Press Release

Kebbi State Governor and the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, seven Frontline States’ Governors of Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, Borno, Sokoto and Zamfara, were part of Federal Government’s high powered delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Enyema, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, at the swearing in ceremony of the new Nigerien President, Muhamed Bazoum, on Friday, 2nd of April,2021.

Bazoum’s historic inauguration took place at the Mahatma Ghandi International Conference Center, Niamey, at about 12:05 pm .

The epoch-making handing over ceremony from the outgoing President , Mahamadou Issoufou, who served for two year terms, of five years, to Bazoum, was attended by the leaders of many African countries and foreign envoys, from different parts of the world, including its closiest neighbor, Nigeria.

Before the swearing in and inauguration of the new Government, Issoufou handed over the Sword Of Office and decorated his successor, Bazoum with the highest Honor of Niger Republic, amidst loud ovation from the tumultuous crowd.

The attendees came from within and outside the country to witness the first successful civilian to civilian transition /handing over of power.

The swearing ceremony was performed by seven Justices of Niger Republic’s Constitutional Court, after which Bazoum held the Quran and swore by the Holy Book.

In his post inauguration speech, Bazoum narrated how his predecessor, Issoufou, spearheaded the formation of their party.

He also extolled the good leadership qualities of Issoufou, which according to him, recorded myriad of tangible, invaluable developments in Niger Republic.

Mohamed Bazoum also promised to fight corruption head-on, without fear or favor and collaborate with the Nigerian authorities to deal with insecurity, especially the menace of Boko Haram.

It will be recalled that, President Bazoum had defeated Mahamane Ousmane , a former President, at the Presidential runoff election, in February,2021.

Some of the eight Northern Governors neighboring Niger Republic, who attended the epoch-making event in Niamey were Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Umar Ganduje, Aminu Bello Masari, Babagana Zulum and Badaru Abdullahi of Kano,Katsina, Borno Jigawa State, respectively.

Others were Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Mai Mala Buni and Bello Matawalle of Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara States.

The elated people of the eight Northern Frontline States Niamey have long lasting close cultural and economic ties with Niger.

Apart from the common border that separates them, trade, commerce and inter-marriages thrive between the Nigerien and Nigerian border communities.

Earlier on Thursday, seven State Governors of Kebbi, Katsina, Borno Yobe, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Zamfara states had arrived Niamey’s International Airport, before their Kano State counterpart joined them later.

The members of the Nigerian entourage on Thursday night treated to a befitting dinner by the Nigerien Government, to further show unwaivering appreciation and cement the age-long existing cordial relationship between Niger Republic and the neighboring Northern Frontline States.

Signed,

YAHAYA SARKI,
Special Adviser (SA) Media to Kebbi State Governor
3/4/2021