Governor Abdullahi Sule has convened an emergency executive council meeting where critical issues pertaining to security, agriculture, as well as the prevailing economic hardship being experienced by the people were discussed.
The emergency state executive council meeting held at the Government House on Friday.
While presiding over the meeting, Governor Sule said the issues to be discussed are matters that would require the collective decision of the council, especially that money is to be involved.
He recounted the recent security meeting governors of the 36 states held with the National Security Adviser in Abuja, where Nasarawa State was commended for sustaining peace, with the Governor restating the determination of his administration to continue to sustain and improve on the relative peace being enjoyed across the state.
Governor Sule disclosed that Nasarawa State has also been identified as one of the states that will play key role towards achieving the food security agenda of the Federal Government, with the state expected to cultivate 10000 hectares of land for the production of a chosen crop.
The Governor therefore informed the council on the need to strategize with a view to acquiring the 10, 000 hectares of land in order for the programme to fully take off in the state.
“We are expected to look at no less than 10, 000 hectares of land for the production of a particular crop. We are considering deploying our available resources as well as the resources that would come as a result of the project. The Executive Council has to take the decision about developing the 10, 000 hecatares of land,” he said.
He disclosed further that the National Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA), through the traditional council, has already supported one hundred poultry farmers in the state and is getting ready to support another five hundred farmers from across the state with farm inputs.
While conveying President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s concern about the states implementation of cash palliative to civil servants, Governor Sule said Nasarawa State is among the few states already implementing the ten thousand naira monthly palliative to workers both at the state and local government levels.
He used the opportunity of the meeting to appreciate the State Palliative Distribution Committee chaired by the State Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe for the wonderful job done during the last exercise.
The Governor particularly appreciated the Commissioner for Special Duties on Humanitarian, Social Services, and NGOs, Hon. Magret Elayo, for her efforts especially that they have to spend the night supervising the rebagging of the 50kg of rice into 7.5kg, as well as ensuring that the food items were conveyed to the various locations for onward distribution.
He expressed satisfaction that during the last distribution exercise, no single complaint was registered, particularly complains about beneficiaries being shortchanged.
Governor Sule however said the palliative distribution will continue especially with students of tertiary institutions as target beneficiaries.
“To continue with the palliative we have to discuss what to do with the students. Students especially in tertiary institutions are yet to benefit from the palliative, especially during this month of Ramadan. We need to probably go to the tertiary institutions,” he stated.
He threw it to the council to discuss in what manner his administration would reach out to students of tertiary institutions as a form of palliative, aimed at cushioning the hardships being experienced by the students.
He equally spoke on the need for the state to support final year secondary school students, stressing that he has already directed the Commissioner of Education, Hon. John Mamman to look into the matter.
The Governor also commented on his recent visit to the pioneer private university in the state, the Pheonix University Agwada, founded by the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
He spoke on the need for the state to support the university through the sponsorship of indigenes of the state for their undergraduate studies.
The Governor thereafter, directed the Commissioner of Education to present a detailed report on the area the state government can be able to assist the university to be able to take off.
Having been selected among the 23 states that will benefit from the Nigerian Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NCAEWP) funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB), successor to the now defunct NEWMAP, the council deliberated on how Nasarawa State can participate in the programme with a view to replicating the NG-CARES performance.