In a heartfelt gesture to celebrate the season, Niger State APC chieftain and former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, hosted widows, the elderly, and members of the Boys Brigade Band to a Christmas party at his farm in Gbiko village, Minna.

The event, held amidst growing economic challenges, served as both a celebration and a platform for Vatsa to voice concerns about Nigeria’s worsening economic situation.
Speaking at the gathering, Vatsa described the current hardship as “severe,” stressing that Nigerians have been stretched to their limits.
He pointed to widespread hunger and recent reports of stampedes over food distribution as indicators of the crisis, which he said demands urgent government intervention.
Vatsa appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the nation’s economic policies to address the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
While exonerating the president from blame, he argued that Tinubu inherited a struggling economy from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The hardship Nigerians are facing today cannot be blamed entirely on Tinubu. Even the enemies of this government know he inherited a dead economy,” Vatsa said.
However, he criticized Tinubu’s failure to publicly reveal the scale of economic decay inherited from Buhari’s administration.
“The biggest mistake Tinubu made was not opening Buhari’s eight-year record for Nigerians to see the mess he left behind. Nigerians are suffering, and hunger is killing people daily. No matter how good a policy is, only the living can benefit from it,” he added.
Vatsa emphasized the importance of sharing and supporting the vulnerable, especially during festivities.
“This season is about love, sharing, and giving. We must remember the widows, the elderly, and the needy, especially in times of economic hardship,” he said.
Quoting the Bible, Vatsa reminded attendees that “God loves cheerful givers” and urged wealthy individuals to prioritize giving back to society.
“No rich man can feel comfortable surrounded by suffering masses. Wealth without compassion breeds insecurity,” he noted.
The Christmas party provided an opportunity for the widows and elderly to celebrate despite the economic challenges. The attendees expressed gratitude for the gesture, calling on more leaders to follow Vatsa’s example of compassion and support.
As Nigeria grapples with economic difficulties, Vatsa’s appeal and charitable act have sparked conversations about leadership, accountability, and the role of individuals in cushioning the impact of hardship on vulnerable groups.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, has extended warm Christmas greetings to Christians across Nigeria and beyond, urging citizens to remain patriotic and embrace the virtues of love, peace, and sacrifice exemplified by Jesus Christ.

In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media of the House of Assembly, Sarkindaji emphasized the importance of reflecting on Christ’s teachings, especially during challenging times for the nation.
Acknowledging the economic hardships currently faced by Nigerians, the Speaker encouraged citizens not to lose hope, reminding them that “there is always light at the end of the tunnel.” He added that even in the darkest moments, light can emerge to bring solace and hope.

Sarkindaji described patriotism as a critical ingredient for national growth and unity, stressing that Nigerians must remain committed to building a better future. “Indeed, God is with us,” he affirmed.

Reacting to the recent tragic stampede incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra, which resulted in multiple deaths, Sarkindaji expressed sadness and described the occurrences as “unfortunate but avoidable.” He called for better planning and coordination during humanitarian outreach programs to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Speaker extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed against a recurrence of such disasters.

Sarkindaji also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to use the festive season to show kindness and generosity to those in need, noting that acts of compassion go beyond financial giving. “Kindness transcends financial status. A smile or a word of encouragement can make a difference,” he said.

He urged citizens to reach out to neighbors, family members, and the less privileged during the season, whether in places of worship, markets, offices, or communities, as part of efforts to promote unity and love.

“Let this season of joy remind us of our shared humanity and the need for selflessness,” Sarkindaji concluded.

By Our Correspondent in Minna

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State and former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has commended Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago for signing into law the Niger State electricity bill, describing it as a landmark decision.

The bill, officially named “The Niger State Power Sector Law 2024”, was signed into law last week at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Minna.
It establishes the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Niger State Electricity Company, and the Niger State Electricity Agency, with operations set to commence on December 19, 2024.

The law aims to regulate electricity generation, transmission, trading, and distribution within the state, including rural electrification and improving underserved areas.

Speaking to journalists in Minna, Vatsa praised the governor and the state assembly for their swift action in passing and approving the bill. He urged the state government to expedite its implementation, emphasizing the need for the state to withdraw from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Vatsa described AEDC’s operations as exploitative and inefficient, accusing it of extorting citizens through estimated billing systems. He recounted personal experiences and frustrations with AEDC services, labeling the company a “criminal agency.”

He further argued that privatization of the power sector in Nigeria had failed, calling it one of the most “criminally-minded policies” implemented since independence. Despite billions of naira allocated to the sector, Nigerians continue to suffer from erratic power supply and poor services.

“It is disheartening that, under the government’s watch, distribution companies openly extort helpless Nigerians through dubious estimated billing systems without repercussions,” he stated.

Vatsa criticized AEDC for prioritizing profit over service delivery, noting that the company deliberately hiked prepaid meter prices to keep citizens dependent on estimated billing.

“Nigerians are forced to pay for transformers, poles, service wires, and meters, yet the government claims the power sector is privatized. Citizens pay for services not rendered, and the government sees nothing wrong,” Vatsa lamented.

The APC stalwart, who also serves as the Special Adviser to the governor on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, said the new electricity law offers hope for economic growth, job creation, and improved productivity.

He added that Niger State, which contributes about 70% of Nigeria’s electricity supply, deserves better and can now generate its own power to meet local demands.

“With the establishment of the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Agency, this criminality by AEDC must stop. Poor citizens who are charged between N25,000 and N30,000 monthly under estimated billing systems can finally be free,” Vatsa said.

He urged stakeholders to support the implementation of the law to liberate the state from the constraints of AEDC and reposition it for economic progress.