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Tag: Nasarawa State.

  • How Gov’ Sule AId is Championing Education, Healthcare, Unity in Awe Local Government. 

    How Gov’ Sule AId is Championing Education, Healthcare, Unity in Awe Local Government. 

    From Leo Zwànke, Lafia

    In a comprehensive effort to uplift and transform Awe Local Government, Hamza Ibrahim Moyi, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State on Sports Matters, has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have had a profound impact on the community.

    From educational support to healthcare improvements, economic empowerment, and fostering unity through sports, Moyi’s dedicated service stands as a testament to effective leadership and community development.

    In this exclusive interview with Daybreak Newspapers, we delve into his significant achievements and the visionary steps he has taken to ensure a brighter future for Awe Local Government. Congratulations on your appointment as SSA. Can you tell us about the significant initiatives you’ve undertaken since assuming this role?

    Thank you. After my appointment, I organized several key events. In 2022, I launched the 1st Edition of the His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Sule Inter-Security Unity Football Cup, which was historic in Nigeria. This event fostered peace and unity among security agencies. In 2023, I organized a novelty match to commemorate Nasarawa State’s creation, promoting togetherness among stakeholders. I also represented Nasarawa at a Sports Development and Business Summit in Hungary, where I emerged as the most outstanding participant. Furthermore, I’ve toured all 13 LGAs to discuss the importance of supporting government initiatives for local development.

    How has the support from His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Sule influenced your initiatives?His Excellency’s support has been crucial. He sponsored the successful 2nd Edition of the Inter-Security Unity Football Competition, enhancing unity and patriotism among military and paramilitary forces. His backing enables us to promote peaceful coexistence and development through sports.

    What are your plans for future collaborations and developments in Nasarawa State? We aim to run sports as a business, develop and upgrade facilities, and enhance technical skills for coaches and referees. We also seek scholarship opportunities in Hungary, medical tourism, business investments, and a Twin City Project to foster sustainable partnerships and knowledge exchange. These initiatives will significantly improve the quality of life in Nasarawa State.

    Can you share more about your experience at the Sports Expo recommended by the Embassy of Hungary? The Sports Expo with Dreamland Sports was enlightening. It brought together representatives from across West Africa, providing a platform to share ideas and strategies for sports development. This experience has been invaluable in shaping our sports policies and initiatives in Nasarawa State.

    You are contesting for the Chairmanship position in Awe Local Government. Why do you think the people should trust you with such a mandate?  The people of Awe Local Government should trust me with the Chairmanship mandate because of my proven track record of service and tangible achievements. As SSA to the Executive Governor, one of my earliest initiatives was organizing the 1st Youth Summit in Awe Local Government in 2021. The summit focused on the theme “The Role of Youth in Using Cyberspace to Promote Peace and Unity in Awe Local Government.” This event aimed to engage young people in discussions on leveraging digital platforms to foster peace and unity within our community.

    What steps have you taken to support the education of vulnerable youths in Awe Local Government? Every year since my appointment, I have provided 100 free JAMB forms to vulnerable students in Awe Local Government. This initiative helps remove financial barriers to higher education. Additionally, I facilitated the establishment of a secondary school in Mahanga, emphasizing the importance of education in developing our youth physically, mentally, and morally. This year, I also gave 50 free WAEC forms to some vulnerable students in the area.

    How have you contributed to improving healthcare in Awe Local Government? I have donated medical facilities to several primary health care centers in Awe Local Government. This ensures that basic healthcare services are accessible to our community, which is crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of our residents.

    What other educational initiatives have you implemented in Awe Local Government? In addition to providing free JAMB and WAEC forms, I facilitated the conversion of Community School Baure into Government Secondary School Baure. I also established a JAMB center in Awe Local Government, which will start operating next year. Furthermore, I distribute writing materials to primary schools and offer scholarships to final year students from various tertiary institutions annually.

    Have you been involved in securing employment opportunities for the youth in Awe Local Government? Yes, I have secured numerous appointments for youths in Awe Local Government. From my earnings as SSA, I provide allowances and stipends to 10 individuals. I also partnered with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to empower 100 youth and women, and facilitated the participation of 147 youths in the NPower scheme.

