By Suleiman Yakubu

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has joined his principal, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, and other sympathisers for the funeral rites of the governor's father-in-law, Sarkin Malamin Nupe, and Alhaji Muhammadu Egba Enagi.
The late Alhaji Muhammadu Egba Enagi, who was the village head of Dikko Enagi, died Saturday evening at the age of 88, leaving behind children: Senator Zainab Abdulkadir Kure, wife of the former Governor of Niger State; Hajiya Amina Jummai Gimba; General Muhammad Abba Diko; Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago, the First Lady of Niger State; and many grand and great grandchildren.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement through his Press Secretary, Ummikhaltume Abdullahi Kuta, condoled the first lady and other members of the bereaved family for the death of her father, which he described as a great loss to not only the family but also the state and the country at large.
He described the deceased as an elder statesman and a great man of repute whose vacuum will be difficult to fill.
Comrade Garba also urged the family of Egba Enagi to take his demise as an act of God, as God giveth and taketh, saying the elder stateman is a father to all and has lived a life worthy of emulation.
Special prayers were offered for the late Egba Enagi, his family, the state, and the country in general.
The remains of the late Sarkin Malamin Nupe and village head of Dikko Enagi, Alhaji Muhammadu Egba Enagi, were laid to rest on Sunday afternoon in his country home, according to an Islamic injunction.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State government says all arrangements have been concluded for the hosting of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The commissioner of information and strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, disclosed this during a press briefing at Government House, Minna.
She said the president, during the visit, will commission the renovated airport terminal, which was renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport.
The commissioner disclosed that the state government had taken over the renovation of the facility after initial delays and in consultations with federal authorities, and said it will serve as an alternative if the need arises for the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in Abuja, given the state's proximity to Abuja.
"Additionally, the president will commission various categories of sophisticated agricultural mechanisation equipment procured by the Umaru Bago-led government.
"These acquisitions align with our shared goal of achieving food security and supporting the national agendas of both the federal and state governments.
"The equipment includes provisions for an agroprocessing-free zone and irrigation facilities, further demonstrating the commitment of the governor to enhancing agricultural productivity within the state," she further disclosed.
The commissioner for agriculture, Musa Bawa Bosso, when asked whether there was federal government intervention in the project, explained that the project was entirely state-owned and driven solely by the state government.
He said the invitation of the president was to symbolise the state government's commitment to serve as a pilot and leader in the country as an agricultural hub.