Nigeria At 62, Nasarawa At 26: Governor Sule Highlights Achievements, Urges Restraint During Political Campaigns
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As Nigeria and Nasarawa State mark their 62nd and 26th anniversary, Governor Abdullahi Sule has highlighted the achievement of his administration recorded so far, calling on the people of the state to eschew politics of bitterness and rivalry leading to the 2023 general elections.
Governor Sule highlited his key achievements while delivering his independence day/anniversary at the Lafia Square, on Saturday.
The Governor equally called on the people and as 2023 political campaigns commence in earnest, to play politics without bitterness as Nasarawa State remain the only home for the people.
Speaking on the giant strides recorded by his administration, Engineer Sule called on the people of the state to see what his administration has done particularly in the areas of security, economic transformation, employment generation among others.
Realising that security is the bedrock of any meaningful development, the Governor said, his administration embarked on a sustained collaboration with security agencies, providing them with logistics towards ensuring protection of lives and property.
He added that, this is in addition to the provision of operational vehicles and motorcycles to enhance effective coverage and quick response to security threats.
This is in addition to the establishment of military super camps at Kenyehu and Udege in Toto and Nasarawa Local Government Areas, as well as 4 Special Forces in Doma to tackle security threats in the area.
In the area of economy and investment, Governor Sule explained that his administration initiated and executed policies and programmes for the sustainable development of the state, launching the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), which outlines the development blueprint of the government.
By religiously abiding to the NEDS, Engineer Sule said his administration thereafter established the Nasarawa Investment Development Agency (NASIDA) which has so far attracted investments from the Dangote Group, Azman Rice Ltd., Flour Mills of Nig. Plc, among others.
The Governor went on to highlight the achievement of his administration in the areas of health, education, agriculture, public sector restructuring, provision of urban/rural infrastructure and women/youth empowerment.
Other areas of achievement addressed by Engineer Sule include market development, urban/rural electrification, employment opportunities, as well as enhancing traditional institutions, among others.
In the area of health, he said his administration embarked on a statewide medical outreach for the treatment of glaucoma and cataract, including surgery of different ailments, issuance of eyeglasses and medication.
Engineer Sule added that, so far, his administration has scaled up the medical outreach to cover nine local government areas.
“I assure you that efforts will be intensified to ensure that medical outreaches are carried out in the remaining Local Government Areas before the end of this year.
“We will endeavour to provide affordable healthcare services and infrastructure at tertiary, secondary and primary levels for the wellbeing of the people of Nasarawa State,” the Governor added.
In the same vein, Governor Sule said his administration established the state health insurance agency to make healthcare services accessible and affordable for the people, with so far, 86, 682 people already benefiting from the scheme.
This is just as he said that his administration committed enormous resources to the expansion of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), in Lafia, to facilitate its smooth transition to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital.
“In addition, the Specialized Hospitals in Lafia, Akwanga and Nasarawa have been completed and handed over to the Hospitals Management Board for utilization.
In the same vein, the School of Nursing and Midwifery has been fully equipped, certified by the Nursing Council and has since commenced academic activities and practical engagement,” he added.
Commenting on the event, Governor Sule said the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of Nigeria calls for sober reflection, especially with the challenges posed by insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, as well as dwindling economic fortunes.
“This sorry state of affairs calls for our collective concern and concerted efforts towards a holistic overhaul of our society,” he stated.
On the 26th anniversary of the state, Engineer Sule acknowledged the contributions of previous administrations towards the development of the state.
“However, there are still challenges, which we inherited, believing that development is a continuous process. This is why when we assumed office, we endeavoured to make some strides through various policy interventions and programme initiative to propel development in various sectors of the State economy,” he said.
The Governor assured the people that his administration will continuously be guided by diligence, prudence, transparency and the fear of God, with the people of the state the central focus of the administration.
