SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE, ARC. MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO (fnia) AT THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCHING OF THE ABUJA DIGEST ON THE 19^TH NOVEMBER 2007

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It gives me great pleasure to be part of this history making occasion which is the launching of the Abuja Digest.

The setting up of this publication is very timely coming at the period of this democratic dispensation. What is even more challenging is Mr. President’s resolve to champion the concept of the Rule of Law and to ensure its strict compliance within the Nigerian polity. It is against this backdrop that I salute the courage of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the establishment of a magazine that will spotlight the activities of the Government and that will inform, educate and entertain the residents of Abuja.

The Federal Capital Territory has come a long way and the gradual and steady development that is being witnessed is due to the doggedness and resilience of the Honourable Minister and his staff to weather the storm.

The efforts of the Minister in the areas of socio-economic and infrastructural development must be commended. Similarly, the Minister’s initiative to sponsor a summit of six Governors of the North to address security issues affecting them is also something worthy of note. Inspite of the little time that he has been in charge, he has, like a colossus, bestrode his adversaries to put his name in gold in the annals of history

At this juncture, it is instructive to highlight that Kaduna State being a neighbour to the Federal Capital Territory will support the efforts of the Minister towards crime eradication, economic emancipation and social upliftment of our people. Towards this end, Kaduna State has since set up a crime combat operation code-named “Operation Yaki”. This is with a view to chasing all hoodlums away from Kaduna State and to ensure that the hitherto peaceful and serene atmosphere that exists is maintained. Similarly, efforts are geared towards setting up of a new town with the hope of lifting the Abuja Model and making the new town an Abuja look alike.

Education is the priority of the State and budgetary allocation for the 2008 Fiscal Year has been placed at 27% to meet with the UNESCO recommendations for Education by all developing economies. In the area of healthcare delivery, drugs have been dispensed to patients free of charge especially pregnant women and children below the age of five years all in an effort to ensure that our people are availed the burden and responsibilities that family ties places on them

I am confident that Abuja Digest will highlight the efforts of the Minister in these and other areas of socio-economic development of not only Abuja, but its environs. I pray fervently that the magazine will last long so as to stand the test of time.

I recommend this magazine to all and sundry.

Thank you and God Bless

Governor Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo is a true democrat, whose approach to problems is always humane and conciliatory he is a man of peace who patiently looked to the future with courage and hope. His commitment in the direction of transforming the state into a relatively better integrated and functional polity is continuing  with a mission  to create a stable  and cohesive polity capable of securing effectively the interests of the various communities and giving them the opportunity to develop and live in peace  with one another.