By Gambo Jagindi
March 07, 2020
Scout Association of Nigeria inducts Engineer Sule, wife as ambassadors of peace
The Scout Association of Nigeria has inducted Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, alongside his wife, the Nasarawa First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, as Messengers of Peace (MoP).
Engineer Sule and his wife, were inducted during their investiture ceremony, which took place at the Taal Conference Hotel, Lafia, on Saturday.
Performing the induction ceremony, Hon. Dave Padopads-Awunah, Chief Commissioner/CEO, the Scout Association of Nigeria, said the MoP initiative started the promotion of dialogue, peace and social entrepreneurship in 2011, led by the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM).
According to the Chief Commissioner, before Saturday’s induction into the MoP of the Governor and his wife, there were only 4 other MoP in the entire country namely, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Shehu Malami and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He added that with the induction, Engineer Sule, alongside his will, will be invited every two years World Scout conference in Sweden.
The Governor and his wife were later decorated with the MoP insignia.
Earlier, while inducting Engineer Sule and his wife into the Scout Association, Padopads-Awunah, updated them on the activities of the association, a nongovernmental youth educational movement that is developing young people through its value system, through series of activities.
He disclosed that the scout association in Nigeria is advancing a new focus towards socio-cultural and socio-economic development, in partnership with the world body.
The chief commissioner further disclosed that, the scout association is planning series of events to reawaken the scout consciousness in the country, as well as contribute towards nation building.
Among the events scheduled to hold include, inducting and decorating President Muhammadu Buhari as National Patron of the association, with state governors as State Patrons, unveiling and launch of the Lord Baden Powell annual lecture series, as well as the unveiling of the campaign against drug abuse.
While recalling the cordial relationship that existed between the scout association and Nasarawa State government, especially under the immediate past administration of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, Padopads-Awunah used the opportunity to solicit for support from the state government, in the areas of land to build a scout centre, vehicle, office to serve as headquarters of the association, among others.
The association equally called on the Governor to make enrolment into scout compulsory at public schools, with the aim of attracting one million youths into the association.
Responding on behalf of the Nasarawa first family, Engineer Sule, thanked the scout association for finding him and his wife worthy of the investiture and subsequent induction as ambassadors of peace.
While commenting on some of the requests made by the association, some of which were made during the past administration of Senator Al-makura, Engineer Sule promised to fulfil all the promises made by his predecessor.
“You have mentioned several promises here that were made by the previous administration of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, which I believe, according to you, were not fulfilled.
“I want you to understand that the administration of Abdullahi Sule, is indeed the continuation of the administration of Tanko Al-makura. Therefore, I promise you, by the grace of God, the promises made by Tanko Al-makura will be fulfilled by Engineer Abdullahi Sule,” he stated.
The Governor thereafter announced a donation of N2m by his wife for the purchase of vehicle for the scout association in the state.
He equally promised to secure a building to serve as headquarters of the association in Lafia, while also directing the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Comrade Dogo Shammah, to secure a plot of land in Farin Ruwa for the purpose of erecting the scout centre.