The All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate and member of the House of Representatives for the Chanchaga Federal Constituency, Hon. Umar Bago, has given several million Naira in cash and farm inputs to 500 Nigerites.
As a result of peaceful protests against exclusion or being pushed aside by the handlers, the formal presentation at the Idris Legbo Kutigi international conference centre in Minna nearly suffered from little drama.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for governor of Niger state, Honorable Umar Mohammed Bago, has provided 500 farmers throughout the state's 25 local government areas with farm materials, implements, and money.
Bago stated that there are 25 beneficiaries from the 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and that the donation is intended to encourage them to enter the agricultural industry, boost their production, and develop local economies so they can support themselves.
Part of the security challenges bedeviling Nigeria, Niger state in particular today is youth restiveness, adding that the donation is also to encourage the youths to embrace farming because ‘not everyone can get government paid employment’.
“It has been like a ritual in the last seven years. We have consistently assisted farmers with inputs and cash to empower them. Although this time is different because it cuts across farmers from the 25 local government areas. We are also doing this to encourage the youths to embrace farming”.
While assuring that the beneficiaries who were also give N20, 000 cash that the gesture was not political, Umar Bago said they were selected as farmers and not brought to him by any politician and therefore cautioned against selling the inputs and implements given to them.
Also speaking, Niger state APC Chairman, Alhaji Haliru Jikantoro commended Bago for the gesture which he said is double-edged; to enhance the economic capacity of beneficiaries and as well trickle down the ladder to improve agriculture production across the state.
“I am glad that he is doing this and we are all witnesses to it today. This is an indication that he will do more to enhance and improve on the economic wellbeing and stability of Niger state and the country at large after his election as Governor in 2023”.
Meanwhile, a mild drama played out at the Idris Legbo Kutigi international conference centre, mid way into the ceremony as some group of youths carrying placards emerged into the scene protested non-inclusion or being edged out by the handlers.
The group who claimed that the event was meant to empower Bago supporters during the APC primaries and not indeed farmers said the event was meant to ‘pay back’ supporters or delegates from across the 25 Local LGAs, but surprised that they were being edged out.
They were however quickly cornered by some ‘Bago boys’, who quickly cornered them before Bago himself could notice their presence and as well to avoid disruption of the presentation of the items and cash to beneficiaries.
Our correspondent gave the list of items donated by the APC governorship flag-bearer to include; 500 sprayers, 500 bags of rice and maize seedlings, 200 pumping machines, 400 sprayers and N10 million cash.