Niger State Government in partnership with some prominent indigenes of the state have commenced interface towards solving challenges bedeviling the state.
The forum led by Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, under the aegis of “Niger State Development Forum”, visited the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello on Tuesday.
Dada said the forum is concerned with the progress and development of the state and is a voluntary apolitical group with 22 members drawn from across the state.
“The forum is concerned with issues ranging from human capital development, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure deficit, extracting industry, revenue generation for the state, security challenges and other general issues”, he said.
The minister noted that there are many Niger indigenes in Abuja and their wealth of experience and contributions can bring positive impact to the state.
He presented three Ambassadors-designate from the state to the Governor: High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Mohammed Haruna Manta, the Ambassador to Israel, Nath Augustine Kolo and the ambassador to Rwanda, Aishatu Musa.
Governor Bello welcomed the establishment of the forum and directed the Secretary to the State Government to coordinate the activities of all relevant agencies with the forum.
“I believe if we collaborate very well with this forum it will go a very long way and from time to time we will share ideas and opinions”, the Governor said.
The Governor appreciated and thanked them for sharing in the pains of the security challenges faced by the state adding that the last few months have been challenging as kidnapping and banditry takes place often.
“The last few months we have been challenged by serious security issues but the state government is doing all it can to manage the situation”, he said.
The Governor said the state has deployed new strategy to tackle insecurity and has decided to engage traditional institutions to come up with a system of intelligence gathering, equipping and strengthening local vigilante groups to compliment the conventional security agents.
“Using vigilantes to fight banditry in some areas has yielded positive results hence the need for more of them in Shiroro, Rafi and other troubled local government areas.
The kidnapping of the students from Kagara and the NSTA passengers took the front pages but we have been suffering this for years”, he added.
The governor hoped that with advocacy and assistance from the Federal Government, an end to banditry will be achieved.
Nneka Ukachukwu
