By Kure Tashilane with Abalaku Ezekiel
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule has beseeched all those who fan the embers of violence in Plateau State to have a rethink and give peace a chance. Engr Sule noted with sadness that Plateau State has continued to grapple recurring security challenges and unabated violence within intervals. Engr Abdullahi Sule appealed to all those who were faceless conflict mongers to kindly allow peace to reign in Plateau State for the sake of humanity, so as to bring back the good old days when peace and unity bonded the entire people of Plateau State together.
Sule made this heartfelt call in his speech as the Chairman of the 31st to 38th Combined Virtual Convocation Ceremony of Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, which held on Friday 10th June, 2022 at the Twin Theatre of the main campus.
Engineer Sule recalled fond memories of his experiences as a youth schooling at Zang Commercial School and later Bukuru Technical College, before he gained admission into the Plateau State Polytechnic. In his words, Engr Sule stated with nostalgia that:
“We usually prided ourselves as the very first set of Plateau State Polytechnic, when in reality, we were the 3rd set of students admitted in 1978/79, at the time the institution was still called College of Technology” Sule noted that the name of the institution was formally changed to Plateau State Polytechnic in 1980 and in an emotion laden voice, he affirmed: “We lived peacefully back then, enjoying our lives as youths growing up in Plateau State. And my prayer today is that I want our own children to also enjoy life the way we enjoyed life then on the Plateau!” Engr A.A. Sule
noted further that they were the very first students to occupy the Heipang Barkin Ladi main campus in 1980 before he got admission at the Indiana State University in Terre Haute, United States of America; at which time he eventually left the shores of Nigeria leaving his childhood friends behind. For Engr Sule, it was an emotional homecoming to Plateau Polytechnic as he declared that indeed he was happy to step his foot on the campus again after 42 years.
Engineer Abdullahi Sule also appreciated Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong Governor, Plateau State for not only inviting him to chair the event, but for insisting that he must attend the convocation ceremony in person.
Sule stressed that his natural flair and deep love for technical education was another compelling reason why he was in Jos despite his tight schedules and the fact that as a Governor, education – and particularly vocational and technical education was the central focus of his administration in Nasarawa State.
