By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Government is to come up with a 30-year Development Plan that will be implemented in phases.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago stated this when he met with the Director General of the Nigeria Country Office, African Development Bank (AfDB), Lamin Barrow, in his office in Abuja.
The meeting was aimed at establishing partnership between the Niger State Government and the AfDB to bring about developmental projects such as construction of schools, irrigation schemes and renewable energy among others.
Governor Umaru Bago explained that the development plan will include developing agriculture, pointing out that for a start, government will take advantage of the large expanse of land and provide 100,000 hectares of land for agricultural activities, while efforts will be intensified for the creation of Agro-Processing Zones and renewable energy.
He highlighted the numerous mineral resources the state was endowed with, and that his administration will leverage on that to woo investors to the state.
The Governor maintained that the state will do its best to ensure investors’ experience of ease of doing business in the state.
The D.G, Nigeria Country Office, AfDB, Lamin Barrow, said the partnership will no doubt bring about the desired development and improve the life of citizens especially those in the rural areas.
He expressed confidence that the Bago led administration has the capacity to deliver dividends of democracy to the people owing to his banking experience.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago has commiserated with the government and people of Kwara State over the boat mishap that claimed 103 lives.
The victims come from communities that share borders with Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
Governor Umar Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, expressed shock and concern over the disaster.
According to him, "This is heartbreaking and sympathetic, but as people who believe in the will of Allah, we cannot question His actions, we will rather accept it and remain steadfast in Him".
He commended the efforts of Mokwa Local Government Councill Chairman and the Acting Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) for taking necessary steps to rescue some of the victims.
The Governor however advised the people especially those around riverine communities to ensure the use of live jackets when boarding a boat and avoid midnight boarding and overcrowding of boats.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives and quick recovery for the injured. He prayed that Allah comfort the government of Kwara State, Patigi Emirate Council, the family and relations of the deceased.
The boat that capsized conveyed wedding guests and was said to be returning from Egboti community in Mokwa to the neighboring Kwara State between two and three o'clock in the morning when the incident occurred.
About 33 bodies have so far been recovered. The affected communities are Ebu, Dzaka, Para, and Kpada all under Patigi Emirate Council in Kwara State.