The Director General of the Niger State Bureau of Religious Affairs, Dr. Umar Farooq Abdullahi, has urged Christians and Muslims in the state to unite against those who threaten peace. This call was made on Thursday during a visit to the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, at the State Secretariat in Minna.
Dr. Abdullahi, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Alhaji Liman MashaAllah, emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "We are one; the enemies of peace just want to cause disaffection amongst us."
As the Secretary General of the Niger State Imam’s Forum, Dr. Abdullahi highlighted the teachings of Islam on tolerance and peaceful coexistence. "We are all created by the same Creator, and our religion teaches us to live in peace with everyone. There will always be good, bad, and ugly people among us," he said. "I call on us to join hands together to defeat this common enemy who wants to destabilize the peace we are enjoying in our dear state. These hoodlums are evildoers and should be put to shame."
He also called on security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others, particularly in Kontagora. "Islam discourages any form of chaos or disaffection amongst us. Islam does not accept anyone who does not believe in Jesus," he added.
In his response, the state CAN Chairman, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, commended the Bureau for their support. Represented by his Deputy, Rev. Ezekiel Ibrahim, Dr. Yohanna stated that the Christian community has accepted the incident in good faith. "We believe hoodlums are always there to cause chaos, but the truth is, if there is chaos or crisis, we cannot move forward or live together," he said.
He further called for a cordial relationship, urging everyone to take advantage of the relative peace in Kontagora and the state to work together and put the enemies of peace to shame.
The Niger State Contributory Health Agency (NiCare) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with state-owned tertiary education institutions to implement the Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).
During the MoU signing ceremony held at the conference room of the State Ministry of Works, Acting Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, emphasised that the health and well-being of the state's residents remain a top priority for the government. He highlighted that access to quality healthcare is crucial for improving the livelihood of the people.
Under the New Niger Agenda, the current administration has shown a strong commitment to revitalising healthcare facilities across the state. Over the next three years, the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago aims to deliver a healthcare system that meets the needs of every Nigerlite.
Represented by the State Head of Service, Engr. Salisu Abubakar, the Acting Governor noted that the state governor had previously witnessed a similar event when NiCare partnered with Niger Foods to enrol farmers in the social health insurance scheme. He added that the current partnership would bring quality and affordable healthcare services to students, emphasising that investing in student health is akin to investing in the state's future.
The Acting Governor also expressed gratitude to Nigerlites for not participating in the recent nationwide hunger protest, interpreting it as a sign of satisfaction with the government's efforts to build a new Niger State.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NiCare, Sulayman Abu-Bakr, stated that the state's tertiary education institutions have long been centres of excellence, nurturing minds that will shape the state's future. He explained that education and innovation require a foundation of health and wellness, which is the rationale behind the MoU. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to students, ensuring they can access necessary care without financial burden.
Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Mohammed Tukur, described the event as the fulfilment of a journey that began a few years ago. He noted that the partnership is a win-win situation for the state, the agency, and the tertiary education institutions. Discussions are ongoing to enrol the formal sector in the scheme, aligning with the administration's principle of ensuring that every individual, whether in the formal or informal sector, is covered by the initiative.
Prof. Muhammad Yakubu Auna, Provost of Niger State College of Education, Minna, spoke on behalf of the heads of tertiary education institutions. He acknowledged initial scepticism about the initiative but credited the current Executive Secretary for organising a workshop that sensitised them to the program's benefits. He expressed happiness in being part of the initiative and appreciated the Executive Secretary for enlightening them on the scheme's realities and benefits.
The event marks a significant step towards ensuring that students in Niger State have access to quality healthcare, fostering an environment where educational institutions can continue to thrive.
