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Tag: Bago

  • NYSC remains beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future – Bago

    NYSC remains beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future – Bago

    Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a beacon of hope for the future Nigeria, emphasising its enduring role in fostering national unity and development amid the country’s challenges.

    Speaking at the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko on Friday, the Governor urged the new corps members to embrace their service year as a platform for nation-building.

    He highlighted the scheme’s success in mobilising Nigerian graduates and instilling values such as commitment, patriotism, teamwork, integrity, and tolerance.

    “The NYSC remains one of the strongest tools for maintaining national unity and development. Commendably, it has not failed in any of its set objectives over the years,” Bago stated in his address.

    He noted that corps members have made significant contributions to sectors like health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, positioning the programme as a vital instrument for progress.

    The Governor, who declared the orientation course open, encouraged the corps members to view themselves as agents of change equipped to elevate the nation, advising them to participate fully in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire practical skills beyond their academic qualifications.

    “Your degree is hardly enough these days; therefore, it is vital to have a skill to boost your profile,” he added.

    Bago also assured the corps members of the state government’s commitment to their welfare, including plans to deploy manpower and machinery to improve the orientation camp’s facilities, calling on security agencies to ensure their safety, and commending the NYSC management for their dedication.

    In her address, the NYSC Niger State Coordinator, Mrs. Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, echoed the governor’s sentiments, congratulating the prospective corps members on their mobilisation and praising their patriotic spirit.

    She described the three-week orientation as a formal introduction to the scheme’s objectives, designed to prepare them for service through paramilitary drills, lectures, SAED training, and citizenship and leadership sessions.

    “One of the key objectives of the NYSC is to promote integration and unity,” Shuaibu-Ibrahim said, noting that the deployment of corps members from diverse backgrounds to Niger State and the FCT, with some dislodged to Niger, offers a chance to foster friendship, peace, and harmony.

    She urged them to take the Oath of Allegiance seriously as a solemn commitment and to familiarise themselves with the NYSC Act and By-laws.

    The coordinator reminded the Corps members of the need for discipline, selflessness, and compliance with camp rules, emphasising the programme’s response to contemporary challenges, such as unemployment, through skill-building initiatives that promote self-reliance and wealth creation.

  • Bago vows to flush terrorists from Kainji forest

    Bago vows to flush terrorists from Kainji forest

    • …asks communities to relocate in two months

    Niger state Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has vowed to take over the Kanji Lake forest and burn it down to smoke out the terrorists who have taken habitation in it.

    He also gave people living in hamlets around the Kainji Lake two months to resettle so that they would not be affected when the government went after the terrorists.

    The governor stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Borgu, Alh. Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, at his palace in New Bussa, to sympathise with him and the entire people of the Emirate over the recent terrorist attacks.

    “We will take over the forest, burn it down, we will smoke them out and take over it until it becomes very habitable”, he vowed.

    Bago said the resettlement of the people has become necessary to avoid collateral damage, as his administration, in collaboration with the federal government, is determined to clear the forest, flush out criminals who are using Kainji Lake as their camp, and make the land very habitable for people.

    He decried the influx of people into the Emirates without being profiled, noting that it has become a security concern even as the activities of informants have affected security efforts in the Emirate.

    The governor tasked the Emirate Council to rise up to its responsibility and join forces with the security agencies and government at all levels to combat any form of insecurity in the Emirate.

    He extended his condolences to the Emir and the people of the Emirate, especially the families of the victims, over the attack and prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed and comfort to their loved ones.

    The Emir of Borgu, Alh. Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV pledged to work closely with relevant authorities to identify and prosecute informants in the Emirate, pointing out that the security of lives and property is paramount; hence, no stone will be left unturned in securing them.

    He appreciated the farmer governor for the visit and reassured him of the Emirate’s continuous support for his policies and programmes geared towards improving the lives of the people.

  • Bago presents N1.31tr budget for 2026

    Bago presents N1.31tr budget for 2026

    Niger state Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has presented an estimate of N1.031 trillion as the budget proposal for 2026, describing the budget as the ‘Budget of Consolidation’.

    Making the presentation at the Niger State House of Assembly on Friday evening, Bago said that the budget will sustain the foundation for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future of the state.

    “As we navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving global economy, our commitment to ensuring economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability remains steadfast. This budget reflects our shared vision and trust to people facing us. It is a plan that seeks to build on the past gains while addressing the present needs of our dear state.”

    According to the Governor, the 2026 budget is N1,031,941,335,895.00 with a recurrent expenditure of N270,296,631,403.00, representing 26.19 per cent, and capital expenditure of N761,644,704,492.00, representing 73.81 per cent.

    Read Also: Why I advocate for single-term governance system, by Gov. Bago

    He stated that the 2026 project is anchored on fiscal discipline, strategic investment, and targeted interventions aimed at expanding economic opportunities for our citizens, adding that the focus will be mostly on wealth and job creation, agricultural infrastructure, and rural infrastructure consolidation.

