Isa Umar, Abuja
The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has called on the people and residents of Nasarawa state to exercise calm and restraint in the face of the ongoing nationwide protests.
In an excerpt of an interaction by the governor on NTA held on August 1, 2024, and shared by Mr. Yakubu Lamai, Director General, Strategic Communication and Events Management, on Facebook, the governor explained that’s consultations had been ongoing with Youth Groups, various religious groups, labour unions like NLC, TUC, NANS as well as Student Union Governments.
He pledged that protesters will be secured to “ensure that in the course of the protest that you are doing; then you also should not interfere with the rights of other people and those that are not interested in protest”.
Excerpt of the appeal reads:
“In Nasarawa state, from a week ago we have consulted with the Youth Groups. We also consulted the various religious groups and various labour unions like NLC, TUC, NANS as well as Student Union Governments.
“And for us in Nasarawa State with all due respect, we have explained to our own people that the question of hardship is not something that is peculiar to Nigeria alone.
“We agree that some people are talking about certain policies of government that needs to change which I believe Mr. President has been very keen in listening to the people. For us in Nasarawa we have done everything that we can within our own means and kept the communication lines open, as far as government is concerned.
“For us here, I just got back from China because Nasarawa State has been selected establish the Green House City and 5,000 hectares of land has been selected in Karu right here in Nasarawa State for that purpose. So just as we are very grateful to Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; our revenue IGR has increased both for local government and the state and we are using this revenue to positively impact the lives of our own people.
“Given our increase in IGR, we are supporting our farmers and our youths from the various places through making quality education accessible, and we are also supporting the various health institutions and our civil servants.
“As things now stand, we have just finished massive employment of teachers as well as some the significant employments at the various Ministries, and in addition we ae resolutely committed to building and improving infrastructure across Nasarawa State, beginning with the State Secretariat and Overhead Bridge plus underpass in Lafia, as well as Akwanga. We feel justified to appeal for our people to exercise restraint and be more patient as we can continue to address their needs, concerns and rising cost of living”.