News Investigators/ Some residents of Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi States have called on President Bola Tinubu and the various states government to do more to improve security and ensure electoral reforms in order to deepen the Nigeria’s democratic experience.
A cross section of the residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, noted that though the Tinubu-led federal government and the states have recorded some achievements within the last two years, more still needed to be done to justify the mandate of the people.
In Lokoja, Kogi, Babatunde Ojuola, a lecturer with Federal University Lokoja (FUL), urged President Tinubu to urgently tackle the issue of escalating insecurity and economic hardships ravaging the nation.
Mr Ojuola, a political analyst, pointed out the government was facing challenges in providing basic security, with the military and police struggling to contain the rising insecurity such as insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, incessant herdsmen attacks, cybercrimes, among others.
He also emphasised the need for reforms that would strengthen the electoral and political system and ensure good and accountable governance.
Mr Dare Olukaiye, an elder statesman, shared Ojuola’s view by calling on Tinubu to address the rising insecurity across the country.
He also charged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to
An Elder Statesman, Mr Dare Olukaiyeja, cited Gov Ahmed Ododo to do more in the provision of infrastructural development given the huge allocation coming to the state from the federation account.
He, however, commended the governor for the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, as well as the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
Olukaiyeja, maintained that democracy remained the best system for reconciling Nigeria’s diverse population and promoting national cohesion.
“If democracy must truly work in Nigeria, we need courageous and selfless leaders at all levels of governance,” he said.
Mrs Margaret Apeh, a civil servant, stressed the need for government to put an end to rising killing of innocent Nigerians as a result of insecurity, as well address the economic hardship being faced by citizens.
She emphasised that the political class must show more concern towards the plight of citizens rather than focusing on the next round of elections in 2027.
Also, Retired Capt. Paul Joel, a security expert, emphasised the importance of law enforcement and security forces to be devoted to constitutional democracy rather than regime security.
He advocated for the government to create enabling environment for more young people engagement in politics and offer new ideas to drive progress.
“Long-term civic activism and community organising can help expand the narrow focus on electoral cycles and strengthen democratic institutions.
“Nigeria needs reforms to weaken entrenched networks of patronage and privilege, ensuring democracy serves the rights and aspirations of its citizens,” Joel said.
On his part Mr Hamza Aliyu, the Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), commended Gov Ododo administration’s disposition towards workers welfare through prompt salaries payments and other entitlements.
“In terms of infrastructure there has been a little positive movement in terms of road construction especially in Lokoja with the completion of the Zone 8 Roundabout to Kabba Junction and the CBN to Crusher road.
“In terms of water supply, the reactivation of the old Lokoja Water Works is a positive development and calls for commendation. This is however, grossly inadequate to cater for the water requirement of the state capital.
“In terms of transparency in governance, the administration has shown willingness to work with citizen groups and improve participation in governance by signing up to the Open Government Partnership initiative.
“However, Ododo’s administration is yet to engage citizens in Townhall meetings to gauge perceptions and get feedback on government service provision
“Also, there seem to be a lull in activities in the state especially in the other sectors such as transportation, health care, sanitation, amongst others.
“These has left the citizens in terrible conditions especially with the high cost of private sector led transport and the health issues around sanitation and water,” Aliyu said.
Speaking on Nigeria’s democratic progress, Aliyu said the country has not fared badly as she had maintained a democratic culture since 1999 in spite the challenges, describing it as highly commendable.
He noted nation’s electoral processes had improved over time and had witnessed a departure from the culture of a ‘”sit tight” situations where political parties take it for granted that they would always win elections because of their hold on power.
“We have seen sitting President and Governors loss re-elections and oppositions parties defeat incumbents. This shows a positive development in our democratic culture.
“Overall, our democratic journey has been a positive one with a very bright future and great potential for development,” Aliyu said.
Mr Bode Adeyemi, Chairman, Forum of Special Advisers to Gov. Ahmed Ododo, and Special Adviser on Energy Matters, said that Kogi government had renovated and built a total of 88 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 21 local government areas of the state.
“Gov Ododo’s giant strides in the health sector deserves World Health organization (WHO) recognition and commendation, ” he said.
Adeyemi said the new psychiatric centre at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, also revealed that the government placed so much premium on details and healthcare essentials.
He described the astronomical increase in Kogi Health Insurance Scheme as a way of expressing the confidence of the people in health care sector under the current administration.
He also mentioned the continuous payment of all examination fees by the government on behalf of students at all levels as a demonstration of continuity and consolidation as envisioned by the APC led government in the last years.
