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Tag: Al-Makura

  • Let’s work together, Al-Makura begs

    Let’s work together, Al-Makura begs

    Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura  has advised Nigerians to see the unity of the country as part of their daily schedule for the nation to forge ahead.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur, the governor urged Nigerians to continue to offer selfless service for the unity of the country and for the future of the next generation.

    He said Nigerians should use the 57th Independence Anniversary celebration to reflect on the struggle of founding fathers and ensure the sustenance of peace and unity.

    He reinstated commitment of the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to keep one, indivisible Nigeria and ensure every citizen has access to the dividends of democracy.

    He expressed optimism the Buhari’s administration would succeed in its quest to reduce poverty, fight corruption, change the economic status of the country and stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

    He also called on Nigerians to support the APC- led administration’s drive to rebuild the nation’s foundation.

    Al-Makura said such efforts could not be left to the government alone.

     

  • Digital land administration:  Al-Makura signs 1,800 Cs-of-O in six years

    Digital land administration:  Al-Makura signs 1,800 Cs-of-O in six years

    The Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Almakura, has signed over 1,800 Certificates of Occupancy  (Cs-of-O) since assumption of office in 2011.

    The issuance of the Cs of O was in line with the  digital land administration policy put in place by the governor.

    The Commissioner for  Lands and Town Planning, Mr. Sonny Agassi, made this known yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Lafia, the state capital.

    Agassi said the Nasarawa Geographic Information Services (NAGIS), a component of the Nasarawa Development Platform, has revolutionized land administration in the state, making it possible for land owners to process their land titles within 24 hours.

    He said between1996 and 1999 when the military held sway, a total of 310 certificates were issued.

    He said  while  214 Certificates of Occupancy were issued between 1999 and 2007, 24 certificates were signed and delivered  from 2007 to 2011.

    He said NAGIS has supported Almakura administration’s policy thrust  through the “strengthening of decision making by providing spatial information, data and services to all government ministries and agencies.”

    He  said the computerization of the cadastral and land registry has also “provided a platform for transparent land transactions and the optimization of workflows  which has improved efficiency in land administration and improved revenue generation, thereby making it possible to project the signing of over 5000 Cs-of-O before 2019.”

    While advising members of the public to take advantage of the robust land policy in the state, Agassi said land management in the state has “stimulated economic development by enabling citizens and private enterprises to register land and property and secure their investments in a transparent and safe system”

    He added: “This has resulted in significant increases in revenues generated. It is important to note that these revenues are sustainable as conveying more Cs-of-O will result in increased ground rent collections”.

    “As more people obtain Cs-of-O,  there is increased investment in the development of new property resulting in development control charges, property taxes and tenement rates”.

    The commissioner emphasized that other remarkable benefits of his administration’s land policy include the complete mapping of the entire state with 10cm ortho-photos of six urban areas and 25cm for all rural areas covering a total of 27,000 square-kilometres of digital aerial photography, the only state in the entire country to complete such mapping.

  • Nasarawa after Al-Makura

    SIR: Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State assumed leadership of the state in 2011 with huge expectations from the people to address the challenges confronting them. It is a fact that no government can satisfactorily provide the needs of the people without creating other challenges. It is also a fact that nobody can rule without guilt.

    Al-Makura has had his “human nature” manifested in his actions while administering the state. However, even his critics acknowledge his efforts in nearly all sectors of the state. The energy, passion and commitment he deployed in administering the state in the last six years are impeccable. In spite of his numerous “shortcomings”, many of the projects he initiated, particularly, the roads he constructed has opened up many areas and communities; increased business activities as well as the value of land and properties especially in the state capital.

    As 2018 is fast approaching, Al-Makura appears set like nearly all Nigerian politicians to aspire for available political position to stay relevant, influential and powerful in the politics of the state and the nation at large. Nearly every machinery has been set for him to run for a seat in the Senate to represent the Southern Senatorial District of the state.

    What this means is that in a couple of months to come, Al-Makura will likely not be seen deploying the kind of energy he does in awarding and inspecting on-going contracts and projects. He is likely to be seen engaging in activities that will help him actualize his dream of becoming a senator. Therefore, his time is as good as gone!

    What the people of Nasarawa State should concern themselves with right now is how to dispassionately hunt for that individual that will match and even surpass the energy, passion and commitment Al-Makura has deployed in the last six years in administering the state.

    As it is expected, many politicians are lining up to take over Al-Makura’s job either by being around him or standing in opposition to him. However, none has appeared with a clear blueprint of how he/she hopes to steer the ship of the state in sustaining an improvement in the living conditions of majority of the people.

    Many of those tipped for the job are either fronted on the basis of ethnicity, religion, geographical location and “closeness” to Al-Makura, among other reasons. Al-Makura himself has deliberately refused to allow the general public to know who he desires to succeed him.

    Nasarawa State needs a leader that can consolidate on the efforts made so far to boost rice and sugar production in the agricultural sector to empower a large section of the population of the state that are engaged in the sector. The state needs a leader that will initiate and dispassionately monitor plans and programmes that will ensure that local farmers in the state benefit adequately from the agricultural sector.

