Speech Delivered by His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State on the Occasion of the Commissioning/Flag-off of the Construction of Government Secondary School Shafa Abakpa, Model Primary Healthcare Centre and Magistrate Court: Toto LGA, Saturday, 1st February, 2020
His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State;
The Right Hon. Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly;
The Hon. Chief Judge of Nasarawa State;
Distinguished Senators here present;
Honourable Members of the House of Representatives here present;
Honourable Minister of State, Science and Technology;
Principal Officers and Members of the State House of Assembly;
Members of the Nasarawa State Executive and Security Councils;
The Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State;
The Head of the Civil Service;
Special Advisers;
The National Vice Chairman, North Central Geo-political Zone, All Progressives Congress (APC);
The State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC);
Permanent Secretaries;
His Royal Highness, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I JSC (Rtd) Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs;
Chairmen and Chief Executives of Commissions, Boards and Parastatals;
Executive Chairmen of Local Government Councils and Overseers of Development Areas present;
Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs;
Our Development Partners;
Gentlemen of the Press;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to address you today on the occasion of the commissioning of:
i. Government Secondary School, Shafa Abakpa;
ii. Magistrate Court; and
iii. Model Primary Healthcare Centre; Toto.
You would recall that, when we assumed office, I made a solemn commitment to execute policies and programmes towards the improvement of the standard of education, healthcare delivery and other sundry services for socio-economic development of the State.
As a mark of practical demonstration, we embarked on the constructions of classroom blocks in Angwan Jarme, Mahanga and Mararaban Gongon in Kokona, Awe and Wamba Local Government Areas last year, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I made a pledge then to extend similar gesture to other schools that are still lacking basic infrastructures for effective teaching and learning.
It is for this reason that we have embarked on the construction of the ultra-modern classroom block and office accommodation with convenience here in the Government Secondary School, Shafa Abakpa which, we have today gathered here to commission. Let me reiterate the resolve of this Administration to continue to provide conducive environment for effective teaching and learning, as well as to improve the health conditions of our people in the State.
Considering the importance this Administration attaches to education, the Nasarawa State Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) awarded contracts to qualified contractors for the mass construction and rehabilitation of Primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the State. I am happy to state that work has commenced in the benefiting schools for the benefit of the educational development of the State.
Ladies and gentlemen, as part of the event to mark my visit to Toto Local Government Area, today, arrangement have been completed to flag-off the distribution of 4,000 Deworming Tablets for under 5 children which is intended to free our children from worm infestation and Vitamin A Supplement to 600 pregnant women and children towards boosting their immunity, improving the vision and sight of our children, as well as reducing morbidity in children affected by infectious diseases such as measles, thereby reducing the chances of blindness in our children. This gesture will be conducted within the period of three months.
This is intended to enhance the quality of our healthcare services, as well as to improve the nutrition of our children and pregnant women. It is pertinent to state that this endeavour is in partnership with Abraham’s Children Foundation geared towards reducing maternal mortality rate in the State. I commend Mr. Shama Labaran Sanda and the entire Abraham’s Child Foundation for this collaboration.
Let me use the opportunity of this occasion to inform you that I have approved the implementation of Save One Million Lives initiative in the State, which focuses on the improvement of health for pregnant women, children under 5, immunization, nutrition, as well as treated nets. This is in line with Goals 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and wellbeing) and 17 (partnership) of the SDGs. Apart from the provision of free healthcare services, this scheme will also provide 61 health facilities across the State, 51 Primary Healthcare centres, 1 Tertiary hospital, 9 Secondary school facilities including Central store. Similarly, four (4) Primary Healthcare Centres have been identified in each Local Government Area for renovation and upgrading to meet global standard for the wellbeing of our people.
In a related development, we are also commissioning the Magistrate Court Complex in Toto, headquarters of Toto Local Government Area, built and donated by the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State. This project is significant, considering its role in the dispensation of justice to the common man. It is for this reason that we remain committed in the provision of necessary enablement to enhance effective dispensation of justice in the State.
Let me, therefore, commend the Chief Judge for this great stride and the Judiciary to ensure maximum utilization of this project for the benefit of the common man.
Before concluding this remark, let me take the liberty of this occasion to express my profound appreciation to the good people of Toto Local Government Area for their unflinching support to this Administration. It is for this reason that, I deem it necessary to honour the commissioning of these projects personally, in spite of my tight schedules. I assure you of our continued partnership in our determination to turn around the socio-economic fortunes of the people of the State. Let me also charge you to continue to live in peace for harmonious coexistence among the diverse ethnic nationalities in Toto Local Government Area in particular and the State at large.
On this note, it is my pleasure to Commission the Government Secondary School, Shafa Abakpa, Toto; Magistrate Court Complex and Flag-off of the distribution of Healthcare Intervention.
Thank you and may God bless us all.
Be the first to comment