Osinbajo bags Madagun Jihar Nasarawa title

…pays condolence visit to the slain state APC chairman’s wife

The Nasarawa State Traditional Council on Wednesday took Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo by storm as it conferred on him the title of Madagun Jihar Nasarawa during a visit to the state.

The title meaning the Leader and Captain was conferred on Osinbajo, who was in the state to inaugurate a world-class Infectious Diseases Diagnostic and Research Centre.

The Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage Muhammad, a retired judge, presented the title during Osinbajo’s visit to the palace on behalf of the Council.

“After due consultations with all brothers that are seated, we have decided to confer on you a traditional title, please accept it. And the title that is carefully selected, in Hausa, it is called Madugu Jihan Nasarawa.

“Madugu means a leader and a captain. Today, you are the captain of Nasarawa State; as you pilot the affairs of Nigeria, you also pilot the affairs of Nasarawa State as the captain of the state.

“As from today, we will continue to follow you wherever you go as our leader and the captain of the state. Thank you for accepting this honour and I will take this singular privilege to decorate you a little with some part of this traditional title conferred on you,’’ the Emir said, describing Osinbajo as worthy of the title.

The Vice-President, who was accompanied by Gov. Abdullahi Sule, former Governor Tanko Almakura and others, also paid a condolence visit to the wife and family of the slain APC State Chairman, Mr Philips Shekwo, promising that his death would not be in vain as “we will have you and the children in mind.”

Others on the entourage were former governors Tanko Almakura and Abdullahi Adamu; Minister of State, Science and Technology, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi and the Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu.

Osinbajo said the conceptualization and completion of the world class centre for infectious diseases diagnosis and research, wholly by indigenous experts was a landmark achievement and yet another proof that Nigeria can be ranked among great and prosperous nations.

He said: “The Nasarawa Infectious Diseases, Diagnostic and Research Centre is a landmark achievement. There is no question at all that, anywhere in the world, this type of achievement deserves to be celebrated.

“This is not just some Mickey mouse, tiny club achievement. This is a phenomenal achievement in technology terms, and it was done and fulfilled by Nigerians, and done here in Nigeria.

“Perhaps, the most important lesson is that this country has everything that it takes to be the best anywhere in the world. We have everything it takes. We have the talents. We have men and women of vision, and we have all of the resources that it takes to be just as good as any country, anywhere in the world.

“As we have heard, the centre here comprises a bio-safety level-three laboratory, a molecular biology laboratory and infectious diseases isolation unit, and an epidemiology unit as well. And we are told that these are top of the class, first-rate facilities that you could find anywhere in the world.”

Osinbajo urged Nigerians not to despair but to remain faithful, saying  President Buhari remained committed to addressing the nation’s challenges.

“Nigeria will overcome the problems just as the Scripture says that `weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning’.

“I am very assured and continually assured by the people of this country, by the kind of leadership that we have in our President, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is focused. I want to say that I am reassured that the dawn for this country is coming.

“Our greatness is only hidden slightly now by the clouds, but these clouds will clear. And what we will see for ourselves is a great nation, the nation that God has purposed us to be. And one of the things that tells us that so eloquently is what we are here to commission today,’’ the Vice-President said.

According to him, the Buhari administration will continue to strive to improve security in the country even as he condoled with victims of the recent terrorist attack on a farming community in Borno State.

“It is a major tragedy; it is a very unfortunate thing and our hearts are with the family of those who were killed in such a terrible manner.

“We are very confident and the Federal Government will continue to do what it needs to do especially in terms of trying to ensure security in the Northeast and all over Nigeria,” he said, commending the Nasarawa State traditional Council for the honour.

Osinbajo said although Nigeria is in a period of great challenges because of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and security, it is a time of great opportunity to harness its potential.

“We are here to do a number of things just as the governor has said. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have realized the importance of healthcare and there is no gainsaying the fact that we need more sophisticated institutions, better equipped medical facilities; we just need more and more.”

On the graduation of 80 participants of the state’s “Job fair for employability and entrepreneurship’’, Osinbajo lauded the state government and the participants and advised the beneficiaries to leverage the opportunities offered by the training.

He urged youths to always leverage technology in their attempt to find solutions to challenges facing them.