By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has emphasised the importance of collective efforts for the success of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) program. Speaking through his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, Governor Bago delivered his remarks at the inaugural NG-CARES States Peer Learning and Experience Sharing Summit, held on Monday at the Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Bago noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has tested the resilience and adaptability of societies worldwide, revealing both strengths and vulnerabilities. He highlighted the need for leaders and stakeholders to draw lessons from the crisis, share knowledge, and develop strategies that will strengthen the nation's resilience and lay the groundwork for sustained economic recovery.
"Niger State has experienced the wide-reaching effects of the pandemic on health, livelihoods, and the local economy. However, we have also seen the power of community collaboration and solidarity," the governor stated. He added that the summit serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, exploring innovative solutions, and reinforcing the spirit of cooperation that is crucial for facing future challenges.
Governor Bago emphasised the state's commitment to the NG-CARES program, aligning it with the goals of the New Niger Agenda. He revealed that Niger State had reinvested earnings from the last Independent Verification Agents (IVA) assessment into social security efforts for the current cycle.
"We must leverage our collective expertise to develop frameworks that promote resilience and sustainability as we strive to transform the lives of our people," he asserted. He encouraged participants to reflect on the program’s achievements and identify areas for further improvement, with the goal of fostering an environment where every citizen can thrive.
Expressing optimism about the summit's outcome, Governor Bago said the insights shared would inspire strategies to revitalise the economy and enhance citizens' welfare. "The responsibility to shape our future is in our hands, and I believe in our collective ability," he concluded.
Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, highlighted that the program is supported by the World Bank, with a budget of $750 million allocated for 2021–2024. So far, $645 million has been expended across three key components: social safety nets, livelihood grants, and basic services support, benefiting approximately nine million Nigerians. Dr. Obaje also revealed plans for a $500 million scale-up to expand the program’s reach.
Mrs. Elizabeth Egharevba, Chairperson of the Federal CARES Technical Committee, praised the program’s impact on vulnerable populations. She stressed that stakeholder collaboration would help address challenges and achieve the desired outcomes.
The summit featured symbolic cheque presentations to beneficiaries of the livelihood support initiative under Result Area One. Participants from eight states, Niger, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Plateau, Rivers, and the FCT Abuja, attended the two-day event.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA) has made a passionate plea to the federal government of Nigeria to redeploy military personnel to the troubled Lakpma axis of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State. The call follows a surge in violent attacks by bandits, leaving many dead, displaced, and forced to seek refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Addressing a world press conference in Minna on Thursday, COSA Secretary Comrade Sa’idu Salisu expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity in Shiroro, stating that the ongoing violence has left their people defenseless. “It is disheartening to witness our kinsmen being killed mercilessly while others are displaced, left with no means of livelihood,” he said.
Comrade Salisu emphasized that the government’s primary responsibility is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. He urged the federal government to act swiftly by redeploying military forces to Shiroro and other areas in Niger State grappling with insecurity. “Our people must not continue to die needlessly. The government must intervene immediately,” he stressed.
The Coalition condemned the recent withdrawal of military personnel from Allawa, a decision made at the height of the security crisis in the region. While expressing condolences to the Nigerian military for the loss of officers in an ambush in Allawa, COSA also commended the army's efforts in safeguarding the community over the years. However, the group criticized the timing of the military’s exit, calling it both "discomforting and heart-rending."
“It is contrary to Section 47 of the Armed Forces Act that, in the midst of a security crisis, the Nigerian Army withdrew its troops from Allawa without notice, leaving the inhabitants at the mercy of terrorists,” Salisu added.
He explained that residents of the Lakpma axis had relied heavily on military presence for protection. Since the withdrawal, the community has been left vulnerable, leading to a mass exodus of people from the area. The group urged the federal government to not only redeploy military personnel but also compensate residents for the loss of property and livelihoods caused by the withdrawal.
Adding to the call, Prof. Muhammad Bashar Nuhu, former Commissioner for Tertiary Education and a prominent member of the Shiroro Stakeholders Forum, voiced frustration over the federal government’s perceived indifference toward their plight. He expressed feelings of abandonment and neglect, questioning why a military base could not be established in Allawa despite its significance to the region’s agricultural development and food security.
"If the military could be deployed to Sokoto for an incident there, why can't we have a similar presence in Allawa? This region is crucial for Nigeria’s agricultural progress, yet it remains abandoned,” Prof. Nuhu lamented. He further accused the government of sidelining the area, citing the long-abandoned road project from Pandogari to Allawa, first awarded during the Shagari era.
In a final plea, Prof. Nuhu questioned whether the people of Shiroro were being treated as “slaves in Nigeria,” stating that numerous quiet appeals and written requests had gone unanswered. He also highlighted the dire conditions in the IDP camps, where displaced residents were living in unhygienic environments without access to basic necessities.
Both COSA and the Shiroro Stakeholders Forum called for immediate action from the federal and state governments, not only to address the growing security crisis but also to improve the living conditions of displaced persons and restore the region’s potential as a center for agricultural development.