The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bago

  • Niger’s Gov. Bago presents N613.2bn for 2024 as agriculture gets top priority

    Niger’s Gov. Bago presents N613.2bn for 2024 as agriculture gets top priority

    Niger state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has presented an appropriation of N613.2 billion for 2024 fiscal year with priority on agriculture and food security, urban renewal and rural transformation and security of lives and properties.

    The governor declared that the 2024 proposed budget is themed ‘The budget of the future’, adding that higher proportion of the budget going to capital expenditure proposal of N464 billion which represents 75.67% of the total budget which will squarely address the critical and priority areas.

    Other priority sectors, according to the governor, include infrastructural development, education, health; water and sanitation, women and children, environmental sustainability, people with special needs and elderly care.

    Presenting the 2024 budget at the Niger state House of Assembly on Tuesday, the Governor said that the 2024 budget will be the full estimate of his administration which is geared towards the enthronement of a new and sustainable Niger that is full of opportunities for all. 

    He said that the budget of N613,274,081,698.17 is made up of N149,217,969,152 representing 24.33 per cent as recurrent expenditure and N464,056,832,546.60 or 75.67 per cent of the total budget size as capital estimate.

    Bago said that the budget will be financed through Recurrent Revenue of N298,052,655,520 made up of statutory allocation  of N155.9 billion, Value Added Tax of N50.6 billion, Internally Generated Revenue of N61.8 billion, Excess Crude and other revenue of N9.5 billion and SURE-P refund of N20 billion. 

    He added that the Budget will also be financed by Capital Receipts of  N315.3 billion which is made up of N256.4 billion and N58.7 billion as loans and grants respectively.

    He stated: “The 2024 budget is a pivotal roadmap toward our shared vision for a prosperous future which is why we have termed it the budget of future. This budget not only addresses the immediate needs of our great state but will also serve as the road-map for a visionary twenty-year journey embodied in Niger State Future Initiative. 

    “Our social contract with Nigerlites in our manifesto is to improve livelihoods, foster a sustainable economy, uphold good governance, and advance both urban and rural development which defines the essence of this transformative initiative. Therefore, let us together embark on a journey that paves the way for the golden era and sustainable future for all.

    “We are at a threshold of evolving a new and sustainable Niger. This calls for cooperation and understanding of all. All hands, therefore, must be on deck to ensure we succeed.”

    The governor stated that a data bank for nomads and pastoralists in the state to address challenges faced by pastoralists with efforts to bring to an end the lingering hostility between herdsmen and farmers adding that in 2024, the government will continue with the construction, rehabilitation, completion and maintenance of roads across the state.

    He said that as part of the government plan to provide portable drinking water to the people, the government will rehabilitate 12 water works, and drill 333 boreholes to increase access to potable water for about 348,000 residents of the state, adding that the government will build 95 Schools including six Mega Model Schools while 325 schools will be renovated.

    Bago also said that 35 primary healthcare centres will be built while 200 primary health care centers will be renovated, equipped, and upgraded across the 25 local government areas while six primary healthcare centres will be upgraded to rural hospitals.

    The governor further said that care for vulnerable and special needs people will also recieve paramount attention in his administration adding that 50,000 vulnerable people will receive cash transfers while 10,000 youths will receive social protection grants.

    The speaker of the Niger stage House of Assembly, Honorable Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji applauded the state Governor for his people oriented budget saying that the budget would go a long way to improve the lives of the people in the state.

    He assured the Governor that the Assembly would ensure speedy delibration and passage of the budget emphasizing that the budget would be passed in the next one week.

  • Bago unveils green economy blueprint at COP28

    Bago unveils green economy blueprint at COP28

    Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State on Friday unveiled a strategic green economy blueprint document for the state to the global community at the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates.

    According to Bago, this was to reposition Niger as the leading state in green economy in Nigeria.

    He said the key mandates of the green economy Initiative, as encapsulated in the blueprint document, are interwoven around five interconnected pillars.

    The pillars, he said, are environmental conservation and management of carbon sink assets, sustainable resource management, renewable energy for development, inclusivity, and private sector-led job creation, especially green ones.

