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Governor Abdullahi A. Sule approves N1bn to clear outstanding gratuity from 1999-2010.

Economic hardship: Governor Sule approves N1bn to clear outstanding gratuity from 1999-2010.

Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved the disbursements of the sum of one billion naira meant to clear the outstanding gratuity of both local and state government retirees from 1999 to 2010, numbering over 1000.

Governor Sule announced this when he undertook an on the spot assessment of the ongoing screening exercise for over 700 local government and 300 state retirees at the headquarters of the Nasarawa State Bureau for Pension Administration, on Wednesday.

According to the Governor, the one billion naira would clear the full gratuity of retirees both at the state and local government levels starting from 1999 to 2010.

This is just at Governor Sule explained that his administration inherited a backlog of gratuity from the creation of the state in 1996 till date.

He told journalists at the venue of the screening that he was there to physically monitor the exercise, which he said, was meant to alleviate the plight of the retirees by paying them their full entitlements so that they can be able to start something.

Governor Sule said with improved revenue accruing to the state, his administration saw the need to clear off gratuity of retirees starting from 1999 to 2010.

“I was told the money would clear the gratuity of retirees from 1999 to 2010. Both at the local government and state levels. My dream again is that from 2011, when the amount increases significantly, whether anybody knows somebody in government or not, again, we will just follow the first-come-first-serve to complete the payment for 2011 by the end of this year. At the beginning of next year, we will pay purely from 2012,” he stated.

He added that the gesture is meant to bring sucour to the retirees who are presently experiencing economic hardship.

“People are facing a lot of challenges today due to the economic hardship. That is the reason why we believe if we pay them their money, some of them are getting one million, some two million and even three million, the money will go a long way in reducing the hardship.

“This is in addition to whatever interventions we are having, whether it is food items or whatever, let us pay them what is due to them, and that is their own gratuity,” he added.

The Governor expressed optimism that with 500 local government retirees, out of the over 700 and 100 state retirees, out of the over 300 already screened, the beneficiaries would begin to receive their payments by Tuesday next week.

Also speaking, Alhaji Suleiman Musa Nagogo, Director General, Nasarawa State Pension Bureau, explained that the screening exercise, which started on Monday, 13th February, will last till Monday 19th February.

“We are going to clear the issue of gratuity in respect of all those who retired from 1999 until 2010 for both the state and local government retirees.

“Once we are able to handle those ones from 1999 to 2010, and as His Excellency, Governor Sule said, additional funds would be made available to clear that of retirees from 2011/2012, in order to make sure we have addressed the challenge of payment of gratuity in Nasarawa State.

The DG further clarified that retired permanent secretaries numbering 60 would receive N2m each while those who are deceased are likely to receive N4m out of their entitlements.

He noted that since the inception of the present administration under Governor Sule, both l9cal and state pensioners have been receiving one hundred percent of the pension, with the pensioners already paying their February pension.

Alhaji Nagogo used the opportunity to clear the air on why, in the past, the bureau was paying retirees over one hundred thousand naira as gratuity.

“Please recall that payment of this gratuity is being done on a quarterly basis which means that we gather the amount we have to receive in three months and announce to the people to come and collect their gratuity.

“But we don’t sit as a Bureau for Pension Administration and say we are paying one hundred thousand naira. There is a committee called the Gratuity Disbursement Committee which is headed by the Deputy Governor of the state that sits down and look at the entire amount that has accrued for payment of gratuity and look at the recommendation that came from the BPA and how many people they can take at that quarter. It’s the same process we have been following in disbursing this money,” he stated.

The DG, however dismissed, claims that files belonging to some retirees were missing.

“Whoever said his file is missing, I think he is only claiming so. I have never received complaints of anybody’s file not being able to be traced in this office,” he said.

Governor Sule welcomes restructuring of Operation Whirl Stroke, pledges continous support

Governor Abdullahi Sule has welcomed the decision of the defense headquarters to restructure the Operation Whirl Stroke, pledging continued support for the military towards ensuring that Nasarawa State remains peaceful.

Governor Sule made this known when he hosted the Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, which covers Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, Major General Sunday Iserimen Igbinomwanhia, at the Government House on Friday.

While appreciating the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa for the initiative to restructure the Operation Whirl Stroke, the Governor assured of the continued support of his administration to ensure that the operation succeeds.

He particularly appreciated that now Nasarawa State is a distinct field of operation separated from that of Benue and Taraba States.