    “The budget is geared towards completing ongoing infrastructural development projects across the state. The 2026 project reflects the cost our citizens have placed on us, views on our past achievements, while addressing today’s pressing needs, as well as the inflationary pressures of fluctuating revenues. Our administration has continued to manage resources prudently, pursue broad-oriented projects and policies, and deliver tangible results over the last two years,” he said.

    The governor pledged that all road projects across the state would be concluded before the end of 2026, while the administration will continue to strengthen the existing security architecture across the state and partner with the federal government and federal institutions to collaborate and bring new forms of security infrastructure.

    The Speaker of the Niger state House of Assembly, Honorable Abdulmalik SarkinDaji, said that the Assembly will give the budget accelerated attention, assuring that the budget screening will be done within a week. 

  • JUST IN: Gov Bago receives 100 freed Niger schoolchildren

    JUST IN: Gov Bago receives 100 freed Niger schoolchildren

    The Niger State Government has received 100 schoolchildren who were abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.

    Governor Mohammed Bago received the pupils on Monday at the Government House in Minna, the state capital, a day after authorities secured their release.

    “Welcome,” Bago said as he shook hands with some of the children and led them into a hall where the emir and local officials were seated to receive them.

    The children were among the victims abducted when gunmen invaded the remote Papiri community on November 21.

    The attackers reportedly stormed the school around 2 am on motorbikes and operated for nearly three hours.

    A total of 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, were abducted during the invasion.

    Details shortly…

  • Bago assures safe rescue of abducted students, teacher in Niger

    Bago assures safe rescue of abducted students, teacher in Niger

    …calls on political appointees to support the ‘New Niger’ agenda

    Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, on Wednesday described the incident at St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area as an “unfortunate abduction,” assuring residents of his administration’s commitment to rescuing the missing children and teachers.

    His remarks came 12 days after armed bandits raided the boarding school on November 21, leading to the disappearance of more than 200 pupils, students, and staff.

    Speaking at an executive retreat for commissioners-designate, chairman-elect, deputies, special advisers, and permanent secretaries in Minna, Bago condemned the attack and expressed sympathy for the affected families.

    “The unfortunate abduction of school children and teachers at St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government is highly condemnable and has left our state deeply worried.

    “As the chief security officer of the state and a parent myself, I feel the pain of every mother and father anxiously waiting for their children to return home,” he said.

    He added that his administration remained committed to the safety of the children and to ensuring the security of lives and property across the state.

    Bago’s comments mark a departure from his earlier stance. Following the incident, he had denied that an abduction occurred, insisting that bandits merely fired sporadic shots to scare students, who then fled into the nearby bush.

    He also suggested that the number of missing individuals was lower than the figures provided by other sources, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    CAN, however, countered the governor’s claims, stating that at least 253 children and 12 staff members remained in captivity and denying receiving any prior warnings from the government about possible attacks.

    Parents have also criticised Bago’s initial position, arguing that his description of the incident as involving “missing persons” downplayed their ordeal. Bulus Duchi, whose three children are still unaccounted for, lamented that no government officials had visited Papiri or Agwara to commiserate with affected families or provide updates.

    “We heard the Governor went to New Bussa to see the Emir. Is New Bussa Papiri or Agwara? He did not even sympathise with us enough to identify with us in our period of pain,” Duchi had said to The Nation Reporter who visited the affected parents at Papiri.

    The governor’s Wednesday address did not reference his prior comments or address the parents’ grievances directly, focusing instead on broader governance themes during the retreat, including leadership capacity, strategic planning, and the state’s agro-industrial development goals.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, said that the Executive Council is one of the strongest pillars of governance on which the state relies for its ability to deliver on policy formulations, implementation, and monitoring.

    “Therefore, the Commissioners and other members of the Council need to be given the requisite training and exposure for them to function optimally in executing Council decisions in their various Ministries. This Executive Retreat is not just another event on the government calendar. It is a moment of reflection, planning, and strategic alignment with renewed vigour for our shared commitment towards achieving the New Niger vision.”

    He stated that the retreat will focus on strengthening leadership capacity, strategic planning, fiscal discipline, people-centred service delivery, and performance evaluation, as every decision made by the government must reflect prudence, inclusivity, equity, and a strong drive for impact.

    “Let me emphasise this clearly: positions are responsibilities, therefore accountability is key. Public office is a trust, and our performance will be measured by visible progress in citizens’ daily lives, fostering a sense of responsibility and motivation. We must work assiduously as one family, united by a common goal, to build a prosperous New Niger.

    Read Also: 11 former commissioners return as Bago releases names of new commissioner-nominees

    “As public officials, we must lead by example, in discipline, transparency, and obedience to the Rule of Law. Let our actions reflect humility, empathy, and respect for the people we serve.”

