Toba Owojaiye reporting
Minna, Niger State
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has announced the renaming of the Abubakar Imam International Airport in Minna to honor President Bola Tinubu.
This decision, made during a Sunday press briefing at the Government House in Minna, has raised eyebrows just months after the airport was renamed in honor of Abubakar Imam, a renowned Nigerian writer and journalist from Niger.
Truth Live News gathered that the agro-processing zone project will cover 2,000 hectares: 1,000 for drip irrigation and greenhouses, and another 1,000 for dairy product processing.
Niger State is a significant supplier of cattle, averaging half a million daily to both local and international markets,” said Bago.
By utilizing the airport for meat transport, instead of road options, we aim to stimulate employment opportunities and bolster the value chain.
“An extensive 140-kilometer network of water irrigation channels is being constructed linking to the Shiroro Dam. While this is part of a 50-year vision, the initial phase will see completion in the coming years.
“We are also bringing in 80 megawatts of power supply to the airport,” Bago added.
As part of the event, Tinubu is scheduled to hold discussions with former heads of state Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The decision to rename the airport after President Tinubu has been attributed to his purported significant support for the state, coinciding with his scheduled visit to inaugurate developmental projects and a new agro-processing zone. This move aligns with the federal government’s directive in 2023 to rename 15 federal airports after notable Nigerians, including former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, the renaming has not been without controversy. A circulating image of Governor Bago bowing to greet Tinubu has fueled discussions, with interpretations ranging from a show of respect and appreciation to criticism of political subservience.
President Tinubu’s visit to Minna includes the inauguration of the newly renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, along with the unveiling of an agro-processing zone and agricultural equipment. The airport, first commissioned by former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida in 1990, has undergone refurbishment, addressing previous runway issues to boast a fully equipped domestic terminal.
The agro-processing zone project, spanning 2,000 hectares, aims to bolster agricultural activities, particularly in cattle farming. Governor Bago emphasized the state’s significant role as a supplier of cattle to both local and international markets, with plans to utilize the airport for meat transport, stimulating employment opportunities and enhancing the value chain. Additionally, plans for an extensive irrigation network and the introduction of power supply underscore the state’s commitment to agricultural development and infrastructure improvement.
As Nigerians grapple with the renaming controversy, it serves as a stark reminder of the intertwined relationship between politics, public perception, and power dynamics in the country. Governor Bago’s decision has not only sparked controversy but has also brought to light the delicate balance between political gestures and public sentiment in the Nigerian political landscape.