By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has asked his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, to accept the death of his wife, the late Hajiya Zaynab Yakubu Garba, as a taste of his faith in Allah SWT.
The governor stated this yesterday when he visited the bereaved husband of the deceased at the official residence of the deputy governor, where he was receiving guests who came to console him over the loss.
He observed that losing someone dear to us was very painful, especially someone like the late Hajiya Zaynab, who was his only wife, a woman whom he had passed through life's struggles together with, but enjoyed the deputy governor's decision to take it in good fate as Allah SWT was tasting his faith.
"What happened is a taste of your faith from Allah SWT. I want you to understand that those whom Allah SWT loves most are those whom He tastes the most to see how strong their faith is. So I want you to take this as a taste from Allah," said the governor.
The Governor, who is the Chief Mourner, also advised his deputy to ensure that his relationship with his late wife's family members did not fade away by her demise, urging him to maintain the relationship as if his wife were still alive.
He also urged the deputy governor to forgive his wife, for she might have wronged him unknowingly during their marital life, and that he should always pray for Allah's forgiveness and mercy upon his late wife.
"Prayer is the only thing our dead relatives want from us because that is their food in the grave. So we should always pray for our loved ones who have passed away," the governor added.
The governor also urged his deputy to do something that would give an everlasting reward (sadaqatul jari'a) to his late wife, such as providing a source of water to communities lacking water.
The governor, who observed that death is painful but a reality, also said life is transient and stressed the need for us to remind ourselves about our Creator and to build a good relationship with Him, as well as to constantly ask for His forgiveness while we are alive.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has continued to receive sympathisers from within and outside the state who paid condolences to the people and government of the state over the death of the wife of the deputy governor, Hajiya Zaynab Yakubu Garba.
Among the dignitaries were a delegation of the Zamfara State Government led by the younger brother of the governor, Alhaji Suleiman Lawal; a delegation from the state PDP governorship candidate, Isah Liman Kantigi; former first lady of the state, Senator Zaynab Kure; Wazirin Nupe; Senator Isah Mohammed; the state organised labour led by the state Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim Gana; and a host of others from both the government and private sectors.
The secretary to the state government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Gawu, received the dignitaries at the official residence of the deputy governor on behalf of the governor, Farmer Mohammed Umar Bago, who is the chief mourner.

By Suleiman Yakubu

In a significant move to enhance food security, the Niger State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Youths Development. The agreement aims to engage National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the state in agricultural activities.
The signing ceremony took place at the Government House in Minna, where Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented the state. Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister for Youth Development, signed on behalf of the federal ministry.
Governor Bago emphasized that the MoU aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision for food security in Nigeria. He urged young people, who constitute 80 percent of the country's population, to explore opportunities in agriculture for self-reliance.
The partnership will leverage the additional manpower provided by corps members, recognizing the immense potential of the agricultural value chain. The state is committed to its agricultural revolution, exemplified by the construction of Africa's largest greenhouse estate, capable of employing one million people.
Niger State is also establishing 100 farm estates, cultivating 250,000 hectares of land across its 25 local government areas. Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim praised Governor Bago's dedication, particularly his investment in a permanent NYSC camp, ensuring the well-being of corps members in the state.