By Olu Benjamin
Toto Development Association (TODA) and other dignitaries in Nasarawa State have commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for appointing Barr. Labaran Magaji as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
They gave the commendations at a grand reception held in Magaji’s honor in Toto Local Government Area on Sunday.
Our reporter gathered that Magaji’s appointment follows Governor Sule’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw the dissolution of the previous cabinet.
Notably, Magaji served as the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the previous cabinet and has now been reappointed as the new Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government.
In his address, Alhaji Mohammed Maikaya, National President of TODA, praised the appointment, citing Magaji’s competence, dedication, and strong work ethic.
Maikaya emphasized that Magaji’s new role as SSG is a significant gain for both Toto LGA and the state as a whole and the new SSG will be committed in helping Gov Sule fully actualized his agenda for the state.
“Today is a delightful day for everyone in Toto. Sometimes back we celebrated one of our own Chairman of Toto LGA. Then we also celebrated another as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in he state.
“It is gladdening that we are gathered here to celebrate same person after meritorious performance as Attorney General. Magaji is one of our own is a shining light and an examplary figure in Toto,” he said
He then expressed gratitude to Governor Abdullahi Sule for appointing Magaji as the first SSG from Toto LGA, assuring the governor that the new SSG will deliver on his new assignment.
In his remarks, Alhaji Aliyu Bello, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state said Magaji has always exhibited 100 percent loyalty to leaders above him hence his selection and appointment as the new SSG.
“Since the time of former governor, Aliyu Doma, he has always shown 100 percent loyalty and commitment to the agenda of any administration in power and once you exhibit that kind of uncommon loyalty and sacrifice, there is no where you cannot get,” he said.
Dr Faisal Shuaib, Former Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency also praised Governor Sule for selecting Magaji as the new SSG of the state and assured him that the new SSG will deliver for the people of the state.
“We have seen that hardwork truly pays, loyalty pays and we appreciate the governor for finding Barrister Magaji worthy of this appointment. I am sure he will deliver in all respect.
“What Magaji has done today is show to the youths of Toto and the state what is possible with hardwork and resilience. They will now look up to this appointment and say anything is possible in Nasarawa as long as you work hard,” he said.
Mr Mahmud Mohammed, an aspirant for a seat in the House of Representatives in the upcoming 2027 general election also applauded the choice of Magaji as the new SSG because of his competence and track records.
“The announcement came to us not as a shock because we know he is well deserving, most capable, trustworthy and politically he has the base,” he said.
Mallam Adamu Toto, Assistant Secretary General of TODA said the appointment of Magaji will open doors for the people of Toto to reach out to the governor with their concerns and requests hence the joy over his appointment and gratitude to Governor Sule for the gesture.
“I’m the past we were having a lot of challenges especially how we do we channel our issues to the governor. But now we have the SSG from this town. Taking our issues to the governor is going to be very easy.
“Before I can’t just pick my phone and call the SSG but I can call the SSG and I am proud of that. So we now that our doors have been opened wider because we now have access to the state government easily.
“That’s why we are happy and express our gratitude to the state governor,” he said.
In response to the reception organized in his honour, Magaji expressed gratitude and assured the people of Toto that he would not let them down.
He also promised to work harder so as to help the governor actualize his agenda for the state before the end of his tenure by 2027. END