By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District at the National Assembly,Senator Mohammed Sani Musa(313),has held a pre-departure briefing for (50) Russian scholarship beneficiaries 2026, alongside the unveiling of first batch of domestic Scholarship.

Performing the official unveiling of the scholarship initiative on Tuesday 31st March 2026,in Minna,Senator Sani Musa, reminded the beneficiaries that, as they embark on the journey,they should remain focused,and committed to excellence,as well as remember that knowledge and exposure they will acquired is not just for them but for the development of the society and their immediate communities.

Senator Sani had explained that the scholarship initiative is rooted with the prove that access to quality education should not be a
previledg but,a right for all the citizens in respective of religion and political differences.

“We are investing in the future of our young minds who will become leaders of tomorrow,to the beneficiaries,both international and domestic,this opportunity is a call for excellence and service, nobody can do it for you, you have to do it yourself, you must distinguished yourself not only academically,but,also transparently”.He noted.

Senator Musa hinted that all the beneficiaries of his foreign scholarship enjoys a monthly upkeep of One Hundred Dollar each.

According to him “.This scholarship initiative would not have been achieve without the support and encouragement of Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago who has stood solidly behind us by providing an enable environment for youths to achieve their dreams in all spheres of endeavors”.

Senator 313 also announced that from now onward,his scholarship initiative would take responsibility of all students from his constituency sitting for NECO,WEAC and JAMB, promising however that any medical student that qualify for his scholarship would be supported with Three Hundred Thousand Naira(300,000), while,all the under graduate student will be supported with Two Hundred and One Hundred Thousand Naira respectively.

He applauded members of the scholarship committee for putting in their efforts to ensure credibility and transparency during the screening and selection process, adding that their commitment to fairness and excellence in selecting the beneficiaries is commendable.

He further stressed that the efforts of the committee has made the selection process credible and would also go along way for the sustainability of the scholarship initiative.

In Senator Sani’s words”.As we approach the commencement of the political process,I wish to enjoined all the stakeholders to upholds mutual respect and unweavering peace, saying that the success of any democracy lies not only on the rich,but,in the collective ability to abide by the laid down rules”.

Earlier,Niger State Governor, Muhammad Umaru Bago, represented by the Commissioner of Justice,Barrister Nasir Mua’zu noted that the scholarship initiative of Senator Sani Musa is a tastement that the Senator has key into the New Niger Agenda aimed to assist the state to move the educational sector to the next level.

“.The Senator is giving back to the society,what the society had given him”.Bago said.

The governor lauded him ,and promised of his administration’s continue support to the initiative.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Scholarship Committee,Dr.Ibrahim Balarabe explained that the official pre-departure briefing is aimed to showcase impact,and affairmed a mission and celebrate a leadership that it’s actively transforming life’s.

Dr.Balarabe had revealed that Senator Musa’s scholarship initiative has continued to expand it’s scope, stressing that (100) students sponsored to India are all progressing commendable well in their respective field, pointing out that the (50) students sponsored to China, studying medicine and surgery,are preparing to serve the humanity in one of the critical profession.

Dr Balarabe added”.Each student have been supported with (500:000) Naira”.

In their separate goodwill messages, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, former Minister for State Foreign Affairs,and Umar Nasir Paiko, Member representing Paikoro constituency at the Niger State House of Assembly, advised the beneficiariess to learn how to adjust their life’s, avoid temptation,they also urged them to imbibe discipline and remain good ambassador of their state and the country at large.

The beneficiaries were selected from the (9) local councils of Rafi, Suleja,Munya, Shiroro, Chanchaga,Gurara, Paikoro,Tafa and Bosso,all under the Senator’s constituency of zone(B), though, beneficiaries from zone ‘A’ and ‘C’ also enjoy Senator Sani Musa’s gesture.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Abdullahi Gurumana, appreciated the Senator for the kind gesture, and promised that they will remain good ambassador of the state at any level they find themselves.