He also noted the various road projects executed by Ododo’s administration across communities such as Egbe, Isanlu, Aiyetoro, Lokoja Barracks, Lokoja Crusher, Adavi, Okene and across Kogi East senatorial district.
He described the ongoing Kabba Erosion Control projects and similar projects in different parts of the state as life saving and impactful.
The special adviser said that the government had also achieved some feat in tourism and culture as exemplified in the recent Kogi International Carnival that elevated the state to international standards in tourism development.
He said the youth transformational agenda of the government through its war against drugs and substance abuse as being coordinated by the Ministry of Youths was commendable.
He also highlighted the ongoing construction of a new International Market in Lokoja, approval of an international airport for Kogi State amongst and many projects as indicative of administration’s in the delivery of good governance going forward.
In Niger, Stakeholders commended Gov. Umaru Bago’s administration for its remarkable progress made in various sectors.
Prof. Muhammed Kuta-Yahaya, the Pro chancellor, AbdulKadir Kure University, Niger, lauded Gov. Bago for his giant strides in agriculture and infrastructural development in the state.
‘’He has made a tremendous mark in specific areas that has become an eye opener for governance and development of state in the nation’s governorship system.
“He has left no one in doubt that his drive for agriculture is unarguably the leading actor in the nation’s agricultural space for now.
“He has been able to open up and made agriculture attractive with his mechanisation agenda, and that is what the country had been lacking over the years,” he said.
The pro chancellor noted that the nation’s agricultural sector had long been perpetually depended on crude implement using hoes and cutlasses.
“But when Bago came on board, he decided to change the narratives by embarking on full blown mechanisation knowing full well that using hoes and cutlasses in the 21st century is not tenable.
“The continuous use of crude implements like hoes and cutlasses to drive agriculture cannot give us the leverage of the maximisation that we require in terms of self sustenance and the needed food security in the country.
“So, to me, he has really done well in the area of agriculture and even in other sectors for just two years in office as a governor.’’
In the area of urban renewal, Kuta-Yahaya, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), maintained that the governor had turned the entire state capital into a construction site, which everybody can attest to.
“Whoever has travelled to Minna in the last three years, and the same person comes to Minna now, I doubt if that person would not marvel at what is going on in Niger at the moment.
“I remember somebody told me in Abuja, that he came to Minna and noticed that Minna has witnessed a tremendous upliftment.
“The person said he missed his way when he was to leave Minna, only for him to find himself after the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, and the only available option was to ask for direction,” he said.
In area of education, which he described as the bedrock of human capacity development and aspirations, Kuta-Yahaya said had so far witnessed a new dawn due to the policies and programmes initiated by the governor.
“As we speak, he has already opened up the space with the expansion of access to tertiary education, with the conversion of the former College of Education Minna into a State University.
“AbdulKadir Kure University, now a conventional university, offering wide range of courses in education, and also in some areas that are of common interest to people, like Cyber Security, medical and allied courses.
“In short, all those courses that are becoming very attractive to the young people across the state and the country at large. So, it has successfully taken-off,” he said.
He also mentioned the establishment of Abdulsalami Abubakar University of Agriculture, in Mokwa and Abubakar Imam University of Science and Technology, in Zungeru as part of efforts to open frontiers for young people in the state to have access to tertiary education with courses that would give them the leverage in terms of employment opportunities in the country.
On the international sphere, he said that the governor had been able to spearhead partnerships with Russia and other nations like Egypt in area of solid minerals development, education, roads, agriculture and health.
“With these ongoing partnerships and collaborations, no doubt we are sure of more developments coming to the state especially, with countries like Russia who are renowned for quality and standards in solid mineral development.
He, however, described the governor as a game changer in all facets of governance, adding that the people of Niger were very confident and proud of his leadership style.
“I can assure you by the time you take a tour across the twenty five Local Government Areas of the state, you will definitely see his foot print of what he has done within two years.
“Is it in area of agricultural development, primary healthcare development, grassroot development and the revitalisation of Ward Development project initiated by the Babangida Aliyu’s administration to bring development closer to the people.
Also, Dr Abdullahi jabi, a security expert lauded Bago’s giant strides across several sectors of the state economy.
“He is doing very well. He ensures prompt payment of salaries and pensions, which to me, is commendable enough.
“Other areas that are very visible are the total reorganisation of infrastructure from water to power, roads, human capital development, training and retraining of works.
“However, a lot still needed to be done. For instance, in the area of healthcare delivery, manpower, the required infrastructure, among others.