    How have you supported local economic initiatives? I have facilitated financial support for many individuals through various programs. For instance, 84 beneficiaries received financial assistance through the Kudin AA. Sule initiative, and 150 people benefited from the National Social Investment Program, receiving #50,000 each.

    What measures have you taken to ensure food security during festive periods? During festive periods such as Sallah, Christmas, and Ramadan, I distribute food items to ensure that vulnerable families in Awe Local Government have enough to celebrate and enjoy these important occasions.

    Can you share more about your contributions to community development and support?I consistently support community development in various ways. Apart from the aforementioned initiatives, I also provide scholarships to students from the College of Health Science and Technology Keffi, College of Education Akwanga, Nasarawa State University, and other tertiary institutions.

    Every year, I ensure that final year students benefit from these scholarships, which help them complete their education. Additionally, I am continuously involved in numerous other activities and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people in Awe Local Government, although some of them are too numerous to recall in detail.

  • We didn’t restrained Balarabe as Nasarawa Speaker, Says FHC Abuja.

    We didn’t restrained Balarabe as Nasarawa Speaker, Says FHC Abuja.

    “…as it adjourned case to October 12, while restraining order on Ogazi by High Court Lafia stands till determination of the court…”

    ………. Balarabe Abdullahi, his Deputy Kudu are in charge of Nasarawa Assembly pending the determination of the matter.

    The Hon Presiding Judge of Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Abuja, Hon.Justice Obiora has reputed the news going on in both electronic and social media that he has restrained Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, and His Deputy, Hon.Jacob Kudu from parading themselves as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

    The Court said it has never granted such order of restraining the Speaker Balarabe and his Deputy, Hon Kudu.

    Justice Obiora disclosed this during the court sitting on the matter today in Abuja.

    The Court was duly informed by the learned SAN Matthew Bukaar, who stood in for the Speaker, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the Learned SAN I. M. Dikko Esq, who also stood for the Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly sued as Defendants in the case that Nasarawa State is peaceful and the legislative activities under the able leadership of Rt. Hon. Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi is peacefully going on for the good of the peace loving People of Nasarawa State.

    The Court emphasized the need to maintain peace and order in the State.

    The matter was adjourned to 12/10/2023.

    Speaking to journalists on the matter, Barr. M I Zanwa advised journalists as professionals to always verify information before going to the press to avoid misleading the public attributing the misinformation to lack of regulations of the social media.

    “Journalists are known for investigative journalism through facts and accuracy but with the advent of social media some of them do copy and paste which is on professional because anybody can use social media at his comfort zone and write anything he wishes”

    “I was shocked when I noticed a reputable media outfit like Arise TV went on air with the report without verified ”

    ” The issue is clear just as the SAN told the Presiding Judge, the State is peaceful and legislative activities are on smoothly under the Speaker Rt.Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi”

    “The matter is simple, the Governor has directed the Clerk through proclamation to inaugurate the House and election was conducted by the Clerk with all machinery, the Clerk, the Maze and the Sergeant-at-arm including the date, the Governor’s letter did not give venue and beside that is insignificant because Clerk has already sited security reasons and by the way, we all know, I am a former lawmaker Ministry For LG has been our alternative chamber all this while ”

    ” in every situation we have doctrine of necessity, this is democratic set up you can live a state to stay without legislators, the assembly most exist, so the number of members at the house at the moment can not denied the State from existing without legislators, the vacuum will be fill gradually as time progresses and the court is fully aware of that, those sworn in by the Clerk as demanded by the law are the lawmakers for now”

    Recalled that High Court 1, Lafia has already stopped Ogazi from parading himself as Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and that still stands.

  • Nasarawa: Ministry to treat 560, 000 School Age Children for Schitosomiasis, soil Transmitted Helminthes Diseases in 13 LGAs

    Nasarawa: Ministry to treat 560, 000 School Age Children for Schitosomiasis, soil Transmitted Helminthes Diseases in 13 LGAs

    By Abel Leonard/ lafia

    The commissioner, Nasarawa state ministry of Health pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya says the ministry will engage in the treatment of 560, 000 school age children and soil transmitted Helminthes diseases in the 13 local Government Areas of the state.

