Governor Abdullahi Sule has celebrated the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Dr Labaran Magaji, at his 53rd birthday and extolled his humanitarian service, particularly to the people of Toto Local Government Area.
Sule gave this commendation at the grand finale of the inter-ward football competition organised to mark the SSG’s birthday on Friday in Toto Local Government Area of the state.
The governor particularly applauded Magaji, popularly known as Matawalle Toto, for single-handedly renovating the Divisional Police Headquarters in Toto LGA and the empowerment of 3,000 women and youth groups to enhance their living standards.
Sule, while congratulating Elephant Football Club (FC) of Toto Ward for emerging as the winner of the tournament, announced the cash prizes of N5 million to the team, N3 million to the runner-up Ugya FC and two N2 million to officiating members.
The Governor announced the construction of a new mini stadium in Toto Local Government, saying the people’s love for football and support for his administration deserve to be rewarded with a better stadium to enhance their performances.
He also announced new mini stadia to be constructed in Wamba, Keffi, Doma and Kokona to promote sports development.
“Toto loves football; we’ll build you a stadium. Today’s event has allowed me to actually see this field. And I feel that the way I see the people of Toto love football. They need proper facilities,” Sule stated.
He also updated residents on infrastructure: the Umaisha-Toto road is almost completed, with contractors promising completion in 90 days, and work continues on another local road being done in the LGA.
“We are going to give all the necessary support to ensure that the landscaping of the market, which has been commenced, is also completed,” the Governor assured.
He urged people of Toto to continue supporting one another and the Government and assured them of more government presence and infrastructural development.
Some stakeholders, including the Commissioners for Trade, Investment and Industry and Local Government, Sani Otto and Aminu Maifata,
Permanent Secretaries, Cabinet Affairs, Office of SSG and Ministry of Information, Mr Mohammed Idde and Mrs Hadiza Dahiru, while congratulating Magaji, extolled his exemplary leadership style.
The SSG’s 53rd birthday celebration featured scholarship grants to 1,000 indigent students, empowerment of 3,000 women and youths, commissioning of the renovated Divisional Police Headquarters, courtesy of Matawalle Empowerment and Development Foundation.