    The governor said to help institutionalize these giant strides, he had a few weeks ago, issued an executive order and approved a green economy policy.

    Read Also; Kaduna Bombing: We’ll push until victims get justice – Sultan

    These efforts, he said, are indications of Niger State’s resolve to safeguard the environment, enhance climate resilience, and foster sustainable resource management.

    Bago said this would diversify its economy, promote clean energy transition, ensure food security, and create green jobs that would empower its communities.

    He said the State is committed to long-term sustainability along the pathway to net zero, planning to plant one billion trees for carbon credits sequestration.

    The trees, he said, would be planted on 760,000 hectares of land in the next four to five years by signing an MoU with the Blue Carbon Organization under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum.

    He said the state also intends to develop large crop farm estates of 10,000 hectares each.

    About 100 of such estates, he said, would be developed across the state, sustainably to manage water resources, produce and process crops, create jobs, and generate wealth for its citizens.

    “Niger State aims to cultivate 250,000 hectares of land annually for sugar, sweet sorghum, cassava, and corn to produce one billion liters annually, thereby helping to reduce significantly greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

  • Gov Bago signs pact with UAE firm to plant one billion trees in Niger

    Gov Bago signs pact with UAE firm to plant one billion trees in Niger

    Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Blue Carbon for a carbon capture project to plant one billion new trees on 760, 000 hectares of land in the state.

    The signing of the carbon capture project was was on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit ongoing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The agreement is also for the reforestation and ecosystems conservation one million hectares of land in the state.

    The UAE had set aside $135 billion for carbon projects.

    Blue Carbon is an United Arab Emirates company commited to climate change initiatives.

    It has also signed carbon capture project agreements with Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Rwanda, Papua New Guinea, Dominican Republic for carbon capture projects.

    Read Also: Five African countries with weakest passports

    This was as the Niger Governor, Bago met with Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook al-Maktoum, one of the members of Dubai’s ruling royal family.

    Bago said the agreement with the United Arab Emirates-based company was to advance sustainable climate change solutions.

    The governor said, “The partnership is dedicated to addressing climate change by planting one billion economic trees and one million hectares in Niger State.

    “This project is not only an environmental endeavor but also an important step towards improving the forestry sector within the region.”

    On what Niger State stands to gain from this agreement, he said, “Planting one billion trees will significantly contribute to carbon sequestration, which involves capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide to combat global warming.

    “The project will boost the forestry sector, creating new job opportunities and promoting economic development in Niger State.

    “This initiative aligns with sustainable development goals, ensuring long-term environmental health and economic prosperity.

    “The increase in forest cover will support biodiversity, providing habitats for various species and maintaining ecological balance.

    “The project is expected to involve local communities, promoting awareness and education about environmental conservation.”

  • Gov Bago signs pact with NASENI to enhance agricultural technology

    Gov Bago signs pact with NASENI to enhance agricultural technology

    Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State finalized an agreement with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to enhance agricultural technology.

    The Memorandum of Understanding signed at the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates.

    The pact is aimed at enhancing mechanized farming equipment, providing renewable energy solutions, food processing technology, and provide technical support.

    Bago also called for the creation of rangers dedicated to managing and protecting the forest reserves and conservation areas in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Opebi-Ojota link bridge will be ready Q3 2024 – Sanwo-Olu

    He made the call when he participated as a panelist in an event organizes by the Nigeria Police at the Nigeria Pavilion on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28.

    He was alongside the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

    At the event, he explored opportunities for green initiatives and partnerships with with the Police and other organizations, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) working in this area.

    Governor Bago also commended the Nigeria Police for their commitment to green initiatives.

    Egbetokun, in his presentation at the session, outlined some of the significant strides made by the Nigeria Police Force in environmental sustainability through the Nigeria Police Green Initiatives (NPGI).

  • Gov Bago signs Executive Order on Green economy initiative

    Gov Bago signs Executive Order on Green economy initiative

    Niger Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has signed an Executive Order on the green economy initiative of the State Government. 

