By Our Correspondent in Minna.
The House of Representatives member representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency in Niger state, Umar Bago, has donated farm inputs, implements and cash worth several millions of naira to 500 of the people.
Bago,who is also the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming electíon,gave the number of beneficiaries as 25 persons from across the 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
While making the donations, the legislator said the donation was to encourage the beneficiaries to venture into agriculture, increase their productivity and be economically empowered for self sustenance.
He said:”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”.
He assured beneficiaries whom he gave N20, 000 cash each that the gesture was not political but
cautioned them against selling the inputs and implements.
The legislator,who observed that part of the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria, Niger state in particular is youth restiveness, added that the donation was also to encourage the youth embrace farming, reminding them that ‘not everyone can get government paid employment’.
Also speaking, Niger State APC Chairman, Alhaji Haliru Jikantoro, commended Bago; describing the gesture as a double-edge aimed at enhancing 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, venue of the event mid way into the ceremony as some group of youths carrying placards emerged into the scene, protesting non-inclusion or being edged out of the donation by the handlers.
The group, which claimed that the event was meant to empower Bago supporters during the APC primaries and not indeed farmers, added that the event was meant to ‘pay back’ supporters or delegates from across the 25 Local LGAs abd expressed surprise that they were being edged out.
They were, however, quickly cornered by some ‘Bago boys’ before Bago could notice their presence and the efforts stopped disruption of the event.
Our Correspondent reports that items donated by the APC governorship flag-bearer include; 500 sprayers, 500 bags of rice and maize seedlings, 200 pumping machines, 400 sprayers and N10 million cash.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
