Bago: Celebrating An Architect of Modern Niger State @52

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo anipr

Birthday is an opportunity to appreciate God for His immense favour of being alive and healthy.Every 22nd February,is the day to celebrate the birth of workaholic Farmer Governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umaru Bago

Since he came onboard as Governor of Niger state on 29th May ,2023, the state has witnessed significant transformation in terms of infrastructure and human capital development.

You can’t be going around in Minna and pretend not to see the gigantic and meaningful projects across the town.Those projects cut across other senatorial districts.

Recently I was going to market, the bike man that took me said” If Niger state has had a Governor like Bago, the town would have witnessed great infrastructural development.He asserted that the town would look more beautiful and attractive by the time all ongoing projects are completed.I nodded in affirmation to his comment.An average nigerlite sees him as a God-sent to change the fortune of the state.

In the words of his Chief Press Secretary,Bologi Ibrahim,”Gov Bago has become a reference point of infrastructural development in Niger state, considering the unprecedented gigantic projects being initiated and implemented, and that posterity will be kind to him”

The only thing his critics have been saying is that he is too ambitious to develop the state.The reality is that if I were in his shoes I would do the same.Decisions to develop a state like Niger must be swift, progressive and aggressive.Indeed,the Farmer Governor is tenacious, goal-oriented,and audacious.

Significantly,talking about his kindness may become a cliche, because it is a public knowledge that Turaki n Nupe is immensely generous.No where in the North would a traditional title of “Turaki” can be given to a stingy individual.Records have shown that those who held the title from the past were usually generous individuals.Even the current Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, Senator Saliu Mustapha is known for his consistent generosity

Going by the age of the Governor he has achieved a lot as a politician and political office holder.My prayer for him is that Allah should sustain him on the path of good and grant him long life in good health.

Let me end this piece with the words of the 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln “It’s not the years in your life that count.It’s the life in your years”