The Niger State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, has thrown her weight behind the planned visit and award presentation to the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Osun State APC governorship candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, by the Coalition of Maritime Journalists.
Kuta described the planned honour as well-deserved and patriotic, noting that Oyebamiji’s contributions to the development of inland waterways, as well as his consistent support for the media, merit recognition from stakeholders in the maritime sector.
The commissioner, who previously served as Niger State Commissioner for Transportation, recalled her professional engagement with members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists led by veteran journalist, Mr. Frank Meke, describing the experience as richly rewarding and impactful.
According to her, the visiting maritime journalists demonstrated a high level of professionalism, intellectual depth and robust engagement, adding that their presentations and subsequent reports following the visit were brilliant, balanced and far-reaching.
“These reports did not only reflect a proper understanding of the transportation and maritime landscape, they also contributed positively to governance and policy direction in Niger State,” Kuta said.
She further disclosed that during the fact-finding visit of the maritime press to Niger State, the Coalition held strategic meetings with the Deputy Governor and five other commissioners, following a directive from Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.
Kuta noted that the governor was particularly excited by the depth and seriousness of the engagement, describing the visit as timely and insightful. She added that the successful interaction was largely influenced by the groundwork and reforms initiated during her tenure as Commissioner for Transportation.
Speaking on her current assignment, the commissioner said she has hit the ground running at the Ministry of Women Affairs, mobilising women across the state and embarking on visits to hospitals and health facilities to assess conditions firsthand.
She explained that part of the ministry’s early interventions includes ensuring that sick women receive timely medical attention, while also taking inventory of the needs of health workers and caregivers, with concrete plans underway to support and strengthen their capacity to deliver quality care.
Kuta reaffirmed her commitment to people-oriented governance and inclusive development, stressing that strategic collaboration with professionals, including the media, remains key to achieving sustainable progress in Niger State.
