By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has taken his 'back to farm' campaign a notch higher by calling on security agencies to join in his agricultural revolution by engaging in farming, saying the state will provide them with lands to tap the wealth inherent in agriculture.
The governor made the call today at Government House, Minna, when Nigeria's Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, paid him a courtesy visit.
Governor Bago told his visitor that his administration has made agriculture the driver of his development agenda because of the massive endowment of fertile lands, large bodies of water, and friendly climate the state is blessed with.
He then called on the Air Chief to encourage his servicemen and women to key into the government agricultural programme to tap the wealth in it.
The governor also acknowledged the tremendous help the Nigerian Air Force has rendered to the state and described his visit as a testament that Niger State was not forsaken.
He called for continuous surveillance by the air force and disclosed that his government will continue to provide all the necessary support to the air force to realise its goals.
He disclosed further that the state government was also working with all security agencies to closely monitor the borders to stop criminals from entering the state, adding that the activities of artisanal miners were being curbed.
The governor then informed the chief of air staff that money had been appropriated for the completion of housing units he promised the service, and said arrangements were also in place to hand over the 1,000 hectares of land allocated to them.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, commended Governor Bago for his support and commitment to synergize with the service and said the Nigerian air force will not relent in its efforts and renewed vigour in bombarding terrorist camps in the state.
Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that additional troops will be deployed to Niger State to strengthen the fight against terrorists and that the air force will continue to work in synergy with other security agencies in its fight to end the insurgency.
He commended the governor for his people-oriented policies, which he described as initiatives that align with the federal government's approach to tackling insecurity.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has heartily rejoiced with Christendom on the occasion of the 2023 Christmas celebration.
In his Christmas massage signed and made available to newsmen by his Press Secretary, Ummikhaltume Abdullahi Kuta, Comrade Yakubu Garba called on Christians to use the yuletide period for sober reflection and to show love and care to each other as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
He urged Christians to imbibe the teachings and virtues of Jesus Christ, whose birth was the reason for the celebration.
"I congratulate fellow Nigerlites and Nigerians, especially Christendom, on the occasion of this year's Christmas celebration. Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is yearly, but his teachings and virtues are worth more emulating and imbibing in our daily routines," said the Deputy Governor.
He further observed that the life of Jesus Christ symbolised love, unity, patience, and sacrifices, adding that our challenges are unarguably surmountable if we can take lessons from what he (Jesus) lived for.
Comrade Yakubu Garba also called on all to use the period to fervently pray for peaceful coexistence amongst the people of the state and the country as a whole.
The Deputy Governor prayed for a peaceful Christmas and New Year 2024 celebration while urging all Nigerlites to come together and key into Governor Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, led by the administration, in achieving the New Niger Agenda for the betterment of the people.
Comrade Yakubu Garba prayed for peace and unity in the state and the country at large, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2024 in advance.