By John Bassey, Birnin Kebbi
Local Government (LG) Chairmen in Kebbi State, North-West Nigeria, have vowed to uphold and promote the legacy of the State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, which is anchored on good governance, effective service delivery and remarkable achievements in all sectors of human development.
Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area (LGA) and state Chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Muhammad Dahiru Nayaya Ambursa, gave the commitment following a meeting between Gov. Idris and the 21 LG Chairmen in the state, at Government House,Birnin Kebbi,the state capital.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ambursa highlighted what he described as Gov. Idris’s transformational leadership, stressing that his dedication to hard work, perseverance, and people-centered governance have significantly modernized the state and improved the quality of life of residents.
Ambursa said: “We, the Chairmen, met with our leader, Governor Nasir Idris, whom we regard as a Governor with a mission and vision, a leader who listens to his people to ensure their happiness.
“Governor Idris has delivered the dividends of democracy across all sectors, fulfilling his campaign promises.
“His administration has positively impacted every community and group in Kebbi State, providing care and support to the elderly, less privileged, orphans, women, youths, and persons living with disabilities.
“Under his leadership, we have witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development, economic prosperity, and social well-being.
“The legacy of compassion, service, justice, and progress he has established is one we are determined to sustain.”
Ambursa further emphasized the commitment of all the Chairmen and the 225 wards in the state to support Gov. Idris’ administration, ensuring continuity of his achievements.
“With renewed vigor, we pledge to rally around Governor Nasir Idris to sustain this indelible legacy until 2031, by God’s grace,” he said.
…Built,Renovated 1,954 Schools In 20 Months
Meanwhile, Gov. Idris, who also holds the prestigious traditional title of Kauran Gwandu, disclosed that his administration has renovated and built 1,954 schools across the state within 20 months.
Gov. Idris made this known in Birnin Kebbi while addressing 1,125 ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates from the 225 wards in the state’s LGAs.
While thanking the delegates for their unwavering support and endorsement of him as the party’s flagbearer, Gov. Idris highlighted the strides made by his administration in the education sector.
He disclosed that 1,618 schools have been renovated while 336 new ones were constructed, totalling 1,954.
The governor reiterated his pride in being a professional teacher, describing teachers as his “main constituency.”
“The people of Kebbi State should disregard any insinuations that I have neglected teachers. My administration has implemented the N18,000, N30,000, and N70,000 minimum wages for teachers and ensured that no teacher is owed salaries or emoluments,” the governor said.
Idris added that his administration had increased the retirement age of teachers to 65 years or 40 years of service, a policy, he said, distinguishes Kebbi State from others.
As part of his administration’s commitment to education, the governor noted that the state government continues to cover National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for students under its free education policy and pays registration fees for undergraduate students studying within and outside Nigeria.
Gov. Idris affirmed that he has fulfilled over 70% of his campaign promises, with people-centric projects executed across the state.
He highlighted completed and ongoing projects in Yauri, Gwandu, and Argungu Emirates, assuring that Zuru Emirate would soon benefit as well.
“Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, is being transformed into an enviable city at par with its contemporaries across the country,” he noted.
The governor thanked the delegates, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and members of the State Assembly for their support in ensuring successful budget implementation and project execution.
Gov. Idris also announced a N135 million empowerment package for the delegates, with each receiving N120,000 just as he promised continued dedication to transparency, honesty, and development.
Earlier, the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Kana-Zuru, commended the governor for his leadership and informed the delegates of their retention as party representatives till 2027.
Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Malam Muhammad Dan-Sadi assured the governor of their unwavering loyalty, describing him as their political pillar and rescuer.
Former Gov. Saidu Dakingari, who also spoke, praised Gov. Idris for fulfilling his campaign promises, adding that efforts to attract defectors from opposition parties were underway.
Kebbi transforming agric,says Gov
In a related development, Gov. Idris affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving agricultural production for food security, income generation, economic growth and societal wellbeing.
The governor restated the pledge during an inspection visit to potato farms in Gulumbe community in the state.
In a remark, the governor informed the District Head of Gulumbe, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Dangaladima,a retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, and farmers that since assumption to duties, he has attached utmost importance to agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economic development.
“My administration has provided agricultural inputs and fertilizer to farmers free as an encouragement to cultivate more yields which shall be sustained.
“Consequently, Kebbi is blessed with bumper harvest this season. Emphasis has also been placed on the provision of necessary assistance to farmers to engage in dry season irrigation farming.
“The government concurs that abundance of food is the foundation of wealth, peace and security of the people which is our target”, the governor said.
He commended the District Head for encouraging farmers in the area to adopt the newly introduced cassava farming method and lauded the farmers for embracing the innovation.
The governor further highlighted the importance of food security, noting that President Bola Tinubu has prioritized agriculture as a key focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his federal administration.
He further emphasized the state’s commitment to adopting new agricultural methods of farming, urging other states to follow its example.
Idris directed the Commissioner for Agriculture to immediately provide farmers with fertilizer.
Speaking on the occasion, a cassava farmer and beneficiary of the state government’s support program, Danladi Gulumbe, expressed gratitude to Gov. Idris for providing improved cassava seeds through the Ministry of Agriculture.
But, he appealed to the governor for additional assistance, specifically in the provision of fertilizers and insecticides, to enhance their production efforts.
Welcoming the governor and his entourage, earlier, the District Head of Gulumbe, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the governor for personally visiting the cassava farms and supporting the farmers in his community.
He assured the governor that farmers in the area have wholeheartedly adopted the improved cassava planting techniques introduced by the government.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, said as a result of the recent floods, Gov. Idris directed the Ministry of Agriculture to evolve strategies to turn the challenges faced by farmers into opportunities.
“The Governor summoned us and emphasized that he did not want to hear people crying, directing us to devise a plan to transform pain into gain.
“The ministry discussed viable solutions and proposed the idea of residual moisture planting, a practice where crops are cultivated as floodwaters recede.
“We informed the Governor that crops such as potatoes and cassava could thrive under this method and immediately directed us to source potato vines and distribute them to interested farmers,” the Commissioner said.
According to Alhaji Mu’azu, the programme has now shown remarkable success.
“To the glory of God, we are here today to assess its progress; from what we’ve seen and heard from the farmers, the program is a success,” he said.
He revealed that the initiative has already benefited 15,613 farmers, with 15,000 hectares cultivated under the scheme.
Encouraged by this success, the government plans to expand the program and develop a robust potato value chain in the state, alongside the already leading rice value chain.
The Commissioner announced that his ministry has sourced potato vines, fertilizer and insecticides while fertilizers had been procured, with the governor having given explicit directives for immediate distribution.
“By tomorrow, all participating communities will receive their allocations”, he said.
The program, implemented under the Kebbi State KADAGE initiative, is known as the Residual Moisture Crop Production scheme.
