…you’re God’s gift to Nasarawa-Dr Akabe, other appointees
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to institutionalizing policies and projects that will outlive his tenure and beyond 2027.
Governor Sule made this known when he hosted the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe who led a delegation made up of commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, as well as heads of agencies, departments and parastatals on a Sallah homage in Gudi on Monday.
Highlighting the strategic focus of his administration on sustainability, the Governor emphasized that he is taking every measure to ensure that investors coming into the state are protected even after he leaves office in 2027.
“We are doing everything to ensure that we protect some of the investors that are coming by putting some legal instruments that would protect investments. It’s one of the reasons why the investors are showing interest. Because investors want to come and invest their money but they are afraid that few days after we leave, another governor may come and say I don’t agree with that. The only way you can do that is by ensuring that we have the instruments that are there,” he stated.
He pointed out that establishing enabling legal framework to protect investors would deter anyone coming after him to think of policy summersault, thereby ensuring that investments attracted by his administration are sustained to the benefits of the state and the people.
“Most of the instruments and protections we are putting in place are to ensure that these investments stay here longer. They stay here longer for the benefit of people beyond us. The oil fields would not be developed until we are no longer here.
“This much I know. Because they have just went through the exploration well, they have to go through the appraisal well before they can put up a development plan and then get the funding for it. This will go beyond two years. But we are pushing it as if we are going to be the greatest beneficiaries tomorrow,” he said.
Governor Sule explained that he is taking such steps towards ensuring that anyone coming after him appreciates all the efforts of his administration to bring sustainable development to Nasarawa State.
According to him, investors need assurance that their projects won’t be abandoned and that by embedding these protections in law, future leaders will uphold these partnerships or face financial consequences.
He announced that his administration is considering appointing an estate manager to manage the newly constructed state secretariat, one of the administration’s key legacy projects.
“We are building institutions, not personal legacies. History will remember commissioners and teams who executed projects with integrity, not just the Governor,” he said.
Speaking further on sustainability beyond 2027, Governor Sule aligned with a recent statement made by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu during Iftar, describing his administration as clearing the field for future leaders to thrive.
“That’s the idea. At least, somebody like him is not taking the credit. He is appreciating that somebody did that. Because it has to be done. That is the effort that all of us have to do,” he said.
He said he is laying the foundation for his successor who would build upon it for the sustainable development of the state.
“The reason why we are doing this is we want somebody to come tomorrow and after knowing all the efforts that have done, such a person would acknowledge our efforts. Senator Wadada aptly noted that we are setting the foundation so successors can score goals effortlessly. Our duty is to prepare Nasarawa for prosperity that transcends our time,” he added.
While noting that the prospects of Nasarawa State continue to unfold, with the opportunities expanding by the day, Governor Sule said alone, he would not be able to drive the development agenda for the state.
“The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming much brighter. The opportunities that we have are there. We here are the team that must drive to achieving. It is not A. A Sule. A. A Sule along can not do it. It has to be with your collective efforts,” he said.
Governor Sule underscored the spiritual essence of Ramadan, urging citizens and officials to internalize its virtues of sacrifice, empathy, and communal harmony beyond the holy month.
“The essence of Ramadan is to sustain the lessons of self-denial, charity, and peaceful coexistence with all, regardless of faith. We must not return to old ways but build a legacy of compassion and inclusivity,” he stated.
This ethos, he noted, aligns with his administration’s drive to foster unity and shared prosperity among Nasarawa’s diverse communities.
He particularly called on government officials to join him in building Nasarawa State and to shun the get rich quick syndrome.
“What I have noticed over and over is that people look for this quick money to come and they take the money and it doesn’t benefit them in any way whatsoever. The sad thing is for somebody to accumulate illegal wealth and then dies. People don’t even know where the money is hidden. I am begging you, let us work together and leave history. In Nasarawa State, whether they like it or not, we are going to be the first team that built a secretariat that we never had,” he stated.
Earlier in an opening remarks, leader of the delegation and Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, said together with all the political appointees they are all aware of the development agenda Governor Sule has for the state.
“We know your programmes. We have always said it that you are a gift to Nasarawa State. The sacrifices you have made, the sacrifices you are still making and sacrifices you will continue to make. You continue to toil day and night to take Nasarawa State at that level,” he said.
Dr. Akabe on behalf of the government officials pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the Governor and his administration.
“The team that I am leading today here pledge their loyalty. This loyalty is uncompromising. This loyalty is one hundred percent. There is nothing like 99.9. It’s no loyalty at all,” he said.
The Deputy Governor equally spoke on the virtues of the Ed-el-Fitr, calling on the people to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and sharing, in line with both teachings of Christianity and Islam.
