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The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Aliyu Mujaidu, has said preparations have been concluded for the swearing in of councillors elected during the last November election.
The chairman disclosed further that the council chairman, Hon. Danlami Abdullahi Saku, will also be received back by the APC from the SDP.
The party boss stated this when asked by newsmen whether the ceremony will hold over rumours circulating on online news platforms about fears of a possible crisis.
He said there was no truth to the claim that tensions were high in Katcha as himself and the council chairman had a meeting to perfect preparations for the swearing-in ceremony.
He said, "As I was talking to you now, everywhere in Katcha was calm. People were anxious and happy that, at last, the governor, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, had taken a popular decision that would bring lasting peace to Katcha.
"Let me tell you again that the council chairman who won the election under the SDP has decamped to the APC, and we will formally receive him inshallah. Don't believe anything told by anybody other than the one I just told you ", he said.
Hon. Aliyu Mujaidu said the State Independent Electoral Commission has toed the path of law, and the governor, who is a respecter of the rule of law, has insisted the right thing must be done.
He said there was not an iota of tension in Katcha, pointing out that even the council chairman was reassuring them that he would carry out the directives of the governor.
According to him, "please just try and come to Katcha tomorrow and witness the swearing in. Since November, when the election took place, the council has been operating without councillors. Now, by tomorrow, the council will be complete", he said.
The State Independent Electoral Commission had some days ago issued certificates of return to nine APC councillors, whom it said won the last November election. But because of legal and political disagreements, the council chairman was unable to swear them in.
The Secretary of the Niger State Scholarship Board, Comrade Sani Mohammad Usman, has called on eligible students of Niger State origin to apply for scholarships as the portal for 2022/2023 was now accessible.
Speaking during a meeting with the staff of the agency, the secretary said about 6,700 students of Niger State origin had already applied for the 2021/2022 scholarship awards, and the portal for the 2022/2023 academic season was open for eligible students to apply.
He used the opportunity to enjoin the staff of the agency to key into the policies of the present administration; he stated this at a general meeting held with the staff of the Board in Minna.
He said the meeting was a follow-up to the recent interactive session with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago.
The secretary stated that the present administration of Governor Umar Bago was poised to reposition the Scholarship Board for effective service delivery to Niger State students.
Comrade Sani therefore reminded the staff of the board of their responsibilities as core civil servants and that they should be ready to implement government policies for the benefit of the entire people of the state.
He further called on the staff to shun any act of truancy, absenteeism, or coming to work late, as this will no longer be tolerated.
He said that the recent posting of the desk and schedule officers attached to various tertiary institutions across the country was for transparency and accountability in service delivery.
He then urged the newly appointed schedule officers to be accommodating and patient in handling student matters.
The Secretary, Comrade Sani Usman, then appreciated Governor Umaru Bago for his unflinching support of the Niger State students.