    The Governor then appealed to the Commissioners-designates and Chairmen-elects to work hard to be successful in all they do, “You will carry the cross of your success, or your failure, in your portfolio. But I am concerned, your failure is our concern because it is going to affect the governance.”

    He cautioned the Permanent Secretaries against working in silos, stressing the need for them to know who is in the driver of the ministry and the need for them to cooperate with the Commissioners.

    “Again, I want to add, no matter how sound a vehicle is, without a good driver, it can only remain a body. This is my observation. Permanent secretaries should not be carried away. No matter how sound you are, Commissioners remain the drivers. We appreciate you for making administration seamless, for good time management, and for quick administration and jobs. However, commissioners have been appointed; they are the drivers. Please work in sync so that we can make administration seamless.”

    The eight-day retreat is expected to have 30 facilitators who would take the participants through different aspects of governance.

  • I’ll not negotiate with bandits, says Bago

    I’ll not negotiate with bandits, says Bago

    Gov. Mohammed Bago, of Niger has declared that he will neither negotiate with bandits nor pay ransom for kidnapped victims in the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, in Minna.

    The governor made this known during a condolence visit to the people of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, whose communities were recently attacked by bandits in Kontagora.

    Bago said the state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves, warning that ransom payments would only turn kidnapping into a thriving business.

    “I will not negotiate or pay ransom to bandits. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,”he said.

    He described the situation as a state of war that requires collective resistance, noting that it was a constitutional duty for the lives and property of the people to be protected.

    Bago added that he would prioritise that as the constitution does not state how far he should go in protecting the people.

    “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. The constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back.”

    He described as embarrassing and unacceptable that communities could be invaded and their residents turned into internally displaced persons.

    He reeled out plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore security, with recruitment beginning immediately.

    Bago also declared a total ban on mining activities across the entire Zone C of the state, which covered eight Local Government Areas, comprising Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara.

    He noted that illegal mining had become one of the major drivers of insecurity in the area, with miners often accessing forest zones unharmed while residents suffered repeated attacks.

    “It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them.

    “I hereby, ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities,”he added.

    The governor assured victims of recent attacks of his administration’s support.

    Bago promised to compensate the families of those who lost their lives, medical treatment for the injured as well as assistance for those who lost their sources of livelihood.

    (NAN)

  • I will not negotiate with bandits, says Bago

    I will not negotiate with bandits, says Bago

    Negotiation with bandits will only emboldened the criminals and worsen in the state, Niger State Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, stated this as he declared that he will never negotiate with bandits or pay ransom for kidnapped victims.

    The governor called on the people in affected communities where bandits frequent to stand up and defend themselves in order to stop the activities of the bandits.

    Speaking during a condolence visit to the people of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, whose communities were recently attacked by bandits in Kontagora, the governor stated that the situation of insecurity need collective action and resistance.

    “I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,” he said.

    Read Also: Bago: turn forests hiding criminals, kidnappers into huge farms

    He added that it is a constitutional duty for the lives and property of the people to be protected by the government, stressing that he is ready to go all out to protect the lives of the people especially as the constitution does not state how far he should go in protecting the people.

    “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. The constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back.”

    Bago described it as embarrassing and unacceptable that communities could be invaded and their residents turned into internally displaced persons as he announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore security, with recruitment beginning immediately.

    Bago also declared a total ban on mining across the entire Zone C of the state, which covers eight local government areas including Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara.

    He said illegal mining had become one of the major drivers of insecurity in the area, with miners often accessing forest zones unharmed while residents suffered repeated attacks ordering the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities.

    “It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them,” he said,

    The governor assured victims of recent attacks that his administration would support them as he promised compensation for families of those killed, medical treatment for the injured, and assistance for those who lost their sources of livelihood.

  • I will not negotiate with bandits, Bago declares

    I will not negotiate with bandits, Bago declares

    Niger Governor Umaru Bago has declared he will never negotiate with bandits or pay ransom for kidnapped victims.

    The Governor called on the people in affected communities where bandits frequent to stand up and defend themselves.

    Speaking during a condolence visit to the people of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas whose communities were recently attacked by bandits in Kontagora, the Governor stated tackling insecurity needs collective action and resistance.

    “I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,” he said.

    He added: “We are surrounded by enemies but we will not give up. The Constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back.”

    Bago described it as embarrassing and unacceptable that communities could be invaded and residents turned into Internally Displaced Persons. He announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore security, with recruitment beginning immediately.

    Bago also declared total ban on mining across the entire Zone C of the State, which covers eight local government areas, including Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu and Agwara. 

  • Bago: turn forests hiding criminals, kidnappers into huge farms

    Bago: turn forests hiding criminals, kidnappers into huge farms

    Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has canvassed the need to turn vast bushes and forests hiding criminals and kidnappers into huge farms to transit the country from just mere food security to sustainable food sovereignty.

