Governor Sule: Executive Council meeting as hallmark of inclusive governance

By Ali Abare

In the continued efforts to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to collective decision-making, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State presided over the monthly State Executive Council meeting penultimate Monday, presiding over discussions on critical issues ranging from security to landmark development projects.

The meeting, which held at the Government House in Lafia, served as a platform for robust deliberation among members of the executive council, showcasing Governor Sule’s style of inclusive governance where major decisions are shaped by the council’s input.

The meeting began on a positive note with the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. John Mamman, presenting an award to the governor. The award, which named Governor Sule as an Education Ambassador, was conferred by the Independent Newspaper as part of its platinum jubilee anniversary.

In his characteristic manner, Governor Sule immediately dedicated the honour to every member of the council, emphasizing that the recognition was a collective achievement, reflecting the various roles played by all commissioners in making decisions that advance the state’s education sector.

A considerable part of the council’s deliberation was devoted to the security situation in the state, during which the Governor provided a detailed update on a recent tragic incident in a Nindama village near Ninkoro in Kokona Local Government Area, where seven lives were lost.

He revealed that the state government had instructed the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) to set up committees to investigate the root cause of the crisis, which is believed to be related to a land dispute already before a court. He reported that the State Commissioner for Security had already visited the area alongside the police boss.

In a positive development for state security, Governor Sule announced the arrival of one hundred and twenty new police personnel, with the council set to discuss how to further utilise their deployment.

The meeting also addressed the concerning issue of vandalism schools, especially in rural communities, where criminals strip completed buildings of their doors and windows to sell as scrap metal.

Shifting to infrastructure, Governor Sule shared encouraging news about the long-awaited Keffi-Nasarawa-Toto-Abaji road, announcing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given special approval for the immediate commencement of work on the entire 137-kilometre road.

While acknowledging the collective efforts that led to this breakthrough, the Governor once again commended the advocacy visits by the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I and Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, Chairman Senate Public Accounts Committee and lawmaker representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District.

The governor also unveils a plan by President Tinubu, who has agreed to personally commission the new 3000 tons per day lithium processing plant in Endo, Nasarawa Local Government, upon his return from an official trip. The plant was built by the Daimond New Energy Processing Industry.

On agriculture, the council received encouraging news on the Jangwa Rice Farm in Ayarkeke, with Governor Sule announcing that the rice is of excellent quality and will be ready for harvest by the end of the month.

The governor commended the Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon. Mohammed Iyimoga Oyigye, for his diligent work and announced plans for him to visit the farm next week in preparation for the harvest.

He also informed the council that the federal government has released three billion naira to the state to tackle flooding. He confirmed that the funds have been received and are being channelled through the concerned ministry to address affected areas, particularly Keana and Giza.
Furthermore, he said the council has finalized arrangements for the payment of gratuities through the pension board.

Governor Sule tabled two major projects requiring the council’s collective decision, with the first being the proposed citing of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) university in Nasarawa State.

He revealed the project’s cost was more considerable than initially anticipated, noting that other states were willing to pay N10bn to host the institute.

He confirmed that the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, and himself have reviewed initial drawings and will present the matter for a full council decision.

The second project is the relocation and upgrade of the specialist hospital to Akwanga. The Governor described the proposals received as attractive, with the potential to create a trauma centre that could rival the teaching hospital in Lafia.

He noted that the costs, while high, are within reach given current state resources, and urged the council to consider the legacy of building a world-class hospital in that zone.

The council was finally informed that Nasarawa State is among ten states selected by the National Information Technology Development Agency for the establishment of a digital learning centre.

The facility, located at the Umaru Tanko Al-makura CBT Centre, will be commissioned in a hybrid format on Thursday, October 23rd, by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The Governor encouraged all council members to attend the event.

He also noted that the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) building is nearing completion and that the state has emerged tops receiving the highest amount of money in the second tranche of the SABER programme, beating other states selecting to participate in the scheme.

Abare is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule