BY FARUK MOHAMMED OFOKU ESQ.

INTRODUCTION

The 29th Day of May, 2019 reshaped the democratic and political history of Nasarawa State as the Pilot of the Exceeding all expectations Mantra Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule took over power from the said Architect of Modern Nasarawa State Alh. Umaru Tanko Almakura, as the 4th Executive Governor of the base of Solid Minerals, in an hitherto uncharacteristic manner, the Engineer of peace constituted his cabinet on the 1st Day of November, 2019 and swears in 15 Commissioners and other political office holders, he intimated the optimistic people of the State that the  appointment was based on their pedigree, integrity, credentials and track records and not based on primordial considerations of the appointees who will serve as cabinet members. This article aims at identifying some of the achievement of the Governor and seeks to identify areas that need to be considered and applauding the giant strides of A.A Sule as he Marks One Year in office.

POST – ELECTION MATTERS.

As the usual practice in the political spheres of the Nigeria’s democratic era, the political ordeal of every democratically elected Government is the Post -election nightmare, in other words, the post-election matters as referred to in legal parlance, where candidates of the various political parties who participated in the general election challenge the electoral process that brought about the new administration of the State, alas, Nasarawa State was not an exception as the People’s Democratic Party PDP and its Candidate instituted a petition, filed at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal challenging the Constitutionality and legality of the process that ushered in the Engr. of consolidation. However, it was a journey in futility as the Tribunal on the 21st Day of September, 2019, dismissed the petition, and in order to further advance the practical applicability of the law, the Court of Appeal in its wisdom, dismissed the Appeal on the 12th Day of October, 2019 and the Supreme Court of Nigeria being the apex court of the land reaffirmed the victory of the optimistic people of the State on the 18th day of December, 2019. The judgment legally brought an end to the tussle, for the seat of the democratically elected number one citizen of the state.

 PEACE & SECURITY

Nasarawa state and Nigeria in general in recent times has witnessed an unprecedented level of insecurity which precipitated the need for the government at all levels and security agencies to ensure that the territorial integrity of the nation and indeed, internal security of the nation is assured.The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) under section 14(2)(b) unequivocally spelt out as a fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy th ‘’the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’’The Concept of Law transcends social, political, economic and environmental dimension of human existence. The rule of law must be instructive and adhered to in order to have a peaceful, just and a cohesive society. A Chinese Military strategist states that ‘’ To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme (Hallmark) of skill. (But) to subdue an enemy without fighting is the acme (Hallmark) of skill. ‘’The concept of security in recent times now includes social, economic, cultural, technological and political consideration. These have been the strategy adopted by the Engineer of Peace A.A Sule the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State. Public and political office holders were admonished to read and analyze security reports, be steadfast, and be in touch with the grassroots to address crisis.Faith based dialogue has been encouraged to promote tolerance to enhance security and matters should be proactive to avoid conflict manifestation.Appointees were charged by his Excellency to be proficient in identifying early signs of deteriorating situations and be willing to act before they escalate which have been done through engagement of stakeholders.

A.A Sule influenced the establishment of two Military Camps to tackle issues of tribal and communal crises, kidnappings and other forms of terrorism at the Toto LGA axis of the state. He also hosted the North-Central Security Summit on Community Policing Advisory Committee headed by the Commissioner of Police in the State. The Engineer of peace has led several dialogues for peace in the North Central states, such as Benue, which was geared towards curtailing sporadic violence and communal crisis among the border communities in the state. The Governor also performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Headquarters of Nigerian Army Special Forces in Doma LGA.

This was a demonstration of the commitment of the State and Federal government to address security challenges of the country.The Engineer of Peace is indeed a leader worthy of emulation as the state has never been this peaceful compared to the former administration of the state that was riddled in crisis and tribal disputes.

INDUSTRIALIZATION

The quest for Industrialization and the drive for development of the Engineer A.A Sule is second to none in the history of Nasarawa State, as the Governor has a pre-determined mindset towards working on diversifying the economy of the state to factor development and promoting internal security in order to assure prospective investors of the safety of the state, which will go along way in creating an economically viable and sustainable environment for business to thrive. 

The Engineer of Industrialization regarded it as one of the cardinal objective of his administration, which is geared towards the creation of employment opportunities to the teeming population of the youth who are desirous and passionate about contributing their quota towards nation building, wealth creation and the development of the state. In order to ensure accelerated development, the Governor established an incubation center in Lafia to serve as the needed vehicle for the incubation of small scale businesses and hatching them into large scale industries through soft-loans to be obtained from the Bank of Industries and other Agencies of the Federal Government.The need for accessible roads, electricity and other social amenities becomes imperative for the realization and sustainability of the industrialization drive of the Government. In these regard, the Governor stated categorically the shared desire to establish private-sector driven nine hundred capacity transport company and a standard Airport to ensure more revenue is generated. Provision of roads, and other social amenities are being provided by the state government towards the realization of this objective. 

The Administration also partnered with National Information Technology Development to provide ICT training and empowerment of the youth and women in order to checkmate poverty and ameliorate the living condition of the people of the state. The Dangote Group and other investors like Azman Rice Ltd, Flour  Mills Nig. Plc have entered into agreement with the state for the accelerated development in the industrial sector, also recently, the state entered into partnership with the Benue River Basin Development Authority to access some hectares of land around Doma Dam. The portion will be allocated to youth with start-up fund to be accessed from CBN across the state for Rice production which is commendable and has aggravated the optimism of the people of the state. Nasarawa state would become one of the most competitive states in Nigeria by 2023 with the proper implementation of the systematic economic recovery framework established by the government (NEDS) if the the Nasarawa State Economic and Investment Advisory Council will bring to bear their wealth of experience and ginger the implementation of NEDS. I have no doubt in the credibility of the members of the Council especially with one of the famous and highly reputable young men from Nasarawa State Alh. Adamu Aliyu the MD/CEO of Halibiz Consults. Who is one of the most successful business men and serve as an inspiration to the Nasarawa Youth and other eminent personalities of the Council.

INFRASTRUCTURE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTENT

Infrastructural development is pertinent and important in improving the economic productivity of the state as the economy needs reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains, and the need to develop policies to promote the mobilization of domestic resources, the leveraging of external resources and the enhancement of the quality of the finance provided for infrastructure development. The Governor constituted the Investment and Economic Advisory Council with 15 Members inaugurated on the 29th day of July, 2019 and to stimulate growth, and development of the state.His excellency also developed the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) which will give the administration a sublime focus for accelerated economic development and to promote collaboration between Ministries, MDA’s & Nasarawa State Inland Revenue Service for enhanced revenue generation to address empowerment, employment, women and Youth, industrialization and infrastructure development.

In the spirit of continuity in governance and in order to consolidate on the effort of the past administrations, His Excellency is said to have completed all the projects initiated by the previous administrations of the State, such as the newly completed Presidential Lodge named after Sen. Umaru Tanko Almakura, and the Banquet Hall named after the late Alh. Aliyu Akwe Doma who initiated the project that is located within the Government House. Both project were named after the initiators.Construction of the Sisinbaki-Kwara Road, work still ongoing and Awarded at the sum of 2.5 Billion Naira.; Construction of Agwede-Ashupe-Atabula-Obi road in Obi LGA (on going)Construction of Kanje-Abuni and Kagbu A-Atsoko-kagbu Wana road; Construction of road through Shabu isolation Center to Akurba (on going). Construction of Mega Bus Terminal in Karu LGA (on going)Rehabilitations of boreholes across the state; Completion of Government House Banquet Hall etc.The Governor also disbursed 90million for community development projects across the state under the community and social Development Project (CSDP).

This gesture tends to be the first in the history of the state since the establishment of the agency in 2009, and this took place immediately some few days after one year in office.Engineer Sule’s administration also recorded a giant success as the Federal Government approved the sum of over 8billion Naira for the Farin Ruwa Project in Wamba LGA  of the state, the project is capable of creating 20 megawatts of electricity. The government also flagged-off 600 Clarias Fish Sales and the commissioning of 12Nos. Motorcycles and 20Nos protective wears for Extension Agents of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources. This initiative was the collaborative efforts of the United Nation Development Programme(UNDP) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project, which is aimed at fostering sustainability and resilience for food security in the Savannah Zones of Northern Nigeria.

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

To the Engineer of Consolidation, education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today and the object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives, and to turn mirrors into windows and the key to unlock the golden door of freedom, on the 31st  day of October, 2019, the Governor at the end of a 2-Day Retreat organized for top Government functionaries in the State, Directs School Principals of Public schools to stop charging for school fees in order to ameliorate the suffering of parent desirous of sending their children to public Schools. The state government has demonstrated a shared desire to improve the education sector and this is manifestly established in the allocation of 26 Billion Naira to the education sector in the year 2020 Budget which is one of the highest allocations since the creation of the state.

A. A Sule has demonstrated that indeed education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire, when he graciously approved the payment and disbursement of bursary allowance to eligible students of Nasarawa State, education has over time been regarded as a right and not a privilege.In an unprecedented twist, his Excellency out of his magnanimity awarded foreign scholarship to 20 students to go and study various professional courses at the International University of Africa, Khartoum, in the Republic of Sudan. Indeed, the roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.

The Engineer of Industrialization facilitated the Establishment of the Faculties of Engineering and Health Sciences in the Nasarawa State University, Keffi , the fastest growing State University in Nigeria in order to have the required engineers for future manpower development of the state. In order to consolidate on the efforts of the previous administration, renovations and reconstructions of various class rooms across the state is in progress, which necessitated the resignation of the former Secretary to the State Government as he was indicted by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly adhoc Committee in relation to the 1 billion Naira scandal when he was the commissioner of education in the previous administration of the state.Provision of three (3) Technology hubs and vocational training centers in the state and the establishment of the JAMB CBT center equipped with over 350 Computers. 

The Confirmation of the appointment of over 2000 teaching Staffs across the state will increase the desired manpower needed for efficient service delivery to the people of the state.Establishment of the law creating the College of Agriculture, Science & Technology Lafia, which will enhance Agricultural science and promote technical education in the state. The government also organized the Nasarawa State Education and Governance Summit 2020 virtual & in-person, themed “towards a just democratic Governance of Nasarawa State; the journey so far” in commemoration of his one year in office.  It is his fervent belief that education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army because education is life itself, the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence can only be acquired through educational pursuit.

HEALTH SECTOR

The health sector in the state has recorded significant development in light of the COVID19 Global pandemic that has ravaged the entire world. The Governor took pragmatic steps towards ensuring that the people of state are not endangered as a result of the spread of Corona virus, structures were equipped and converted to isolation/treatment centres in an effort to control and contain the spread of corona virus. Facilities were provided and the health infrastructure was upgraded to tackle the contemporary challenges in the sector, measures were put in place to contain and control further spread of COVID19 pandemic by the state.

YOUTH INCLUSIVENESS IN GOVERNANCE

The emergence of the concept and ideology of participative governance structures recognizes and advocates for the inclusion of young people. Youth are the politically active population of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, Africa and globally. Nonetheless, the way the government and political parties approach them is non-inviting. I have serious penchant for youth inclusion in governance as it tends to be my constituency and my generation. Youths around the world face a myriad of problems in creating and utilizing opportunities for representation to decision making bodies. The question of who is a youth has been viewed from various angles. It is true that a youth is one who is in the transition phase from childhood to adulthood.

The age of youth transition varies from country to country. The United Nations considers a youth to be from the age of 15-24 years, while that of Commonwealth of Nations is from 15-29 years. However, for the sake of this article, we will consider that of the African Charter in which a youth is considered to be between the age of 15-35 years. The preamble to the African Youth Charter recognizes the fact that Africa’s greatest resource is its youthful population. I found solace in the words of the late Koffi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General who once said: “Normally, when we need to know about something, we go to experts, but we tend to forget that when we want to know about youths and what they feel and what they want, that we should talk to them”   This can be effectively done through their representatives in formal bodies. Youths have a better perspective of the problems that affect them as such they need to be integrated in policy planning, implementation and evaluation for the policy to be a success. Youth representation in governance of the state will enable youths to be active members of the democratic society.Submissively, I wish to commend the effort of His Excellency thus far, and I admonish him to take into cognizance the fact that the voices of the youths also need to be heard in strategic institutions.

The participation of youths in policy design and implementation will improve the success of policies and will instill a sense of ownership and belonging in youths, because youth exclusion can create significant tension in the society. The Engineer of Peace should also be the Engineer of Youth as the administration has not involved youth that are intellectually mobile and have the capacity to initiate policies that will have direct bearing on the lives of the Youth of the state and help in delivering the mandate of the people. CONCLUSIONThe need for all stakeholders to support the governor to achieve the desired vision becomes the responsibilities of all and sundry, as Rome was not built in a day.

The sincerity of purpose exhibited by the Engineer of Peace, Industrialization and consolidation is second to none and we have the moral responsibility to speak truth to power when the need arise. May God in His omnipotent capacity give the Administration the tenacity to serve diligently with all sincerity of purpose. 

Barr. Faruk Mohammed Ofoku is a Legal practitioner & the President/Chairman Nasarawa Youth Initiative for Peace & Good Leadership, based in Abuja & can be reached via farukofoku@gmail.com