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PALLIATIVE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE NASARAWA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON TAXPAYERS 4TH JUNE, 2020.

Sequel to the outbreak of corona virus and its attendant effect on businesses and the economy as a whole, the Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service (NSIRS) hereby announce the following palliative measures for its esteem taxpayers with a view to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on individual and business income alike.

Extended Period for filling PAYE and self-assessment returns

Dateline for filing of employee’s return by employers under the PAYE scheme was extended from 31 t January 2020 to 30th June 2020, while dateline for declaration of income by individuals under self-assessment is extended to 31St August 2020.

Waiver of penalty and interest on debts l aid in full on or before 30th June 2020

Penalty and interest is hereby waived for taxpayers with outstanding liability who pay in full on or before 30th June 2020

Provision for installmental payment

All debts that become due, including assessment that become final and conclusive in 2020 could be paid install mentally within the Fiscal year.

Our esteemed taxpayers are encouraged to take advantage of these palliative measures and declare their income, file in their returns and/or pay their outstanding liabilities in full.

For further enquiries, please contact the Office of the Executive Chairman Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service Lafia.

Ahmad Yakubu Muhammad

Executive Chairman

Nasarawa Govt hails FG for approving over N8bn for Farin Ruwa project

Nasarawa State Government has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, for approving over N8bn for the construction of the Farin Ruwa Dam, as well as the Sisin Baki/Farin Ruwa road.

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, made the commendation in an opening remark during an expanded stakeholders meeting to review measures put in place to contain further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Government House, on Thursday.

While expressing deep appreciation to the President on behalf of the government and people of the state, Engineer Sule thanked the Federal Government for coming to the assistance of the state at a time Nasarawa needed assistance.

The Governor restated that, in line with the commitment of his administration to complete all ongoing projects started by previous administrations in the state, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, was among the first ministries the state government approached with a view to ensuring that the Farin Ruwa dam project sees the light of day.

“From my follow up, the money is there, it’s not that they are going to seek for the money from somewhere. It’s just to ensure that they mobilize to site to continue with the project,” Engineer Sule disclosed.

He stated that even though the state government has commenced the construction of the Sisin Baki/Farin Ruwa road, the Federal Government has now taken over the project with the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday.

The Governor added that the project, initiated by the past administration of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, is capable of generating 20 megawatts of electricity, which he said will be more than enough for Akwanga and possibly Keffi.

Commenting on the status of the state regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Engineer Sule expressed concern over the escalation of the virus in the state.

According to the Governor, out of the 705 samples taken from across the state, 658 have been received, with the state so far, recording 90 positive cases, with four deaths.

Engineer Sule used the opportunity to show appreciation to traditional rulers, security agents and the media, for their continued support while government put measures in place to contain and control the spread of the pandemic.

He particularly thanked the people of the state for their understanding and cooperation throughout the trying moment occasioned by the outbreak of the COVID-19.

“That is why it’s important that we sit today. In the whole country, the situation is being reviewed and some of the restrictions are being relaxed.

“Because some of these restrictions are actually having devastating effects on the economy, so the Federal Government and other states have no option than, in spite of the increase of the number of the cases, relax some of these restrictions,” the Governor stated.

Engineer Sule equally used the opportunity of the meeting to show appreciation over the release of the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Joseph Masin, who was kidnapped recently.

While thanking members of his family and the Christendom for their patience, understanding and efforts, during the difficult moment, the Governor commended the security agents for effecting the release of Bishop Masin.

GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 4 SPECIAL FORCES COMMAND NIGERIAN ARMY, DOMA BARRACKS

GOVERNMENT OF NASARAWA STATE

Address by His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State on the Occasion of the Foundation Laying /Flag-off of the Construction of Special Force Command Headquarters, Doma, Nasarawa State: Monday, 1st June, 2020

1. Your Excellencies and my Colleagues, Executive Governors here present;
2. His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State;
3. The Right Honourable Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly;
4. The Honourable Chief Judge, Nasarawa State;
5. Distinguished Senators and Members of the National Assembly here present;
6. The Honourable Minister of FCT, Alh. Muhammad Musa Bello;
7. The Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai;
8. Members of the State Executive and Security Councils;
9. The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State;
10. The Head of Civil Service;
11. Permanent Secretaries in the Service of Nasarawa State;
12. His Royal Highness, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I JSC (Rtd) Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs;
13. Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs from the North-Central States here present;
14. Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs, Nasarawa State;
15. Representatives of Security and Para-Military Agencies;
16. Gentlemen of the Press;
17. Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am highly delighted to address you today on the occasion of the Foundation Laying/Official flag-off of the Construction of Special Force Command Headquarters in Doma, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

2. I warmly welcome Your Excellencies, the Executive Governors of Plateau, Benue and Kogi States who found time to be in our midst at this all-important event. Indeed, we are honoured by your esteemed presence. Let me specially welcome the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello to Nasarawa State to grace this event.

3. Similarly, I welcome the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai and his entourage to Nasarawa State, whose auspices we are gathered to witness the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of the headquarters of the Special Force Command in Doma. Your presence in our midst today is a demonstration of our collective commitment to address security challenges not only in Nasarawa State, but the country at large. Indeed, this development is an indication that the North Central Zone, including Nasarawa State will soon join the league of States that experience peace and security in the country.

4. Let me express our profound appreciation to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for graciously approving the construction of the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Doma. I wish to also appreciate Mr. President for the establishment of two (2) Super Camps at Mararaban-Udege and Kanyehu in Nasarawa and Toto Local Government Areas. Similarly, let me appreciate Mr. President for establishing Mobile Police Training School in Nasarawa Eggon and the siting of Airforce Command Base in the Lafia Cargo Airport for air surveillance within the North-Central Zone.

5. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, as you are aware, Nasarawa State is located in the North-Central Geo-Political Zone alongside Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Kwara, Niger and the Federal capital Territory, Abuja, whose major occupation is farming. It is important to note that our soil has rich potentials with good climatic condition in which over 80% of our population engages in one agricultural activities or the other. The competition for scarce land between the farmers and herders in the zone has made it vulnerable to many security challenges ranging from communal crisis, clashes between herdsmen and farmers, kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, among other socio-economic security challenges in the zone. This, no doubt, has continued to threaten the fragile peace and security in our respective States with attendant effects on the security of the zone.

6. Consequently, successive Governments in the State took far-reaching measures, including reporting to Mr. President at various stages of the crisis in addition to the conduct of Joint Security Meetings in the zone with a view to resolving security challenges amicably, especially in our border areas in which resolutions were always reported to Mr. President for consideration.

7. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, it has become imperative to come-up with holistic measures to address these plethora security challenges in order to avert the likely breakdown of the seemingly peaceful and harmonious co-existence among diverse ethnic nationalities, as well as maintenance of law and order in the society. To address this menace, the Federal Government has set-up different Military Operations in the zone. These include:
i. A Special Joint Military Operations which was codenamed Ayum Kpatuma or Cat Race with the operation headquarters in Nasarawa State to take care of the entire North-central zone.

ii. Operation Whirl Stroke Special Force, with its Command Headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State and operational bases in the States to address farmers herders conflict in the zone.

iii. Establishment of 123 Special Force Battalion in Doma. The Barrack, if fully completed, will serve as the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command which will assist in checkmating the menace of cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes and other forms of criminalities in the zone.

iv. The establishment of two Military Super Camps at Mararaban-Udege in Nasarawa Local Government and Kanyehu in Toto Local Government Areas.
8. In furtherance to our commitment to complement the efforts of Nigerian Army in the fight against crime and criminality in the State, the State Government has constructed four (4) bedroom flat and boys’ quarters as Commander’s residence, as well as 5Nos. bedroom semi-detached for other Senior Officers. This is in addition to the provision of three (3) brand new Toyota Hilux Pick-up Vans; brand new motorcycles; Solar-powered boreholes; one hundred (100) 8spring mattresses; Generating sets, as well as provision of Perimeter Excavation round the two Camps.

