By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging the state’s vast agricultural potential to enhance food security for both Niger State and Nigeria. Represented by Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba, the Governor shared his vision during the 2024 World Food Day celebration at the Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna on Wednesday.
The Governor emphasized the importance of World Food Day, designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about global food sufficiency and the urgent need for sustainable practices to feed a global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050. He highlighted this year’s theme, “Safer Foods and Better Health,” as especially relevant, noting that Nigeria faces significant challenges from economic pressures, insecurity, and climate change. These factors, he said, aggravate food insecurity and threaten the welfare of the most vulnerable citizens.
Governor Bago called for collaboration among stakeholders to develop and implement policies aimed at sustainable food production. Under the New Niger Agenda, he noted, his administration has reoriented its focus to position Niger State as a leader in agriculture, helping to drive food security for the nation. The Governor reported that, within the past year and a half, over a thousand tractors have been deployed to modernize farming practices, while efforts are underway to cultivate approximately three million hectares of arable land, utilizing the state's ample water resources, grazing reserves, and forest reserves.
Expressing gratitude to the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, Governor Bago commended its role in advancing state agricultural policies and acknowledged the contributions of partners across the sector.
In his remarks, the Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Salihu Bawa Bosso, noted that the state had not celebrated World Food Day for two decades. The Governor’s drive to revolutionize agriculture, he said, has brought renewed enthusiasm to the occasion. Represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Mathew Ahmed, the Commissioner shared that Niger State leads in the production of rice, sorghum, and yams, according to recent federal reports. He added that the state has attracted agricultural investments worth billions of Naira, as well as international partnerships and collaborations.
Guest speaker Professor Job Nmadu of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, represented by Dr. Halima Salawu, praised the administration’s agricultural initiatives. He encouraged continued collaboration between the government, partners, and farmers to maximize the state’s agricultural potential.
The event featured goodwill messages from various stakeholders, including representatives from Niger Foods, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi (NCRI), among others.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Dangana, announced that the state has deployed effective measures to curb the spread of cholera.
The commissioner made this disclosure yesterday while briefing journalists after the inaugural meeting of the state taskforce on primary healthcare and immunisation, chaired by Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba.
Dr. Dangana revealed that the state had recorded 165 cases of cholera across five local governments: Paikoro, Gurara, Suleja, Katcha, and Bosso. Out of these, 16 victims succumbed to the disease, while 145 were successfully treated and discharged from hospitals.
He noted that Nigeria, being a transit route with trailers and trucks passing through to other parts of the country, has strengthened surveillance to prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
"We have put contingency measures in place, dispatching drugs, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and protective gear such as gloves and facemasks to all affected LGAs and facilities," said the Commissioner.
Dr. Dangana further explained that an effective disease surveillance mechanism has been activated, with contact tracing and management ongoing in all affected communities to ensure the disease does not spread beyond the current cases.
He highlighted that the state has intensified sensitisation and awareness campaigns on both personal and environmental hygiene, noting that Niger State has managed the cholera outbreak effectively compared to other affected states.
Regarding the taskforce meeting, Dr. Dangana, who is the committee's secretary, stated that the meeting aimed to foster synergy and inter-sectoral collaboration for efficient primary healthcare implementation in the state.
He explained that primary healthcare involves multiple sectors, dealing with communities, villages, and wards across the state, hence the need for collaboration to ensure effective implementation.
The committee includes members from various MDAs such as the Commissioners of Budget and Planning, Finance, Women Affairs, Local Government, and Chieftaincy Affairs, their permanent secretaries, key directors from the Ministry of Primary Healthcare, and partners like WHO, UNICEF, and NPHCDA. The Emir of Kagara represents the traditional institution in the committee.
Dr. Dangana emphasised the importance of sensitisation on immunisation, noting that collaboration with traditional leaders is crucial as they are the gatekeepers who can influence their subjects to accept immunisation.
"We need other key government ministries for resource mobilisation and utilising existing government structures. We are even considering including security in the committee due to insecurity issues in some areas," added the commissioner.
He disclosed that the committee reviewed progress and challenges during the meeting to assess their performance and identify areas for improvement, aligning with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago's vision of providing quality and affordable healthcare services to Nigerlites.