The history of democratic governance in Niger State, North Central Nigeria, has no doubt changed in character and content with the emergence of the young, compassionate, hardworking, dogged and energetic Rt Hon Mohammed Bago as executive Governor. This is not to say previous leaders had not done much during their tenures. They did well to have brought the power state to its present level of democratic visibility, but the story of Niger State is becoming more and more sophisticated and mechanised under the versatile legislator who has deployed all indices of exposure at his disposal and harmonised his oversight experiences to bear on his new executive duty and responsibility, bringing results that were hitherto not expected. Being innovative is the hallmark of modern day leaders worldwide, and therefore any leader without innovation will not make an impact. Innovations are continous amd ceaseless ideas born our of critical thinking or comparative knowledge of what ovtains elsewhere. A leader with fresh ideas and understanding of global practices is a plus to transformation and development anywhere. Such are the virtues of the Niger State Governor Bago , whose level of exposure and social integration has become a positive mix for his success. No wonder the people of Niger State did not hesitate to give their massive votes to the 49 year old, three term federal legislator to lead them. Many things working for him include his strong social orientation which has enabled him relate easily well with people across different ethnic and religious backgrounds, political affiliations and Intergovernmental relations. His level of confidence, educational and intellectual endowments, bluntness, skills and political sagacity are all factors that have contributed to giving him an advantage and easy-go with what he does. Rt Hon Bago was first elected into the federal Parliament on the platform of one of the smallest political parties, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC in 2011 and in 2015 and 2019 reelected under the All Progressives Congress, APC. As a legislator, Rt Hon Bago facilitated alot of projects to his Chanchaga federal Constituency and got jobs for many people. As if he knew that he would one day be a leader for the entire state, he extended his help services to other federal constituencies and Senatorial districts. Poverty alleviation was one of his cardinal and major priorities in which he was able to deploy his legislative contacts to ameolerate and reduce the burden on the people. As chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Security and Education, he was able to influence alot of policy changes within the maritime sector through critical oversight.
He was a talk and do legislator and one person who disdained mere political sloganeering, but ŵorked to translate his words into actions. He does not belong to the old school of procrastinating diplomacy, but believed that whatever is worth doing , is worth communicating for early assimilation, aggregation and comprehension.
It was quite prophetic the award to the Governor by the National Assembly press Corp as the most innovative Governor of the year 2023. As professionals of the media, it’s easy for the press Corp to fathom the direction of the political leader from his honest and sincere utterances and connection with previous achievements and therefore the House press Corp was smart enough to predict him with such an award. Bago, is no doubt a modern day Nigerian Governor who connects with reality. He understands the intricacies of the Nigerian political system having worked as a federal Parliamentarian for good 12 solid years and almost became the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives. As a Man full of physical, mental and psychological energy, Governor Bago don’t need any bureaucracy to mobilised to political site. He is always prepared for any and every spontaneous action and reaction.
One other thing that attracted this piece on him is his readiness to change the narrative of governance by reeling out the basics of what his state needs and wants. He has identified the urgent need to diversify the socio- economic status of his state by giving adequate attention to the agricultural and mining sectors after rejuvenating the security architecture. Having realised that Niger State is the largest state in terns of land mass( about 766 Square kilometres) ,he believe that a better security and economic narrative will suit his people better. To this end, he quickly made arrangements through a solid memorandum of understanding with a Kano rice Mills for a sustained partnership until his state becomes strong footed to be independent in terms of production. In addition to this, he intends to take good advantage of the four major hydrological dams located in the state such as the Shiroro, Jega, etc to boost power supply and agriculture not just in Niger State, but the north central geopolitical neighbourhood. For sometime now, insurgency driven insecurity has confronted the state leading to loss of socio- economy opportunities, properties and even lives. He is deeply touched by reports of killings of his people by bandits and insurgents and therefore believe that thinking and acting outside the box is the only solution to free his state and its lovely people. His impressive security ideas which principally is home grown initiative to mobilise the various communities towards adequate surveilance collective action to be assisted by the federal government is worthy of commendation.
Giving due attention to the agriculture and mining sectors is what is needed to turn the fortune of the people around. Having identified the desperate struggle for the control of the state’s abundant natural resources as the chief source of conflict in the state,he intends to concentrate by adopting lasting policies to ensure the mining sector is not left to illegal operators.
He was quick to lament a situation where states relied on the monthly federal government allocation for survival. To Gov Bago, that’s a lazy approach . He believes that the state has unlimited resources and opportunities to harness money and even borrow to other category of lendees if well harnessed.
With the speed and thought pattern of governor Bago, the sky is the beginning of transformation and progress for all Nigerlites.
Governor Bago has demonstrated excellence in governance when he not only announced, but commenced the completion of abandoned or uncompleted projects started by his predecessors. This he believed, is in the best interest of the state and no one individual on either side benefits or loses in such circumstances. Projects belong to the state for the benefit of the people.