9. I am happy to inform you that, in 2018, the Nasarawa State Government donated the sum of Two Hundred Million Naira (N200,000,000.00) only as part of its contribution to support the construction of this project. In addition, I have also approved the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) only as monthly allocation for the sustenance of the two Super Camps.

10. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, let me use this medium to appreciate the Chief of Army Staff for his doggedness and resilience in fighting insurgency in the North-east; farmers/herders conflict in the North-central and kidnapping & banditry in the North-west. To this end and as part of the measures to combat crime and criminality in the State, the Nasarawa State Government has signed the Kidnapping Act Prohibition Law; Community Volunteer Guard (Vigilante); Executive Order for the Implementation of the Child Right Law of Nasarawa State and Street Begging. All these measures are aimed at ensuring security and peaceful co-existence with the view to providing enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.

11. At this juncture, let me once again express our profound appreciation to Mr. President for approving the establishment of the Special Forces Command Headquarters; Special Military Super Camps in Kanyehu and Udege-Mbeki in Toto and Nasarawa Local Government Areas. Let me also commend our Military Personnel for the untiring effort in the maintenance of peace and stability in the society. I urge you to sustain the tempo for the benefit of our people. I assure you of our continuous synergy in our collective determination to protect lives and property.

12. On this note, it is now my pleasure to flag-off the Construction Headquarters of Special Force Command in Doma, the headquarters of Doma Local Government Area of the State.

13. Thank you and may God bless us all.

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Commissioning of Classrooms Built by Keystone Bank in Government Girls Secondary Schools, Garaku, Nasarawa State

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FLAG-OFF OF DISTRIBUTION OF 2020 FERTILIZER

The Joint Peace And Security Meeting Between Benue and Nasarawa States

1.0 In furtherance of the efforts of the Governors 0f the two States to ensure sustainable peace among the ethnic groups in the States, particularly, communities living at the border areas of the two States, their Excellencies Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State and Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule Governor of Nasarawa State respectively convened this meeting.

2.0 The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Secretary to the Government of both States; members of the State Executive and Security Councils of the two States; other top Government functionaries of the two States, members of the State House of Assembly representing border communities of the two States, Chairmen of the Local Government Councils of the two States sharing borders, Traditional Rulers and Community Leaders as well as representatives from the border communities of the two States.

3.0 Participants at the meeting commended their Excellencies the Governors of Nasarawa and Benue States for their doggedness in ensuring sustainable peace and security among the different ethnic nationalities in the two States. Similarly, security agencies in the two States were commended for their efforts in ensuring peace, Law and Order as well as their prompt response to crisis situations. The meeting also appreciated the efforts of Traditional Rulers and
Communities’ leaders in conflict resolution among warring parties within and among communities of the two states

4.0 After frank and brotherly deliberations, participants at the meeting from both States resolved as follows:

i. The Deputy Governors of the two States and National Boundary Commission should speedily work towards concluding the demarcation of the borders between the two States so as to address the lingering crisis between the Alago, Tiv and the Fulani from both States and resolve their differences.

ii. Fulani herdsmen should refrain from trespassing and occupying farm lands and communities at the disputed border areas for now until the boundary lines between Benue and Nasarawa States are clearly demarcated by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

iii. Farmers and herdsmen should also refrain from taking laws into their hands at the slightest provocation; they should endeavor to report any trespass or breach of their rights to the constituted authority nearest to them.

iv. Security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrol activities in their border areas and both States should jointly employ the use of community policing to stop the menace of herdsmen attack and inter border banditry activities.

v. No Livestock guard should cross the border into Nasarawa State while performing their assignment.

vi. Border communities 0f the two States should identify perpetrators, sponsors/financiers of criminal activities and report them to security agencies.

vii. Regular visit on each other by Traditional Rulers and Chairmen of Local Government Councils from Benue and Nasarawa States particular those at the border areas.

viii. The Governors of the two States commend His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up special task force on security to complement the efforts of the regular security agencies in combating crimes in North Central Nigeria.

