By Suleiman Yakubu

Former Nigerian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed his profound admiration and support for Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s agricultural initiative, likening it to his own "Operation Feed the Nation" policy of 1976.
Obasanjo made the commendation during a courtesy visit by a delegation of commissioners and special advisers from Niger State to Abeokuta.
In a press statement made available to newsmen by the Special Adviser on Print Media to the Governor of Niger State, Aisha Wakaso, the visit included a tour of a cutting-edge soilless farm, where young Nigerlites are undergoing training in innovative agricultural techniques for eventual replication in the state.
The former president emphasised that with modern equipment now available, the impact of such initiatives can make agriculture and food production greater than before.
Obasanjo highlighted the critical importance of agricultural self-sufficiency, stating, "Until Nigeria begins to feed itself, the challenges facing the country will persist. A nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a time bomb."
He urged other state governors to follow Niger State’s lead in agricultural development to ensure that Nigeria can produce the majority of its own food.
The former president encouraged Niger State to continue investing in agriculture and to explore modern methods to enhance existing practices. He expressed his intention to visit Niger State with his team to learn from its progress and exchange ideas to improve and add value to his own agricultural endeavours.
Obasanjo also advised Nigerians to consider investing in soilless farming, warning that with the current rate of land use, Nigeria could soon face a shortage of arable land. He stressed that innovative farming techniques are essential to sustaining the nation’s agricultural productivity.
In the statement, Aisha Wakaso emphasised that the team assured the former president that the Niger State government remains committed to advancing agriculture and will continue to seek out and implement innovative solutions to the nation’s food security.

By Suleiman Yakubu

In a significant move to enhance basic education in Niger State, the State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) has distributed educational materials and skills acquisition tools to the 25 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) and six pilot skills acquisition centres under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) program.
During the distribution event at the board's premises, Chairman Mallam Muhammad Baba Ibrahim emphasised the critical role of basic education in shaping the future of individuals and the state. He highlighted that basic education forms the foundation of learning and child development.
Mallam Ibrahim stated that the board is committed to making basic education effective in Niger State, aiming to prepare pupils and students for the digital world through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), aligning with global practices.
Under the New Niger Initiative led by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Niger State has emerged as the top investment destination in the country. Mallam Ibrahim stressed the importance of aligning the basic education sector with this initiative.
Recognising the pivotal role of teachers, Mallam Ibrahim revealed efforts to enhance their welfare, including the implementation of the Teacher Salary Structure (TSS) and a partnership with Niger Foods and Logistics Company Limited to provide additional income opportunities through farming. He also announced plans to deliver 25,000 houses for teachers by 2026.
The board is focused on providing durable school structures and believes that distributing educational materials will support teachers in delivering effective education. Additionally, six pilot skills acquisition centres have been established, with plans to include functional skills centres in every remodelled school.
Mallam Ibrahim reiterated that the New Niger Agenda is more than a political slogan; it is a vision that must be realized. The board is dedicated to repositioning the basic education sector for optimal performance.
Dr. Aminu Aliyu Wushishi, Secretary of the Board, detailed the materials distributed, including 25,000 school registers, diaries, and record books, 10,000 exercise books donated by the President's wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and banners displaying the board's vision, mission, and core values. Skills acquisition tools were also provided.
The board is initially focussing on three skills: phone repairs, tailoring, and carpentry, with plans to expand based on the pilot program's outcomes.
Dr. Usman Tukura Ibrahim, Education Secretary of Chanchaga LGEA, expressed gratitude on behalf of the 25 local government education secretaries, assuring that the items will be used as intended. The event concluded with a symbolic presentation of the materials to some education secretaries.