By Aluta News
May 29, 2023
The newly inaugurated governor of Niger, Alhaji Umar Bago, has pledged to collaborate with security agencies to tackle security challengs bedeviling the state in order to ensure its rapid development.
Bago made the promise on Monday in Minna after taking his oath of office and allegiance with his deputy, Alhaji Yakubu Garba.
In the preference of his administration’s priorities, he listed security as the topmost concern to deal with.
“Let me at this juncture reiterate to Nigerlites the pillars of our campaign promises and our policy initiatives, which will be the fulcrum of the development agenda of our administration.
“In other words, we shall pay serious attention to the following strategic areas.
“The most compelling task ahead of us is to tackle insecurity with the intensity and urgency it deserves,” he stated.
“Security is a serious matter as enshrined in our Constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), that the primary purpose of government is security and welfare of citizens.
“Therefore, we shall boldly defend that constitutional tenet and ensure that security will be given premium in our administration.
“Therefore, we shall collaborate effectively with security agencies at the national and sub-national levels to combat crime and ensure safety of lives and property throughout our state and beyond,” the governor said.
Bago said that the state agricultural policies and interventions would be geared toward improving the value chain in agricultural productivity; crops, live-stock and fishery for wealth creation and employment.
“This is because we are an agrarian state, sitting on 76,363km2 of land and large water bodies of water for irrigation,” he said.
The governor said that the state shall vigorously and responsibly pursue all counterpart engagement opportunities with various development partners to boost its socio-economic activities.
“Fellow Nigerlites, we believe that if we improve on our ease of doing business and provide favourable incentives to existing businesses to attract new investors, Niger state has all it takes to become the business destination of choice,” he said.
Bago avered that the state has a well articulated master plan to harness its tourism potentials.
“We have identified some local government areas, districts, towns and villages that will be designated as tourism centres.
“We will make Niger state the country’s tourism destination with ongoing efforts and investments in Gurara Water Falls, Shagunu Beach Resort, among others,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state is grappling with the challengs of insurgency, banditry and youth restiveness, among others.
NAN also reports that Bago was born in Minna on Feb. 22, 1974, to parents of Nupe extraction.
His early education began at Marafa Primary School, Minna, where he obtained his first school leaving certificate.
In 1985, he proceeded to Federal Government College, Jos, where he obtained the West Africa School Certificate with distinction.
Bago had earned a degree in Political Science at Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.
He was also a member of the House of Representatives, representing Chanchaga/Bosso Federal Constituency before his election as the state governor.
NAN