NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
All persons displaced by the recent crises between farmers and herders in Nasarawa State have returned to their various communities. This was disclosed by Peter Ahemba, the senior special assistant, SSA on Public Affairs to Governor Abdullahi Sule. The government spokesman who briefed reporters in Lafia during the bi-monthly event noted that efforts have been intensified to ensure that all security concerns are addressed and the warring parties reconciled. This, he said, led to the voluntary return of the individuals who had deserted their ancestral communities to go back home.
According to the SSA, “His Excellency, just two days ago, convened an expanded Security Council meeting involving security agencies, some chairmen of local government areas, especially those that have borders with communities in Benue State and of course traditional rulers and other stakeholders. They resolved that more surveillance should intensify. So, as we speak, I want to inform you that following this practice measure that His Excellency has taken, those who even started fleeing their homes for fear of the unknown have all returned to their places of abode. As we speak, His Excellency has directed the security agencies in the State to intensify surveillance across those flash points to ensure that law and order are maintained and that security of life and property of the citizens are protected,” he noted, while stressing the point that Governor Sule pays utmost attention to the security of lives and properties of the people, which is a cardinal objective and purpose of government.
While addressing the strides made in the education sector, Ahemba said about 24,000 students in public secondary schools in the State are benefitting from the payment of their fees from the National Examinations Council, NECO. “The Nasarawa State government has again, for the second time, fully paid for NECO registration fee for over 24,000candidates in all public secondary schools across the State in the current academic session. This gesture is actually meant to ease the financial burden of parents and guardians, especially the less privileged individuals in our society.” He added that in addition to the payment for NECO examinations, government is providing instructional materials, building structures across schools in the State. he added that investments in education are bearing fruits as students in public schools are posting impression positions at national and regional levels.
On the agricultural sector, the government media handler announced that arrangements are being finalized to ensure that fertilizer is procured timeously for onward distribution to farmers for the new farming season. He called on farmers to take advantage of government’s effort and prepare to cultivate the land. On health, he said progress has been made in the bid to relocate the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital from Lafia to Akwanga, following the conversion of the premises to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital. He said the committee saddled with that responsibility has submitted its report, noting that about two billion naira will be required to accomplish the relocation.