By Suleiman Yakubu

Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, and Radio, Television and Theater Art Workers Union RATTAWU, in Niger State have resolved to approach regulatory agencies to sanction broadcast media houses airing provocative programmes, if they failed to abide by the ethics of the profession.
This was part of resolutions reached during an interactive session between the leadership of the two unions held at the IBB Pen House Minna yesterday.
The two Unions proposed a two-week ultimatum for such media houses to warn their staff to desist or face their action which may include picketing.
They expressed dismay that some unprofessional persons have taken over the airspace and operate without due recourse to the ethics of the profession.
The meeting commended Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, for appointing professionals as his media aides and urged other political office holders to emulate them.
The two Unions called on the governor to reintroduce hazard allowance for members and also resuscitate the abandoned Radio Niger AM Station, in view of its importance to the people, especially at the grassroots.
Earlier, the State Chairman of RATTAWU Comrade Isah Mahmud, had called on the leadership of the two unions to join hands together to check professional misconduct of some practitioners, adding that social media operations were quite different from conventional media with trained personnel.
He stressed the need for the unions to accord priority to the welfare and training of members, as well as encouraging members to acquire professional certificates.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of NUJ Comrade Abu Nmodu, appreciated the delegation for the visit and hoped that the relationship would be strengthened.
Comrade Abu Nmodu said the NUJ has set up disciplinary and ethics committee to deal with cases of quackery, indiscipline and non-adherence to the ethics of the profession and called for regular interface between the two unions for constant sharing of ideas.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago has called on Nigerlites in the diaspora to come back home and contribute to the growth and development of the state. The Governor made the call when he received a blueprint from a pressure group, Technocrats and Professionals in Niger State, at the Government House, Minna. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mal. Bologi Ibrahim, said the Governor assured his guests that his administration would work closely with professionals in different fields. "We are calling on Nigelites in the diaspora to come back home so that we can put our heads together and turn the table around", he said. Governor Bago, who said the report of the group was in line with the vision and mission of his administration, disclosed that plans are underway to cultivate eight million hectares of land in the state under its one-for-one policy. "Niger is on 76,000 square km of arable land and it means the state is sitting on over eight million hectares of land and we can do fishery, cultivate the soil for food and cash crops, and do animal husbandry", he explained. According to him, the state will also take advantage of the excess water coming in the form of floods by building dams and reservoirs for irrigation farming. He then assured the group of considering the recommendations contained in the document. Earlier, Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta who led the team said they were at the Government House to congratulate the Governor on his emergence and to present the blueprint for an integrated approach to support the implementation of his transformation agenda for the state. He said the blueprint focuses majorly on Agriculture, Education, Health, Tourism, Gender and Law among others, explaining that they have articulated far-reaching analysis, observations and recommendations that would add value to the present administration, and further accelerate the development of the state. Prof. Yahaya Kuta called on the Governor to consider and explore the document for full implementation.