New Year: Nasarawa Speaker seeks attitudinal change, patriotism, unity, backs Sule on road project
By Yahaya Idris, Lafia
Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, PhD, has urged Nigerians to embrace patriotism, positive attitudinal change, peace and unity as the country enters the year 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Gwamna, said such virtues, combined with support for government and leaders at all levels, were necessary for development to thrive and for the country to become more prosperous.
Jatau, who is the Number Three citizen of Nasarawa State, made the call in his New Year message when he visited his hometown, Angiri, in Kokona Local Government Area, where he celebrated the New Year with his kinsmen and attended a church service.
During the visit, the people of Bassa District seized the opportunity of the Speaker’s homecoming to renew their appeal to Governor Abdullahi Sule to construct the road linking the locality with Garaku, the headquarters of Kokona LGA.
They also specifically requested the construction of the Dare–Bassa–Angiri road, which they described as critical to the social and economic life of the area.
Responding, Speaker Jatau expressed optimism that Governor Sule would consider and grant their request before the end of his tenure, given the strategic importance of the road.
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The New Year celebration in Angiri was described as unique, as it was marked with great excitement, church services and cultural displays organised to welcome “their son” home on a special day.
‘Appreciate unity in diversity’ Delivering his New Year message during the church service at ECWA Angiri, Jatau urged the people of Nasarawa State to appreciate the state’s cosmopolitan nature and uphold unity in diversity.
He stated that only when every segment of the society respects and cherishes their differences, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliations, would Nasarawa attain the yearnings and aspirations of its founding fathers.
Preaching on the topic “The Purpose of Living” from Second Kings Chapter Six, Pastor Bature Komi Mallo of ECWA Angiri charged the congregation, irrespective of status, to submit totally to God, whom he described as the author and finisher of everything on earth.
Back at his residence, Speaker Jatau received various socio-political groups who trooped to his compound in large numbers to felicitate with him on the New Year.
Some of the groups used the visit to call on him to contest the House of Representatives seat for Keffi–Kokona–Karu Federal Constituency in 2027.
Jatau also used the occasion to advise youths across the state to embrace skills acquisition in view of the scarcity of white-collar jobs.
He noted that the world is rapidly evolving with technology, and stressed that it would be unfair for youths in the state to ignore the opportunities that come with being self-reliant.
In his New Year message, the Speaker extended his heartfelt condolences to the Eggon Nation and the entire people of Nasarawa State over the demise of the Senator representing the Nasarawa North Senatorial District, Senator Godiya Akwashiki.
He prayed God to forgive the late senator’s shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.
While in Angiri, Speaker Danladi Jatau also hosted community leaders, politicians and various groups in a series of engagements as part of the New Year activities.
