By Suleiman Yakubu

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has condoled with the Emir of Agaie, Alh. Yusuf Nuhu, Salawu's family, and the entire people of Agaie Emirate over the death of Alh. Muhammadu Salawu Agaie, the Salawu of Agaie, and a former Deputy Governor of Niger State.
In a condolence message signed and made available to newsmen by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Ummikhaltume Abdullahi Kuta, the deceased was described as an elder statesman who has contributed immensely to the development of the state.
He said the deceased had played many significant roles in the development of Nigeria, the state, and the Agaie Emirate Council during his active service and even after retirement.
While condoling with the Emir of Agaie and all the people of the emirate over the loss, Comrade Garba said it is no doubt a great loss to not only his immediate family and the Agaie Emirate but also the state in general.
He said they were consoled with the good life he lived and prayed to Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Aljannah Firdausi, as well as comfort all those affected by the loss.
The late Alh. Muhammadu Sallawu Agaie was born on February 1, 1929.
He meritoriously served at the federal, state, and local government levels as well as in the private sector in different capacities and at different times, including as a member of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Finance and General Purpose Committee of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and Member of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
The late Alh. Muhammadu Sallawu Agaie was also a Member of the Niger State Sports Council, a one-time Commissioner for Education, Finance, and Economic Development; Works and Housing; Local Government; and then Deputy Chairman of the State Executive Council, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Niger State Trust Fund, and Member of the Board of Directors of the Niger State Supply Company.
He also worked with Nigeria Tobacco Company Limited, and until his death, he was the Sallawu of Agaie Emirate, a position he held under five different emirs.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Government and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have come up with an initiative that will improve the electricity supply to residents of the state.
The initiative code name "Light Up Niger 2024" would be a collaboration between the state government and the AEDC to ensure a steady power supply.
How this initiative would be done has not been stated in the press release signed by the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mal. Bologi Ibrahim.
The statement only quoted the Chief Operating Officer of AEDC, Eng. Chijioke Okwuokenye, explaining that the "Light Up Niger" project, when it takes off, will pave the way for greater things to come, as the whole scope was to come up with the best measures that will improve and sustain electricity supply to Niger State.
Both the governor and officials of AEDC met at Government House, Minna, yesterday, when the later paid a courtesy visit.
Governor Umaru Bago described the initiative as a welcome development because Niger State was hosting four hydroelectric dams, which contribute about 60 percent of the of the electricity in Nigeria.
He also observed that power supply was key to development now that the state was moving into an industrialization and processing zone. He disclosed that the state will also begin to generate its own electricity since the Electricity Act has been domesticated.
The governor expressed optimism that the "Light Up Niger" project will also offer a solution to the metering challenge in the state.