President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for complementing the Federal Government’s efforts in the provision of infrastructure in the state.

In a statement, the president’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari made the commendation at a State Dinner in his honor on Thursday.

On a two-day official visit to the state, the president inaugurated the Lafia Airport, Modern Bus Terminal, Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre, and the Shinge-Barkini Abdullahi-Kilema road executed by the state government.

The president inaugurated the Federal Government projects on the first day of his visit were the 330kva Power Substation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) building in Lafia.

Buhari expressed delight at the pace of development in the state and the quality of the inaugurated projects carried out by the Federal Government.

” The last time I came here on Feb. 6, 2019, was to solicit for your support to vote for me, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule as governor, and others under the political platform of All Progressives Congress, with the clear, genuine ideology of securing our country, a doctrine accepted by the good people of this state and, indeed, the country since 2015.

” I must say that Nasarawa State continues to remain my political laboratory because I have been following the developmental strides which the APC administration has recorded in terms of security, education, infrastructural development, as well as youth and women’s empowerment.

” As we landed at Lafia Airport, I have reassured myself that we have a personality who is working in line with the philosophy of our great political party, APC. And I have had the privilege to commission the airport to open a vista of economic activities between the state, Nigeria, and the outside world.

” The magnificent Lafia Bus Terminal, as well as the Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre and the network of roads that I also commissioned, will go a long way to uplift the state’s economic status and thereby reduce poverty amongst our people,” the president said.

He also told the people of Nasarawa State that the Federal Government had initiated other projects in the state, including a Federal Secretariat and 500 Units of Federal Housing Estate.

Other executed projects include UBEC Smart School for the North-Central Zone, Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi dual carriage road, and the Oweto-Abagana bridge that links Nasarawa State with Southeastern Nigeria.

The president announced that he would also inaugurate Keffi Neighborhood Market and Karu Bus Terminal on Friday before returning to Abuja.

” I sincerely commend the governor for his foresight in ensuring economic growth through diversification.

” I note the request by the Government of Nasarawa State for the takeover of the Lafia Airport, realizing the importance and its associated benefits,” he said.

On peace and security, the president commended the governor for ensuring the sustenance of peace and harmonious cohabitation of the diverse ethnic groups in the state.

Buhari said the Federal Government had ensured the establishment of additional military and police units in the state intending to provide adequate security for the people.

Amongst which are the Military Super Camps at Kenyehu and Udege in Toto and Nasarawa Local Government Areas, 4 Special Forces in Doma Local Government Area, Police Mobile Training College at Ende-Hills in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area, and Operation Whirl Stroke.

Buhari commended security agencies on their joint operations that dislodged the erstwhile Darul Salam sect around Toto Local Government Area and the combat readiness against recurrent threats.

He assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to intensify securing lives and property.

” The insurgency in the North-west and parts of North-central is being tackled with full force. We shall continue to cooperate with the affected states to confront the challenges head-on,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to support the administration, pledging “we will not rest on our achievements but will continue in our drive to secure, safeguard and develop Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the governor congratulated the president on the management of the economy, citing the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report, showing that Nigeria’s GDP expanded by 3.98 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021.

” The growth indicators of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), financial reports of the listed companies, and agricultural revolution are indeed unprecedented. The GDP growth is now the highest since 2014. We salute your policies, Mr. President,” he said.

Sule, who described the state as relatively peaceful, thanked the president for the tremendous support in securing lives and property.

He also lauded the president for appointing prominent sons and daughters into various positions in federal establishments, including the National Population Commission, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NSCDC, National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Company, and the National Awards Committee.

The governor, however, urged the Federal Government to complete the Kwandare-Abuja bypass, the University Teaching Hospital in Lafia, and the extension of the rail lines from Abuja to Keffi, connecting to the main railway line in Guidi station.