From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Governor of Niger State Mohammed Bago, has said to combat post-harvest losses, his administration is implementing renewable energy storage systems on farms.
He also highlighted a significant public-private partnership, announcing a collaboration with Dangote Group, which has provided 500 40-foot containers to be placed in farm estates for product storage.
He stated this at the weekend during the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) held at Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
Bago who received award for Agriculture and Food Security at the ceremony, also announced an ambitious road construction project that he claimed will surpass the efforts of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Works.
He added, “Speaking of storage of agricultural products, it’s a complete revolution in agriculture and we’re putting up storage facility of almost a million tons in every local government.
“We’re providing renewable energy storage systems so that we can reduce our post harvest losses in some of our farms.
“Again, we have a collaboration with Dangote, where he has given us five hundred 40ft containers to put in our farm estates so that we can store these products. So a lot of efforts are coming in both private and public sector initiatives are there so don’t worry too much about that,” he added.
On the award received, he said: “This is a push to do more. This award was received in favour of Nigerlites, for our deliberate attempt to transform agriculture.
“Niger State has provided itself as a pilot state and we are grateful that both the private sector and the public sector understand exactly what we’re doing. So let me thank Nigerlites for their unwavering support.
Speaking on the roads projects he said, “In terms of infrastructure, we have been able to start work on over a 1000 kilometers of road across the state, unprecedented, I can say maybe more than the Federal Ministry of Works. Yes, Governor Wike has been able to commission some roads, we’re not there yet, but once we’re done, we’ll overtake Wike.”
Bago expressed confidence that upon completion, Niger State’s road network would surpass that of the federal government. He described the agricultural initiatives as “a complete revolution,” detailing plans to establish storage facilities with a capacity of nearly one million tons in every local government area.
He described the agricultural initiatives as “a complete revolution,” detailing plans to establish storage facilities with a capacity of nearly one million tons in every local government area.
On her part, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo, called for increased representation of women in public service awards following her recent recognition.
Gambo, one of only four women among 48 recipients at the awards ceremony, expressed gratitude but also concern about the gender imbalance in the selections. “It’s uplifting and pleasing, but at the same time, I think there should have been more women,” she stated.
The commissioner appealed to the selection committee to be more gender-sensitive in the future, highlighting the significant achievements of Nigerian women across various fields. She dedicated her award to the people of Borno State, particularly Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and his wife, crediting the state’s leadership for creating an enabling environment that has facilitated progress in peace-building, resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs), and improving access to education and healthcare.
Gambo emphasized the challenges faced by women and children in conflict-affected areas, noting their vulnerability to insurgency. She sees the award as recognition of her efforts in addressing these issues and aligning with Governor Zulum’s vision for the state.
He described the award as uplifting, added, “It’s pleasing, but at the same time, I think there should have been more women, I think Nigerian women, many before me, and those whom we are working together, have done quite a lot and I will appeal to the committee, when they’re selecting next time, to be gender sensitive and take a look at what milestones Nigerian women have done in different fields. I just happened to be one among so many women.
“So on that note, I’m humbled. I’m happy, but at the same time I’m challenged, because to whom much is given, much is expected. We have done a lot under the leadership of our governor is Excellency, Professor Babagan Umaraa Zulum, to bring peace to Borno State, to return IDPs to their ancestral homes, to resettle them and to ensure that every farmer has the right opportunity to go to the farm, girls go to school, access to hospitals, all the indicators that is expected of a developing state.”
Similarly, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and another award recipient, Abike Dabiri echoed Gambo’s sentiments on female representation.
Dabiri expressed surprise at her nomination and hope for increased recognition of women’s hard work in future awards.
She said “you work harder, it’s a public service award and knowing that you’re chosen based on your hard work and contributions in whatever field you find yourself and the public service. This will encourage public service officers to work harder.
“Your live is not about how much money you have in your account, but how many lives you’re able to touch and how much impact you can make wherever you find yourself, so I’m quite excited about that. I was surprised I only just got a letter, saying ‘you’ve been nominated’.
“Then of course, I hope with the next set of awards there’ll be more women. There were only four women out of 48, so I hope that more women will be considered because a lot of women are working so hard, but I’m grateful for this and I thank the lady who started this in conjunction with the Presidency. So this kind of thing should be encouraged and I’m humbled,” she added.