By Suleiman Yakubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed continued support to the governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, to achieve his desire to feed the nation.
President Tinubu made the promise when he inaugurated equipment for mechanised agricultural activities, the irrigation system, and the special Agro Processing Free Zone.
The president also inaugurated the renovated and upgraded Minna International Airport, renamed after him.
President Bola Tinubu, who commended the level of commitment and leadership style of Umaru Bago, said he must support the governor.
According to him, "I can guarantee you federal support. I will partner with you to banish hunger. You are doing the job and working the talks.
He encouraged him to continue with his aggressive and strong determination to be the state to feed the nation.
The governor, in his remarks, said the state was well positioned to produce 50 million metric tonnes of assorted food crops annually and be the largest sub-national food exporter in Nigeria.
In achieving this target, he said the state government was determined to attract investments in private sector equity and loans totaling 500 billion Naira annually over the next seven years.
He also disclosed that the construction of a canal to harness water from the Shiroro Dam was in the pipeline to irrigate 90,000 hectares. This, he said, comprises 236 kilometres of irrigation canals and other associated engineering infrastructure to expand the agricultural production capacity of the state.
He assured that the state would contribute significantly to the federal government's strategic food reserve as it will ensure that all the arable lands in the state are cultivated, adding that the efforts will curb insecurity in the state as there will be no hiding place for kidnappers and bandits.
"We, as a state, will be pleased to provide the federal government with the platform for contract farming to feed the National Strategic Grain Reserve, which has the vast potential to produce 2 million metric tonnes of food annually.
"This partnership will not only bolster our state's economy but also strengthen the nation's drive towards sustainable food security and resilience against external shocks.".
While outlining his administration's achievements and intentions in the area of agriculture and infrastructural development, Governor Bago said his administration has invested in agricultural machinery and technology.
He then called on federal government support in the development of Baro Port, the Kainji National Park, and Dry Inland Port Terminals at Bida, Mokwa, Babanna, and Suleja, stressing that doing so will accelerate growth and prosperity for all.
He appreciated the president for approving the airport as a special agro-processing free zone for greenhouses, dairy and meat processing, and agro-processing storage, aggregation, and other value chain development components.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, lauded the governor's efforts and recounted the steps the federal government took towards the realisation of food security in the country, saying the federal ministry of agriculture was partnering with the state to achieve the desired objective.
Governor of Kwara State AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, his Lagos and Benue State counterparts Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, their Kogi State counterpart Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, graced the occasion.
They all praised Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for the feat attained, adding that with such a level of commitment, the food security agenda for the nation will be achieved.
The Estu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, appreciated the President and other guests for visiting and identifying with the laudable efforts of the state government.
Former governors of Niger State, serving and former lawmakers both at the federal and state levels, members of the State Executive Council, APC leaders both at the national and state levels, religious and traditional leaders, and other top government functionaries were present at the event.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Comdr. Joachin Okafor, has said that his officers and men of the Agro Rangers unit of the command were fully ready to provide security and protection to Agro-Allied investments, farmlands, critical assets, and infrastructure in the state.
The commandant stated this while speaking on the preparedness of his command readiness to provide adequate security in the state to ensure a hitch-free visit to the state by the president.
In a press release issued by the command Public Relations Officer DSC Abubakar Mohammed Muti and obtained by Newsline, it was said that Agro Rangers was a special unit in the corps, which was established in 2016 through the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and its Interior counterpart, to provide security in line with the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, on capacity training, adding that the officers and men of the unit were fully ready for the protection of the state Agro processing zone project in Minna.
The state commandant assured members of the public of his command's commitment to the protection of national assets, infrastructure, and other investments in the state.
He then enjoined residents of the state to go about their normal activities and warned those that were bent on causing trouble to stay clear, as there would be no room for them to carry out their nefarious activities that would disrupt the peace of the state.
The statement further disclosed that the state commandant will join the state governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, and other security high command in the state to welcome President Bola Ahmed's Tinuubu to the state.