Address Delivered by His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Al-makura, Governor of Nasarawa State on the Occasion of the 40 Years Anniversary of His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Isa Mustapha Agwai I on the Throne as Emir of Lafia: Lafia, Saturday, 24th May, 2014. 1. His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State; 2. The Right Honourable Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly; 3. The Honourable Chief Judge of Nasarawa State; 4. The Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal; 5. The President, Customary Court of Appeal; 6. Distinguished Senators and Members of the National Assembly present; 7. Members of the Federal Executive Council present; 8. Principal Officers and Members of the State House of Assembly; 9. The Former Minister of Defense and Chairman, South Atlantic Petroleum Company, General T.Y Danjuma (rtd.), GCON 10. Members of the State Executive and Security Councils; 11. The Secretary to the State Government; 12. Special Advisers; 13. Their Excellencies, Former Governors and Deputy Governors; 14. Former Ministers and Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; 15. Permanent Secretaries; 16. His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs; 17. The State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC); 18. Chairmen and Chief Executives of Commissions, Boards and Parastatals; 19. Executive Chairmen of Local Government Councils present; 20. Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs; 21. Gentlemen of the Press; 22. Ladies and gentlemen. It is with gratitude to Almighty God that I join the Lafia Emirate Council and, indeed, the good people of Nasarawa State on this historic celebration of the 40 years anniversary of His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Isa Mustapha Agwai I, CFR on the throne as the Emir of Lafia. 2. I welcome Your Royal Highnesses, Emirs and Chiefs who have turned out in large numbers to celebrate with one of your own. In the same vein, I welcome all distinguished guests who have travelled from far and near not only to celebrate with us at this occasion but to also demonstrate solidarity, friendship and partnership with our legendary Dr. Isa Mustapha Agwai I. 3. Let me, therefore, commence this address by congratulating Your Royal Highness for attaining 40 years on the throne of your forebears which is the cradle of the Lafia Emirate Council. Indeed, your ascension to the exalted position of Emir of Lafia in 1974 and your achievements in the past four (4) decades calls for celebration. It is not in doubt that your reign has ushered in unprecedented development in Lafia and the entire State. 4. Indeed, this landmark development has occurred in the areas of power and water supply, telecommunication, modern roads network, the siting of the State Capital in Lafia, your ascension to the exalted position of Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, as well as the conferment on Your Royal Highness of the prestigious National award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). 5. The giant strides which characterize your leadership are, no doubt, a testimony of your selflessness, dynamism, focus and Kashin-Arziki (Midas’ Touch). It is heartwarming to note that your detribalized disposition has earned you reputation as a beacon of hope, unity, peace, tranquility and harmonious co-existence. 6. Your Royal Highness, it is gratifying to state that your exemplary leadership of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs has greatly enhanced and repositioned the traditional institution. The pivotal role played by our royal fathers and the corresponding synergy with Government is contributing immensely to societal cohesion and social stability. Thus, the State Council of Chiefs under your inspiring leadership deserves commendation for its steadfastness in the collective effort aimed at curtailing the various security challenges which have bedeviled the State of recent. 7. Your Excellencies, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished guests, let me use this opportunity to once again assure the good people of Nasarawa State that this Administration will continue to collaborate with the security agencies, traditional rulers and religious leaders in our determined effort to fight insurgency, crime and criminality, as well as other divisive tendencies in our society. Above all, we shall continue to identify with the Federal Government of Nigeria and Mr. President in particular at this trying period in order to restore normalcy in our dear Country. 8. In this connection, I urge all residents of our beloved State to continue to demonstrate the spirit of love, togetherness and patriotism in their daily lives and interactions with one another. We must remember that we all are members of the same human family created by God to live in peace and harmony. 9. On our part, Government will also intensify support for our royal fathers in the discharge of their responsibilities towards the maintenance of law and order, and preservation of our cherished values, cultures and traditions. That is why this Administration has procured vehicles befitting of the status of our royal fathers. It is only in this way that we can guarantee peaceful and harmonious coexistence amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in our society for the overall socio-economic development of our dear State. 10. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we have just witnessed, His Royal Highness and celebrant has conferred a traditional title on an eminent and distinguished Nigerian, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd.) GCON, (the Abonta of Jukun Kingdom) and Chairman of the South Atlantic Petroleum Company with the prestigious title of Barde Babban Lafia. 11. This well-deserved recognition does not come to us as a surprise considering the fact that the recipient is not only a classmate and bosom friend of the Emir, but a philanthropist whose humanitarian activities have been of immense benefit to Nasarawa State. 12. In this regard, we note with deep appreciation the construction, equipping and donation of an ultra-modern Medical Center at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi by General T.Y. Danjuma. It is heart-warming to also acknowledge the on-going construction of a water scheme by the Barde Babban Lafia for use by the University Community. 13. His Royal Highness has also considered it worthy to similarly confer the traditional title of Aminiyan Lafia on no other person than Sen. (Mrs.) Daisy T.Y Danjuma, the wife of the Barde Babban Lafia. The conferment of these prestigious titles on these worthy Nigerians is timely, considering their philanthropic and humanitarian activities aimed at improving the lives of the less-privileged and the downtrodden in the society. 14. I, therefore, congratulate the Barde Babba and the Aminiya on their well-deserved conferment. It is my hope and expectation that this gesture of His Royal Highness will continue to spur the distinguished couple towards enhancing the livelihood of the disadvantaged members of our society. 15. At this juncture, ladies and gentlemen, let me once again congratulate His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji (Dr.) Isa Mustapha Agwai I, CFR on his attainment of Fourty (40) years on the throne. I pray that Almighty Allah will continue to grant you good health, guide and protect you in your endless service to humanity. 16. Your Excellencies, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as you depart our dear State to your various destinations, I wish you journey mercies back home. 17. Thank you and God bless.
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 12:29:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015