POLITICAL POLITICS

Bago: Mega Minds, Mega Projects, Mega Reach and the Principle of Mass Benefits

by admin on | 2026-07-13 12:18:27

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Bago: Mega Minds, Mega Projects, Mega Reach and the Principle of Mass Benefits

By Jibrin Bala Jibrin Yikangi

It wasn’t planned. The conversation emerged casually during a drive with Nuruddeen Isyaku Daza of the famous “Tsallle Daya.” At some point, he remarked, “Flyovers make one lose his way around town.” The comment wasn’t directed at me, but it lingered in my mind.

We were driving along the Lado Flyover in Kano on a Tuesday morning, departing after the Arewa Media Summit held on July 6. Daza was behind the wheel, Yakubu Ismail of “Zarar Bunu” sat beside him, and I was in the back seat, quietly observing. Though I said nothing, the statement registered deeply.

We continued our journey, picking up Shamsudeen Yakaji near Yan-Lemo market before heading toward Kaduna. As we passed over the Kawo Flyover, that same statement resurfaced in my mind: “Flyovers make one lose his way around town.” This time, it struck differently.

I began to reflect. The statement, I realised, carries a deeper meaning, one that is positive in at least two ways.

First is development. Flyovers ease congestion, improve mobility, and save time. These efficiencies translate into economic growth and expanded opportunities.

Second is aesthetics. Flyovers are hallmarks of urbanisation. They transform cityscapes, attract investment, and signal progress. In this sense, “losing one’s way” may simply mean encountering a place so transformed that it feels entirely new.

Kawo, for instance, is a place I once knew well during my years at Barewa College from 1991 to 1995. Yet today, it is almost unrecognisable. Indeed, one could lose their way there, not out of confusion, but because of transformation.

When we reached Minna’s former city gate, now undergoing flyover construction, the phrase echoed again. The next morning, I returned on a motorcycle to observe more closely. After careful reflection, I found myself agreeing with that earlier statement.

Here lies my confession. I was once a staunch critic of the demolition of the old city gate. I even wrote a scathing article, calling it “senseless.” But standing there now, seeing the scale of development, I realised I may have been wrong.

Governor Umar Bago appears to be a man often misunderstood, much like Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. He seems to be operating with a vision far ahead of many of us.

The construction of seven flyovers simultaneously in Minna is unprecedented at the state level. It is bold, ambitious, and transformative. Such a vision reflects what Aristotle described as the rational faculty of the mind, the capacity for wisdom, logic, and foresight.

When a leader possesses not just a rational mind, but a sound and visionary one, the outcomes are often grand. Ideas become expansive, and their execution leaves lasting marks on society.

History offers parallels. The Minna drainage system, popularly known as “Berger,” was a product of such foresight under General Ibrahim Babangida. It has protected the city from flooding for decades. Similarly, the Shiroro-Erena Bridge stands today as a testament to long-term planning and public benefit.

These projects, like the current flyovers, required immense resources and likely faced criticism at inception. Yet over time, their benefits have outweighed their costs.

Governor Bago’s projects may follow the same trajectory. While they demand significant investment today, their long-term impact could reshape Niger State economically and aesthetically.

It is fair to call this a gamble, but it is a calculated one. If completed successfully, these projects will redefine Minna and improve the lives of its people.

In the end, this is the essence of mega-mindedness, the ability to envision beyond the present, to act boldly, and to prioritise the collective good.

Niger State stands at a turning point. With sustained commitment, these efforts could usher in a new era of development, one where the masses truly benefit.

Jibrin Bala Jibrin Yikangi, is a Teacher, poet, and Social Activist He writes from Gbako, Niger State.