Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has described the former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, as a living legend as he turns 82.
In a birthday message signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mal. Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Umaru Bago said the former military president was a true patriot and nationalist who has made a tremendous impact in shaping the nation's history and sacrificed for the survival and unity of Nigeria.
He observed that the doggedness and resolve of the octogenarian in nation-building were crucial to the stability and unity as well as the development of the country.
According to the governor, the policies and programmes of the elder statesman during his regime as the military president of the country between 1985 and 1993 are still standing strong long after his active service to the nation.
The governor emphasised that Gen. Babangida, as a strategist and courageous leader with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in governance, diplomacy, and public service, has remained a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
"Congratulations to a living legend. Your decades of sacrifices and selfless acts of bravery and courage have made you a reference point for development in Nigeria.
"No doubt your exemplary leadership qualities are worthy of emulation because they have contributed to nation-building.
"May Allah grant you good health and strength to continue to provide the wise counsel and advice desired for the growth and development of the state in particular and the nation at large", he said.
About six construction firms have submitted their financial bids for the completion of the Three Arms Zone to the Niger State Government.
Speaking during the closing of financial bids, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal, TPL. Habiba Ahmed, said submission of financial bids was the last process towards award of contact for the completion of the Three Arms Zone project.
She explained that "this is a process that began about two weeks ago, and we have come to the stage where the financial bids have been opened because initially, there was a pre-qualification bid; hopefully, after analysis, the committee will determine who has the best deal that the state can work with.
"A committee would be set up by the ministry in conjunction with the Procurement Board to assess the submissions and work out the best firm to carry out this assignment for the state government, based on their submissions, within the shortest time possible because we want to hit the ground running", she added.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Public Procurement Board, Alhaji Shehu Jibrin, said the opening of the financial bids was the last stage where, after evaluation, the winning contractor would emerge, adding that the ministry would evaluate both the technical and financial aspects.
"What I said is that the lowest responsible bid does not only include the price but also the technical because they have to do the needful to evaluate the technical; if it's in line with requirements, then they should look at the price; if it's the lowest, considering the technical, then it should be recommended for the award", he said.
The General Manager, Niger State Housing Corporation, ESV Ahmed Abdullahi, said the role of the corporation was to ensure that the project was implemented in accordance with the specifications on the bill of quantities as bid by the prospective contractors.
It would be recalled that prior to the closing of pre-qualification bids a few weeks ago, for the completion of housing units, about 13 firms submitted their bids,out of which six were selected to submit their financial bids.
