Navigating through the X platform, I stumbled upon a video clip featuring Governor Umar Bago of Niger State confidently declaring, “We have no reason to be poor.” Intrigued by his statement, I was propelled to delve deeper into the rationale behind his words. To my surprise, this quest led me to discover the remarkable story of the “farmer governor” within the folds of his diary.
In a nation where agriculture serves as the backbone of the economy and food inflation rises to 40 percent, the importance of visionary leadership in the agricultural sector cannot be overstated. In his one year in office, Governor Bago has emerged as a shining example of a leader who not only understands the significance of agriculture but also takes bold steps to revolutionize the sector for the greater good of the state and the nation at large. I also realized that Bago’s unwavering dedication to transforming the state into a food basket for Nigeria is not just a lofty ambition but a well-thought-out strategy backed by concrete actions.
In his wisdom, Bago prepared 250,000 hectares of land spread across the 25 LGAs for cultivation and sourced 1000 tractors from the famous John Deere Ltd. in an effort to mechanized food production in Niger State. To the delight of Nigerlites, 500 of this tractors were already delivered to the state and the other half are expected to be dispatched anytime soon. Youths including women are being trained in the operation of tractors, harvesters, tillers, warehousing, packaging, and other farming techniques and are being deployed to various local government areas of the state to partake in the agricultural mechanization agenda of the farmer governor.
Through the Niger State Agricultural Mechanization Revolution for Food Security emergency initiative, Niger State is currently experiencing a transformative agricultural revolution that is delivering tangible advantages to farmers, consumers, and the broader economy. Noteworthy among these initiatives is the establishment of the special Agro-processing Free Zone, spanning 3000 hectares of land. Within this zone, 1000 hectares are designated for greenhouse cultivation, another 1000 hectares for dairy and meat processing facilities, and the remaining 1000 hectares allocated for general agro-processing activities. The world is already envious of Niger State, I suppose.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Governor Bago’s approach to agriculture is his hands-on involvement in farming activities through the Niger-Food initiative. As a farmer governor, he leads by example, working side by side with farmers, sharing their challenges, and celebrating their successes. This personal connection to the agricultural sector has earned him the trust and respect of the farming community, making it easier to implement policies that truly benefit those on the front lines of food production. I’m particularly thrilled by the tripartite agreement on food production between Niger Foods, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Niger State Chapter which systematically lured teachers into agriculture and food security.
Governor Bago’s vision goes beyond just increasing food production; it encompasses a comprehensive strategy to transform the agricultural sector into a modern, efficient, and sustainable industry that can meet the challenges of the 21st century. By strategically investing in infrastructure and enhancing market accessibility through a comprehensive roadmap of road construction and reconstruction projects including the Kontagora-Rijau, Minna-Bida dual carriage way, Bida-Zungeru Federal Road Project, Lemu Township Road, Minna-Kontagora, Bida-Zungeru, Lapai-Mokwa, and Minna-Suleja road initiatives, significant opportunities will emerge for farmers in Niger state. Upon completion, these vital infrastructure developments will facilitate seamless transportation of agricultural produce from Niger to various destinations across Nigeria. Additionally, as one of the largest cattle-rearing parts in Nigeria, Niger State will see improved livestock transportation.
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Governor Bago is laying the foundation for a thriving agricultural sector that can drive economic growth, create jobs, and ensure food security for generations to come. The transformation agenda helped the state to achieve an internally-generated revenue (IGR) of N3.5 billion in May 2024 which signifies a 45 percent increase from the state’s previous revenue. Notwithstanding, Bago promised to hit one trillion naira internally generated revenue for Niger State in the next five years. Doubt him at your own risk!
Governor Bago’s commitment to making Niger State a powerhouse in agricultural production and feeding the nation as a whole has not gone unnoticed though. It fetched him the prestigious Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service and Leadership Governor of the year 2023 award. It has also secured him a seat in the Presidential Food System Coordinating Unit which was created to address the soaring prices of commodities and food crisis in the Country. To prove his nomination into this presidential unit as a square peg into a square hole, Governor Bago gave out 50,000MT of foods to be sold at 50% discount in designated areas across the 25 LGAs of Niger State which are from Niger-Food dry season farming that’s initially meant for export.
As we commend Governor Bago for his bold decision to feed Nigeria, we are reminded of the power of visionary leadership in shaping the future of our nation. His story is not just a story of a farmer governor but a story of a leader who dares to dream big, who takes risks, and who works tirelessly to turn those dreams into reality. Governor Bago’s legacy in the agricultural sector will undoubtedly be remembered as a turning point in the history of Niger State and a shining example for leaders across the nation to follow.
Adamu Bello Mai-Bodi,Writes from Azare, Bauchi State. adamubellomaibodi@gmail.com
Credit:ArewaAgeda