    The state needs a leader that will recruit members of his team based on their commitment and disposition to good governance- not one that will merely satisfy patronage, ethnic, religious and regional sentiments.

    Nasarawa needs a leader that will come to mobilize the human and material resources in the state to deliberately cause prosperity in the lives of the people.

     

    • Azige, Louis Machue,

    Lafia, Nasarawa State.

  •  Gov. Al-makura to renovate more schools in 2017  

     Gov. Al-makura to renovate more schools in 2017  

     

    Gov.Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State says the state government will build and renovate more primary and secondary schools before the end of 2017.

    Al-makura made the promise in Garaku, the headquarters of Kokona Local Government Area of the state at the 34th enthronement anniversary of Dr Sylvester Ayih as the Abaga Toni of Toni Chiefdom.

    He expressed the optimism that the promise would translate to improvement in the standard of education in the state.

    Al-Makura, represented by his Deputy, Mr Silas Agara, described 2017 as a year of transformation, stressing that “we are going to double the numbers of schools that were renovated in 2016.’’

    He congratulated the monarch on his anniversary and for his wealth of experience in ensuring peace and unity in Gwandara nation, the state and the country at large.

    The Governor also commended the monarch for his contribution to the development of the education sector in the state.

    “I urge all of us to pray for God’s guidance, protection and long life for the paramount rulers as they are custodians of people’s culture, tradition and peace.

    “The state government will embark on massive construction of schools in 2017.

    ‘’What we have done and achieved so far which have imparted on the lives of our children and other citizens is a tip of an ice berg.

    ‘‘Also, the bridges and culverts that you have seen is a tip of an ice berg as you are going to see the renovation of more culverts, more roads and more clinics, among others

    “This is aimed at connecting rural communities and to improve on the health of the people,” he said.

    He also said his administration had transformed the education, agriculture, economic, health, judicial, commercial among other sectors.

    According to him, the effort is toward fighting poverty, hunger, unemployment as well as boosting the socio-economic development of the state.

    Al-Makura urged the people of the state in particular and Nigerians in general to continue to pray for and support President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders to enable them to succeed.

    The Governor reiterated his administration’s continued commitment to policies and programmes with direct bearing on the lives of people of the state.

    He, therefore, solicited the people’s support to enable him succeed.

    Earlier, Mr Musa Namo, the Chairman, Interim Management Committee of the council, said that the programme was organised to thank God for the life of the monarch.

    He thanked God for protecting and guiding the monarch and making Ayih to clock 34 years on throne.

    He promised that the council would continue to partner with the traditional institution to promote peace and development in the state.

    Responding, Ayih also thanked God for making him alive to celebrate his 34 years on throne.

    He said that he would continue to preach peace to his subjects and Nigerians at large for the overall development of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion brought together politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders.

    Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the first Executive Governor of the state, Rep. Jonathan Gaza, among others also made the list of dignitaries at the occasion. 

     

  • Ortom, Al-Makura vow to end Agatu crisis

    Ortom, Al-Makura vow to end Agatu crisis

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Tanko Al-Makura, have vowed to end the Agatu crisis.

    The duo spoke at Obagaji, headquarters of the council, during a peace meeting yesterday. They vowed to implement peace initiatives to ensure the security of life and property.

    They appealed to the people to allow peace by cohabiting with indigenous Fulani herdsmen as in the past.

    Ortom lamented the “massive and unprecedented destruction” of Agatu and killings by herdsmen, but said there was no alternative to peace.

    He urged the people to forgive and allow the Fulani born in the land to return, saying the Bible admonishes that vengeance belonged to God.

    Ortom said his kinsmen were killed and property, including his ancestral home, destroyed by the herdsmen but they had since forgiven them and moved on.

    He thanked Al-Makura for his commitment to peace and restated his stand that ranching remained the best approach to ending the clashes.

    Al-Makura, who noted that there was no going back until peace returned to Agatu land, said the culture of impunity must not be allowed to continue.

    He urged the people to have confidence in the peace initiative and maintained that other meetings will be convened, with selected stakeholders, to find lasting solution to the crisis.

    Spokesmen of the Agatu people, including Sole Administrator Mr. Mike Inalegwu; member of the State House of Assembly Sule Audu, and Chairman, Peace and Reconciliation Committee Mr. Akpa Idu, called for reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation, as well as extension of the Federal Government’s Northeast reconstruction plan to Agatu.

    Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Nasarawa State, Mohammed Hussein, apologised and appealed for forgiveness on behalf of Fulani people.

    He pledged that his people will abide by resolutions taken by the security councils.

    The spokesman accepted the registration of returning Fulani, monitoring of their movements and implementation of the ban on movement with arms by both parties, as demonstration of their commitment to the peace process.

  • Emulate Prophet Muhammed, says Al-Makura

    Emulate Prophet Muhammed, says Al-Makura

    Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has asked the Muslim Ummah to be guided by attributes and lessons from the life of Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

    He said the Prophet was a symbol of piety, peace, love, tolerance and good neighbourliness.

    He said Nigeria would make quicker progress towards the fulfilment of its potential if its citizens foster peace, security and stability.

    The governor’s admonition was contained in a Sallah message through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Ahmed Tukur.

