Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and former governors of the defunct Plateau State will lead other dignitaries in celebrating the 30th-anniversary of Nasarawa State in Lafia.
The guests will join Governor Abdullahi Sule and other leaders in the State for a week-long celebration running from September 25 to October 1, marking three decades since the State was created from old Plateau State on October 1, 1996.
Speaking at a Press Conference in Lafia on Thursday, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, announced that Prof. Jega will deliver the keynote lecture, titled “Nasarawa State at 30: From Foundation to Transformation,” on Wednesday, September 30.
Dr. Akabe added that Bishop Kukah will present a paper titled, “Unity in Diversity: Three Decades of Building a Cohesive Nasarawa State: Issues, Challenges, and Prospects” on the same day.
He noted that past governors and founding fathers from old Plateau State have confirmed their attendance for the Grand Banquet on September 30.
”We have invited our brothers and fathers from Plateau State, including past governors from when we were together. A good number of them have indicated their availability to join the banquet,” Akabe said.
Beyond the lectures and banquets, executive and legislative officials from both Nasarawa and Plateau states will compete in a joint novelty football match designed to foster inter-state unity.
Dr. Akabe emphasised that the anniversary aims to reflect on the state’s journey and honor its citizens.
”The celebration is not merely about marking 30 years on the calendar. It is about celebrating our people, our diverse cultures, our resilience, and our shared identity. It is also an occasion to acknowledge the contributions of our founding fathers, past and present governors, public servants, traditional rulers, women, youth, and citizens,” he said.
Addressing current economic conditions, the deputy governor acknowledged public hardship, attributing part of the pressure to global dynamics while reassuring residents of relief measures.
”While we are celebrating, we are not oblivious to the temporary hardship people are facing. His Excellency, the Governor, is deeply concerned, and appropriate measures are being put in place to ensure these hardships are alleviated as soon as possible,” he stated.
The week-long event begins on Friday, September 25, with Juma’at prayers, followed by projects commissioning across local government areas on Saturday, and an interdenominational service at St. William’s Cathedral, Lafia, on Sunday.