“Let me also thank the CDS for initiating this new arrangement, which is going to be better for each of the states you indicated. For Nasarawa State, now to be separated into various sectors and each sector with an officer to take command of a particular local government area is wonderful. This is exactly what the state has been looking forward to. It’s not only within the civil service that we are having reforms. Now, it’s taking place even within the military. This is going to help us in the state,” he stated.

The Governor was emphatic that his administration would support the new arrangement.

“We will look at it and see whatever support we can give. There is nothing that is too much for us as far as the security of our people is concerned. We take that very seriously in Nasarawa State. And we would continue to thank you for the good job that you are doing,” he added.

He used the opportunity to highlight on the significance his administration places on security, especially with the various interventions coming into the state.

“I just visited the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security where the ministry availed us with the opportunities that would come to our state. First, the would need 500 hectares of land to cultivate for dry season farming and eventually we are going to 1000 hectares all for crop production.

Just yesterday, I was with Mr President and the Minister of Housing and we were discussing about what Nasarawa State would provide for the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, because of our proximity to the FCT. All these cannot happen if there is no peace,” the Governor said.

He equally promised to mobilize intelligence that would facilitate the work of the security operatives in the state.

“We will continue to support you as far as we are concerned with all the needed logistics. Just like you said you will protect us, we will also provide you with the intelligence, with all the information that you need. Because security is everybody’s responsibilities,” he said.

Governor Sule also used the opportunity to condole with the military over the loss of three soldiers while on an operation in Nasarawa Local Government Area.

He thereafter, directed the Commissioner on Special Duties, Security and Public Matters, Hon. Timothy Kasuwa, as well as the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu, to liaise with the Nasarawa State Sector Commander for Operation Whirl Stroke, Colonel Hassan, with a view to facilitating the establishment of a command headquarters in Lafia.

In his opening remarks, Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, which covers Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, Major General Sunday Iserimen Igbinomwanhia, said the restructuring of the Operation Whirl Stroke by the defense headquarters was meant to fill up the gap discovered after careful review of the operation in the past five years.

According to the force commander, with the new arrangement, units in Nasarawa State have been inducted into the operation, with Operation Whirl Stroke restructured to have a sector in each of the three states.

“Formerly, we have like 6 sectors scattered all over these three states, but with this restructuring, we have three sectors, namely Sector 1 in Benue State, Sector 2 in Nasarawa State, and Sector 3 in Taraba,” he said.

General Igbinomwanhia disclosed that Colonel Hassan, originally from the 4SF Command Garrison in Doma, will serve as the Sector Commander in Nasarawa State, with sub-sector Commanders taking charge of designated local government areas.

“What we tried to achieve is that every nook and cranny of the state would be covered. That is why we have contiguous local governments grouped together under a Commander with troops to conduct patrols and all operations, raids in these local governments, to prevent threats to security.

“We all know that threats to security in our joint operations area include terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and all other forms of criminality that threatens the peace and security of our people especially our hard working people who go to farm. We are talking about food security, the military is ready to contribute to ensuring that there is food security by ensuring that there is security for our farmers,” General Igbinomwanhia stated.

He added that joint military operatives under the Operation Whirl Stroke will carry out block operations across the three states to prevent criminals from crossing borders.

The force commander however requested for the intervention of the Governor to facilitate for the establishment of the command’s headquarters in Lafia.

“We thank you for your support and commitment to security of the state and the nation at large. We will make every effort to make sure your vision for security in the state is achieved,” he said.

General Igbinomwanhia also warned that the command would not toltolerate incidences where security agencies would use their uniform to molest the civilian population, urging the authorities to always report such incidences.

Chairman North Central Governor’s Forum and Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule was a participant at the occasion of Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) High Level Strategic meeting on Enhancement on Climate Change, Food Systems and Resource Mobilisation.

Chairman North Central Governor’s Forum and Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule was a participant at the occasion of Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) High Level Strategic meeting on Enhancement on Climate Change, Food Systems and Resource Mobilisation.

The engagement focused on Innovative Strengthening of the Small holder farmers project.

Banquet Hall Aso Villa, Abuja. Monday 12-02-2024

The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule inspects ongoing construction of Karu-Adon Kasa Road.

Governor Abdullahi Sule who expressed his displeasure with slow pace of work charged the contractor to speed up work and ensure adherence to specifications.