    The commissioner made the disclosure during a press briefing in the ministry conference hall today, saying medicine will be requested and sent to Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in the state even at the border communities for the treatment of the Disease.

    He also added that the state is mindful of it’s neighbours who still struggles with the disease, fear the risk of re- infecting communities in the state through Border Local Government Areas which includes Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Kaduna, and the FCT.

    Phar. Ahmed also stressed that the state Government through the ministry of health has received 199, 950 tablets of mebendazola and 850, 000 tablets of praziquantel from the federal ministry of Health for treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)for School age children, enrolled and non enrolled in public and private primary and junior secondary schools in the state respectively.

    He also added that “NTDs pose a serious obstacles to national and state programme affecting the objectives of Universal Health Coverage and impede poverty reduction economic growth and social development”

    He further acknowledged the fact that Nasarawa state is endemic for 5 of the Neglected Tropical Diseases which includes Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, Trachoma and Soil Transmitted Helminths with 13 local Government Areas of the state affected with the diseases.

    Bala also disclosed that with the airport of it’s supporting partner, Man- Power, infrastructure and funds are been made available for the programme, adding that the ministry has trained 390 health workers, 3, 019 teachers, 1,003 community Directed Distributors, conducted a free hydrocele Surgery for 180 patients, have set up a 7 hope groups for management of Elephantiasis patients in 7LGA, 11 social Mobilization Officers and 36 School Supervisors.

    Pharmacist Yahaya however gave a plan for the year 2021, saying with the support from the ministry and the carter Centre, the state ministry intends to mobilize and train 390 health workers, 10 health Facility staff, set up more hope group with elephantiasis, 2, 540 school teachers, 13 social Mobilization officers, 737 community Directed Distributors and 42 school supervisors.

  • Gov. Sule Approves N700m 2016, civil servants arrears

    Gov. Sule Approves N700m 2016, civil servants arrears

    By Abel Leonard/ lafia

    Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State had  approved payment of 700 Million Naira outstanding August 2016 salary arrears of civil servants in the state. 

    This was contained in a Government House press release, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. ibrahim Addra adding that the In policy is in line with the  thrust of the governors  administration to adequately address matters of welfare of civil servants.

    It also added that it is in fulfillment of the governor’s earlier promise to the Organized Labour on implementation of promotions and payment of the outstanding August, 2016 salary arrears. 

    The payment to commence in January 2021 will be in three installments staggered between January and March 2021 as agreed with the organized labour. 

    “Out of the total salary arrears amounting to Seven Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-two Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Naira, Ninety-two Kobo only  (N726, 893, 530.92), the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) has the highest amount of N498, 845, 032.26, while the remaining Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have N228, 048, 498.66”.

    The governor also said the  payment of arrears is  to be made in cash scheduled as follows

    January, 2021.N249,422, 516.13-Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

    February, 2021N228, 048, 498.66-Other MDAs

    March, 2021, N249,422,516.13-Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 

    The Sule-led administration will continue to honour its agreements, while placing priority on welfare and development of its work force for better Nasarawa state.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen kill one, Abducts 20 travellers in Nasarawa

    BREAKING: Gunmen kill one, Abducts 20 travellers in Nasarawa

    Gunmen have killed the former education secretary of Nasarawa local government area of the state Malami Salihu and Kidnapped 20 people who were traveling to Toto Local Government Area of the state.

    The incident took place Tuesday afternoon along mungi sharp Conner Buga Gwari, Gadabuke area of Toto LGA

    They 20 kidnapped victims were traveling in three vehicles and were intercepted by the gunmen who match them into the bush.


    The late Salihu was among those kidnapped but his lifeless body was later found in the bush near the road.

    The secretary of Gadabuke emirate council, Abdullahi Baba who confirmed the incident to our correspondent said the gunmen in their numbers came out from bush and attacked the vehicles plying the road and match the passengers into the bush to an unknown destination.

    He said “the former education secretary was also traveling alongside his friend in a private vehicle were also taken away with others but his dead body was later found in a nearby bush,” he said.

    He said the kidnappers have not made any contact to any of the relatives of the victims.

