From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kinsmen of the Niger State governor, Umar Mohammed Bago under the auspices of Eyelo Nupe Association (ENA) Kaduna State chapter have called on the governor to ensure good governance in the State as it is characteristic of him since he had been in public services.
Bago was a member, House of Representative, representing Chanchaga constituency in the 9th National Assembly, from where he contested the 2023 governorship election of Niger State, and won under the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Members of the 40-year Association said they believed that their brother will not let down the people of Niger State because, “he has long been recognised as a dedicated and passionate advocate for a better Niger State and his tireless efforts to address aspiration of an average Nigerlite”.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Association, Salihu Ibrahim and Muhammad Katun Shehu respectively, said they were proud of the governor for hitting the ground running and identifying areas that needed urgent attention.
They urged the governor to order the return of all contractors with the State government that may have abandoned the works to go back to sites for the development of the State.
“We believe that as the governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed Bago will enhance security, infrastructural and socio-economic development of the State.
“We are calling on him to collaborate with traditional rulers in Niger State to secure the state, as well explore the agricultural potentials in the state for the benefit of the people.
“We want the State government to collaborate with the Traditional Institutions very importantly to curb insecurity. And as well improve the lives of poor people at the grassroots.
“There should be empowerment of the youths through skills training acquisition in order to rebrand the State so that we can be part of the newest economy in Nigeria.
“The governor should take advantage of Niger as the largest State in Nigeria in terms of Land mass, to encourage farmers to go back to the farms by improving security situation in the State.
“It is on record that Niger State has 76,000 square kilometers of arable land, four hydro power stations, and yet we do not have Irrigation Dams in the State; so the people only wait for raining season. In this case the governor should ensure that the farmers become Agricultural giants in this country.
“There is also the need for the State government to connect with its sons and daughters in diaspora for occasional advice that could help to improve developmental status of the State, and by so doing everybody is being carried along in governance of the State.
“However, we wish to seize this opportunity to congratulate you, your Excellency over your success at the polls and your eventual inauguration as the Executive governor of Niger State”. The State said.