By Johnson Umishi
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has relocated mining sub-sector oversight from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to be domiciled in the Governor’s Office under a special adviser.
Governor Sule disclosed this while inaugurating Princess Margret Elayo as the Commissioner for the newly realigned Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, as well as the Chairman and members of the Teacher’s Service Commission (TSC), at the Government House on Thursday.
According to the Governor, removing mining from the environment ministry is part of the steps being taken by his administration to ensure continuous attraction and promotion of investment into the mining sub-sector.
“Accordingly, the mining component therefore is exercised from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and domiciled in the Office of the Governor under a Special Adviser to ensure seamless mining operations in the state,” he stated.
While reiterating the commitment of his administration towards maximizing the huge mining potentials of the state, he acknowledged the large numbers of investors trooping into the state to explore mining potentials.
Inaugurating the Commissioner, Governor Sule said the delay in swearing in the last member of the State Executive Council followed a complaint from another MDA that needed both an investigation and clarification, in line with the policy thrust of his administration regarding due process, rule of law and transparency.
He stated that now that Princess Elayo has been vindicated, she is ready to be sworn-in.
“Our character is the sum of our values, principles and actions. That is what defines who we are. We can not afford to lose our character because it affects our integrity, honesty and authenticity. This is what has been displayed during this process and I hope everybody understands it from that direction,” he added.
He emplored the newly inaugurated Commissioner to justify the confidence Government reposed in her, stressing that she is expected to continue to bring her wealth of experience to bear on her responsibility towards the realization of the mandate of his administration.
Also inaugurating the Chairman and members of the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (NSTSC), Governor Sule charged the appointees to live above board and avoid falling into the same trap of the recently sacked management of the commission.
He called on the new management to bring sanity to the system and ensure that the TSC regains its lost glory.
He recalled how the former chairman and members of the TSC abused their privileges after receiving approval to recruit one thousand teachers in order to fill existing vacancies in secondary schools, resulting in the recruitment of teachers far above the approved number.
In a vote of thanks, Princess Margret Elayo, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, appreciated Governor Sule on his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to share his vision with his appointees.
Earlier, in an opening remarks, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, PhD assured the Governor that as appointees, they will continue align themselves with the policy objectives of his administration.
The SGNS gave the names of the Chairman and members of the TSC as follows, Ambassador Timothy Inuwa Kasuwa, from Karu LGA, as Chairman, Abuzaid Abubakar from Keffi LGA, full time member, Abdullahi Amwe, from Akwanga LGA, as full time member, Josephine Ter, part time member and Ishaq Sidi Bage, Secretary.