  • NSSG Partners Entertainment Industry in the state

    NSSG Partners Entertainment Industry in the state

    Abel leonard/ lafia

    NSSG. Partners  Entertainment  Industry  in the state
    In a bid to improve the activity of the entertainment sector in the state for better gains as the state’s film village & resort is being constructed, the Nasarawa State Government has pledged its total commitment to partnering the entertainment industry in the creation of job opportunities and social investment in the state.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Culture & Tourism, Dogo Shammah made it known when the state leadership of the Nasarawa Films & Entertainment Industry paid him a courtesy visit today in Lafia.
    Dogo Shammah said the state government had much priority on entertainment as a  sector that can create mass employment to the youths of the state especially as the present administration was constructing the Farin Ruwa Waterfalls with conviction and innovations.
    The Information commissioner resolved entertainers in the state would have reasons to smile, assuring them of inclusion in all the entertainment activities of the state government to improve on their potential.
    Leader of the delegation who is the President of the association, Abdullahi Amwe told the host commissioner that they were in his office to seek for government genuine support that would go a long way in revamping the industry as well to key into the NEDS policy being implemented.
    Amwe recalled that veterans usually had begun from a poor start but were able to competitively go sky high, saying it was as a result of the enabling environment created by decades ago, asking for opportunities to explore frontiers for Nasarawa development.
    Speaking, a veteran in the Nigerian Film Industry, Magaji Mijinyawa commended the government of the day for resolving to develop the industry as a potential for change, advising that young indigenous entertainers should be a priority at this time.

  • Declare your assets, or face the wrath of the law, Gov. Sule warns public officers in the state

    Declare your assets, or face the wrath of the law, Gov. Sule warns public officers in the state

    By Abel Leonard/lafia
    Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has warned public officers of the state, against extra budgetary expenditures, as such will go contrary to the Act establishing the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    Engineer Sule disclosed this Tuesday, while declaring open a two-day workshop on the strict compliance with asset declaration for public officers, organized in collaboration with the CCB, holding at the Government.

    According to the Governor, it does not make any sense for public officers to continue to by-pass the 2020 budget earlier passed into law by the State House of Assembly, especially if they want to be honest, accountable and transparent.

    While commending the bureau for organizing the workshop, aimed at instilling virtues of probity and trustworthiness in the conduct of public officers in the discharge of their responsibilities, Engineer Sule, said this was in line with the objective of his administration to inculcate financial discipline and prudent management of public resources.

    To this end, the Governor directed all public officers in the state to declare their assets, in line with the provision of the CCB, to guard against the wrath of the law, further warning of grave consequences for non compliance with the CCB Act Cap15 LFN2004.

    He added that with government revenue just recovering from the effect of COVID-19, it has become necessary to synergize with relevant institutions of government and other non governmental organizations, in order to block leakages and ensure that resources at the disposal of government are prudently managed.

    “We shall spare no effort in safeguarding our common wealth,” he stated.
    Reiterating the resolve of his administration to continue to impact the culture of discipline and transparency in government affairs, the Governor said that explained the decision of his administration to establish the Bureau for Public Procurement, aimed at ensuring accountability and due process in the management of public resources.
    “The vision of the CCB under the Act is enormous and pubic officers are encouraged to be on the side of the law,” he added.
    The governor however, urged resource persons at the workshop to do justice to their chosen topics, while also calling on the participants drawn from the three arms of government, including High Court Judges, members of the judicial Service Commission, Permanent Secretaries and other public officers, to utilize the knowledge to be gained for the benefit of the state.
    Earlier, in a welcome address, Chairman of the CCB, Professor Mohammed Isah, said the bureau has the enormous mandate to establish and maintain a high standard of morality in the conduct of government business, towards ensuring that actions and behaviours of public officers conform to the highest standard of public morality and accountability.
    Prof. Isah, represented at the event by Commissioner representing North Central at the CCB, Reverend Ken Alkali Madaki, appreciated Engineer Sule, for accepting to support the bureau to conduct the workshop.
    The CCB Chairman further presented an award to the Governor for his prompt compliance with the CCB Act by declaring his assets, shortly after he was elected Governor.

  • Ghost workers: Nasarawa to carry out verification and forensic Audit in 13 LGA.

    Ghost workers: Nasarawa to carry out verification and forensic Audit in 13 LGA.

