By Suleiman Yakubu

About 100,000 people in Niger State have been registered so far and captured as enrollees of the Contributory Health Scheme, NiCare, by the Niger State Contributory Health Agency, since the inception of the scheme.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer CEO of the Niger State Contributory Health Agency, Sulayman Abu-Bakr, stated this while speaking in an exclusive interview with Newsline in his office on Monday in Minna.
Sulayman Abu-Bakr said the number of enrollees stood at 51, 000 when this administration came into office, pointing out that the increase in the enrollment of people by the agency was a result of the 100 percent support given to the health sector in the state by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who has passion for the well-being of the people of the state.
He said Niger State has secured funding support from Gavi, the vaccine alliance, through UNICEF to enroll 10,000 zero-dose children and vulnerable people into the state health insurance scheme.
The executive secretary, while commenting on some of the challenges of the agency, however, told Newsline that lack of sensitization of people, especially in the rural areas of the state, was the major problem confronting the agency, adding that the agency under his leadership was working towards addressing this in no time.
Speaking on the activities of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as the administration clocks one year in office, Sulayman Abu-Bakr affirmed that the governor has achieved a lot within the shortest period of his tenure, with the groundbreaking on road construction, promotion of the green economy, agricultural revolution through which over 300 farmers were assisted, as well as the renovation of doctor's quarters and the construction of the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, amongst other infrastructural developments across the state that were ongoing.

By Suleiman Yakubu

As part of activities lined up to mark the one-year anniversary of the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago-led administration in Niger State, arrangements have been concluded to commission 200 CNG buses among assorted state-of-the-art vehicles purchased by the administration.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, during a press briefing at Government House, Minna.
The commissioner said a new era of progress and prosperity was underway, stressing that the farmer governor has sparked a transformation like never before.
She said the low-key celebration will include the commissioning of 200 CNG buses, the administering of vaccinations against human papilloma virus (HPV) to young female students, the commissioning of assorted state-of-the-art vehicles at the Trade Fair Complex, as well as a novelty football match between the state executive and the legislature, among others.
She further stated that a lecture would be held on the anniversary day, May 29, at the Justice Idris Legbo International Conference Centre by 11 a.m., adding that the activities would end with a dinner the same day at 7 p.m.
"From reconstruction and expansion of crucial roadways like the six-lane Chanchaga motorway and Minna township roads, Minna-Kateregi-Bida Road, to championing mechanised farming and the purchase of 1000 high-tech tractors worth billions of naira.
"The remarkable upgrades and innovations that showcase His Excellency's commitment and dedication to excellence include infrastructural development, education, health, the Green Economy Initiative, the transformation and renaming of Minna Airport to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, the purchase of 200 CNG buses to boost the transport sector, and high-tech vehicles for security agencies to curb insecurity," the Commissioner said.
She assured Nigerlites that Niger State was in a new era of progress and prosperity.
Recall that Muslim and Christian prayers have been held at various places of worship commemorating the first anniversary of the present administration in Niger State.