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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, are among prominent Nigerians expected to speak at activities marking the 30th anniversary of Nasarawa State.
While Jega is expected to deliver the keynote address, titled “Nasarawa State at 30: From Foundation to Transformation,” Bishop Kukah will present a paper titled “Unity in Diversity: Three Decades of Building a Cohesive Nasarawa State, Issues, Challenges and Prospects.”
The two lectures are expected to hold on Wednesday, September 30, as part of activities lined up to mark three decades of the creation of the state.
Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe, who is the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Lafia on the anniversary programme.
Akabe also disclosed that former governors of the old Plateau State, where Nasarawa State was carved out from in 1996, would join Governor Abdullahi Sule, other government officials and stakeholders at the celebration.
He said some of the former governors and founding fathers of the state had already confirmed their attendance at the grand banquet scheduled for September 30.
“We have invited our brothers and fathers from Plateau State, including past governors from when we were together. A good number of them have indicated their availability to join the banquet,” Akabe said.
According to him, the anniversary is not just about celebrating 30 years of the creation of the state but also an opportunity to look at the journey so far and the future of Nasarawa.
“The celebration is not merely about marking 30 years on the calendar. It is about celebrating our people, our diverse cultures, our resilience, and our shared identity.
“It is also an occasion to acknowledge the contributions of our founding fathers, past and present governors, public servants, traditional rulers, women, youth, and citizens,” he said.
As part of the programme, members of the executive and legislative arms of government from Nasarawa and Plateau states are expected to take part in a joint novelty football match aimed at promoting unity between the two states.
Akabe said the week-long programme would begin on Friday, September 25, with Juma’at prayers, while project commissioning would take place across the 13 local government areas on Saturday.
He said an interdenominational service would also be held at St. William’s Cathedral, Lafia, on Sunday.
The deputy governor also acknowledged the hardship being faced by residents, saying the state government was concerned about the situation and was working to address it.
“While we are celebrating, we are not oblivious to the temporary hardship people are facing. His Excellency, the Governor, is deeply concerned, and appropriate measures are being put in place to ensure these hardships are alleviated as soon as possible,” Akabe said.
The activities are expected to continue until October 1, when Nasarawa State will mark 30 years since it was created from the old Plateau State in 1996.