Signed By:

His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule

Governor of Nasarawa State

His Excellency, Samuel Ortom
Governor, Benue State.

HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR ABDULLAHI A. SULE CONDOLES MR. PRESIDENT AND THE FAMILY OF LATE ABBA KYARI

It is with great sadness that His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule learned of the passing of Late Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Abba Kyari on Friday 17th April 2020.

His Excellency hereby extends his deepest condolences to the family of Abba Kyari as well as relatives and the entire country, and in particular President Muhammadu Buhari whom the Late Kyari served with unalloyed loyalty, fortitude and strength of will.

Nasarawa State mourns with the nation, as we reflect upon the life of this remarkable politician, nationalist and exceptional statesman who exemplified patriotism, love for the common man and skills of astute leadership and great determination.

Indeed politics has lost a man who was a powerful force for patriotism, discipline, peace, unity and national service.

Abba Kyari’s commitment to the highest standards of national service, loyalty and love for Nigeria stands as an example to all of us, particularly, those who are politicians to be bridge builders and torch bearers of hope.

Abba Kyari contributed over many years to furthering the ideals of political accommodation and peace-building. Kyari understood the deep connection between local politics and national problems, and he helped Mr. President in no small measure to give Nigeria a respected place of identity and dignity among the comity of nations.

There are only a few citizens of Nigeria who have had such a profound impact on the future direction of politics of transparency, accountability and inclusion in our dear country Nigeria as championed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Abba Kyari.

Indeed as it is written in Verse (2:156) of the Holy Qur’an: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” (Arabic: إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ‎) which translates to mean: “Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return, “the Governor of Nasarawa State Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule in total submission to the will of Allah SWT hereby commiserates with Nigerians over the demise of Abba Kyari.

Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule affirms herewith that indeed death is predetermined by God alone, and the exact time of a person’s death is known only to God; but as Muslims and people of faith, the Governor enjoins the family of Abba Kyari to find solace and comfort in the belief and prayers that Allah will surely designate for their Abba Kyari, “Aljannah Firdaus” (the highest layer of heaven) as his resting place!
May Almighty Allah; the absolute one, the all-powerful and all-knowing ruler of the universe, and the creator of everything in existence grant Abba Kyari’s family “Sabr” the fortitude, ‘endurance’ and ‘perseverance’ to bear this irreplaceable loss. Ameen!

Yakubu Lamai
Director General: Strategic Communication & Press Affairs
To: HE Governor Abdullahi A. Sule
Saturday 18th April 2020

NITDA Donates 100 LAPTOPS TO NASARAWA, TO TRAIN, EMPOWER WOMEN SETUP BUSINESSES

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has donated 100 laptops to Nasarawa State, with additional plan to train and empower women to setup ICT businesses in the state next month.

Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule disclosed this on Thursday while declaring open a 3-month computer training and supply of laptops on loan to civil/public servants in the state.

According to the governor, based on the significance he placed on Information Communication Technology (ICT) he made several trips to the agency in Abuja, with the state now benefitting from the programmes being ran by NITDA.

Engineer Sule said NITDA is coming to the state next month to embark on a training programme for women, with the beneficiaries also to be given financial resources to set up businesses so that they can become employers of labour.

“They are going to come along with additional laptops that is mainly for women, so that they can empower women, to give them not only the laptops but also some financial resources, so they can use the resources to buy additional items that will help them to be able to set up their own business centres and become employers of labour by themselves,” the governor stated.

Speaking on the event, Engineer Sule restated the commitment of his administration to make Nasarawa State ICT compliant, with a view to enhancing e-governance.

He noted that many government operations are not being conducted through online interactions with government functionaries on one hand and members of the public on the other.

To this end, Engineer Sule disclosed that his administration has commenced the rehabilitation and furnishing of the existing structure of information technology centre as a pilot project, with arrangements concluded for the construction of technology innovation hubs in Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi and Karu local government areas.

