By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Elijah Etim Willie, has solicited collaboration and synergy with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in combating crimes in the state.
The Commandant stated this on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Niger State Council of the Union in Minna.
He said, "The NSCDC is prepared to flush out miscreants and other forms of criminality in Niger State.
"This can be done in collaboration and synergy with journalists in the state. I therefore ask you to work with us to succeed".
Willie explained that journalists have been playing a vital role in projecting the good image of the security agency, especially in the state, and urged the union to continue with the existing cordial relationship between it and the NSCDC.
He informed the chairman of the activities of the command, adding that the command was into the Safe School Initiative, aimed at eliminating any incident that poses a threat to the security and safety of schools in the state.
Responding, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu, explained that journalists in the state were very professional and responsible in the discharge of their duties.
He said that the union has always ensured that practicing journalists are not compromised on duty, adding that the state council of NUJ has trained about 80 members in various areas to improve their performance on the job.
Comrade Abu Nmodu assured the state commandant of the support and adequate coverage of programmes and activities of the NSCDC in the state, adding that "I can assure you that journalists in the state are ready to partner with the Civil Defence in the maintenance of peace and tranquilly in Niger State.".
The chairman said journalists under the umbrella of the union were professionals practicing in accordance with the ethics of journalism, stressing that members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm in the state have a long history of responsible journalism.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Government has said that it will collaborate with relevant professional bodies to actualize the vision of New Niger under the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
The state Commissioner of Lands and Survey, Barr. Maurice Bello Magaji, who stated this while receiving a consortium of consultants on urban and regional planning in his office, explained that the ministry, under his leadership, would ensure that government policies, especially as they relate to the mandate of his ministry, are fully implemented to actualize the desired result.
Barr. Magaji explained the thrust of the present administration on modern land administration, urban planning, and development and asked them to furnish him with the details of their proposal for him to go through it and thereafter advise the governor appropriately.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the group, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed informed the commissioner that they were in his office to associate themselves with the new vision of the government and intimate him on the need to review the master plans of Minna and Suleja to take into cognizance the reality of the time and location of Suleja in relation to Abuja.
He informed the commissioner that the New Niger Vision of Mr. Governor would be supported by a workable master plan that captures the vision and aspirations of the state in a holistic manner.
He assured the ministry of their commitment to provide the needed support for the government.
He therefore seeks collaboration with the commissioner to ensure prompt implementation of the review of the master plans.