State News

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the senate building at the Federal University Lafia, as part of activities marking the scheduled combined convocation ceremony of the institution.

Engineer Sule, at a brief ceremony on Friday, also commissioned a newly constructed gatehouse at the entrance of the university, a road linking all the campuses of the institution, a bridge and a solar street light.

Commissioning the projects, the Governor commended his predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura for personally ensuring the smooth take-off and subsequent development of the university.

He expressed satisfaction that Senator Al-makura’s effort is being recognized as he is billed to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the institution on Saturday.

Engineer Sule, equally commended the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Muhammad Sanusi Liman, among others, for bringing much desired development to the institution.

Earlier, in a welcome remarks, Registrar of the university, Dr. Abubakar Mamuda, disclosed that already, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Professor Elias Bogoro and the Emir of Lafia, HRH, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd) commissioned a multipurpose lecture hall, multipurpose research institute and medical college respectively.

A team from the Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, are presently in Nasarawa State to carry out feasibilities on a land to be used for the purpose of establishing a multi crop processing zone, as well as for the cultivation of cassava and sugarcane.

Group Managing Director/CEO of the company, Paul Miyonmide Gbededo, disclosed this during a meeting with government officials at the Lafia Government House, on Tuesday.

According to the GMD, a team from the company are in Lafia and ready to move into the land, located in Umuasha, Toto Local Government Area, to carry out feasibility studies on the suitability of the land for the specified projects.

Gbededo explained that the meeting was a follow up on the earlier meeting held in Lagos, when Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, led a delegation on a visit to the corporate headquarters of the company.

The GMD said, his company, being the leading food and agro allied business in the country, is investing in Nasarawa State because the state is agrarian and has lend itself so well to the firm’s philosophy and strategy.

He added that, by reciprocating the visit, Flour Mills Nigeria, meant business and are ready to exploit areas of collaboration with Nasarawa State, stressing that the company is seeking an inclusive development that will yield fruits not only just for the company but also for Nasarawa State and its people.

“The initial discussions that we had in Lagos, we mean it. We mean our desire to look at Nasarawa State and develop processing zone, not just one crop, but multi crop processing zone. So that we can take advantage of synergies that show themselves in the space we want to operate,” the Flour Mills GMD said.

He further disclosed that the company will also look at the out grower scheme, where local farmers will be brought in while the company continues to expand, stressing that it’s important they work with local farmers.

“Because this is not just about Flour Mills, it’s about Nasarawa State as well and the people of Nasarawa State,” he stated.

The GMD said it’s the desire of the company to grow and make Nasarawa State its base.

“We know that we have to act very quickly and that is why we have prepared for this. Members of the team are ready to move in immediately.

“We are not waiting. We have a team here that is ready to move into the land, check all the land, what the conditions of the lands are, the topography of the land, we are ready to start testing the land, knowing whether the land is suitable, what hectarage of the land we will be able to move in quickly and start developing,” he further explained.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, Special Adviser on Investment to the Nasarawa State Governor, Barrister Ibrahim Abdullahi, recalled that at the earlier meeting in Lagos, the Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, mentioned an opportunity to use their investment at the Toto area, as a flag off of establishing a special agro processing zone.

The SA disclosed that following on that, Engineer Sule immediately borrowed approved for conversation to open with different support groups, specifically, the Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank, for the establishment of the crop processing zone.

“Out of that meeting, we are also on the verge of achieving double dividends. One, we have the Flour Mills investment, secondly, that also gave us a leeway to start the agro processing zone,” Abdullahi said.

Responding, Engineer Sule, showed appreciation for the company returning the initial visit he led to Lagos, stressing that he knew Flour Mills Nigeria will come to Nasarawa for a mutually beneficial business relationship.

“I wouldn’t have gone to Flour Mills. But I do know that anywhere that Flour Mills goes, you have added value, everywhere you go, you have carried the family with you, everywhere you go, you make your foot print and your presence.