    The order, which was cited as “the Niger State Green Economy Initiative Order (No.3), 2023 provides that the Green Economy Initiative shall be driven in accordance with the State Blueprint detailing the strategic pillars and outlines the strategic key performance indicators, targets and timelines of the transition into a green economy.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Biological Ibrahim told The Nation in Abuja that also enshrined in the Order, is the provision that the Niger State Government shall produce a State-Wide Land Use and Economic Development Plan to guide investment decisions. 

    Such plan, he said, would ensure investments that would stabilise the green transition is properly coordinated and planned.

    Read Also: Bago urges NYSC members to become job creators

    He said the Order further directed all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the State to adhere strictly to the initiative, adding that appropriate sanction will be carried out on any violator of the Executive Order.

    According to him, the Executive Order was signed by the Governor shortly before the commencement of the weekly State Executive Council (SEC) Meeting at the Council Chambers of the Government House in Minna. 

    He quoted Governor Bago as saying that the Executive Order was to ensure effective implementation of the Green Economy Policy.

    The State recently hosted the first summit on the green economy initiative with the view to turning around the economy of the State and engender socio-economic development.

  • Bago urges NYSC members to become job creators

    Bago urges NYSC members to become job creators

    Niger state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago has charged members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) to become employers of labour before the end of their service year.

    According to the governor, learning skills would make the corps members self-reliant and self-sufficient, urging them to make themselves available for the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development training given to corps members during orientation.

    He said: “Participate actively in all camp activities, especially the NYSC skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development training. We all know that learning a skill is beneficial to individuals and also society in the long run. As Corps members, you have automatically before agents of change and it is my ardent hope that you will lift the country to enviable heights.”

    Read Also: Fintiri announces N10,000 monthly bonus for NYSC members in Adamawa

    The governor stated that the NYSC has proven to be one of the instruments to address the increase in moral decadence in the country.

    In her address, the Niger state NYSC coordinator, Mrs Olayinka Alidat, also encouraged the corps members to avail themselves of the golden opportunity to choose from any skill areas in the camp which is available to them for free.

    She said that millions of graduate youths are roaming the streets in Niger in search of elusive paid employment because they do not have skills saying that the skills made available for corps members is to make them employers of labour rather than seekers of labour.

    Alidat reiterated that the objectives 9f the NYSC are to promote national unity and integration and give the corps members the opportunity for a broader understanding of the country.

  • Gov. Bago woos investors at G20 CWA conference

    Gov. Bago woos investors at G20 CWA conference

    Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has called on foreign investors at the ongoing G20 Compact with Africa (CWA) Conference in Germany, to explore investment opportunities that abound in the State.

    Governor Bago is part of the Presidential entourage attending the ongoing G20 Compact with Africa Conference in Germany. 

    While hosting several delegates to dinner in Berlin, including those from Niger State, Governor Bago unveiled his administration’s ‘New Niger Agenda’.

    He explained the agricultural potential of Niger State, pointing out that the State has the largest land mass in Nigeria and its suitability for crop production.

    Bago  urged the Investors to visit Niger State for potential investment opportunities.

    Governor Bago, who has been working tirelessly to industrialize Niger State, is exploring every opportunity to woo investors both locally and internationally. 

    A few weeks ago, the Governor was in Kano, where he met with the promoters of Gerawa Group of Companies, owners of the biggest oil milling plant in West Africa, the biggest rice mill in Nigeria, and one of the biggest indigenous construction companies in Nigeria.

    He also invited major Nigerian business owners like Sahad Stores, Shagalinku, ShopRite, and 4U, offering them free land to establish their branches in Minna, Niger State.

  • Gov Bago, Saudi Arabian investors parley on agriculture, Bida-Minna road dualization

    Gov Bago, Saudi Arabian investors parley on agriculture, Bida-Minna road dualization

    Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has expressed delight over the outcome of the investment parley with Saudi Arabian investors as he expressed their readiness to invest in the agriculture and road infrastructural projects across in the state.

    The development, is a major boost investment efforts of the Niger State, as the governor said the Saudi Arabians have bought into the various investment opportunities in the state.

