By joshua 
Journalists Knock Governor Bago, Information Minister Over Unfulfilled Pledges
Journalists in Niger state were taken back when they learnt in their last Congress that the promises made on behalf of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris during the launching of its press week Magazine over a year ago were yet to be fulfilled.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Usman Abubakar had promised N5 million while the Minister of Information represented by the Director General Voice of Nigeria Jibrin Baba Ndace promised N1 million.
When an update was given during the state Congress recently by the committee, the journalists wondered why the same people who were key players in the politics of Niger state could treat them with disdain and without .
The Committee said various representation made to the minister of information was not favourable, even as the Congress expected the minister to be more understanding considering his background and position he is holding.
Some of the Journalists said the refusal of the Minister to redeem his pledges is not building a good image for the Renewed hope agenda of the president and that N1 Million is too small a pledge that should drag for over a year
On the state Governor the Journalist wondered why the government of Niger state was running government by closing out Journalists, observing that the Journalists covering for various National Dailies have no access to government house and function , a precedent they observed is a bad omen to true democracy.
They wondered why a government that promised open door policy has resorted to ” operating an exclusive government that closed out Journalists who are supposed to be partners”.
The Chairman of NUJ Niger state council Comrade Abu Nmodu after contributions from Journalists , promised to seek interface with the respective political figures and urged his colleagues to exercise patience.