Monday, 12-02-2024

Governor Sule flags off N7000 conditional cash transfer to Widows and the Elderly

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has flagged off the second phase of the conditional cash transfer of seven thousand naira monthly to widows, orphans and elderly persons, as part of the state’s social investment programme, geared towards meeting the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

Governor Sule flagged of the disbursements of Kudin A. A Sule at an elaborate ceremony that took place at the Government House on Tuesday.

According to the Governor, his administration was motivated to launch the second phase of the programme following positive results from the first exercise, where it was discovered that some of the beneficiaries utilized the amounts given to them to raise working capital for each member of the community contributory scheme they started.

He recalled that the programme, earlier started by the Federal Government under its Social Investment Programme (SIP) was domesticated in Nasarawa State, aimed at the equitable distribution of resources, particularly to the vulnerable and indigent members of the society.

Governor Sule pointed out that his administration domesticated the initiative in the state, in line with its policy direction as encapsulated in the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), that has continued to drive the implementation of various policies and programmes recorded so far.

Though the programme was initially greeted with criticism by the opposition, the Governor expressed satisfaction that the Kudin A. A Sule is not only succeeding in transforming the lives of the downtrodden at the grassroots but that Nasarawa State remains the only state in the country running the conditional cash transfer.

“When we started this programme, there was a lot of criticism that we were only giving five thousand naira to the people. But from the information we received both from the agency as well as the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and now also confirmed by the Speaker, we are bring hope to the people.

“Through what is known as Adashi, where a lot of them have done so much by creating huge working capital for some of their own people and a lot of people have benefitted and enriched themselves. Some of these women would gather the five thousand naira and give one hundred to two hundred thousand naira to one person every month. Today, a lot of these women are independent. For us, that was the idea, the idea to have this vision,” he stated.

Governor Sule explained that, his administration reviewed the amount upwards from five thousand naira to seven thousand naira and also expanded the number of beneficiaries from 3,800 to 6000, as a result of the prevailing economic realities following the removal of oil subsidy, as well as increase in the price of commodities.

The second phase of the Kudin A A Sule will also run for another 24 months.

This is just as the Governor took a swipe at the opposition, stressing that his administration intends to shut the mouth of the opposition in the state by delivering on its campaign promises.

He disclosed that, already, the state government has ordered for rice to be distributed across the state as palliative, with CNG vehicles also purchased in order to cushion the cost of transportation.

“We are going to work hard. We are going to continue ensuring that all the various interventions in form of employment, industrialization come to fruition very soon.

“I am going to Nasarawa Local Government, Nasarawa town to commission our very first landmark lithium processing plant. Once we do that, I can actually be so happy and beat my chest that our dream for industrialization has fully taken off, where employment has come.

“Those are the kind of things that I use to shut down opposition’s criticism and I love it any time we shut them up and they are not able to say a word. These are the kinds of things we do in order to bring development to our state,” he said.

Governor Sule equally expressed satisfaction with the process of selecting the beneficiaries, which cut across political, ethnic or religious lines.

“I need to reecho that the beneficiaries of the programme were selected and screened from the polling units across the 13 local government areas of the state. We were not paying attention to their political affiliation. We didn’t know who they voted for, we don’t really care. We are only interested in the vulnerable even if they did not vote for us. Because the idea is to get the right people into the programme. I am happy we have the right people,” he added.

In a good will message, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Danladi Jatau, appreciated Governor Sule for impacting on the lives of the citizens of the state particularly at the grassroots.

The speaker reiterated the readiness of the assembly to always support the Governor in his efforts to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs, Hon. Magret Elayo, described the Kudin A. A Sule as a beacon and compassion.

“We thank you for what you are doing on a daily basis, through various offices, in impacting the lives of every citizen of Nasarawa State. I have had the privilege of witnessing first hand, the impact of His Excellency’s programmes and initiative in our communities. From humanitarian to the distribution of various items. And now we are talking about cash to support our women,” Hon. Elayo said.

On his part, Hon Aminu Muazu Maifata, Chairman ALGON/Lafia Local Government Area, commended the openness and transparency of the programme, assuring the Governor of continued support from the councils towards ensuring the success of the scheme.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Hon Imran Usman Jibrin, Director General, Nasarawa State Social Investment Agency (NSSIA), disclosed that 6000 citizens cutting across polling units in the state are benefiting from the second phase of the programme.

The DG said that the beneficiaries are widows, aged, orphans among other less privileged and will be receiving N7000 as monthly stipend for 24 months.

The exercise saw each beneficiary receive two months stipends amounting to fourteen thousand naira.

