In a bid to set the ball rolling in tackling security issues in Niger State, the Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago has visited Service Chiefs in the country.
The Governor visited them at different times in their offices in Abuja to seek collaboration in curbing insecurity in the state.
Governor Umar Bago expressed concern over the ravaging activities of bandits and other forms of criminality in the state.
While appreciating the security chiefs for their efforts towards ensuring a peaceful society, the governor urged them to do more.
"We have taken time to first visit the service chiefs to introduce ourselves to them formally, secondly to thank them for the collaboration in the past and also to ask them to do more", he explained.
The governor disclosed that the Inspector General has given a nod to his plan to demolish the police station in Chanchaga.
"We have discussed with the I.G on very relevant issues including the police station issue in Chanchaga and he has given his nod. He is in tandem with our change policy and we will bring that down on Thursday", he said.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Isiaka Oladayo Amao while speaking to Journalists, disclosed that they were working ahead of criminals especially during this farming season so that farmers can carry out their farming activities.
He also assured of the deployment of more aircraft to ensure quick response to security challenges in the state.
"We know the problem we have now is the criminals don't want farmers to go to their farms but we are working ahead of them. We are deploying some aircraft to Minna to increase our response to any security issue in the state", he stated.
The service chiefs visited were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Isiaka Oladayo Amao, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieut. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and the Director General of the Department of State Service, Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, has said that his administration will be fair and just to all manner of people in the state, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
The Governor recalled the state CAN Chairman admonition on unity, saying sincerity, patience and trust, were the key ingredients for unity, which according to him if properly applied, will bring peaceful coexistence in our society.
While responding to some of the appeals made earlier by the CAN Chairman, he said his local government area, Shiroro was one of the most hit by insecurity, adding that whenever he hears anyone talking about the security situation in the state he feels that the person was talking on his behalf or on behalf of his people.
He equally observed that security was everyone business and urged people to be security conscience wherever they are and not to relent in praying, believing that with prayers we can surmount our problems.
On the issue of moral decadence in the society which the CAN Chairman appealed for the return of religious studies in primary and post primary schools in the state, he urged CAN to put it in writing as memo to the government and they will do their best to see religious studies back in schools, adding that hardly you find a household today without a child that is giving his parents headache.
On fuel subsidy, he said it was unfortunate that the present government came at a time when budgetary provision for the subsidy had been phased out, saying no doubt some people were using the subsidy to shortchange the nation, but that there should be a better way to address the problem instead of putting masses into untold hardship.
He also disclosed that the Nigeria Governors' Forum is in touch with the Federal government on the issue of the subsidy and that they were expecting a favourable outcome, and appealed to the public to be patient while awaiting the outcome.
On appointments, the Governor disclosed that their appointments will largely be on merit and they will have no time for mediocrity because they want to move forward and will not allow distractions, urging the leadership of CAN to always reach out to the government on whatever they are not clear about and the government will be willing and ready to explain why they did that.
Earlier, the state CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Yohanna Bulus in his admonition emphasized on unity, saying if you want peace, you have to work for unity and prayed to God to continue to unite us.
He also reminded the Governor that he is a Governor for all Nigerlites, and appealed to him to look into some of the things bedeviling the people presently, which includes insecurity, which according to him the primary function of every government was the security of lives and properties.
He also appealed to the governor to look into the possibility of returning religious studies in our schools and that the current fuel subsidy removal should have a human face, adding that selection of appointees should be done without sentiment.
The CAN Chairman who observed that Governor Umar Bago was the first elected governor to visit the Church despite not being a Christian, said they will continue to pray for him and all the new leaders to succeed because they came at a very difficult time.
He also informed the Governor that there was only one CAN Chairman and anything he hears or see without his authorization does not hold water and does not represent the wishes of CAN.
He then appreciated the leadership of Minna Diocese for its support to the pre and post inauguration church programmes.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of Congratulatory card to the governor by the CAN and also members of the St. Peter's Cathedral Church, Minna.