    By Abel Leonard/ Ude Abigel

    Nasarawa State Government has announced that it will carry out forensic audit and verification across the 13 Local Government Areas in the state to fish out ghost workers and roll back the tide of corruption in its local government administration.

    State Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Sarki, stated this in an interacting  with journalists in Lafia.s

    Yusuf said the verification and  forensic audit became necessary in view to  recent inactive  of the councils to pay staff salaries and pensioners.

    “Group of persons are planning to short change the government and pensioners by replacing the dead and retired officers with different people without the approval of the authority in charge of the councils.”

    He further emphasized  that the state government was not responsible for the nonpayment of local government staff, adding that the state government had often times augmented the councils’ allocation.

    The commissioner however, added that the as a supervising ministry, is not responsible for any deduction from the local governments’ fund.“

    “Because this data capture screening will not solve the problem, pensioners are dying while others are maneuvering their way to replace them thereby making the wage bill to rise. Insincerity of the people is responsible for this problem.”

  • Alleged insubordination, Assembly summons council boss.

    Alleged insubordination, Assembly summons council boss.

    By Abel Leonard Lafia

    Nasarawa State House of Assembly committee investigating alleged act of insubordination by the suspended Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Council, Mohammed Sani Otto has been invited to appear before the committee, Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

    Dr. Ibrahim Peter Akwe, member representing Obi constituency who is the Chairman of the seven-man investigative committee gave the summon during the first sitting of the committee in Lafia, today.

    Deputy Chairman, Karu Local Government council, Lawal Yakubu Karshi, who is on suspension for the same alleged offense is also invited to appear before the committee.

    The committee chairman said the summon of the affected local government officials is to allow a democratic process of fair hearing over the allegation leveled against them.

    ” The mandate of this committee is to ascertain the level of the involvement of the suspended Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government and the suspended Deputy Chairman, Karu Local Government at a court case of the former Secretary to the Government of the state (SSG), against Nasarawa State Government on August 8, 2020”.

    “To enable the affected council officials to defend the allegation leveled against them, and to recommend appropriate sanctions,” he stated.

    The chairman however, gave assurance of the committee’s commitment to ensure that justice is achieved at the end of the investigation.

    “We will give them fair hearing and justice will be done on the matter, ” he assured.

    You will recall that Daybreak news reports that on August 10, 2020, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly suspended the the two local government officials over insubordination.

    Hon. Balarabe Abdullahi, speaker of the house, set up a seven-man committee to investigate the two affected local government officials.

  • Assembly set up Ad-hoc committee to investigate activities of COVID-19 task force in Nasarawa State.

    By Abel Leonard lafia

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has constituted a six man Ad-hoc committee to investigate the spending of state Task Force on COVID-19.

    Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House announced the constitution of the committee after Hon Daniel Ogazi moved a motion under the matters of public importance on the need for the House to have a committee to monitor the activities of the state COVID-19 task force.

    Balarabe Abdullahi said that the constitution of the committee will enable the House have first hand information on the activities of the taskforce committee on COVID-19 for peace and development to thrive.

    “This is a good motion and I wish to set up an Ad-hoc committee to monitor the activities of the state COVID-19 task force committee as follows.

    ” Hon Abdullahi Angibi of Lafia Central Constituency is the Chairman of the committee and Hon Usman Labaran Shafa of Toto/Gadabuke constituency is the Vice Chairman of the committee.

    ” Other members of the committee are Hon Ibrahim Muluku, Hon Daniel Ogazi, Hon Abdulaziz Danladi, Hon Suleiman Yakubu and the Secretary of the committee is Barr Safiya Balarabe, ” he said.

    Balarabe Abdullahi urged the committee to be up and doing in monitoring the activities of the State Task Force Committee on Covid 19.to ensure that they are in turn with what the committee is doing in the interest of peace and development of the state.

    Earlier, Hon Daniel Ogazi (APC-Kokona East), the Deputy Majority Leader of the House while moving a motion for the constitution of the committee urged his colleagues to support his motion.

    ” Globally, leaders are working hard to find solution to curb COVID-19 pandemic .

    “There is the need for us in the House to have an Adhoc Committee in order to monitor the activities of the state COVID-19 task force , how are they doing in ensuring that we tackle the menace in the state.