“I am very excited and elated, I am so happy that you have accepted this invitation to be here,” the Governor said.

While pledging total cooperation with the company as it moves into Umuasha, Engineer Sule directed the technical team from the state to give the company a comprehensive presentation, highlighting other options for further collaboration in the state.

He urged representatives of the state government to accord full cooperation and work with the team from the Flour Mills Nigeria, as the company moves into Toto Local Government Area.

1. His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State;

2. The Right Hon. Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly;

3. The Hon. Chief Judge of Nasarawa State;

4. Principal Officers and Members of the State House of Assembly;

5. Members of the State Executive and Security Councils;

6. The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State;

7. The Head of the Civil Service;

8. Special Advisers;

9. The State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC);

10. Permanent Secretaries;

11. His Royal Highness, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I JSC (Rtd) Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs;

12. Chairmen and Chief Executives of Commissions, Boards and Parastatals;

13. Executive Chairmen of Local Government Councils and Overseers of Development Areas present;

14. Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs present;

15. Our Development Partners;

16. Gentlemen of the Press;

17. Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with a sense of fulfillment that I address you today on the twin occasion of the 5-Year Hepatitis ‘C’ Elimination Plan and the Inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG).

2. Let me specially welcome our development partners and other stakeholders in the health sector to Nasarawa State for this historic event.

3. I commend our development partners for this laudable collaboration, aimed at eliminating Hepatitis ‘C’ within the next Five (5) years, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) Elimination Goal of 2023. This is aimed at facilitating the screening of over 2.4 Million persons and providing treatment for over 124,000 persons.

4. You would recall that within the First 100 days of this Administration, we embarked on a State wide medical outreach for the treatment of Glaucoma and Cataract surgery among other illnesses in the State, where over Five Thousand (5,000) indigent persons benefitted from the gesture. We have also embarked on several other Interventions in the healthcare sector to improve the quality of healthcare services in our Primary, Secondary and Tertiary health institutions which include infrastructural upgrade, provision of various equipment, drugs and improvement in the health manpower, among others.

5. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, there is no gainsaying the fact that, Health is Wealth. Without good health, no life will exist. It is for this reason that this Administration is committed to saving lives and helping the citizens of Nasarawa State to live a healthy life. Accordingly, we remain committed to the building on the gains of the previous Administration by working closely with other development partners, such as the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) in order to domesticate the National Treatment Guidelines and integrate innovative diagnostic technologies for Hepatitis ‘C’ Virus (HCV). This is an intervention which has enjoyed global recognition and the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan African.

6. In addition, the availability of a 12-week curative treatment regimen for Hepatitis ‘C’ Virus has enabled infected persons’ access services across all levels of treatment cascade-screening, HCV diagnostic testing, and treatment. This intervention has been expanded to over 10 facilities in the State and no fewer than 85,000 persons have been screened, out of which 1,300 infected individuals were treated through these preliminary efforts. However, this is, but a drop in the ocean when compared with the estimated State’s burden.

7. I wish to state that the progress made in Nasarawa State in the elimination of Hepatitis is far from the desired goal of protecting every citizen from the risks of the infection. This is a call to action for all and sundry to join hands in order to eliminate Hepatitis in the State.

8. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is pertinent to continue to leverage on existing efforts in order to create the desired momentum to accelerate treatment uptake for the estimated 124,000 affected people in the state. This is in line with our Administration’s human capital development goal which forms part of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS).

9. In furtherance to these efforts, we are commencing an ambitious Viral Hepatitis ‘C’ Elimination Plan in the State. To actualize this Plan, we set-up a Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group (TWG) to be chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Health. The Working Group will be inaugurated today. As a demonstration of our commitment to fight this viral disease, this Administration is committing the sum of Forty Million (N40,000,000.00) Naira as seed fund to combat the disease.

