Lafia, Nasarawa State – A devastating fire swept through the New Modern Market in Lafia late Thursday night, destroying more than 30 shops and goods worth millions of Naira. The blaze, which started around 9:30 pm on December 5, raged until the early hours of Friday, December 6, 2024, leaving traders counting heavy losses.

Firefighters from the Nasarawa State Fire Service rushed to the scene upon receiving a distress call but faced challenges containing the inferno.
Piles of refuse dumped indiscriminately around the market obstructed their efforts, while the intense heat from the flames further hindered operations.

Builder Ombogus-Joshua, the Director of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, confirmed the incident, stating that his team is investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the extent of the damage.

A trader whose shop was destroyed, Musa Abdullahi lamented the significant losses. “Forty new sewing machines delivered just that morning were all burnt, along with three shops owned by my father. Most of the affected shops were tailoring businesses with fabrics and accessories fully stocked for the festive season,” he said.

According to Abdullahi, the fire also destroyed shops selling shoes and clothes, leaving traders without their merchandise during a critical sales period.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, but traders and market stakeholders are urging authorities to improve safety measures and enforce stricter waste management policies to prevent future disasters.

The Nasarawa State Fire Service has promised to release a comprehensive report once investigations are concluded. Meanwhile, traders and residents are calling for immediate support from the government to help affected business owners recover from the tragedy.

This fire is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining market infrastructure and implementing fire prevention strategies to safeguard livelihoods.

By Abel Daniel, Lafia

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Friday presented a N382.57 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, emphasizing economic recovery, infrastructure expansion, and improved social services.

Dubbed the “Budget of Economic Growth and Stability,” the proposal allocated N159.97 billion (41.82%) to recurrent expenditure and N222.60 billion (58.18%) to capital projects. Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, who received the budget, assured the governor of its swift passage.

Gov. Sule outlined the sectoral breakdown of the budget to indicate that administrative Sector got N80.14 b, Economic Sector recirved N139.84b, Law and Justice Sector N10.61b and Social Sector N151.97b

“This budget is designed to strengthen recovery and drive growth in key sectors such as education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, security, and technology,” Sule stated.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing the new minimum wage, acknowledging the challenges posed by the current economic climate.
“We are awaiting the report from the Minimum Wage Committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, and once received, the government will act swiftly to implement its recommendations,” he assured.
Gov. Sule pledged to focus heavily on infrastructure, peace, and security, while also enhancing the state’s capacity for revenue generation, particularly through solid minerals exploration.
He assured the Assembly and the people of Nasarawa of the full implementation of the budget once it is passed.
Speaker Jatau praised the governor’s dedication to economic development and pledged the Assembly’s full cooperation in ensuring the budget is passed promptly.
“The Assembly is committed to supporting Gov. Sule’s vision for Nasarawa State’s growth and will ensure the budget is passed without delay,” he stated.

The 2025 budget marked another step in Nasarawa’s path toward economic resilience, with a focus on sustainable development and improved living standards for its citizens.

By Abel Daniel, Lafia

The proprietor of Phoenix University Agwada in Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu,
has pledged to provide automatic employment for any first-class graduate from the institution.
He made promise at the university’s first matriculation ceremony held at its permanent site in Agwada, Kokona Local Government Area, where 260 students were officially admitted.

In his inaugural speech, Senator Adamu expressed his joy at the university’s progress, emphasizing the transformative power of education.
“Education is an asset that cannot be taken away from the beneficiaries,” he stated.
Adamu, who has long been committed to advancing education, challenged the pioneer students to aim for at least a second-class upper degree, a standard he said will bring pride to their families.

He assured the students that they would receive quality education, guided by the best academic minds in the country, and benefit from international collaborations and digital platforms that would expose them to global opportunities.

Adamu also urged the students to uphold the university’s motto, “work and worship,” stressing that success should always be accompanied by faith and dedication to God.

The senator took the opportunity to commend Governor Abdullahi Sule for providing scholarships to some indigent students from the state, enabling them to pursue their education at the university.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andullahi Bala also addressed the students, advising them to take their studies seriously and follow the rules outlined in the Students’ Handbook. He emphasized the importance of balancing academic life with personal well-being, and urged students to respect their rights and responsibilities.
He further encouraged them to speak out if they encounter any situations that threaten their safety or health.

The university’s promise of offering automatic employment to first-class graduates has sparked excitement setting a high standard for academic excellence among its students.