    Governor Bago made this known this during a media chat held on the sidelines of the high-powered level negotiation at the Saudi Arabian – Nigeria Roundtable Meeting held in Mecca, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Governor Bago said the negotiations include the Dualization of Bida – Minna Road.

    Read Also: Bayelsa guber: LP candidate rejects poll result, alleges election fraud

    While confirming that the State and investors have resolved to collaborate on agriculture, he explained that they chose Niger “as the State for the first pilot scheme because of our closest to the FCT, our bodies of water for irrigation. We have four hydropower dams that are currently functional.

    “We have bodies of streams and water. We have both River Niger and River Benue. We are the largest producer of Sheanut and also paddy rice in Nigeria.

    “So, this is a very opportunity and avenue to showcase ourselves, which we have done. And we have gotten interested collaboration.”

    Earlier in his address, President Tinubu, on Monday night, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, advanced negotiations concerning a multi-billion dollar infrastructure finance facility from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to fund a multi-sectoral portfolio of infrastructure projects at both Federal and Sub-national levels in Nigeria.

    During the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Summit, the President of Islamic Development Bank announced the provision of US$50 billion of new investment for the African continent from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG).

    In the same vein, the Islamic Development Bank Vice-President also reiterated the Bank’s resolve to support Nigeria’s economic transformation.

    As the largest market and the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is expected to secure a significant share of the multi-billion dollar investment for the continent.

  • I will prosecute any corrupt official, says Bago

    I will prosecute any corrupt official, says Bago

    Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago has promised public prosecution and disgrace for anyone caught embezzling or misappropriating public funds.

    Bago gave the warning after he announced the commencement of the Niger State Agricultural Development Fund while moderating a session on the second day of the Niger State Green Economy Summit in Minna.

    According to him, taking the action of disgracing officials or individuals who misuse or embezzle public funds publicly would restore the confidence and trust of the people in government.

    Read Also: Tinubu will present 2024 Budget to NASS in November – Senator Adeola

    “The Agricultural Development Fund must live to expectation. We would create a Niger state Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to make sure that these monies go to the real farmers. We will prosecute people publicly. When you touch public funds, we will disgrace you. That is what will bring the trust and confidence of the people in government”, he said.

    The governor also announced that the state government would give N1 million to anyone who returns to farming in the state, adding that the first 1,000 youths who key into the agro initiative of the state government would be given N1 million each.

    “The Niger State Agricultural Development Fund will start with an incentive from the Niger state government of N1 billion. Every local government area will give N100 million and as a government, we have seed money of N3.5 billion for people to enroll back into farming for sustainable development,” he said.

    The Niger State Government also entered into an agreement with One Hectare One Family to provide one million banana seeds for the benefit of Nigerlites.

  • I will prosecute any official who embezzles public funds publicly – Bago

    I will prosecute any official who embezzles public funds publicly – Bago

    Niger state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has reiterated zero tolerance for corruption in his government as he promises public prosecution and disgrace for anyone caught embezzling or misappropriating public funds.

    Bago dished this warning after he announced the commencement of the Niger State Agricultural Development Fund while moderating a session on the second day of the Niger State Green Economy Summit in Minna.

    According to him, taking the action of disgracing officials or individuals who misuse or embezzle public funds publicly would restore the confidence and trust of the people in government.

    He said: “The Agricultural Development Fund must live to expectation. We would create a Niger state EFCC, NFIU, and ICPC to make sure that these monies go to the real farmers. We will prosecute people publicly. When you touch public funds, we will disgrace you. That is what will bring the trust and confidence of the people in government.”

    Read Also: Gates’ ally, Buffet backs Tinubu’s health sector reinvigoration plan

    The governor also announced that the state government would give N1 million to anyone who returns to farming in the state adding that the first 1,000 youths who key into the agro initiative of the state government would be given N1 million each.

    He added: “The Niger State Agricultural Development Fund will start with an incentive from the Niger state government of N1 billion. Every local government area will give N100 million and as a government, we have seed money of N3.5 billion for people to enroll back into farming for sustainable development.”

    The Niger state government also entered into an agreement with One Hectare One Family to provide one million banana seeds for the benefit of Nigerlites.