President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has told Nigerians and the foreign community that the country’s economy will soon recover.

President Tinubu made the assurance while kicking off the two-day Green Economy Summit: ‘Sustainable Future: Harnessing Green Assets and Innovation for Niger State’s Prosperity’ in Minna, organised by the Niger State Government. He also pledged unqualified support for Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago’s Green Economy initiative aimed at unlocking the vast mineral resources across the State.

During the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, the President, who was represented by Senator Abdullahi Sabi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, provided insight into the newly approved solid mineral development policy.

“President Tinubu is also another visionary leader, and we thank Almighty Allah for bringing him to serve our country at this time,” he stated. To demonstrate the President’s dedication to the establishment of a green economy, a new solid mineral development policy was agreed upon in the Federal Executive Council only yesterday (Monday).

“This policy will definitely align with and benefit the green economy that you have envisioned for Niger State because the policy is emphasizing removing all forms of illegality that are desecrating and destroying our environment.

“It also intends to ensure a new principle of resource-use efficiency while allowing people who want to operate legally to do so in the mining sector. And like His Excellency, the Governor said, Niger State is blessed with a number of mineral elements.

“I want to assure you that the President’s commitment to the enthronement of the green economy over the next couple of years, will find favour with the green economy vision you have for Niger State.

“Finally, I want to assure you that the President is fully aware of all the difficulties occasioned by some of the difficult decisions that have to be taken at this point in time and his charge is to simply say please pray for us, give us your understanding and as we make this powerful sacrifice, the gains of our sacrifice is just a short minute or short hours away from us.

“Very soon, we shall begin to reap the benefits of these tough decisions, as our economy will re-bounce back and for us food security which is his number one priority, will also begin to get the full attention it deserves,” Mr. President said.

In his address, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, who hosted the first sub-national Green Economy Summit, stated that his administration has “produced its first Green Economy Blueprint, a strategic document outlining a visionary roadmap that will shape our development choices and steer our actions, in alignment with the precepts of sustainability.

“This Summit will be used to offer a draft to stakeholders for review and input, following which it will be publicly launched and used in the formulation of our appropriation proposals for 2024 and beyond. A new solid mineral development policy was approved by the Council.

“This blueprint is a comprehensive guide that details our vision, objectives, strategies, and actions, designed to transform our state into a beacon of green prosperity that is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and economically robust. It spans across vital sectors, encompassing renewable energy, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, inclusivity, and tourism. It lays out a detailed plan for sourcing financial support, technology transfer, capacity building, and fostering strategic partnerships in the realisation of our mission.

“This blueprint, in its entirety, is not just a document; it is a clarion call to collective action. It beckons the active engagement and cooperation of all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, academia, media, and our local communities. Innovative solutions, tailored to our unique context and needs, must be unearthed and harnessed,” he noted.

Speaking further on the blueprint, he said: “We aspire to create a state where its citizens enjoy access to fundamental social amenities and infrastructure that enhance the quality of life. These include top-tier healthcare, access to high-quality and inclusive education, safeguarded lives and property, assured food security, clean drinking water, affordable housing, recreational venues, and opportunities for sports and leisure.

“We envision a state with a sustainable economy, underpinned by substantial agricultural growth, investments in tourism, the utilization of renewable energy, the responsible extraction of solid minerals, fostering innovation, embracing cutting-edge technology, promoting diverse services, establishing free trade zones, cultivating industrial parks, and establishing economic cities as vital hubs for development and employment.

“Furthermore, our vision includes a state boasting state-of-the-art infrastructure, realised through a deliberate urban renewal strategy. This encompasses the development of quality road networks and efficient rail systems, modern urban transportation options, and advanced city surveillance systems.

“This vision aligns with our commitment to establishing a state built on the principles of good governance, characterized by equity, unwavering accountability, a proficient civil service, the maintenance of law and order, a thriving business environment, sound financial governance, optimized internal revenue generation, the application of technology for efficient governance, and inclusive governance and policymaking,” Governor Bago assured.

On his part, former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalam applauded Governor Bago for providing quality leadership since he assumed office.

“Let me go back memory lane during the regime when Governor David Mark was here, I remember coming on a visit to find a policeman in front of my father’s house, he was given a ticket for not planting a tree in his house. I’m glad that Governor Bago is now retracing those steps and he’s trying to see that we annex our green economy in Niger State.

“I want to congratulate you for this effort. As the other speakers have said certainly we need to do something to go back to a green economy. I want to commend you and wish you all the best as we discuss the importance of annexing the green economy.”

While commending Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his service to the people, he commended his support for Governor Bago’s Green Economy initiative, and also solicited the people’s patronage for the green economy.

In his remarks, Governor Zulum who applauded Governor Bago’s initiative expressed optimism that the Summit will help in achieving economic transformation as well as employment generation.

“The increasing cost of fossil fuel and indeed carbon emission into our environment is a great concern to the teeming population of Nigeria and the world in general. I’m glad to note that today’s summit is to discuss harnessing the potential of the green economy in Niger State.

“It is my very belief that the speakers at this very great summit will do justice to the matter and come up with key recommendations that will ensure utilisation and investment in green economy with a view to promoting growth and development of our own economy.”

Governor Zulum who averred that desertification is encroaching in a fast way, noted that the “only way that we aha get rid of desertification is to invest in renewable energy, which is very important.”

To this end, he called for investment in irrigation technology, sprinkling irrigation, among others with a view to reducing cost.

He also commended Governor Bago’s resolve to send a delegation to Borno State with a view to understudy various development initiatives embarked on by his administration.

While pledging support to partner with Niger State not only in the development of Borno and Niger States, he assured that the partnership will also be extended for the development of the entire Northern Nigeria.

In his address, Senator Sabi while acknowledging the vision of Governor Bago, he applauded his vision to transform the state economy, saying: “The new Niger you have envisioned is already a reality. It’s a reality because you stood on the shoulders of Giants.

In life development is progressive, you’ve been a politician, you came in as a youngster, fought your way into the House of Representatives, made a mark for yourself, had a lot of experience while planning on how you intend to come and serve your people as Governor. Allah had answered that prayer.

“Let me the experience you brought shows clearly that you have prepared for this job and Allah has helped you to get this far. I want to congratulate you for taking this very powerful initiative to send a message that the green economy is a global reality.

“In some few years to come, things will change beyond our imagination. We thank you for putting Niger State the largest state in terms of land mass which means we have the potential to enthrone the largest economy possible, thank you very much for this vision,” Senator Sabi said.

While delivering his goodwill message, a former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu who showered encomium on Governor Zulum for returning displaced Borno Indigenes to their ancestral homes following the insurgent attacks that ravaged the State, noted that excellent friendship with Governor Bago will ensure that he replicate Green Economy in Borno State.

“Desertification has been on almost annually. When you Niger State in the helicopter you go to Agwaari town and some of the local governments bordering Zamfara, you will notice the movement of the desert, and unless we arrest it we would end up, many of us have seen the Sahara desert, and 2hat it means, so for me I am very very happy with this summit because it means we are serious in governance.

“We are serious in governance by bringing everybody to participate, we are serious in governance because we are concerned with the intellectual need of governance. We are very serious. Unfortunately, I pity my Governor Umar Bago because Umar Bago you’re not going to work for 8 years, you’re going to work for 16 years in 8 years.

“But the beauty of it is that, because you have started, you will discover that many people will be behind you to succeed. But I must say something to you, in Niger State, do not be afraid of anything or anybody, if you rely on your God, but respect the Elders but do your job and God will protect you.