Special Adviser to Kebbi Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Zuru, says Gov. Nasir Idris is recording more successes because of his deep ties to the people and his background as a labour leader.
Zuru made this known in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Explaining the key factor behind the rapid growth under Gov. Idris in the last three years, the special adviser said the governor’s relationship with people at the grassroots helped him understand the needs of the electorate.
“Since its creation in 1991, Kebbi was struggling to catch up with its contemporaries.
“The state eventually bounced to the limelight following the emergence of Dr Nasir Idris as governor after his landslide victory in the 2023 general elections.
“Critics in the opposition underestimated Gov. Nasir Idris. A trained teacher and active unionist, he has the capacity to provide purposeful leadership that will change the state’s development narrative,” Zuru said.
Zuru cited Idris’ experience as a former National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), saying that it gave him strong credentials in managing people and resources.
“With that experience and having lived in the state all his life, Gov. Idris acquired considerable knowledge of the people’s needs and developmental challenges, in addition to his demonstrated commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian service,” he noted.
The aide added that with such background and determination, Gov. Idris produced a comprehensive development blueprint covering all sectors.
“The administration has executed new projects and rehabilitated or completed inherited infrastructure in line with its policy of continuity in governance.
“It is an indisputable fact that within the last three years, Gov. Idris has positively transformed the state’s socio-economic fortunes, particularly in infrastructure and empowerment, which have greatly improved the well-being of the people.
“The initial priority was the state capital, where dilapidated and outdated structures were rehabilitated and upgraded.
“Other critical infrastructure projects executed in Birnin Kebbi include the completion of the state’s ultra-modern Secretariat complex, abandoned for over ten years, and the expansion, dualisation, and beautification of major streets with solar-powered streetlights.
“The three-lane dualised roads have given the capital a comprehensive facelift, making it a model and restoring its pride of place among Nigerian states,” he added.
Zuru disclosed that major towns such as Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru have also been transformed, with facilities and infrastructure either rehabilitated, upgraded, or newly constructed.
“Some kilometres of major streets in Argungu and Yauri have been expanded, dualised, and beautified, while the 87km Koko-Dabai-Zuru federal road project, previously abandoned, has been taken over by the state government and work is progressing,” he said.
Also noteworthy, he said, was the establishment of mega Secondary Schools offering skills acquisition subjects and well-equipped referral hospitals in the headquarters of the four emirates.
This, he said, was in addition to 24 general hospitals across the state being upgraded, equipped, and adequately staffed.
Zuru noted that Gov. Idris’ three years in office had been valuable to the people of Kebbi.
“Now, three years into the life of the APC administration under Gov. Nasir Idris, we can confidently outline its achievements.
“The multi-billion Naira ultra-modern 25,000-capacity secretariat complex, named ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu Secretariat,’ also has a 2,000-capacity international conference hall and spacious parking for staff and visitors.
“Under the administration’s urban renewal programme through the Ministry of Works, about 50 inter-town roads have either been completed or are ongoing in different parts of the state.
“To further strengthen cross-border socio-economic relations, Gov. Idris constructed an ultra-modern motor park of international standard in Birnin Kebbi. It was commissioned alongside 50 brand new Toyota buses to ease transportation challenges.
“The new motor park is expected to serve as the state’s central hub for commuters and traders from across Kebbi and communities in the neighbouring Republic of Benin and Niger,” he said.
Zuru added that the Idris administration had supported farmers with incentives and free inputs.
“Since assuming office, the governor has provided free fertiliser, certified seeds, solar-powered irrigation pumps, power tillers, and financial support.
“There has been remarkable improvement in the socio-economic fortunes and well-being of the people,” the aide said.
He described education as one of the critical sectors inherited in “unimaginably terrible condition” that Gov. Idris confronted head-on.
“So far, the administration has gradually cleared over N6 billion inherited debt for foreign and local scholarships, rehabilitated and fully equipped over 1,000 dilapidated primary and secondary schools, constructed and equipped over 60 new schools, employed over 2,000 teachers, and reviewed the retirement age for teachers from 35 years of service to 40 years, and from 60 years of age to 65 years,” Zuru said.
In the civil service, he said, although a backlog of unpaid gratuities was inherited, efforts have been made to clear the debts while maintaining prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and death benefits.
He added that traditional institutions, including all Emirs and District Heads in Kebbi, “have never had it so good” until Gov. Idris came on board.
“Gov. Idris not only upgraded palace structures in their respective domains but also provided vehicles and logistics support to complement security agencies in tackling security challenges,” Zuru said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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