from John Adams, Minna
As part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day, the Niger State governor, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago has freed 80 prison inmates from various correctional centres across the state the following the payment of their fines.
The governor’s gesture was based on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the prerogative of mercy with due consideration to old age, ill health and good behaviour.
This was contained in a statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman in Minna on Monday.
According to the statement, the payment of a fine for the discharge of the inmates by the Governor was in line with the power of the Prerogative of Mercy as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
”The payment of fines was considered based on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the prerogative of mercy with due consideration to old age, ill health and good behaviour”.
He appealed to the inmates to make use of their freedom by engaging in useful ventures and shun any act that could lead them back to a correctional facility.
The governor equally implored the inmates to be law-abiding citizens and engage in legitimate activities by taking advantage of various empowerment windows to earn a living for themselves.
In a similar development, as the nation celebrates this year’s Democracy Day, the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman has called on the people of the State to use the period to reflect on their roles in peacebuilding and support for good governance.
The SSG who made the call in a message to mark the 2023 Democracy Day, enjoined the people of the State to support the programmes and policies of the present administration designed to bring rapid development to the state.
He reassured the people of the State that Government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that democratic dividends are felt in all the nooks and crannies of the State, stressing that Nigerlites must not allow despondency to replace hope.
Alhaji Usman implored the people of the State to renew their commitment to strengthening democratic institutions by imbibing values that will promote democracy such as tolerance, patriotism and discipline.
The SSG explained that Government noted with concern the security challenges in the State but assured the citizens that all forms of criminality will soon be nipped in the bud.