His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule received in his office the new Director General National Orientation Agency (NOA) Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu who led a delegation of officials of the agency on a courtesy visit.

Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule received in his office the new Director General National Orientation Agency (NOA) Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu who led a delegation of officials of the agency on a courtesy visit.

The NOA DG was in Lafia to seek support of Engr. Sule in the agency’s re-orientation strategy that includes the planned launch of The “National Value Charter”.

Tuesday, 13th February, 2024

Governor Abdullahi A. Sule seeks marketers support to tackle rising cost of food items

Governor Abdullahi Sule of has sought the support of members of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association towards mitigating the rising cost of food items.Concerned with the prevailing economic hardships being experienced by the people, Governor Sule met with the traders and marketers association at the Government House on Tuesday.

The Governor decried a situation where traders purchase and hoard food items solely for profit maximization, urging members of the traders and marketing association to sensitize their members on the ills of hoarding food items, especially at the time like now when people are finding it difficult to feed. According to the Governor, members of the association should be able to look inward with a view to supporting government and to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

He said even though his administration could not stop businessmen from coming into the state to buy food items, but the marketers have a role to play by ensuring they regulate the quantity of food items being exported outside the state. Governor Sule identified hoarding as the major contributing factor in the recent rise in the cost of food items.

“It’s high time we come together to help ourselves. It’s inconsiderate for someone to hoard food items while waiting for the prices to soar before selling it. It’s even possible that at the time, such a person wants to sell his food items, he may lack buyers because of the scarcity of money. It’s not good for someone who bought a 50kg bag of sugar at N32, 000 to now turn around and sell it at N72, 000,” he said. He urged members of the traders association to help government by stopping their members from hoarding food items. “Stop hoarding food items. Hunger is ravaging the people. If we continue to hoard food items and people continue to die, we would answer before God,” he added.

On the part of government, Governor Sule disclosed various steps his administration is taking towards alleviating the plight of the people. He announced that government has purchased some quantities of rice to be distributed across the state, procured a number of CNG vehicles to be commissioned aimed at reducing hardships associated with the rising cost of transportation. The Governor further disclosed that his administration intends to buy food items from the marketers with a view to reselling it to the people at a reduced price.

He particularly called on the marketers to make available food items in their custody for government to buy, with a view to reselling it to the people at a discount. On the complain by the marketers about frequent extortion by indigenous people demanding for payment of tax before vehicles conveying food items are allowed passage, the Governor promised to intervene into the matter but asked the marketers to always report such extortion to the relevant security agents.

Speaking, president, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Musa Turaki-Gamji, said the union is touring the zones across the state to sensitise traders on supporting government’s plans to assuage the plight of the people.

Turaki-Gamji pointed out that the association has taken it upon itself to intervene by assisting the government towards reducing the hardships presently being faced by the people of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

While noting that Nasarawa was blessed with large amount of food produce last year, the marketers association president however decried that businessmen from Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and other places had siezed the opportunity of the food boom to buy and hoard the food items in faraway places leaving the people in hunger and starvation.

He assured that a special task force set up by the association has been going round markets in the state, sensitizing their members on the need to look inward and to avoid excessive profits margins, in order to alleviate the plight of the people.

Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule in continuation of the ongoing State-wide distribution of palliatives.

Governor Abdullahi Sule personally supervised distribution of palliatives to Mada Station, Nasarawa Eggon, Ubbe, Wakama, Alugani, Agungi, Umme, Eka-wamgibi, Ende, Lizzy-Ezzen, Iga Buruburun, Kagbo, Lambaga electoral wards of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area.

In addition to the 4 bags of rice each of the beneficiaries also received 5,000 naira cash.

The gesture is part of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration’s deliberate effort to ease the effects of rising cost of food items.

Wednesday, 28th February, 2024

His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has again emphasized the need for communities to work with security agencies to flush out criminals from the state.

I’m a meeting with Alh. Dr. Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, The National President Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Sociocultural Association , Governor Sule also urges for peaceful coexistence in a diverse society like Nasarawa.

The President of China National Engineering Company Wu Guisheng visited His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule

The President of China National Engineering Company Wu Guisheng visited His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State to open discussions on hydro electric power generation at Farin Ruwa and possible investment in the midstream prospects of the oil and gas operations in Obi and Keana.

The meeting was held at Nasarawa Governor’s Lodge Asokoro, Abuja.
Friday, 10th November, 2023