Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, said he will remain unshaken in his committed to the rapid socio-economic development of the State, vowed determination to reversing the negative narratives about Kebbi.
“I will INSHA ALLAH, sustain this current trajectory of development to leave Kebbi State much better than I inherited it”, Dr Idris said on Monday in Birnin Kebbi at the meeting of the Kebbi Elders Consultative Forum.
The Governor recalled how he took over the affairs of the state in 2023 with many formidable challenges, saying however that he is now happy as the hitherto ugly situation has greatly changed for the better.
Dr. Idris, who lauded the foresight of the forum’s leadership, maintained that all the indigens of the state were active stakeholders in the attainment of its objectives.
According to the Governor, his administration has improved the education sector as the bedrock of every development.
Dr. Idris informed the gathering that his administration inherited a terribly decayed infrastructure just like all other sectors that were hitherto in shambles.
He disclosed that his administration has rehabilitated and fully equipped a total of 2,023 primary and secondary schools across the state.
Also, 243 new ones were constructed and fully equipped with modern facilities, while the state government, among others, implemented the N30,000 and subsequently, N75,000 new national minimum wage for all categories of teachers.
Dr. Idris added that qualified 2,000 new teachers were recruited to fill the gaps left by those who either retired or died.
Similarly, retirement age of all categories of teachers including those in tertiary institutions was raised from 60 to 65 years and 35 to 40 years in service.
The Governor said his administration has been providing free education across the state, as well as paying tuition and registration fees for all students of Kebbi origin, in Tertiary Institutions the in the country and abroad
In addition, the State Government pays NECO and WAEC examinations fees for Kebbi students to ease the burden on parents.
Also, the monthly expenditure on the schools feeding programme has been raised from N165million to N300 million to provide quality food to students.
Dr. Idris said his administration has given a befitting facelift to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, to making it at par with its contemporaries across Nigeria.
Other parts of the state have received the same attention while work was ongoing in some urban centres.
Describing agriculture as the mainstay of Kebbi’s economy, Dr Idris recalled that billions of Naira have been spent on the distribution of free fertilizer, water pumps, herbicides, pesticides as well as other farm inputs and implements to farmers.
On health, Dr Idris disclosed that his administration has expended enormous amount of money to enhance quality healthcare services to the people.
In addition, he has strengthened the sector with 1,426 new health personnel and bridged the salary disparity between doctors under the state government and their federal counterparts.
On industrialization, Dr Idris said his administration has attracted new foreign investors who would inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the state’s economy.
He named a Chinese investor who plans to establish a Lithium Production Plant in Ngaski at about $200 million while another entrepreneur would soon establish a cement factory of about $300 million in collaboration with the state government
The Governor also acknowledged that water supply has greatly improved with the regular purchase of chemicals and diesel for generators.
He further stated that power supply has been bolstered with the purchase of seventy five transformers at over N1billion, payment of N51million bills to KAEDCO, and giving them N150 million monthly to boost their operations.
Dr. Idris also promised never to waiver or despair in taking the state to greater heights, saying, “we will do this not minding whose ox is gored and to the dismay of the never-tiring doubting Thomases”,
“We have no any other state than Kebbi and we are ready to accept any wise counsel or progressive advice.
“We must therefore be collectively committed to the development of the state irrespective of any political differences.”
He concluded,”I have started well and in Sha Allahu, I will end well.”
He commended members of the forum for initiating discussions for the development of the Kebbi State.
Also speaking, the former Governor of the state, Sen. Adamu Aliero expressed happiness with the event, saying that the meeting was a reunion of brethren in furtherance of the development of the state.
In his remarks, an elder statesman retired Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, also said he was elated to be part of the epochal event brainstorming on the socio-economic development of Kebbi State..
Gen. Bamaiyi expressed delight about the giant strides recorded by the Kauran Gwandu’s administration, promising to continue to offer his wise counsel to move the state forward.
Earlier, the First Vice Chairman of the Forum, rtd. Justice Suleiman Muhammad Ambursa, outlined its history and activities.
” I am commending Governor Nasir Idris for approving the resuscitation of the Kebbi Elders Consultative Forum to perform its functions of progressive partnership with the government to accelerate socioeconomic growth of the society”,
“The Forum was created for the progress of Kebbi’s development, we want to hold annual conference including award ceremony”,
“Part of our agenda also involves State Economic Summit to help the governor facilitate the economic growth of Kebbi”,
“Furthermore, the Forum will organise fund raising of which part of the proceeds will be used to build an office as an indelible Kauran Gwandu legacy”, Justice Ambursa said.
