By Mohammed Baba Yahaya
We see your comments, we read your analyses, and we acknowledge your deep concern for the progress of Niger State. We address your criticisms for the sake of the uninformed and the undecided and to make a testament to the fact that people are engaged and expect results. However, we urge you to consider a fundamental truth about transformative leadership which is Governance is a marathon, not a sprint.
The “sprint” mentality demands immediate, visible results, quick fixes and flashy projects that provide instant gratification. A “marathon” strategy, which Bago has adopted, is about endurance, strategic pacing, and building a foundation that will last for decades, not just a news cycle.
Marathons are inherently ambitious. They are not for the faint-hearted. Bago’s focus on revolutionizing agriculture is not a short-term slogan; it is a long-term economic strategy. Turning Niger State into the Japan of Africa in terms of agriculture doesn’t happen in one planting season. It requires building infrastructure, securing partnerships, and modernizing practices. This is a 4-year, 8-year, and beyond plan. We are in the early stages of a long race, building the endurance needed for the challenging miles ahead.
Yes, people are hurting now. However, a marathon runner cannot use all their energy in the first five miles; they will never finish. The primary focus is on the finish line: a self-sufficient economy that will permanently alleviate poverty, not just manage it with temporary handouts. The strategic investments being made today are designed to create jobs, stimulate growth, and secure a prosperous future for all citizens.
Governor Bago has shown the vision and the courage to start this marathon. The journey ahead is long and will have its challenging stretches. True support means cheering not just when they sprint past a milestone, but also when they are pacing themselves steadily through the difficult, less glamorous parts of the course.
Let us give the administration the time and space to run its race. The finish line is a transformed, prosperous, and sustainable Niger State. That is a goal worth running a marathon for.
We are not asking for blind faith. We are asking for strategic patience. 8 years is the mark!