Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that they have been instrumental in the state’s development.
Mr Sule, in an interview with journalists in Nasarawa, noted that the reforms have laid a solid foundation for economic growth, both in Nasarawa and across the country.
“Without the reforms of Mr President, most of the development we are seeing today, especially here in Nasarawa State, would not have happened.
“The reforms have created the economic boom we are witnessing, and that is the reason we have been able to achieve what we have achieved.
“We are forever grateful to Mr President for these reforms, and we are also grateful to the people of Nigeria for accepting them. That is why we are where we are today,” he said.
According to him, the visible outcomes across sectors are clear indications that the reforms are yielding positive results and setting the stage for further development.
Speaking on his administration’s industrialisation policy, he noted that he came on board with a clear vision to industrialise the state.
“To industrialise Nasarawa State, you must identify areas of competitive advantage; industries require raw materials.
“Our first competitive advantage is mining, which is why we are known as the state of solid minerals; the second is agriculture, and that is why we have invested heavily in that sector,” he said.
He explained that industrialisation could not be sustained without a skilled workforce, hence the emphasis on vocational and technical education.
“That is why we are putting so much effort into vocational and technical education. We have established technical schools that are recognised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
“The technical college in Lafia is now being used as a national model for training. This helps us to create employment, empower our youth, and prepare them for industry,” he said.
The governor also identified the state’s proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the prevailing peace in the state as major attractions for investors.
“Our closeness to the FCT is a huge advantage, which we are leveraging to create the right atmosphere for industrialisation.
“The peace we have been able to sustain in Nasarawa State is another key factor attracting big investors,” he said.
On the wave of political defections and concerns about Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state, Sule dismissed such fears.
“A one-party system is not good for democracy, and I do not believe any party, including the APC, has any interest in pursuing that,” he said.
The governor assured the people of Nasarawa State that he would continue to do his best in serving them.
(NAN)