By Awwal Umar Kontagora Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has received the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country D...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has received the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director, Elsie Attafuah, and representatives of the German government on a courtesy visit at the Niger State Liaison Office in Abuja.
The governor welcomed the development partners and expressed appreciation for their continuous support and collaboration toward the growth and development of Niger State.
Governor Bago highlighted Niger State’s inclusion in the North West Prevention Facility Project, a strategic move considering the state’s challenges with terrorism and banditry. He emphasized that the partnership with UNDP and Germany is helping the government improve the lives of victims through sustainable resettlement housing, healthcare interventions, and other humanitarian support.
“Our administration is committed to improving the livelihoods of affected communities, and we remain open to further collaborations in women and youth empowerment, education, skills development, tourism, and other sectors,” the governor stated.
Elsie Attafuah, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, commended Governor Bago for his leadership and commitment, describing him as a “wonderful and committed co-investor.” She noted that the visit aimed to discuss expanding areas of intervention and scaling up investments in the state. Attafuah also suggested exploring additional collaborations in energy, trade, investment, and youth empowerment.
Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mustapha Ndajiwo, highlighted that the partnership with UNDP on the Northwest Prevention Facility Project, which began two years ago, has been instrumental in mitigating the impacts of banditry and terrorism on victims, with significant positive outcomes already recorded.
Arne Hartig, Head of Stabilization, lauded the governor’s leadership and explained that the German government, together with UNDP and partner states, is working to enhance interventions that promote peacebuilding, livelihood restoration, and community resilience.
Niger State was recently added to the Northwest Prevention Facility Project due to its vulnerability as a border state prone to spillover insecurity. Funded by UNDP, Germany, Norway, and state government contributions, the project addresses root causes of insecurity and climate-exacerbated vulnerabilities while fostering long-term peace and resilience.
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