By Suleiman Yakubu

A Passionate appeal has been made by Doko Progressive Forum (PDF), to the Governor of Niger State Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, to quickly intervene in resolving the prolonged crisis in Doko Community of Lavun Local govermnat area of Niger state.
In a Press Release signed by the President of the Forum Col. Jiya Mahmud Liman (rtd), noted that the appeal has become imperative as the two factions were still warming up for another round of criss in the community.
According to the president, the two factions have been called upon to sheath their swords and allow room for dialogue by the state government, by inviting the dethroned and the incumbent Etsu Dazhi and other critical stakeholders for possible amicable settlement of the prolonged royal tussle, as well as the land dispute.
He also called on the state government to take bold steps by calling on all parties involved in the conflict to order, for sustainable peace to be achieved in the community, adding that the Niger State Judiciary should ensure speedy delivery of judgement in all the pending matters in the courts.
Col. Mahmud Liman, admonished relevant security agencies to continue to wake up to their responsibility by ensuring non state actors in possession of arms and amunitions were put under check, stressing the need for other concern law enforcement bodies to desmostrate highl level of professionalism and total neutrality in handling the dispute.
He noted with concerned, the untold hardship the dispute had subjected the community into, stating that as a result, majority of the farmers could not go to their farms this farming season due to the crisis, appealing on the state government to provide palliatives for about 2,000 households to avoid the impending hunger in the community.
Doko crisis, according to the retired military officer, had defied several means of reconciliation, noting that the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, had severally waded in for recocilatory efforts with no possible result, so also the former Chairman of Lavun Local govermnat Hon. Ibrahim Limanko Pata and other critical stakeholders without any positive result.
Two royal families and their supporters in Doko community had been at each other's throats following the dethronement of the traditional ruler, in the last twelve years with all efforts of resolving the dispute over the years without success.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Hajiya Fatima Bago, wife of Gov. Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger on Saturday in Minna, advised women, especially those in elective positions, to embrace simplicity and desist from flamboyant lifestyles.
She gave the advice at the close of a two-day training on etiquette, protocol, security and empowerment held for female political office holders in the state.
Bago also advised women whose husbands were holding political positions to be frugal in their spending and to invest in businesses that could improve their lot.
“As women, etiquette should be your day-to-day lifestyle; you should embrace simplicity and avoid living flamboyant lifestyles.
“Use whatever resources you have to invest in businesses to better your lives,’’ she admonished.
Bago also advised women to always avail themselves of trainings for self-development and urged the training participants to take lessons learned to the grassroots.
She urged women to be wise and to make judicious use of the opportunity to engage in positive collaboration and share ideas and knowledge with one another.
In her goodwill message, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, advised women to go into businesses that would be beneficial to them.
“As women, you should be in businesses in which you are personally engaged. Do what you are comfortable at doing and not be absentee business women,’’ she advised.
She said the state assembly would soon evolve legislation on six months maternity leave for career nursing mothers.
The training was organised by the Office of the Wife of the State Governor in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Women and Affirmative Action. (NAN)