*says Sani Musa’s emergence clear choice of the masses

The New Niger Development Agenda (NNDA) has strongly commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, praising the governor’s outstanding political credentials and masterful handling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries, while describing Senator Sani Musa’s emergence as the clear choice of the masses.

The group described Governor Bago’s leadership during the primaries as a shining example of political maturity, strategic wisdom, and commitment to party unity and the welfare of the people.

According to a statement signed by Comrade Adamu Musa, the NNDA praised the governor for his fatherly intervention that ensured a peaceful and harmonious process, preventing unnecessary conflicts and producing credible candidates that reflect the true aspirations of Niger people.

“Governor Bago has once again proven his mettle as a visionary leader with deep political credentials,” the group stated. “His ability to navigate complex political terrain while keeping the interest of the masses at heart is unmatched and worthy of emulation.”

The advocacy group emphasizlsed that Governor Bago’s wealth of experience and grassroots connections were instrumental in fostering consensus and strengthening the APC ahead of the general elections.

Turning to the emergence of Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, the NNDA declared it as the clear and unmistakable choice of the masses for the Niger East Senatorial District.

The group showered praises on Senator Sani Musa for his exemplary track record of dedicated service, legislative competence, and numerous impactful constituency projects that have transformed lives across Niger East.

“Senator Sani Musa’s emergence is a popular verdict from the people who have continued to benefit from his quality representation and unwavering commitment to development,” NNDA noted.

The statement highlighted Senator Sani Musa’s contributions to education through scholarship schemes, infrastructure development, and his consistent advocacy for the people of Niger East at the national level.

NNDA applauded the synergy between Governor Bago’s dynamic leadership and Senator Sani Musa’s legislative excellence, describing both as indispensable assets to the progress of Niger State.

The group urged all party members and residents to fully support these two exceptional leaders, noting that their combined strength guarantees continued good governance and accelerated development in the state.

A pressure group, Concerned Citizen for Change, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately sack the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over what it described as “gross incompetence and abuse of public office” in the enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and small PET bottle alcoholic drinks.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the group’s Country Director, Comrade Hilary Akor, accused the NAFDAC boss of disregarding existing government directives and acting in violation of the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health.

The group alleged that the enforcement action was capable of triggering economic hardship and social unrest, warning that it could negatively affect businesses and undermine the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.

According to Akor, the decision to enforce the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and 200ml PET bottles contradicted resolutions earlier reached by the House of Representatives after consultations with stakeholders.

He said the House had, during a public hearing on the matter in March 2024, directed NAFDAC to suspend further enforcement of the ban, describing it as anti-people and harmful to local businesses.

The group further claimed that the continued enforcement of the policy would threaten jobs and livelihoods across the production and distribution chain, particularly among indigenous operators in the alcohol industry.

Akor argued that sachet and small-sized alcoholic products were introduced to cater to low-income adult consumers and should not be criminalised, insisting that consumers had the right to make choices regarding legally certified products.

He also rejected claims that sachet alcohol encourages abuse among minors, maintaining that smaller portions could help reduce excessive consumption associated with larger containers.

The group stated that manufacturers had invested heavily in campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking through nationwide media awareness programmes.

Concerned Citizen for Change warned that the ban could encourage the circulation of illicit and unregulated alcoholic products, while also creating room for smuggling and revenue losses to government.

The group, however, said it supports measures aimed at removing unsafe products from the market but insisted that such decisions must be based on empirical evidence and extensive stakeholder engagement.

It therefore urged President Tinubu to “wield the big stick” by removing the NAFDAC Director-General from office, arguing that her continued stay was no longer in the public interest.

At least 15,000 women are targeted to receive training in digital literacy, safety, and hygiene to address the widening digital gap between Northern Nigeria and the rest of the country in a rapidly changing world.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) said the training has become imperative, given that the northern region is lagging behind in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, without which no meaningful development can be achieved.

CITAD Executive Director, Y. Z. Yau, represented by Isa Garba, said the initiative was designed to narrow the digital divide in a world increasingly driven by information and communication technology.

“Businesses dealing in ICT on a single street in Lagos are more than the entire ICT businesses in Kano, for example. While those in Lagos have reached their destination, we are just beginning our journey in ICT. This informed our resolve to train 15,000 women in digital literacy to bridge the digital divide,” he said.

Yau noted that women must be empowered with digital skills to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens, with multiplier effects across all aspects of human life.

Fatima Babakura, Project Manager of the Digital Literacy Training Programme, said about 5,000 women and girls between the ages of 16 and 40 would be trained in digital entrepreneurship to explore business and income opportunities in the digital space.

“We also intend to prepare women against online harassment and cyberattacks, so they can return to their communities and share the knowledge acquired. We are also training students on Computer-Based Tests (CBT) because we realised that many fail examinations due to a lack of digital skills,” Babakura said.

Director of ICT at the Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board, Isyaku Garba, said the board had deliberately designed programmes to equip students with ICT knowledge to enable them compete globally.

He said Lagos had achieved over 60 per cent ICT infrastructure utilisation as far back as 2006, with a large number of women already equipped with ICT knowledge.

The director added that women with digital skills can work remotely, even from their homes, thereby reducing the financial burden on their spouses.