Governor Bago’s Frequent Travels: A Strategic Move for Niger State’s Prosperity.
As governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state is grappling to ensure stability in the state economy indepted to the sum of over 90 Billion Naira by the immediate past governor Abubakar Sani Bello, contacts have been intensified globally for collaborations knowing fully well that nothing can be achieved without embarking on journey across the globe.
Even though some that does not have any knowledge of governance viewed his trip outside the state as irrelevant instead of commending the Governor for taking a proactive steps towards attracting partnerships and the much-needed funding to the state they resort to momoring
It is no longer news that the state is struggling financially and couple with low internally generated revenue in the state a responsible government need to take stringent measures to actualise his blueprint through funding and collaborations as the bedrock of the governance, hitherto the need to travel to actualise his heart desires in bringing out the state from the present quagmire.
While some may criticize his travels as excessive, it’s important to recognize that these journeys are not mere leisure trips but strategic endeavors aimed at securing the economic and developmental future of Niger State.
Governor Bago’s decision to frequently engage with national and international stakeholders is indicative of his commitment to uplifting the living standards of Niger State’s citizens so these trips serve as an avenue for him to establish strong relationships with potential investors, development agencies, and foreign governments who could contribute significantly to the state’s growth and development.
During some of these trips, he has met with different intending investors, partners and officials in different sectors of the economy which includes the visit to service Chiefs to discuss improved security in the state as security of lives and property is topmost on the government’s agenda.
In other to keep the state safe from the years of Bandits terrorising some parts of the state, in one of his trips he visited the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to discuss the security situation of the state and advocate for support to confront the security challenges confronting the state.
One of the visits took him to the China Civil Engineering Construction Company Nigeria Limited (CCECC) to inspect construction facilities to ensure capacity and operational preparedness towards the urban renewal and development plans he has for Minna and other major cities.
It is also pertinent to note that there was a meeting with the Director General Nigeria Country office, African Development Bank, Lamin Barrow to establish partnership for irrigation schemes, and renewable energy in Niger.
Bago during one of his trips met with the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mamman Ahmadu to discuss terms of providing a road map and training procurement officers in the state to understand the transparent and efficient procurement practices to ensure that Nigerlites receive the best value for their money and public funds are spent prudently.
Also on another visit to hold a strategic engagement with the French Ambassador to Nigeria Ms. Emmanuelle Blatmann, His Excellency discussed how to improve education, infrastructure, agriculture, job creation, culture, and tourism in the state.
At one point, he visited the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Medical Services in Abuja on a facility tour, a facility he intends to replicate in Minna and Suleja, especially in the area of expertise and competence. Bago has also visited the Morrocan Embassy for collaboration in the agriculture sector going by the vast arable land we have in Niger to improve productivity, promote sustainable farming methods, and enhance food security.
By:-
Aisha Wakaso,
Special Adviser on Print Media to the Governor,Niger State.
