The Governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umar Bago, has disclosed that the present administration in the state under his leadership was committed to building the capacity of those that will steer the wheel of the “New Niger Agenda.”
Bago who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, made this disclosure on Monday, while declaring open a week long retreat for members of the state executive council, Permanent Secretaries and other key political appointees, organized by ANDERSEN Nigeria, in conjunction with the office of the Head of Service of Niger state, held at Royal Institute, Zuma Rock Resort, along Abuja-Kaduna road.
He said the induction programme was a multi-sector approach towards the implementation of the “New Niger” policy, adding, “this programme with the theme: ‘New Niger Agenda’: A Panacea for the Sustainable Development of Niger state is aimed at rapidly harnessing the abundant human and material resources in solid minerals, the agricultural value chains and other sectors of our economy.”
The Governor stated further that from the inception of his administration he was clear about the ambitious plans of the administration for the economic development of the state through rapid infrastructural development and providing for the welfare of the people across the state.
He added that their motivation towards implementation of programmes and policies of realizing the New Niger Agenda led to the call for the one-week transformative induction programme on harmonious working relationships for the Executive Council Members, Permanent Secretaries and some key political office holders in Niger state Government.
According to the Farmer Governor, we must all think of Niger first in every decision we will take, so that together we have to entrench not only a sustainable Niger state but a state where the benefits of our progress are equitably distributed, leaving no one behind.
“It is about balancing economic growth with infrastructural development ensuring that development today does not compromise the opportunities of future generations.
“The retreat under our leadership is a clear demonstration of our genuine commitment to capacity building and the creation of harmonious working relationships between the political class and the bureaucrats. This is necessary to strengthen the understanding of good governance and timely service delivery in the state.
“In this journey, let us also domesticate a political culture that transcends party lines, putting the interests of our people and state first. We must embrace dialogue, reasonable compromise and collaboration as tools to navigate the complex challenges ahead. Indeed a united front is essential for the successful implementation of “NEW NIGER” Agenda,” the Governor explained.
The Governor assured that at the end of the retreat they will be well equipped for governance, and Nigerlites will see a different approach to governance as they will do things different ftom what was obtainable in the past.
The lead presenter, Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta who gave an overview of the vision and mission of Governor Umar Bago New Niger Agenda, 2023 to 2027, observed that the retreat was very important as the participants were the key drivers of the New Niger Agenda and urged them to pay adequate attention to all that will be discuss and share at the retreat.
He added that democracy does not lead to development and prosperity but good governance does, saying Governor Umar Bago vision is consitence to global thinking in terms of development, livelihood, climate action, green economy, agriculture and food security, informing the participants that their work is to make the vision of their principal achievable.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Gawu said the retreat was deliberately organized to enable all to contribute to the brighter future the present administration envisage for the state.
He added that it was a platform to share ideas for collective achievement of the state development, stressing the need to think and work as a team to build a New Niger of our dream, hence the organization of the retreat.
Alhaji Usman Gawu urged the participants to make best use of the platform to achieve the true New Niger we all desire.
The Head of Service of Niger state, Engr. Abubakar Salisu appreciated the state Governor for approving the retreat and that the essence was to look at the past, compares it with the present and mould the future, as he assured the Governor that he will be proud of them at the end of the retreat.