“So far, he has really tried in just two years. I have no doubt that the way he is going, the people of Niger will be better for his thirst for development,”
Abdullahi Bawa, a resident of Minna, commended Bago initiative to overhaul road infrastructure aimed at improving the state’s road network, enhance transportation, and boost economic activities.
He expressed optimism that the infrastructure development drive will have a positive impact on the state’s economy.
“The governor’s focus on road construction will enhance transportation, reduce travel times, and boost economic activity,” he said.
Dr Abdullahi Mohammed, an Agricultural Expert, lauded governor Bago’s initiative in agriculture with focus on improving food production and creating jobs for the youths.
He said the Bago-led administration massive investment in agriculture with the procurement of 1,000 tractors to bolster food production, demonstrated a clear commitment to agricultural development.
According to him, the initiative has empowered local farmers, enhanced productivity, and contributed to the state’s economic growth.
Also speaking on the healthcare sector, Mr Benjamin Ayuba, said the sector has witnessed significant progress, with the ongoing construction of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Teaching Hospital in Minna.
He said the state-of-the-art facility would provide citizens with access to quality medical care, reducing the need for medical tourism and enhancing overall well-being.
Also, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Women Affirmative Action, said as part of Bago’s administration’s commitment to empowering women, several initiatives have been implemented to provide opportunities for women to excel in various sectors.
She said these initiatives have yielded positive results, with many women benefiting from the programmes.
Berje said the Bago-led administration has implemented various programmes aimed at empowering women, which have led to increased participation of women in various sectors, including politics, agriculture, business, and education.
She said women were now taking on leadership roles and contributing to the development of the state.
Also speaking, Barrister Maurice Magaji Commissioner for Land and Survey, said the Bago-led administration development initiatives were yielding positive results.
He highlighted the establishment of a Geographic Information System (GIS) office in Suleja, which will enhance the state’s land management system.
“The ministry is working on mapping of the state to determine specific areas for different land uses, which will enable us to charge appropriate rates,” he said.
He also highlighted the state’s agricultural progress, saying, “through Niger Foods, we have been able to develop many areas that were previously uncultivated, increasing food production and providing land for farming.
“The state is already partnering with other states, such as Lagos, to cultivate and aggregate paddy rice,” he said.
Magaji mentioned several infrastructure projects, including the expansion of roads under the urban renewal project, the dualisation of the Minna-Bida Road with streetlights, and the construction of five kilometers of roads in all 25 local government areas.
“These projects have attracted investment, and an electric car company is coming to the state to produce electric cars,” he added.
He said the government had constructed 20 primary healthcare facilities in the first phase of level two primary healthcare, while the ongoing construction of the IBB Teaching Hospital and upgrades of general hospitals would boost healthcare services delivery in the state.
Also speaking, Hajiya Binta Mamman, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the government had done well in key areas like infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture.
She said the government’s focus on infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture was expected to improve the lives of residents and attract investment.
In Nasarawa State, residents commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for remarkable developmental strides within the first two years of his second tenure in office.
Bala John, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Nassarawa-Egggon Local Government Area (LGA), praised the governor’s efforts in improving the state’s infrastructure, including road construction and rehabilitation projects.
John said the construction of flyovers and underpasses in Lafia and Akwanga Local Government Areas, had added to the aesthetics of the state and would the help to decongest traffic in the urban cities.
He further said that the construction of the State Secretariat Complex in Lafia to house all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies would address the challenge of inadequate office accommodation and provide a conducive working environment for civil servants.
“Construction of over 600 kilometers of urban and rural roads, dualisation of Shendam Road in Lafia, ongoing bypass in Lafia and Akwanga, and huge investment in the security of the state amongst others are commendable achievements of the Gov Sule-led administration,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Ezekiel Baba, lecturer with the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology Lafia, commended the governor for employing over 4,000 youths into the civil service.
He also hailed the governor for the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers, implementation of over 10 years of outstanding promotions and the offer of permanent and pensionable appointments to casual workers in all MDAs.
On his part, Abubakar Adamu from Lafia, said that the governor had attracted many companies into the state who had invested in different sectors of the economy.
He said that the governor’s policies have also fostered economic growth, with various initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.
“The administration’s investment drive has contributed to the state’s development, improved the standard of living for residents, and boosted agricultural activities in the state.
Also, Hanatu Salah, a civil servant, said that agriculture had received significant attention under Governor Sule’s administration.
She also commended the governor’s efforts in enhancing security in the state through constant support to security agencies and being proactive whenever there was security challenge in any part of the state.
NAN