Engineer Sule added that his administration is determined to give civil servants the necessary training to make them compliant with new techniques in executing government responsibilities in the state, which he said, will reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, as well as waste of time in the discharge of government business.

He emphasized that the training programmed will be conducted across all the three senatorial zones of the state, with both teachers and staffs of local government areas to be included in the training.

“Let me therefore, reiterate that this administration actually places high premium on training and retraining of our workforce in our commitment to inject ICT in the state public service for effective service delivery,” the governor said.

He commended Brightland Computer Technologies, for initiating the programme, charging civil servants in the state to enrol into the programme towards ensuring they acquire personal laptops as the first step to ensure that all civil servants are compliant with modern trend of digital literacy.

Engineer Sule further urged the initiators of the event to extend similar gesture to all and sundry so that the entire state will be computer literate.

Speaking also, Mr. Adeola Adedayo, Technical Manager, Brightland Computer Technologies, said his firm is happy to partner with the Nasarawa State government towards ensuring that its workforce are imparted with ICT knowledge, which is an important factor globally.

Adedayo commended the effort of the governor to ensure that workers in the state are digitally literate, which according to him, is an important step towards achieving e-governance.

Earlier, the state Head of the Civil Service, Abari Nicholas Aboki, disclosed that the programme will comprise theory and practical sessions and it’s being organized in such a way that government activities would not be interrupted.

GOV SULE COMMISSIONS MARARABA – ORANGE MARKET ROAD AND TA’AL ORANGE AND SERVICES SITE ESTATE

His Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State has commissioned the Mararaba-orange Market road and the Taal Orange Site and state Services Estate today in Mararaba of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.

Hon Samuel Akala, the Executive Chairman of Karu local Government eternally grateful to the Governor Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule for reassuring the citizens of Karu Local Government Area on the plans to commence the construction of Mpape-Gurku-Panda-Gitata road. This is a cherry news to the local government, and will open vistas of opportunities to the citizenry, he stated.

In attendance, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Members of the National Assembly, Minister of state, Science and Technology, State House of Assembly members, and other top Government functionaries on the occasion of the official commissioning of the Mararaba-Orange Market road and the Taal Orange and Services Estate.

HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR ABDULLAHI A. SULE FLAGS OFF TECH-HUBS IN NASARAWA STATE

While welcoming the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the SSG, the SSAs, Lafia Local Government Chairman and all other personalities in attendance, Mallam Shehu Ibrahim Director General Bureau for Information and Communication Technology (BICT) stated that the idea of the Technology Innovation Hubs was the brainchild of the Bureau and that of the office of Special Assistant on ICT to Governor Abdullahi A Sule; Maryam Muhammad Gajere.

The hubs were setup to create an avenue for the promotion of technological innovation and for the exchange of ideas for business start-up and expansion for youths. Speaking at the flag the Director General Bureau for ICT, Shehu Ibrahim described the investment in technological innovation hubs as a strategic move to use technology as the key driver to fast-growing and smart economies for the state.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Bureau for ICT, Maryam Gajere Mohammed expressed delight at the commencement of the project. She said “I am very excited with this development because technological innovation is evolving and new ideas are springing up to proffer solutions to societal problems”. The tech-hubs are expected to instill the importance of technology and reason why it should be embraced and learn as a major driver of any developing economy.

The initiative will enable people to learn how to; develop Mobile Apps, Web Development, Idea Incubation, Robotic Training, Internet Of Things, Real And Virtual Augmentation, Graphic Designs, Block- Chain among many very others.

The Governor who applauded the previous Administration for building the Ta’al Mode e-libraries reiterated his administration’s commitment to leveraging on technology to create businesses and solution to problems that are driven by innovation and technology in delivering the state’s dream.

The Governor also congratulated the entire BICT staff for such a feat. He publicly stated that he has seen a lot that made it through the use of technology Innovation such as Microsoft, Facebook, thus he did not just endorsed the Technology Innovation Hubs but also promise to give all the necessary and needed support to ensure the smooth operations and sustainability of such a unique initiative.