In a significant announcement, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has decided to forego the conventional title of ‘His Excellency’ in favor of the more symbolic designation of ‘Farmer Governor.’ This declaration came during the presentation of the 2024 budget to the State House of Assembly, where Governor Bago emphasized the government’s unwavering dedication to prioritizing and advancing agriculture in the state.
He expressed that he no longer wishes to be addressed as ‘Excellency,’ ‘Honorable,’ or ‘Mr. Governor,’ but instead prefers to be referred to as “Farmer Governor.”
“I want to inform the people of Niger State that starting today, my title has changed, and I prefer to be addressed as Farmer Governor Bago,” he stated.
Attired in a T-shirt and trousers, Bago clarified that he has not prohibited civil servants from wearing traditional agbada attire, as reported by some media outlets. He affirmed that civil servants in departments such as works and agriculture, where physical activity is necessary, are permitted to dress in attire that facilitates their functionality.
Furthermore, the governor announced the conversion of the state Trade Fair Complex into a multipurpose facility for sports and recreation, renaming it as the Bola Tinubu Square (BTS).
