By Stella Odueme
The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has inaugurated the National and State Executive members of Bello Muhammad Goronyo (BMG) Associates for Asiwaju/Shettima 2027, urging them to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and promote peaceful political engagement across the North-West.
The inauguration ceremony, which also featured a reception for the newly constituted executives, was held at Syde Resort, Raba Road, Kaduna.
According to his Special Adviser on Media, Abdullahi Mohammed, in a statement on Saturday, BMG Associates is a support organisation established to coordinate political activities, deepen stakeholder engagement and expand grassroots structures across the seven North-West states.
Speaking at the event, Goronyo highlighted infrastructure development as one of the major areas of focus of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying ongoing projects were aimed at promoting economic growth, connectivity and national development.
He listed several Federal Government projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, Calabar–Abuja/Trans-Saharan Corridor, Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe corridor, Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor and the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto corridor.
According to him, other interventions include the Kaduna–Kano rail project, Kano City Rail Service and the student loan scheme, which he said were designed to improve transportation, education and economic opportunities.
Goronyo urged Nigerians, particularly members of BMG Associates, to maintain unity and peaceful coexistence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He expressed support for President Tinubu's second-term bid, stressing the importance of continuity and stability in governance.
As part of his support for the newly inaugurated executives, the minister presented eight Toyota vehicles to BMG Associates, with one vehicle allocated to each of the seven North-West states and another to the National Executive.
He said the vehicles would assist the organisation in grassroots mobilisation, coordination and other activities across the region.
The event attracted political leaders, government officials, traditional and community leaders, as well as representatives of women and youth groups from across the North-West.
Goronyo also paid tribute to former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, whom he described as a father, leader and mentor.
The Secretary-General and Director of Strategy and Communication of BMG Associates, Engr. Harisu H. M. Jibrila, PhD, said the promoters of the organisation had worked with Goronyo during President Tinubu's 2023 presidential campaign.
Jibrila said their experience during the campaign exposed them to Goronyo's leadership qualities, commitment and organisational capacity, which he said motivated the establishment of BMG Associates as a coordinated platform for engaging communities and stakeholders across the region.
Also speaking, Islamic scholar and member of the Kaduna State Special Hajj Committee, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, commended Goronyo's leadership qualities and urged the organisation to promote trust, good character and responsible leadership.
Maraya also called for effective communication of government programmes and infrastructure projects to citizens.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, called for increased engagement with women and youths, particularly on issues relating to security, economic reforms, infrastructure and empowerment.