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Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu, has challenged the Niger State government on the full implementation of the just-signed 2024 budget, which provided for over N7 billion to revamp the state media houses.
Comrade Abu, who made this known while speaking to journalists on his New Year massage at IBB Pen House in Minna, expressed concern over the attitude of the Northern government and governors towards the media and its practitioners, urging them to emulate their Southern counterparts, who meticulously create good images through the media.
He urged the media and its practitioners to keep hope alive despite the daunting challenges of list pay and deprivation; hence, they should not be deterred by the current situation when exhibiting professionalism and a code of ethics in carrying out their duties.
He called on Nigerian leaders to be responsive to the yearning and aspirations of the common man through empathy by responding to the immediate needs of the vulnerable groups in society.
He stated that citizens deserved more from the government than the current situation by providing temporary and permanent solutions to the present economic hardship experienced by Nigerians.
Comrade Nmodu emphasised the need to embark on development that has a direct bearing on the immediate problems of the people through the deliberate efforts of engaging young Nigerians in productive ventures to enable them to create wealth for themselves.
According to him, leaders should have the fear of God and be modest in their dealings, while commending Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for raising awareness of the green economy and leading an agricultural revolution in Niger State.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The former national president of the Miyeti Allah Cattle Breaders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Hussaini Yusuf Bosso, has prayed for an end to banditry, cattle rustling, and other security challenges that have bedevilled the northern part of the country in recent times.
He noted that the North West and the North Central states of Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Niger states have witnessed unpleasant activities of cattle rustling and banditry, which have claimed a substantial number of lives. He prayed that the year 2024 should usher in an end to the activities of banditry.
In his new year message made available to newsmen in Minna, Alhaji Hussaini Yusuf Bosso stated that government at all levels should intensify their efforts in ensuring the security of lives and properties of the people, particularly the rural dwellers, in the year 2024.
According to the former national president of MACBAN, the activities of bandits and cattle rustlers have rendered many farmers and herders homeless, appealing to the leadership of the military to deploy their arsenal to curtail the security challenges in the year 2024.
"The farmers and the herders have suffered unpleasant losses of their farms products and cattle to the activities of bandits in the year 2023.
"They have displaced the Fulanis and their herds from their homes. They have prevented farmers from harvesting their farm products.
"We pray to God that this year, 2024, should bring an end to the incessant bandtry activities. Our security men should be empowered to fight them this year, 2024. Our leaders should equally support the security forces to bring an end to the insecurity in the North and the country as a whole," he stated.
Speaking further, Alhaji Bosso commended the giant strides of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his commitment to his urban renewal policy in Niger State, describing it as the first step in the right direction.