    The statement said: “Al-Makura called on Nigerians to use the Eid-El-Kabir celebration to demonstrate the spirit of tolerance, unity and forgiveness as well as compassion for compatriots.

    “He urged the Muslim community to be worthy ambassadors of the faith and pray for progress of the nation.

    “He congratulated Nigerians, who successfully performed Hajj this year in fulfilment of a key injunction of their faith and prayed God to accept their ibadat as they continue in their spiritual journey towards the fulfilment of the pilgrimage rites.

    “He reminded the Muslim faithful of the need to share what they have with neighbours as a mark of love in accordance with injunctions of Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

  • Al-Makura seeks unity

    Al-Makura seeks unity

    Governor Umaru Tanko Al – Makura of Nasarawa State has urged  Muslims to use the spiritual lessons of the just-concluded Ramadan season  as formidable tools to rebuild the fabric of national unity and reaffirm Nigeria’s common destiny as one indivisible entity.

    In a special Sallah Message  in Lafia, the state capital  through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur,  Al – Makura  expressed optimism thatNigeria would be the ultimate beneficiary of the spiritual lessons  from the Ramadan season.

    Al – Makura said that the benefits of the spiritual lessons achieved from the fasting should be used  to take a spiritual stock of our lives as a nation and reaffirm our common humanity and our unity as a country.

    He call on the citizens to  build bridges of brotherhood to harness the benefits of earthly life and the ultimate purpose of creation.

  • I’ve nothing to do with Nasarawa House fracas, says Al-Makura

    I’ve nothing to do with Nasarawa House fracas, says Al-Makura

    NASARAWA State Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura yesterday explained that he had nothing to do with the fracas in the House of Assembly.

    He said as leader of the state APC, he would reconcile the lawmakers.

    The governor said he was constrained by a court order to appoint sole administrators to avoid a vacuum in the councils.

    He said election into councils would hold in six months.

    Al-Makura, who spoke in Abuja, said the state would not condone any act of brigandage.

    “I was not involved in the fracas. The lawmakers had their problem long before now; I had nothing to do with it.

    “The issue about the appointment of sole administrators came after a court judgment. The former chairmen went to court against one-year tenure and the court granted them two-year tenure.

    “When their tenure was about elapsing, the chairmen returned to court to demand a three-year term in office. But on March 23, 2016, which was a day to the end of their two years in office, the court ruled against their request for a three-year tenure.

    “The court said the chairmen must vacate on March 24, with a restraining order that the governor must not appoint any director of Administration or secretary to Local Government as chairman.

    “Although the court directed that only an elected government must be in place, I cannot conduct election in 24 hours.

    “So, I was left with no option than to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity by appointing sole administrators.

    “I informed the Assembly that by virtue of the court order, I decided on a make-shift arrangement not to create a vacuum and crisis at the local government level.

    “I wrote the Assembly, but I was not looking for permission. If I asked them for permission, I will be violating the court order.”

    Al-Makura added: “While the arrangement was on, six members, whom they alleged have interest in the leadership of some councils, resorted to protest on the floor of the Assembly.

    “A lot of people are missing the point; I have no problem with Nasarawa House of Assembly. As a father of all, I will call them for reconciliation.”

    He, however, warned against acts of brigandage by any person or group.

    Asked when the council poll will hold, Al-Makura said: “I think may be in six months.

    “There are certain statutory regulations and financial implications to determine the conduct of the poll. We are looking at the next six months for the poll.”

  • Al-Makura appoints 41 aides

    Al-Makura appoints 41 aides

    Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura yesterday appointed 41 Senior Special Assistants (SSA), Special Assistants and Personal Assistants (PAS).

    This is contained in a statement by Secretary to the Government (SSG) Umaru Azores in Lafia.

    The statement said of the 41 appointments, three were SSAs, nine SAs and 29 PAs. The statement quoted Azores as saying: “This is the time for us to work because the litigation is over; the government needs to get the right people in the right places.”

    It said the administration would engage “the most qualified people” into responsibilities to reposition the government. According to the statement, appointments take immediate effect.

    It urged the appointees to report to the Governor’s Office for directives.

     

  • Ortom, Al-Makura seek closer ties

    Ortom, Al-Makura seek closer ties

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura have canvassed closer ties between the two states.

    They made the disclosure when Ortom visited his colleague at the Government House in Lafia.

    Ortom said beside common boundaries the two states shared other similarities including ethnic composition, a common history as well,  as cultural and political affiliation and that they must partner to tackle common challenges.

    He said, he was in Lafia to arrange a meeting of major stakeholders from the two states to deliberate on boundary and peaceful coexistence as a proactive measure to forestall any breakdown of law and order and also sustain the existing peace.

    Al-Makura described his Benue State counterpart as a friend and brother, who was passionate about good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence.

    He expressed hope that their close relationship could facilitate the deepening of affinities between the government and people of the two states.

    The governor described the Ortom administration’s amnesty programme as an innovative problem solving strategy and hoped to replicate same in Nasarawa State.

    The two leaders agreed to hold regular meetings and consultations on common challenges such as security and  together search for solutions.