Highlights of the event was the presentation of a customized ATM card credited with a sum of (100,000),to some domestic scholarship beneficiaries.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s steady hands on security and reforms, which he noted have helped in tackling the heightened insecurity in the country

In a message of felicitation on the occasion of 74th birthday anniversary birthday the President, Gaidam said the nation was celebrating not just Tinubu’s life but his “unwavering dedication, visionary leadership and enduring commitment to progress and unity.”

He highlighted Tinubu’s “courage, resilience and steadfast belief in Nigeria’s promise,” wishing him strength, health and fresh accomplishments in the years ahead.

Gaidam particularly commended the President’s push on security sector reform and national development, noting it has inspired confidence across the country.

“May this 74th year bring peace, fulfillment and divine guidance as you steer Nigeria toward a brighter future,” the minister stated.

Tinubu had on Sunday marked his 74th birthday in a low-key manner, in line with the prevailing mood of the nation.

According to a message by the President, his decision aligns with his tradition of observing birthdays modestly when national circumstances require it.

“Consistent with my tradition of marking my birthday in line with the mood of the nation, I have resolved to observe this year’s birthday in a low-key manner,” Tinubu said.

The President expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their goodwill messages, prayers, and support on the occasion of his birthday.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

A Minna based legal practitioner and women activist Barrister Maryam Haruna Kolo,has reiterated her commitment towards fighting for the eradication of poverty among women,girl child and the vulnerable in Niger State.

She noted that some of the vices and the societal Illness of the society among women and youths in the country could be attributed to the way and manner some wealthy individuals in the society refused to use their God given wealth to the benefit of the needy in the society describing the trend as painful.

Barrister Maryam Kolo observed with concern the increasing level of poverty in the country particularly among women,girl child and the vulnerable, noting that it will be of the interest of the people for the wealthy individuals to utilize their wealth for the well-being of the less privileged in the society.

Speaking in an interview with Journalists in Minna at the Weekend, Barrister Maryam Haruna Kolo noted that most of the challenges confronting the country ranging from insecurity, poverty disease among other challenges is as a result of the deliberate refusal of wealthy people in the society to use their wealth to impact on the needy.

According to Barrister Maryam Kolo who is also a house of Assembly aspirant for Chanchaga House Assembly state Constituency in 2027,impacting on the needy in the society “ in your own little way will go along way to reduce poverty in the society”

Speaking on her aspiration in the forthcoming election, Barrister Haruna Kolo, pledged to improve the well beings of the people of Chanchaga state Constituency through legislating that will bring about wealth,empowerment,skill acquisition and poverty eradication stressing that her passion to view for the position is aimed at creating wealth that will translate to job creation among the women and youths in Chanchaga.

She pointed out that her constituency projects to the people of Chanchaga will be empowerment based legislatures that will take away poverty from the people of her constituency if given the needed chance come 2027 assuring that her commitment towards building a feedback mechanism among her constituency is unwavering.

Stating that the feedback mechanismis a way of involving critical stakeholders,community,religious,women and youth leaders of her constituency in the day-to- day activities of the assembly “ for their own contribution to enable her give them better representation in the assembly.

Speaking further,the Chanchaga House of Assembly aspirant assured that as a legal practitioner,she will legislate on the bill that will bring about economic,social and empowerment development to the people of her constituency,Niger State and the country in general urging the people of Chanchaga to come out in their large number to vote her in the coming election in 2027.

Maryam Kolo who until her venturing into politics was a senior Magistrate in the service of the Niger State Judiciary and also the pioneer Director General of the Niger State Child Right Agency (NSCRA) further assured that with. “ my experience as a Judicial officers and also the first Director General of the Niger State Child Right Agency,,I should be in good position to know the pains our women and girl child are facing”

“ If given the chance,I will legislate on seeing how to bring about the legislature that will impact on their well being.

“ I will passionately give them an equal legislature that will improve their lives and give them that legislature that will be impactful and meaningful to their wellbeing. She stated.