10. This intervention has become imperative, considering the fact that the Viral Hepatitis amongst other communicable diseases contributes significantly to the high mortality rates with an estimated 1.3 Million deaths per year globally. It is important to note that the Hepatitis ‘B’ (H’B’) and Hepatitis ‘C’ (H’C’) Viruses are the primary drivers of cirrhosis and liver cancer, accounting for 9% of total deaths from all cancers each year. Records revealed that in Nigeria, no fewer than 18 million people are living with Viral Hepatitis with prevalence rates of 8.9% for Hepatitis ‘B’ Virus and 1.1% for Hepatitis ‘C’ Virus.

11. Similarly, a study conducted in Nasarawa State, showed a sero-prevalence rate of 13.2% for Hepatitis ‘C’ Virus, a figure significantly higher than the country’s average. This calls for great concern and immediate attention.

12. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Technical Working Group is charged with the responsibility of working out the modalities to ensure that a minimum of 10,000 persons are placed on treatment and cure within the 1st year. I am pleased to inform you that His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanual Akabe, who is also a Medical Doctor will champion this project to demonstrate the seriousness and commitment of this Administration.

13. As I inaugurate the Technical Working Group today, I urge you to live above board in the fight against this disease. I also implore our esteemed development partners and other stakeholders in the health sector, both Local and International to work in synergy with the Technical Team in our determination to reduce the menace of Hepatitis ‘C’ viral infection in Nasarawa State.

14. It is my hope and, indeed, expectation that this singular gesture will open up new vistas of stronger networks, partnership, collaboration and support as we match towards a Hepatitis ‘C’ – free generation.

15. On this note, it is my pleasure to declare open the 5-Year Hepatitis ‘C’ Elimination Plan and Inaugurate the Technical Working Group, for the benefit of our people.

16. Thank you and may God bless us all.

1. His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State;

2. The Right Honourable Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly;

3. The Honourable Chief Judge of Nasarawa State;

4. Principal Officers and Members of the State House of Assembly;

5. Members of the State Executive and Security Council;

6. The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State;

7. The Head of Civil Service;

8. Special Advisers;

9. The National Vice Chairman, North-Central Geo-Political Zone, All Progressives Congress (APC);

10. The State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC);

11. Permanent Secretaries;

12. His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs;

13. Chairmen and Chief Executives of Commissions, Boards and Parastatals;

14. Chairmen of Local Government Council and Overseers of Development Areas present;

15. Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs;

16. Gentlemen of the Press;

17. Ladies and gentlemen.

It is with gratitude to God the Almighty and a sense of fulfilment that we are gathered here today towards the enhancement

of the socio-economic variables of our State and, indeed, the welfare of our workers. It is my pleasure, therefore, to

address you on this occasion of the inauguration of two Executive Committees. They are:
i. Committee for the Implementation of the National Minimum Wage in Nasarawa State; and

ii. Committee on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

2. My dear compatriots, as you may recall, on the 29th May, 2019, I made a solemn commitment to revitalise the socio-

economic fortunes of the State, as well as improve the living conditions of our people of which the welfare of public

servants is paramount.

3. This is in line with our determination to improve the welfare of public servants as they are the cornerstone for the

implementation of Government policies and programmes. It is also intended to put machinery in place to reinvigorate the

revenue generating capacity of Government to finance development projects.

4. As you may also recall, Nasarawa State is always in the front burner on the issue of the implementation of the National

minimum wage in the country. The 2011 case was a reference point. I need to point out, therefore, that since the passage

of the new National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act in April this year, Government has continued to make consultations with

major stakeholders, including the Organised Labour on how to come up with a sustainable strategy for the implementation of

the new National Minimum Wage for workers from Grade Levels 01-06 and Consequential Adjustment for workers of Grade Levels

07-16 therein for the benefit of all.

5. It is in this connection that we constituted a bipartite Committee to study the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act,

make necessary consultations and recommend to Government a workable template for implementation in Nasarawa State.

6. The Committee, while carrying out its assignment, should be guided by the revenue accruals to the State vis-à-vis its

ability to pay the Minimum Wage. In this wise, this Administration is ready to open its book of account to serve as a

guide to the Committee towards making appropriate recommendations to Government.

