A leading governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Musa Muhammed Maikaya, has promised the people of the state world class infrastructure, if elected into office in 2019.
Maikaya, a Geology graduate of the University of Jos, who is banking on his over 20 years of working experience in multi nationals and international companies, vowed to make Nasarawa State the preferred investment destination in Nigeria.
Maikaya believed that by providing effective and transparent leadership that would harness the resources of the state for the benefit of all, “Nasarawa State will move to its next level.”
“My Mission is to improve the wellbeing of the people of Nasarawa State through the development of world class infrastructure, social service, tourism, agriculture and solid minerals. Nasarawa state is blessed and strategic to the nation. I want to run a government that is based on justice, fairness, equity, fair play and selfless service to humanity. I’m offering myself for the service of my people as a democratic leader, who has the fear of God and sincerely have the passion to take Nasarawa State to its Promised Land,” Maikaya said.
He said his ultimate goals, no matter his stand on the political spectrum, was the uplifting of the state and political, economic, cultural and social wellbeing of his people, saying, “In pursuit of this goal, I have commenced consultation across the length and breadth of Nasarawa State on how to get the ticket of my great party, APC for the general election.
“As I continue with this consultation and discussion with party elders, traditional rulers, various interest groups, I’m open to questions and I will be ready to participate in any discussion that dwells on moving our state forward.”
Speaking on his chances of winning the party’s ticket, Maikaya said in a free and fair primary election, he stood better chances of winning.
He said, “I’m in the race for victory, irrespective of the zoning arrangement. A lot of our party members and groups are supporting our movement. I remain the man to beat come 2019 election for gubernatorial race and our party leaders know this.
“I’ m a dogged fighter, a firm believer in the basic tenets of true democracy, a tireless man with a passion to see that his state is liberated from poverty, and experience general empowerment and the general well-being of his people.
“The truth of the matter is that, those who have followed Hon. Maikaya from inception, during his early days in politics, saw his blueprints and manifesto and strongly believed everything stated will be achieved. Today, when you walk round the entire state, the rest is testimonies upon testimonies of what we have done as individual, majority of our party members are behind us.”
He added that his optimism in capturing the leadership of the state rested on his belief that God is the custodian of authority and
power.
“As someone who believes in the oneness of our dear state, my administration will be national and all-embracing,” he
said.
Giving insight into his plans for the educational sector, which according to him, is part of his top priorities, Maikaya said he would ensure the sector got maximum attention, if voted as governor in the forthcoming
election.
The APC governorship aspirant said, “Education is key and bedrock of any human development. We will complement the Federal Government’s efforts towards improving and providing quality education, both at the primary up to higher institutions of learning, by providing conducive learning atmosphere in the existing secondary schools at the local
government areas, through provision of qualified teaching staff, provision of basic amenities such as furniture, learning materials and blocks of classrooms in order to augment efforts of successive governments.
“Also, we will encourage the establishment of more primary schools to deserving communities and increase school enrollment rate through interaction and advocacy at the rural community. Scholarship and bursary awards for indigent students of tertiary institutions is also key to encourage our younger generation to take their studies seriously.”
He said his Foundation, Maikaya Development Foundation had been into Education Development in Nasarawa State for so many years but, “due to past experience, I understand the educational needs of my people because my foundation has done greatly in that area. So, payment of WAEC and NECO fees to final year indigent students in all the secondary schools within the state’s jurisdiction, is something I won’t joke with.
“We will also embrace ICT, by establishing of standard E -Libraries in each of the local government council headquarters of the state.”
Passionate about fighting unemployment in the state, Maikaya said he would establish the Nasarawa State Employment Trust Fund to cater for the unemployed youths in the state, adding that the fund would provide access to a minimum of N1 billion every year for entrepreneurial ventures across the state.
He added, “Also with our proximity to Abuja, we would introduce a round the clock economic opportunities to boost the employment opportunities in the state.
“We will encourage the creation of a corporate social responsibility trust fund by the private sector to be managed by board of trustees charged with the responsibility of identifying growth opportunities yearly and financing such opportunities to further boost economic development across sectors and communities in the state.”
Maikaya regretted that the state had yet to utilise its very vast potential in agriculture and mining, saying billions had been lost due to non-creativity in the sectors.
“We would open up the virtually untapped mineral resources and reactivate Nasarawa Mineral Development Company as well as provide incentives for our local artisanal miners and processing companies in the state,” he said.
