On Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated many projects in Nasarawa State, one of which is the Federal Secretariat, Lafia, which he named in honor of the retired Supreme Court Justice who served as the Emir of Lafia.
The Conference Room of the Secretariat, which is located on 10.9 hectares of land, was also given that name by the President in honor of Maimuna Joyce Katai, another resident of Nasarawa State.
The President noted that the honors given to Justice Bage and the Late Katai, both natives of Nasarawa State, were given in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of the country, according to a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
The President also participated in a rally for the APC Party’s presidential campaign before going to Lafia Square.
Paying homage to the Emir of Lafia, President Buhari thanked the first-class traditional ruler for always welcoming him to his palace, noting that in the last eight years, he had lost count on the number of visits.
The President was accompanied by the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, APC Governors and party stalwarts.
‘‘Thank you very much Your Highness for the affection Lafia and the entire people of Nasarawa State have shown to me always.
‘‘I congratulate you on the rapid transformation of the city. Once more, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation for the hospitality I have always enjoyed during my visits,’’ President Buhari wrote in the visitors’ book.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, who thanked the President for inaugurating Federal and State projects, noted that the NASENI Institute would transform agricultural production in the country.
He also lauded the President’s support towards education, health delivery and increased security in the state, saying that the remaining four primary school pupils kidnapped recently at Alwaza, a community in Doma Local Government Area, in the State have been rescued.
‘‘We didn’t pay any ransom for their safe return,’’ the governor said.
On Tinubu, the retired Justice of the Supreme Court said ‘‘I have known him for many years since my days in Lagos State at the Court of Appeal, we saw what he did, his transformational agenda in the State. We are waiting for that for our nation. We know you can do it; you have the capacity to transform this nation.’’