7. Let me, however, state that Government is not unaware of the outstanding promotions, arrears and proper placements of

the civil servants in the State. In this regard a committee has been constituted to advise Government on how best to

implement the promotions. The committee will soon be inaugurated in our commitment towards improving the welfare of our

workers for optimum productivity.

8. In carrying out this all-important assignment, the committee on the implementation of the new minimum wage is to be

guided by the following terms of reference:

a. To obtain and study the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2009 and the Consequential Adjustments in the Salaries

of Employees in the Federal Public Service Arising Therefrom as a guide for the assignment;

b. To obtain and study copies of agreements reached between the Federal Government and the Organized Labour in line with

the consequential adjustment/increase in the salary structures of the following professions;
i. The Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS);

ii. The Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS);
iii. The Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS);

iv. The Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS);

v. The Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary (CONPCASS);

vi. The Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure II (CONUASS II); and

vii. The Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II (CONTISS II).

c. To develop a template for the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage Salary Structure in Nasarawa State;

d. To liaise with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (if necessary) for technical assistance on the

implementation of the new minimum wage for the State; and

e. To recommend any other matter(s) incidental to the foregoing Terms of Reference.
The Committee has three (3) weeks to complete its assignment and submit Report to Government.

9. Similarly, we are also here to witness the inauguration of the Committee on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in our

determination to improve the revenue profile of the State. This is to provide us with sumptuous alternative sources of

Revenue Generation as a vista for improved expenditure on projects, programmes and policies geared towards the overall

development of our dear State. This is because the only way to galvanize the State’s economy is by strengthening all

revenue accruing sources of the State.

10. Accordingly, the Committee is to be guided by the following Terms of Reference:
i. To identify all sources of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State within the confines of the law and workout

mechanisms of harnessing these revenues;

ii. To develop a database of all Internally Generated Revenue sources in the State;

iii. To device and monitor the collection of the Internally Generated Revenue from all sources and ensure their remittance

to the Treasury Single Account TSA) of the State;

iv. To identify and block leakages in the collection and remittance of Internally Generated Revenues;

v. To examine and recommend (where necessary) the review of Laws on collection of Internally Generated Revenue (fees,

fines, licenses, etc);

vi. To identify and collate data of all Licensed Miners operating in the State;

vii. To identify and liaise with all MDAs executing Lease Agreements between the State Governments and affected investors

with a view to preparing a database in that regard for effective coordination;

viii. To advise Government on the need to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle on solid minerals developments in the State;

ix. To liaise with the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Abuja to establish synergy in the

collection and collation of State Data on Enrollments (i.e. schools, health facilities, among others) to raise the Revenue

Indices of the Sate; and

x. To explore any other area(s) that may improve the Internally Generated Revenue base and performance of the State.

11. My dear members of the committees, let me reiterate that your appointment to carry out these onerous tasks is in

recognition of your wealth of experience, commitment, hard work and resilience towards the service of our dear State. I

charge you, therefore, to live above board and work assiduously with a view to coming up with workable recommendations

that will assist Government in its policy direction, in this regard.

12. Accordingly, and in line with the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), the constitution of these Committees

was necessitated in view of our avowal to enhance the socio-economic deliverables of the State. This is with a twin goal

of harnessing our economic potentials vis-à-vis human resources as formidable frontiers that can elevate the State to

enviable heights.

13. My dear workers of Nasarawa State, let me point out that Government decision in setting up these committees should not

be misunderstood to mean any intention to infringe on the rights and privileges of our workers in particular, nor in any

way cause hardship to the citizens of the State. I, therefore, appeal for your understanding, my fellow compatriots and

urge all and sundry to give the committees necessary cooperation to enable them carry out these assignments successfully.

14. Let me at this juncture congratulate you all for these well-deserved appointments. I, therefore, urge you to live

above board in the discharge of your onerous responsibilities for the benefit of our dear State.

