News from Nasarawa
ASUU protests incessant abduction of students, staff of Nasarawa University
From Abel Abogonye, Lafia
Following the incessant abductions of students and staff of the Nasarawa state University Keffi (NSUK), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday took to the streets in Keffi to protest and expressed their grievances.
In a peaceful protest at the Senate building of the University in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state, the union expressed sadness over the unabated kidnap that has created fears and bad name for the state institution, noting that no parent would want his ward admitted Into the institution.
Within a month the Deputy Vice Chancellor, four students, a lecturer and two family members of one other lecturer were Abducted and later released after payment of ransome to their abductors with millions of naira.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions “Governor A A Sule save us from terrorists”, “Save lives of university lecturers. Overhaul the security apparatus in Keffi for us to be secured”, “The lives of lecturers matter. Let the lecturers breathe” among others.
Speaking shortly after the protest, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, National President, ASUU condemned the kidnapping which he described as pathetic as he called on relevant authorities to put in place necessary steps to avert future occurrence.
“It’s a pathetic situation. We are calling on the government, the Vice Chancellor and management of the institution to rise up to their responsibilities and ensure people are safe in this university,” he said.
He commended the ASUU branch for organizing the peaceful protest which he said was necessary to notify relevant authorities of the displeasure of the union over the recent incidents.
“I commend this branch for this protest and I want to assure you that we will also take action over this ugly development,” he added.
Also speaking, Prof. Samuel Alu, Chairman, ASUU NSUK Branch described the incessant abduction of members of the union and students as a pill too bitter to swallow hence the decision by an emergency congress of the branch’s union to organize a peaceful protest.
“We are here to register our displeasure because within the last three weeks, several of our members have been kidnapped.
“We find it difficult to understand why these incidents will happen consistently without any form of condemnation on the part of government or military,” he said.
He explained that aside the peaceful protest, the branch’s emergency congress also urged that Governor Abdullahi Sule should rise to the occasion in addressing the security challenges that have bedeviled NSUK.
“Our members are living in perpetual fear and threats because nobody knows who is next. We are being improvised and being made to pay ransom and nobody has to come to our aid.
“We are putting this notice that we can no longer accept this kind of ugly incidents on our members. Students have also been captured and ransome have been paid.
“The fear is if this continues, Nasarawa state will soon cease to exist because of fear, people will have to leave because of their safety before talking about education.
“So we are calling on the Commissioner of Police Nasarawa state command to also rise to the occasion. What is happening is totally unacceptable to ASUU NSUK Branch and ASUU generally,” he said.
In an interview with newsmen, Prof. Abdullahi Modibbo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, NSUK who spoke on behalf of the NSUK Vice Chancellor, Prof Suleiman Bala-Mohammed admitted that the institution was facing difficult times for almost a month due to incessant abductions of staff and students.
“Maybe by putting the records straight. Three of our lecturers were kidnapped. A wife of our lecturer was kidnapped. Four students of this university were also kidnapped.
“But most of them are staying off campus. So most of the people that were kidnapped are those staying outside the campus. It is a source of concern to the management of the institution even though we know it is a national problem,” he said.
He however assured that the management of the institution is making serious efforts to checkmate the ugly trend and put a stop to it.
“For those on campus, we don’t have much problem because we are in collaboration with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“For those living off campus, we have approved the recruitment of twenty vigilantes that will be strategically trained to do their job in various nooks and crannies of the various off campus loctions. This is one of the efforts we are making on security of staff and students,” he said.
From Daniel Abel Lafia
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Sunday flagged off the disbursement of $250, 000 World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) loan to farmers from 10 communities in the state.
The project is a World Bank assisted in collaboration with the federal government and Nasarawa state.
Speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) the governor indicated that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the state and Federal Government to support farmers to boost their productive activities on farm.
Sule added that the state government had recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10, 000 farmers in the state to support farming.
The Governor explained that the ACReSAL loan is a revolving and interest free to farmers aimed at boosting agricultural output and improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
According to him, the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The governor added that climate change has brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers.
He said that his administration would continue to collaborate with partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.
“To this end, We are partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project help vulnerable communities to adopt to the impact of climate change.
“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and generate employment.
“Enhance farmers and communities capacity for climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation and enhance understanding of sustainable agricultural practices to help address conflicts,” Sule added.
