Niger Speaker, others hail Bago for repositioning inter-tribal ministry

The Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago on Inter-tribal Matters, George Dike, has said he is repositioning his office to accelerate non indigenes’ support for the governor’s New Niger Agenda.

Dike made this known when non-indigene residents of Niger State from the 25 Local Government Areas assembled for a retreat  in Minna, the state capital to appraise the impact of their role since the inception of the Bago administration and the creation of the office of the Special Adviser on Inter Tribal Matters.

Dike who organised the event at his Haske Luxury Hotel with the theme: “Understanding Political Mobilisation Strategies” drew over 200 members from all the LGAs who spoke their minds on the role of the Inter Tribal office in mobilising Niger  residents to key into the New Niger Agenda of Bago.

The chairman of the retreat was Aminu Bobi, while Governor Bago was the Special Guest of Honour. The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, was the Special Visitor, while the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political and Strategy Nma Kolo was the Guest Speaker.

The Guest Speaker, Nma Kolo, challenged the inter tribal groups in the state to strive to encourage unity in diversity, noting that it is the essence of political mobilisation.

Going down memory lane, he informed of how Niger State has thrived being home to a diversity of ethnic groups

“I am most delighted to be with you as the guest speaker of the maiden edition of this retreat aimed at repositioning inter-tribal to become a potential force in political mobilisation. I have been at the center point of this retreat, understanding political mobilisation strategies.

“This is apt and can not be faulted in view of the realities of our times and the paradigm shift being witnessed today in the mantra of New Niger. The occasion provides the opportunity to celebrate unity in diversity. In the light of Niger State being home to all.

“Our state is not only detribalised if you look at our historic past, you’ll see in graphic details the development of Minna and by extension, the state, has been a cocktail of regional commitment from the 18th century to the 19th coordinating and accelerating  development.”

The chairman of the occasion and APC state Chairman Aminu Bobi who was as represented by his Deputy Chairman Zakari Baba commended the organisers for what he termed, “their tireless efforts to bring people of diverse tribes  from all the local governments of the state.”

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, gave the keynote address and extolled the virtues of the Special Adviser on Inter-Tribal Matters. According to him, the town hall meeting is a true reflection of political mobilisation.

Sarkin-Daji observed, “This hall is a true definition of one Nigeria. I have never appreciated the new national anthem until now that it was sang because if you look at this line very well, it says, “though tribe and tongue may differ, but in brotherhood we stand.

“Who would have imagined that today in Niger State, a typical Hausa man from Mariga Local Government and George Dike that is from Kaduna and Prof that is from Borno and all of us that cut across the nooks and cranny of this country are gathered in this hall today to discuss just one thing, the progress of Niger State.

“In this hall, we are all talking about one man that believes in one Nigeria, one man who believes in our unity and that man that believes in our brotherhood existence and that is Right Honourable Umar Bago.

“That is why I said I have never appreciated this national anthem until today.

“Your Excellency, sir, Mr George Dike, the role of the inter tribal community in the atmosphere of Niger State can not be over-emphasised. If you limit it to just Understanding Political Mobilisation Strategies, you are not doing justice to the inter-tribal community.”

The Speaker assured the participants that he would sponsor a bill to make inter-tribal matters an agency in Niger State. “I never doubted your capacity when you were appointed as the Special Adviser on Inter-Tribal Matters in this administration. To be very candid and frank, I know His Excellency wanted to make you a commissioner under the Ministry of Inter Tribal.

“But then, he said, “let us start somewhere and see the result we can get before we can make a ministry for that community. George Dike, we are proud of you. The role of inter tribal community in the atmosphere of Niger State can not be over emphasised.

“Before the creation of a Ministry of Inter-Tribal community in the state, I as the Speaker, I promised to sponsor a bill at the state assembly for the creation of the ministry of inter tribal community. I won’t have to wait for the government  because I know the governor is definitely going to assent to it.

“I am going to sponsor a bill for the establishment of Niger State Inter Tribal Agency.

“I will make sure that if that agency is established, from the DG to the MD to the executive director, to the coordinators, special advisers and all staff of that agency must come from inter tribal community,” he promised.

In his brief welcome remarks, the Special Adviser to the governor on Inter-Tribal Matters, George Dike, disclosed that Bago facilitated the town hall retreat and made available the funds.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate His excellency, the farmer governor Mohammed Umar Bago, the executive governor of Niger State for giving us the opportunity to serve as special adviser, the first of its kind, on inter tribal matters.

“I cherish the good people of Niger State where I have lived for 43 years as a non indigenous person for the immence support which has contributed to the numerous achievement of the office within a short period,” he said.

Dike presented a long list of the achievements of the Inter-Tribal office since it was inaugurated by the governor, stressing that the Inter-Tribal office has promoted cordial relationships among the various tribes in the state.