15. On this note, it is my pleasure to inaugurate the committees for the Implementation of the National Minimum Wage in

Nasarawa State and that of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

16. Thank you and may God bless us all.

After being carved out of the old Plateau State in 1996, Nasarawa State returned “home” to Plateau State after 24 years to offer condolences and stand in solidarity with the government and people of Plateau State who recently lost lives to armed bandits in Mangu and Bokkos local government areas.

Notably Plateau State also lost one time Deputy Governor and Senator Ignatius Longjam who died at the age of 75 years old.

It was an emotional homecoming and a renewal of ancestral ties when His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A Sule led a high calibre delegation of 29 Elders, Stakeholders, Political Icons and Traditional Rulers from Nasarawa State to visit and sympathize with the people of Plateau State.

By this condolence visit, His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi A Sule continues his remarkable peace diplomacy within the North Central region as he carried his torch of peace, unity and brotherliness to condole and sympathize with the people of Plateau State.

His Excellency Engineer Abdullahi A Sule was received in goverment house Rayfield with a galaxy of eminent citizens of Nasarawa State including former Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu CON to to renew ties of friendship, unity and brotherliness, as Plateuau State goes through a difficult period.

YAKUBU LAMAI,
Director General, Strategic Communication and Press Affairs
11th February, 2020

His Excellency Engineer Abdullahi A Sule made an unscheduled detour to inspect ongoing work at the site of the Police Command Training College in Nasarawa Eggon Hills.

The Governor said his purpose for the inspection visit was to confirm the pace of work by the contractor handling the construction of the Mobile Police Training College.

Engineer Sule confirmed for himself that the perimeter fencing of the college had been completed by the contractor to encompass two gigantic flanks of the Eggon Hills which the trainee Police officers will use for physical fitness exercises, mountain climbing and reconnaissance in the event of being engaged in any tactical warfare or they are under siege in unfriendly mountainous terrain.

Governor Abdullahi A Sule used the opportunity of his stopover to enquire from the local labourers if they were being paid regularly by the contractor and if there were any cases of complaints over land compensation.

At the end of his satisfactory inspection of ongoing work at the Mobile training college in Nasarawa Eggon, Engineer Abdullahi A Sule reaffirmed that the government of Nasarawa State remains undeterred and resolute in it’s determination to beef up security around the Nasarawa Eggon-Akwanga axis so as to halt the nefarious activities of armed bandits and runaway insurgents who wish to infiltrate Nasarawa State.

Yakubu Lamai
Director General, Strategic Communication & Press Affairs.
11th February, 2020

Today 12/01/2020. After the Security Meeting in Government house Lafia between Nasarawa State Government and Benue State the Emir of Lafia Rtd Justice Sidi Bage Chairman Traditional council of chiefs present a Gift on behalf of Nasarawa State Government to His Excellency Dr Samuel ortom Governor of Benue

12th January, 2020

The Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration is an annual event organized to honour members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who fought in the first and second World Wars, and those who served or are still serving in various peace support operations worldwide as well as those who fought in the Nigerian civil war.

The Day is to celebrate both the dead and the living heroes including all those who suffered various deprivations as a result of wars.It is on this premise that His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, Deputy Governor Nasarawa State led State delegation on behalf of his Principal, Engr. A.A. Sule to the Inter-Denomination Service in honour of our fallen heroes @ ERCC Glory Land, off Shendam Road Lafia.

His Excellency admonished citizens to be of good virtuous and celebrates these heroes who fought for the betterment of one Nigeria.

His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi Sule on Friday morning, attended the one year prayer session organized by the Lafia Emirate Council, under the leadership of the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness, Justice Mohammed Sidi Bage (rtd), in honour of the late Emir of Lafia, HRH Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agwai I, who passed on to the great beyond on January 9, 2019.

Engineer Sule joined other religious leaders to pray for the repose of the soul of the departed traditional ruler, as well as other traditional rulers that passed to the great beyond.