Gov. Sule expressed appreciation for the selection of Nasarawa State among the right piloting states for the scheme.
He said that the state government would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.
He therefore urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant for.
On her part, Dr Joy Iganya-Agene- Task Team Leader ACReSAL said that 620 farmers comprising 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs were given the free interest agricultural loan.
Iganya-Agene who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank Nigeria Office, listed the communities in Doma to includes Ohiha, Madative, Odurigya, Yalwa and Alagye, while those from Toto are; Zolo, Umasha, Dereegba, Ayiwawa, and Sere.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Aliyu Ogah, Andoma of Doma expressed gratitude to the state government and the organisation for the gesture to farmers in his domain.
The royal father expressed optimism that the support would help toward improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities.
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has unveiled the economic potentials of the State to investors at the ongoing “Nasarawa Investment Summit 2024”
In his welcome address at the event the Governor declared that the state is housing several mineral resources that have attracted huge investors already.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained effort in driving the Nigerian economy to prosperity and his unalloyed loyalty and continued support in order to take the country to greater heights.
“It is pertinent to remind you that Nasarawa State organised the first edition of the Nasarawa Investment Summit in 2022 under the theme “Diamond in the Rough: The Making of a New Investment Frontier”aimed at ushering investment and showcasing our mineral resources to potential investors.
“I am happy to state that the outcome of the Summit informed the influx of investors into the State who are variously harnessing our God-given endowment.
“Interestingly, the recently commissioned Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited in Nasarawa State performed by Mr. President, the ASGARD Mining and Processing Plant, Karu, the Nasarawa Technology Village Project in Karu, as well as other numerous investments being carried out in the State were all informed by the outcome of the Summit conducted in 2022.
“It is also heartwarming to state that the Federal Government commissioned the spud-in of the Ebenyi-A Oil Well in Obi Local Government Area of the State.
“The discovery of Oil and Gas and its subsequent exploration and exploitation will further boost the economy prosperity of our dear country and put Nasarawa State among the comity of Oil producing States.
“I, therefore, call on the investors on Oil and Gas to take opportunity of the exploration activities to begin to invest in the sector for the benefit of the society.
Sule however assured that his administration would continue to fully utilise potentials of the state resources by sustaining the Investment Summit in order to further showcase other solid mineral resources which are yet to be identified by interested investors.
“This is why the theme of this year’s Summit is deliberately coined as “The Industrial Renaissance”, having built some of the key fundamentals required to drive our industrial agenda and present other minerals to our potential investors.
The governor noted the summit will further expand the existing pathways to leverage on the industrial, agricultural and mining sectors towards enhancing inclusive and sustainable wealth creation and economic prosperity of the state.
“It is pertinent to point out that, as a State, we have been deliberate in stimulating our economy, building human capacities, creating wealth and generate employment to our people.
“It is for this reason that we have adopted our policy document christened “Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS)” as a driving force towards the initiation and implementation of various programmes and policies which we have achieved so far.
Sule stated that with the assemblage of the experienced and versatile resource persons the outcome of the Summit will go a long way towards actualizing the dream of industrializing Nasarawa State and position it as a leading champion.
Mr. Sule called on development partners to continue to invest in Nasarawa State with the view to open the frontiers of economic prosperity for the benefit of all, noting that “Nasarawa mean business”
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Apparently piqued by the level of disloyalty and insubordination being displayed by political appointees in governor Abdullahi Sule’s cabinet ahead of 2027, the governor has read the riot act for those who may dare him.
Sule gave the indication in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma dated April 16th, 2024.
According to the letter, “political appointees seeking to run for any political office are advised to either resign their appointments or wait until the lifting of the existing ban on political activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“While noting with dismay how some political office holders under the present administration are actively participating in political activities, including active campaign, Sule noted that such elements and conducts is capable of breaching the electoral act, as well as distracting the focus of his administration.
Sule who could no longer cope with outrageous drumming of support to persons that are not his anointed candidate for 2027, warned that such appointees maybe shown the way out of his cabinet if they persist.
He warned that his administration would no longer condone such acts of disloyalty and insubordination from political appointees.
The governor who felt demeaned and distracted with only one year into the second tenure stated that he is focused on the delivery of infrastructural development, economic empowerment, and sustainable development of the state.
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