From Our Government House Correspondent
Governor Abdullahi Sule has named the newly commissioned first phase of the Nasarawa Technology Village (NTV) Housing Estates in Karu, comprising of 100 housing units, after Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.
Governor Sule made this known during the official commissioning of the Phase One, NTV Housing Estates, flagging off of Phase Two and groundbreaking of the Tech Hub, in Aso Pada, Karu Local Government Area, on Monday.
The Governor equally named the road leading to the Senator Kashim Shettima Housing Estate after his Borno State counterpart, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
He said the idea of the NTV came to him while still working at the Dangote Group, having visited the Silicon Valley in the United States, noting that the event symbolizes the steadfast and commitment of his administration to the prosperity of Nasarawa State.
"The NTV stands as a cornerstone of our development strategy to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the digital revolution. It presents a significant leap, hope in unlocking our State’s potentials and constructing a self-sufficient economy that rewards diligence, safeguarding the vulnerable and compete on the global stage.
"We are determined not only to keep pace with the technological advancement but also to lead the charge in building a dynamic knowledge economy that empowers our citizens that will position Nasarawa State as a regional power house," he stated.
Governor Sule identified infrastructural development, urban housing, and sustainable housing development as part of his administration's five game changers opportunities with the ability to catalyze advancement, economic growth, as well as attract wealth and investment.
"I have seen it, I have touched it, I have experienced it. Today, the digital economy is the way to go, not mineral deposits. Knowledge is the way to go, and Nasarawa State has both. With our proximity to the Federal Capital, we must use both to achieve our goals," he added.
The Governor extended his appreciation to all the partners involved in the project for their dedication and foresight to support his administration development agenda.
He particularly commended ABS Consortium, Modern Shelter, Shelter Afrique, InfraCredit Quarantee Company, Family Home, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), as well as other stakeholders for supporting the NTV project and making it a reality.
"Once more, let me show great appreciation to my brother, the Governor of Borno State, who is one of the most busiest governors that we have, yet he has been able to honour this invitation. We invited Zulum to commission the project because we believe these are the kinds of projects we see him commissioning every day in Borno State.
"We are happy to announce that the First Phase of the NTV is named after his predecessor, our dear Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima. The major road leading to the estate is named after Professor Zulum," he stated.
In his remarks, Borno State Governor and Special Guest at the event, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, commended Governor Sule for his visionary leadership in conceiving the NTV project which he described as not only being monumental but that it holds immense promise for the state, leveraging the state's abundant minerals resources to fuel innovation and technological development.
Also speaking, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, described the commissioning of the NTV as not only brilliant and timely intervention but that it would catalyze sustainable development in Nasarawa State and the FCT.
"The project shows clear vision and demonstrates the belief in the power of education and investment, and that human capital development of citizens is the foundation for sustainable development," he said.
On his part, Shehu Osidi, Managing Director/Chief Executive officer (CEO) of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), disclosed that through robust collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government, FMBN has financed a total of 11 housing projects in Nasarawa State, some of which have been fully completed.
Osidi added that a total of 7, 886 indigenes of the state benefitted from the bank's home renovation loan, with Governor Sule within the next couple of weeks, also commissioning 150 housing units being developed by a private company funded by the bank at the Peninsula Hills City.
The Nasarawa Technology Village project is a Public-private Partnership between the Nasarawa State Government, ABS Blueprint Consortium and Modern Shelter for the construction of housing units and a Technology Incubation Hub to promote ICT skills development.
Beyond housing, the NTV project embodies a holistic approach, integrating technology-driven solutions to nurture talent and foster innovation, with the initiative holding the promise to propell Nasarawa and Nigeria onto the global tech stage while retaining local talent.
Some of the dignitaries that witnessed the event include Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Speaker Nasarawa State House to Assembly, Danladi Jatau, Minister of State Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman, Senator Umaru Tanko Almakura, former governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow, Hon. Jonathan Gaza, Hon. Aliyu Tijjani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner (NCFRMI) as well as captains of industries amongst others.
