For the Executive Farmer Governor of Niger State; His Excellency Umar Bago who happens to be the 6^th democratically elected Governor of the Power state, has paid his dues and also played politics at the grassroots level before getting to his current status.

From his actions, he seems to have prepared for the job ahead as he is in the quest of making history as a governor who takes food security and farming to the next level taking advantage of the fertile and vast landmass Niger state currently has also banking on the current challenges affecting agric business in Nigeria as an opportunity for Niger state to create revenue and also empower its local farming population.

The banker-turned-politician started with a stellar career in the banking sector having worked at the United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank FCMB and Afribank before heeding the calls of his people to delve into politics in 2007. For him, he had always said his sojourn into the murky waters of politics was humanity is driven and one thing he has come to realize is that he is a fulfilled man serving his people and also bringing succour to their pains and making life better for them. In 2010, He contested and won a seat at the House of Representatives representing Chanchanga Federal constituency in Minna where he was until he was sworn in as Governor of Niger State.

As a member of the Green Chamber; Bago was cosmopolitan, refined, cerebral, and socially savvy and was adjudged a great guy by his colleagues. He was a force in the chambers that spoke with confidence, and authority and knows his onions. As chairman House Committee Maritime Safety Education and Administration; the Political science graduate from the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto ensured he discharged his duties diligently this placed him on the map and made many people notice his strides.

In his bid to make Niger state regain its lost glory as one of the biggest food-producing states in Nigeria; he acquired over 300 tractors and other mechanized farming equipment as he also allocated thousands of hectares of land for farming. President Bola Tinubu was on the ground to flag off the pilot phase which would see the prices of food crash drastically and also bring about food security in the country. Apart from his giant strides in Agriculture, he has committed a whole lot to road and infrastructural development, security, education, commerce, tourism, health, infrastructural development, and women and youth empowerment he also rebuilt and remodelled the moribund Minna Airport with modern equipment and also renamed it Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The farmer Governor is indeed not relenting on his oars as he also signed a partnership with Lagos state to supply the state which already has the ready-made market for farm produce which will ensure that farmers get to sell their goods in real-time and also make profits to be reinvested as he also plans to synergize with more state who are ready to key into the massive food production chain.

If Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola FCA, CON were to be like Nostradamus; the man who sees tomorrow; he would have predicted what the future holds but unfortunately he is not one and he has never met a soothsayer who told him what  the future holds but he is a man who believes in the spirit of hardwork, resilience, doggedness and passion. More reason he was able to climb the ladder of success early in his career as a politician and a seasoned accountant.

While growing up, he learnt the art of working hard and smart from his parent but he also ensured he was in tune with his immediate environment which provided him and molded him into the man he has become today. His influence and political capacity in Lagos and Ogun his filial relationship with President Bola Tinubu and also the Senate President Godswil Obot Akpabio is a testimony that he has indeed done well for himself to have commanded such respect.

As an assembly member in Lagos, Member of Representative and Senator representing Lagos West and now Ogun West; Yayi as he is fondly called has remained consistent and is known for being a progressive-minded person. He is also a kind man who puts his people first. Often time many people ask him why a successful accountant like him would be looking for the political terrain a game perceived to be dirty by many, but he often answers them that; His love and passion for service to the people has been a driving force. Today, calling Yayi anywhere in South West Nigeria is synonymous with; success, political power, philanthropy, intelligence, brilliance and hard work.

Last December during the yuletide season when many of his colleagues had retired back to their constituency to spend time with their constituents and family; Yayi was deprived of his luxury of time as he was so enmeshed with the national assignment that is billed to move to Nigeria to the next level. While he resumes in his office at 8 am he closes in the wee hours to ensure a smooth budget passage and meeting the needed budget cycle. He worked tirelessly forgetting his meals most times. Despite his exceptional delivery of the budget process; he still made time to host his people in the New Year at his country home in Ilaro. Last weekend he also empowered several of his constituents with empowerment facilities worth millions of Naira to ensure financial stability despite the biting economy. He is currently one of the most experienced lawmakers in Ogun as he is focused on attracting more development to his region and state at large.

Veteran actor and movie director, Prince Jide Kosoko has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima over their victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), which validated their elections as President and Vice President respectively.

Kosoko, who was the Secretary of the Creative Arts Directorate of the dissolved Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement on Friday, said the decision of the PEPC was in sinc with the wishes and aspirations of majority of Nigerians who voted for them. This, he said, has once again demonstrated the faith of Nigerians in Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ability of the present administration to turn around the fortunes of the country in all facet of the national life.

He said: “I wish to heartily congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their victory with the Presidential Election Petition Court judgment, which validated their elections. There is no doubt that the decision of the tribunal is the needed tonic for the administration to focus on the Renewed Hope Agenda and also fulfil its electioneering campaigns for the masses of the Nigerian people.

“Despite widespread falsehoods and gross misrepresentation, many of us have always known that the election of February 25, 2023 was won fair and clear by President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima and that the decision of the tribunal was only the icing on the cake. It is my honest opinion that with this victory, Nigeria and Nigerians are in for an unmatched progress and development in the anals of the country.

“Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate Her Excellency, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for this victory, knowing that she has always stood strong, not just with Mr President but on the side of the generality of Nigerians. It is my belief that with this victory, she will do much more for the people, using her office to impact on the lives of citizens, especially with her Renewed Hope Foundation.

“Though I am aware that Her Excellency, the First Lady detests being praised for her humanitarian activities, I am however compelled to pray that God will continue to keep her, reward her efforts and strengthen her to continue to offer succour for the generality of Nigerians.

“Lastly, I want to commend the Judiciary, especially the judges of the PEPC for the their painstaking work over the last three months and for doing the judiciary proud with their well researched ruling even in the face of intimidation and blackmail. The Justice Haruna Tsammani led panel has only renewed the faith of Nigerians in the judiciary with a clear message that it will always stand on the side of Nigerians.”