From Adams Ogiji, Minna

Former commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism and Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger state, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa has advised former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to immediately submit himself to anti graft agency for questioning

He adviced him to toe the part of honor as it is no longer the era of Buhari where he enjoyed Presidential cover for all his atrocities against the people for eight years.
“I want the former governor Yahaya Bello to emulate ex-Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose and submit himself to the EFCC to proof his innocence of the corruption allegation”.
The former commissioner who was reacting to the ongoing drama in Abuja between the ex-Kogi governor and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said that “the most honorable thing for him to do is to appear before the anti graft agency to clear his name if he thinks he is innocent.
“It is sad to hear that a former governor could be jumping through the fence to escape arrest over corruption allegation. It is a huge embarrassment to the good people of Kogi State whom he ruled for eight years and the APC as a party”, he said.
The former publicity secretary of APC in Niger state pointed out that the attitude of the fleeing ex-Kogi governor has further rubbished the anti corruption war of the APC administration, stressing that “what will our APC administration tell Nigerians about its anti corruption fight now that a former governor under the party’s platform is jumping through the fence to escape arrest over corruption allegation
“Can we in all honesty said that we are better than the opposition parties in terms of corruption. This is a setback for the party.
“I expect the party to immediately suspend the former governor over this singular attitude in order to build some confidence in Nigerians and the international community over the administration’s war against corruption”.
Vatsa maintained that he least expected a person of ex-governor Bello’s character to be running away from arrest after he violently ruled over the people of Kogi State for eight years, adding that “Yahaya Bello should have known that there will be no hiding place for him after his eight years of misgovernance in Kogi State.
“The whole world watched how Aso Rock under Buhari gave him cover to unleashed terror on the people of Kogi State for eight years with monumental corruption and he thinks he will go free.
“The visa restrictions placed on him and some corrupt politicians has further compounded his woos. He must face the law, let him honorably submit himself to the EFCC”, Vatsa added.

***Raise concern over insecurity in the state

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Niger state has set four million metric tonnes of cash and food crops production as its target for the 2024 wet sesson farming even as the association expressed concern over the insecurity in parts of the state.
The Chairman of the Niger state Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Shehu Galadima spoke in Minna on Wednesday when he met with members of the association from the 25 local government areas of the state ahead of the 2024 wet season farming.
He disclosed that the association is set to mobilize one million small holder farmers from across the 25 local government areas of the state for the 2024 wet season farming.
According to him, the farmers would be targeting crops like rice, maize, sesame, soya beans, millet, cowpea, cotton, cassava, and yam for this year’s wet season farming.
Galadima explained that the state government has reassured the farmers that they would be save from terrorists and bandits attacks while they embark on the wet season farming adding that a lot of machineries are being put in place to respond in the case of any attack.
“Security outfits have been drafted to ensure that any attack are responded to swiftly. The government has reassured the farmers that they should have rest of mind as they return to their farms”.
He said that for the dry season farming, the farmers across the state experienced some attacks but they were quickly neutralized by the security agencies.
The AFAN Chairman indicated that last year over 1,000 farmers fell into the hands of terrorists and kidnappers and this he pointed out affected food production in the state, resulting in the current food shortage and prize hike.
While several of these farmers were killed by the Bandits and terrorists others were kidnapped and ransom running into millions of naira were paid to secure their release.
Despite this, he maintained that the farmers are relentless and would not allow these incidents deter them from their occupation.
The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Mathew Ahmed reiterated the state government’s commitment to agriculture revolution in the state.
He disclosed that the farmers are the key stakeholders in every sector of the economy which is why the state government is working hard to ensure that no farmer is disturbed by terrorists or kidnappers during the wet season farming.
The Permanent Secretary said that the state government is looking at how it would subsidize farm inputs for the farmers for the wet season farming adding that strategies are being put in place to ensure every farmer experience bumper harvest at the end of the season.

***Charge Muslims to internalize Ramadan lessons

From John Adams Minna

As Muslims all over the world celebrate this year’s Eid-Firti to mark the end of the Ramadan, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Niger Governor Umar Mohammed Bago and former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu have called on Nigerians, especially Muslims faithful to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan to ensure peaceful coexistence among one another.
In separate interviews with newsmen shortly after observing the prayers at the Minna praying ground, the leaders believed that peaceful coexistence was needed by all Nigerians to be able to overcome the present economic challenges facing the country.
General Abdulsalami in his message, pointed out that the Ramadan has taught Muslims all over the world a lesson to be each others keepers by maintaining peaceful coexistence.
He pointed out that the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed during the Ramadan should be sustained for the good of the country, adding that nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis and public disturbance.
Also speaking, the former governor of the state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu said that some Muslims are just Muslims by name because they have failed to internalized the very good teaching of Islam which symbolizes peace.
He said that Muslims must allowe the teaching of Islam which is a way of life become part of them, stressing that “we must internalize the actual teaching of Islam so that it will become part of them but this he said is lacking in most Muslims today. “Many are just Muslims by name and not in practice”, he said
Also speaking shortly after observing the prayer, at the Kontagora praying ground where he spent the Sallah, the state Governor Umar Mohammed Bago called on all Muslim faithful to continue to imbibe the lessons learnt in the Month of Ramadan.
He emphasized the need for Muslims to remain selflessness, show kindness and maintain good neighbourliness as they continue to pray to God for peace in the land
While appreciating the Kontagora Emirate for the warm reception accorded him, he urged them to be security cautious during the Sallah celebrations by reporting any suspicious movement to relevant authorities.
Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District and former Niger State Governor, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello in his message expressed gratitude to Allah for witnessing another Eid-El-Fitr and pray to Allah to continue to protect the Country and bring an end to all forms of insecurity.
Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Muhammad Barau Mu’azu II who commended the Governor for coming to celebrate Eid with the people of Kontagora Emirate, prayed to Allah for the success of his administration.
Notable among other Muslim adherents that graced the Eid-El-Fitr prayer included Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji, Member representing Kontagora/Mariga/Mashegu and Wushiahi Federal Constituency Abdullahi Idris Garba, Chief of Staff to the Governor Abdullahi Usman Gbatamangi, other members of the State Executive Council and traditional leaders from Kontagora Emirate