    Bago, who gave the advice yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos as a keynote speaker at an event marking the 2025 World Food Day.

    He said there must be an investment in land clearing, land preparation and agricultural products value-addition.

    The governor said: “When you travel out of this country, you are in a train, you look left, you see cleared land. When you look right, you see cleared land. This is not a fluke. It was deliberately done.

    “You talk about insecurity, bandits in the bush. Why should we have bush? You are hungry, you are talking about bush.

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    “Let’s cut down the bush, make them farms, and our people will have prosperity. Let’s see where the criminals will hide. But you will keep bush, and bush will continue to become bush.”

    Bago asserted that he once told the Chief of Defence Staff to come to his state for 100,000 hectares to do Armed Forces Farm.

    He said: “I also told the police, come and take another 100,000 hectares of land, where there is insecurity. Bring your armoured tanks and make it a farm, so that all your soldiers will be eating from your farm.

    “We cannot continue to have bushes and jungles, and the Boko Haram, and the criminals are hiding there. From Lagos to Ibadan, the amount of bush that is there is scary. Let’s clear it.

    “If we want to grow forests, let’s agree that we are going to define the forest and also plant in a way that will not be a place to harbour criminals. So, investment in land clearing and land preparation is very important.”

    The governor underscored the need to bridge the gap in Nigeria where the population growth is geometrical (exponential) and food production is arithmetical.

    He advised the NIIA to send his suggestion as a policy document to the Federal Government “that investment in mechanised farming and value-chain is sacrosanct and very important”.

    According to him, the government must invest in food and seed production, crop value addition and processing centres, claiming that his administration is already leading the way with its mechanized farming and value-addition.

    “When you go to our ports, you will see raw materials being exported out of this country. The more we stop it, we will grow our local industries and we will process those things that we can export and we will make more money. If you go to Denmark, they don’t have cocoa.

    “They have the largest storage of cocoa in the world and they determine the price of cocoa. That’s what we should do,” he submitted.

    The governor lamented that people are planting cocoa in places in Nigeria and they are poor, adding: “Somebody has a storage somewhere in Europe and determines the price of our goods because we have refused to add value. But we love chocolates. We love Milo. We love Ovaltine.

    “My state, Niger State and Benue State will produce 50% of the total fruits that are tropical in Nigeria because of where we are by the River Niger and River Benue.”

  • Southeast twice bigger than Niger’s largest LGA, Onoh replies Bago

    Southeast twice bigger than Niger’s largest LGA, Onoh replies Bago

    President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the south east, Denge Josef Onoh, has told Niger Governor Umaru Bago he was wrong to have equated the entire South East landmass to one local government area in his State.

    Bago’s had in a recent television interview claimed that Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State is larger than the entire South East region.

    But Onoh said that such a statement misrepresents geographical facts and exaggerates the scale of Borgu LGA relative to the five states in the South East.

    He provided breakdown of the evidence, including verified land area figures to substantiate his position.

    Onoh stated that there is no doubt that Borgu LGA of Niger State with a total of 11, 267 km² is the largest LGA in Nigeria but remains a fraction of larger south east regional totals.

    He reminded Bago that the South East Nigeria has a combined landmass of approximately 29,484 km², with Abia State – 6,320 km²; Anambra State – 4,844 km²; Ebonyi State – 5,530 km²; Enugu State: 7,161 km² and Imo State with 5,530 km²

    “So Borgu LGA is only about 38 percent the size of the South East region (11,267 km² vs. 29,484 km²). The South East is roughly 2.6 times larger than Borgu LGA.”

    Read Also: Sujimoto: Onoh warns Ohanaeze youths against ethnic tension

    Onoh also countered the Governor’s claims that Niger State constitutes 11 percent of Nigeria’s total land area, noting that such claim was inaccurate as well.

    He pointed out that Nigeria’s total land area is 923,769 km², and Niger state spans 76,363 km², which is approximately 8.3 percent of the national total and not 11 percent.

    “While Niger state is indeed Nigeria’s largest by landmass, the exaggeration in Bago’s figures undermines the broader point about security challenges tied to vast, ungoverned spaces.

    ” I believe that Bago’s remarks were made in the context of explaining long-standing security issues in Niger State, attributing them to its expansive forests and reserves such as the Borgu Game Reserve that serve as criminal hideouts.

    “While the challenges of policing large forested areas are valid, Niger state does face banditry and kidnappings in the inflated comparison to the Southeast risks inflaming regional tensions without basis in fact. Hence, it’s important I set the records straight.

    “The South East, despite its smaller size, grapples with its own security challenges such as communal clashes and insurgency. But it is far more densely populated (over 20 million people across 95 LGAs) and urbanized, making the direct size-based analogies misleading,” Onoh countered.