The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to working closely with the Niger government to bring prosperity to the country.

Mr Idris made this statement on Wednesday upon arriving in Abuja aboard an inaugural flight from the newly named President Bola Tinubu International Airport in Minna.

The minister expressed gratitude to Mr Tinubu for supporting Gov. Umar Bago in the remarkable development strides being undertaken in Niger.

“Bago is passionate about opening up Niger, for agriculture, commerce, industry, and, indeed, prosperity,” Mr Idris said.

“One very key issue to highlight is the kind of collaboration Mr President always advocates—between the federal government and the sub-nationals.

“Niger is a great example of how such collaboration can work to bring real prosperity to Nigeria,” he added.

Mr Idris described his excitement at the event as twofold—because it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr Tinubu, and because it is taking place in his home state.

“My governor is taking the lead with great passion for development. We hope he continues to break new ground so our state can grow and the entire country can share in the prosperity envisioned by Mr President,” he said.

He further noted that the people of Niger were elated by the milestone and proud of the state’s growing prominence.

In his remarks, Mr Bago said the inaugural commercial flight from Mr Tinubu International Airport in Minna to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja signalled the dawn of a new era for the state.

“This flight will now operate three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Minna is now open to the skies of the world,” Mr Bago announced.

He thanked Mr Tinubu—after whom the airport is named—for the support given to the state, along with the ministry of aviation, and other key figures including the minister of information and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.

“Niger is agrarian. Around the airport, we have 3,000 hectares designated as a free zone.

“It’s an agro-free zone, and we plan to begin exporting from here. There is also a cargo terminal in place,” Mr Bago said. 

He revealed plans to build the largest greenhouse complex in Africa around the airport city, which would enable the export of fresh flowers and agro-processed products across the continent and beyond.

“We’re also building the first Hilton-brand hotel in Northern Nigeria.

“Add that to the Zuma Rock, four hydropower dams, and vast agricultural initiatives, and you’ll see why Niger is quickly becoming a hub for development,” he added.

According to the governor, the state has already cleared over a million hectares of land and is playing a key role in feeding Nigeria—with plans to expand its reach to feed Africa.

Meanwhile, the minister of state for agriculture and food security, Aliyu Abdullahi, commended Mr Bago’s leadership, especially in agricultural development, noting the strategic advantage of the state’s vast land resources.

Several passengers were also on board the same inaugural flight from Minna to Abuja.

(NAN)