Buhari, Osinbajo commission projects in Nasarawa, Borno

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the Lafia Cargo Airport in Kwandere, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Flagged off in 2014 by then-Governor Tanko Al-Makura (now representing Nasarawa South in the Senate), the Lafia Cargo Airport was completed by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

To ensure a hitch-free visit, the Nasarawa government declared yesterday as a public holiday in the state.

Buhari landed at the airport about 9:57 a.m. in an aircraft number 5N-FG2 and was received by Governor Sule alongside Governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Deputy Governor Benue State, Benson Abounu, and the Ebonyi counterpart.

After commissioning the airport, the President proceeded to the Nasarawa Skill Acquisition Technology Centre to commission it before moving to the Lafia Bus Terminal in Bukan Sidi and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) complex opposite Lafia township stadium.

Other projects commissioned include the 330kv power station supplying light to Lafia and environs.
RELATEDLY, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, yesterday, on an official visit to inaugurate developmental projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the presidential jet that conveyed the VP landed at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wing of the Maiduguri International Airport about 11:15 a.m.

Governor Babagana Zulum, his deputy, Usman Kadafur, federal and state lawmakers, as well as top government officials, received the number two citizen.

Other dignitaries that received Osinbajo were the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Christopher Musa, heads of security agencies, community and religious leaders.

Part of the reasons the VP visited was to unveil a Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) programme in Maiduguri and inaugurate some projects executed by the state government.

The projects include Doctors’ Quarters, Resilience Commercial Centre a Mega Secondary School and township roads.

Osinbajo reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to empower businesses and encourage the development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

He said: “It is a special pleasure to be here in Borno. I bring warm greetings from President Buhari, who has a special place in his heart for Borno.

“It is always exciting to visit Borno, which proves how Nigeria can be. I have seen a steady hand of progress right from the Kashim Shettima regime.

“Zulum proves it is possible to do incredible things with very little. Every time I make a speech in reference to Zulum. I see his commitment to developing the state.”

NAN reports that Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Maryam Katagum, and her Agriculture counterpart, Baba Shehuri as well as some members of the National Assembly accompanied the VP on the visit.