By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Government continued with the distribution of special palliatives to physically challenged persons in Minna, the state capital, yesterday.
The Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Alhaji Ahmed Baba Sulaiman, speaking at the occasion, said the special distribution was aimed at cushioning the effect of the present economic hardship being experienced in the country.
He said the state government, under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has promised to ensure that the palliatives reach every person, regardless of their status, religion, tribe, or political affiliation.
Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed urged Fulanis, who were among those that received the palliatives in the Gurara area of the state capital, to live in peace and harmony with other people.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Bar Mairo Mohammed Mann, explained that the people living with disabilities were special people, and they should be treated differently because of the condition in which they found themselves, and their rights should therefore not be taken away as citizens. She therefore hoped that the palliative given by the state government will be judiciously used.
The distribution of special palliatives embarked upon by the ministry was also at the Leprosy Mission Chanchaga, Old People's Home, and Social Rehabilitation Centre, among others.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, a senior staff member at the social rehabilitation centre, Fatima Damidami, applauded the Niger State Government for the good work and promised to make judicious use of the items provided.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Community leaders in Kurebe, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, have distanced themselves from an online news report that alleged mining companies operating in the area pay bandits money for protection.
In a joint interview granted to newsmen in Minna by Haruna Salihu Kurebe, a community leader, and Jamilu Abubakar, Shiroro Local Government APC Secretary, the duo said they were not aware of any negotiations entered into by the mining companies operating in their area with bandits terrorising the community.
They said the report was fake, malicious, injurious to their community, and an attempt to discredit and blackmail the mining companies that have been providing interventions and relief to grief-stricken indigenes in the area.
"We read the malicious story, and we are astounded by the sheer blackmail contained in it. The mining companies operating in our area have provided sources of income and livelihoods to our youths. Anyone who says the companies aided banditry is lying ", they said in a joint statement.
Haruna Salihu Kurebe said the companies, before operating in their area, provided all the primary documents obtained from relevant authorities that permitted them to mine in the area. He said the entire community and the traditional institutions were aware of their presence, and there have been mutual benefits, especially in the areas of youth employment, which has helped in engaging them in productive ventures.
The local government APC secretary and youth leader in the area maintained that youths in the area have been helping the companies in the areas of security and maintaining social harmony.
According to him "because they have been helping us in this difficult situation, we ensure that their equipment and operation are safe.
Many of our youths are engaged in mining. We have no problem with anybody", he said.
The Kurebe community leaders said it was fictitious and impossible to believe that the mining companies operating in their area were providing money to bandits groups, "to what cause and to what benefits. There are dozens of security formations at every single inch in our area; these security people would have known and intercepted any form of dealing with bandits", he reasoned.