphasized that the event was in furtherance of the determination of his administration to ensure all year round agricultural production, adding that government is committed to improving post-harvest and value chain management for sustainable food production.

While recalling last year’s collaboration between the state government and the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), where a field day was organised to showcase and demonstrate some agricultural equipments and machineries, the governor announced further collaboration with the centre in the area of manpower development, which saw to the training of selected youths processing, preserving and packaging of identified agricultural produce for small and.meduim scale entrepreneurship.

He added that, in another collaboration with the Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), which saw to the training of selected staff from the NADP on technological innovations on post-harvest management.

This is even as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), recently donated 55 irrigation pumps to 55 dry season farmers across three groups, in order to boost agricultural production.

The governor used the opportunity of the event to commend the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for collaboring and partnering with the state in the areas of provision of training and spray kits to 50 youths in the state, as well as provision of three Bajaj motorcycles.

He however urged the Federal Government to explore more areas collaboration in the collective effort to turn around the economy of the country.

In a goodwill message, state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), and former chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Meshi, commended the governor for sustaining the previous feat of launching the sales of fertilizer for dry season before the year runs out.

Hon. Meshi equally commended Engineer Sule for the relative peace being enjoyed across the state, which made it possible for farmers in the state to enjoy bumper harvest.

On his part, the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad (rtd), urged farmers in the state to take advantage of the gesture by the state government to engage in dry season farming

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MINISTRY OF HEALTH

As part of effort to provide a Better Healthcare Delivery Services for all, the Nasarawa State Government under the able leadership of Governor Abdullahi A Sule in collaboration with Kokona Local Government Council through the initiative of the State Ministry of Health with a support from the Saving One Million Lives (Program for Results)has put in place a Program on FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH.
The exercise will involve Medical consultations, and Minor to some Major surgical procedures, the program shall also provide standard eye care services, provision of eye glasses to persons who may need them for eye sights improvements as well as ultrasound services.

This free Medical Outreach, will be taking place in the General Hospital Garaku for 2days, from Tuesday 7th to Wednesday 8th December, 2021.

In view of the above, Members of the General Public, especially those with Health related challenges are advised to take full advantage of this all important offer of these Free Medical Services being provided by the State Government.
His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa state, will grace the occasion on Wednesday 8th December, 2021.

The program will Start from Tuesday 7th – Wednesday 8th December, 2021.
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Venue: General Hospital Garaku.

Signed,
Dr. Janet Angbazo
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health

Nasarawa flags off mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19…WHO Country Director, UNICEF Chief of Health in attendance

Nasarawa State Government has flagged off the mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19, aimed at rapidly increasing the number of fully vaccinated residents of the state.

Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, flagged off the campaign at a ceremony that held in the premises of the state infectious diseases and research diagnostic centre, in Lafia, on Friday.

Against the threat of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor said his administration has continued to evolve measures towards the control and containment of the spread of the virus among others.

According to Engineer Sule, even though the state revieved lots of commendations for the priative steps and initiatives taken to curtail the spread of the virus, the state government has no choice but to take all the steps already taken mostly because of the state’s proximity to the FCT.

“Majority of the lower cadre working in Abuja are living in Nasarawa State. These are the people that are mostly espoused,” he stated.

He noted that, as a responsive government, his administration took proactive measures by rushing to complete and commission the state-of-the-art infectious diseases and research diagnostic centre, towards ensuring protection, as well as fighting the scourge ravaging the society.

The governor disclosed that, as part of the mass vaccination campaign, the state government will step down the vaccination campaign across schools, markets, hospitals, as well as ensure all civil servants in the state take full vaccination against the virus.

“I’m happy that the Head of Service is here. As you are paying salaries on Monday, maybe you can say anybody who has not taken the vaccination may not recieve his or her salary, ” he added.

Engineer Sule emphasized that his administration is ready to take all the measures necessary in order to ensure that every resident of the state is vaccinated.

The governor reiterated that he was among the first to take the vaccination, calling on the people of the state to step up by taking the vaccination.

“In fact, I have taken the first and second dose and if you are ready to give me the third today, I’m ready to take that again,” he said.

He used the opportunity of the event to remind residents about the cholera outbreak that has so far affected over 100, 000 persons across the country, with several deaths also recorded.

As part of the proactive approach to curtailing the spread of cholera in the state, the governor appealed to the general public to avoid open defecation and unnecessary dumping of refuse along waterways.

“This will go a long way in mitigating the spread of cholera and other diseases in our communities,” the governor said.

Engineer Sule equally used the opportunity to commend both the state and national primary healthcare agencies for continuously working hard since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He explained that, Nasarawa State keyed into the Federal Government initiatives from the onset of the pandemic, constituting a COVID-19 task force under the leadership of the state deputy governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe and other professionals.

The governor further appreciated the Country Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF Chief of Health in Nigeria, as well as prominent sons and daughters of the state that attended the event.

Earlier, in a goodwill message, UNICEF Chief of Health in Nigeria, Dr. Eduardo Celades, said in spite of the negative health consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the world now has the most powerful tool that works in the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the UNICEF chief, COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective.

“People vaccinated is unlikely they will get severe COVID-19 pandemic. Most people admitted in hospitals from COVID-19 have not vaccinated,” he stated.

He pointed out that UNICEF being a leading agency in vaccine and vaccine management, is working with governments, states ministry of health, alongside other partners like the WHO and other global agencies, to make the vaccines available.

Dr. Celades disclosed that, so far, 33m doses have arrived Nigeria, with more being expected.

He however noted that, it is not enough to have the vaccines but that it must be administered, stressing the significance of the mass vaccination campaign.

“We need to work with traditional rulers, religious leaders, health workers, media in order to ramp up and increase the vaccination,” he said.

Also speaking, Executive Chairman of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaibu, noted that Nasarawa State has consistently been among the best performing states in the utilisation of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr Shuaibu described the mass vaccination campaign as a unique opportunity to get and achieve herd immunity, to control the pandemic and get Nasarawa State back on the fast track way to industrial and socioeconomic development that was being propelled by the Engineer Sule administration before the pandemic.

He disclosed that, so far, 6, 242, 224 people revieved the first dose of the vaccine across the country, while 3, 487, 298 people have received their second dose and are fully vaccinated.

“From the data, it’s clear that Nigeria still has a far road to go before it reach the target of vaccinating about 112m eligible people.

“According to the National Population Commission, about 15m persons are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination in Nasarawa State,” he stated.

Dr. Shuaibu explained that the state was only able to vaccinate 8.1 percent of eligible Nasarawa residents with the first dose and only 5.2 percent are fully vaccinated with the second dose.

He added that, in order to bridge the gap, the Federal Government is collaborating with state government, to expand vaccination sites in Nasarawa State, with COVID-19 vaccine now available in public health facilities, designated primary healthcare facilities, shopping malls, markets, schools and general hospitals.

Others are religious centres, motor parks, as well as other designated sites.

“Anyone that is 18 yrs and above is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination free of charge,” he said.