By Suleiman Yakubu

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has declared that the era of doing things without due process was over in the state.
The Governor made this declaration at the flag-off of a three-day workshop on efficient procurement, optimal and effective store management; enhancing service delivery through capacity building for Local Government procurement, planning and store officers, held at Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, Tuesday.
He disclosed that the present administration in the state was desirous of changing the narrative and putting things in proper perspective.
The Governor, who observed that an average civil servant was an honest person, added that it was the politicians who corrupted them and that no civil servant would engage in corrupt practices without the backing of the politicians, who were mostly their principals.
"If you see any civil servant doing something wrong, he has the backing of a politician who is his principal. The civil servants are not the real culprits; they only take bullets for their bosses.
"It is time to stop taking bullets for the politicians; let's start dodging the bullet and let the bullet hit the real culprit," said the Governor.
He also stressed the need for subordinates to tell their principal officers the truth with documents to back it up in order to exonerate themselves when something went wrong.
The Governor added that every stakeholder should be blamed for the backwardness of the state, adding that there was a need for a change of attitude so as to take the state to the level it ought to have been.
He said the workshop with its theme was timely, especially as it was coming a few weeks after they were on board, explaining that the training was to add more knowledge and capacity for the participants to carry out their functions effectively.
He equally directed that the Local Government Service Commission organize a similar workshop for the 25 local government council chairmen and heads of legislative councils in the state, as according to him, it will enhance rancur-free service delivery at the local government level.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, Engr. Mohammed Ahmed Dabban, observed that the theme of the workshop had highlighted the importance of the procurement unit in local government administration, saying the unit was created to ensure transparency, accountability, and due process in local government administration.
He disclosed that a lot was expected from the participants when they returned to their respective local governments. He added that the commission has a lot of initiatives in stock that are in line with the vision of the present administration and will have a direct positive impact on local governments in the state.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the state local government service commission, Dr. Nuhu Garba Ngaski, disclosed that procurement, planning, and store management were key ingredients in effective service delivery at the local government level.
He said the procurement unit in each of the 25 local government councils were newly created, hence the rationale behind organizing the workshop, as the knowledge to be shared by the resource persons will assist in the day-to-day running of the local government. He urged the participants to pay much attention, ask questions, and make suggestions where necessary.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alh. Abubakar Aliyu Mila, calls for close synergy between the offices of the procurement and staff officers and that of the council Chairman so as to have a rancur-free service delivery in all the local government councils in the state.
There were other goodwill messages from the Emir of Minna, Alh. Dr. Umar Faruq Bahago, represented by the Ndaeji Minna, Alh. Mohammed Aliyu Madugu, the Chairman of Borgu Local Government Council, who is also the Chairman of ALGON in the state, Alh. Yarima Kilishi, as well as the speaker of the state assembly, Rt. Honourable Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Afiniki Dauda, who is representing Gurara constituency.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago has restated his commitment towards providing State of the Art Health facilities in the state.
Governor Bago stated this when he undertook a facility tour to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Medical Services, in Abuja.
The Governor who described what he saw as unprecedented in Nigeria, stressed that their services were in line with what he intends to achieve in the health sector in Niger State.
"We have come here in our quest to find better medical facilities and services for our people and we have just heard of the NNPC wonderful hospital.
"They have taken us round, to a very beautiful state-of-the-art facility, we are impressed, so in our quest to make Niger State a hub for medical activities, we will take off from here", he said.
He said the state government intends to replicate such a facility in Minna or Suleja, explaining that a private hospital proprietor has already indicated interest to invest in Minna.
Governor Umaru Bago said the state government will ensure achievable collaboration with the officials of the clinic especially in terms of expertise.
The Managing Director, NNPC Medical Services, Dr. Mohammed Musa Zango, explained that the facility was second to none in Nigeria with the latest and most advanced technology that will soon be put under use.
He described the governor's visit as a sign of dedication and commitment to serving the people of his state in particular and Nigeria in general and called on other governors to follow suit.
"We love the visit, we really appreciate it, it shows commitment, it shows dedication, it shows that he has the heart of his people as far as healthcare is concerned, and we really like to have governors like this who can come to visit and have this same facility in their states.
"It will curtail medical tourism, it will make the services available and affordable to the people, we are very proud of him, we are willing to support, partner and synergize with him", he stated.