By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The Deputy Rector of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, Mai Isiyaku Abdullahi, has given insight into how Governor Nasir Idris has transformed Kebbi State in the last two years.

In a presentation during the governor’s two-year anniversary celebration, Abdullahi said the governor, in what can be described as 730 days of miraculous governance, transformed education, security, infrastructure, and citizens’ welfare, among other sectors.

He recalled that, among other actions, the governor began by declaring a state of emergency in the education sector.

According to him: “Idris is the first Nigerian governor to sign a bill into law extending the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years and the years of service from 35 to 40. He immediately prioritized the training and retraining of teachers, awarded contracts for the construction and equipping of four mega schools, and approved the recruitment of 2,000 new qualified teachers. So far, Kaura has invested over ₦7.1 billion in education. In addition, he increased the monthly feeding allocation for students to ₦300 million, renovated about 2,000 schools, and established 346 new primary and secondary schools.

“To promote tertiary education, we relieved parents of the burden of paying tuition and other fees for their children studying both at home and abroad. Governor Nasir approved scholarship payments for 23,558 Kebbi State students for the 2023/2024 academic session and also paid scholarships for 144 students studying in India and Egypt. He paid the tuition fees for all Kebbi indigenes studying at the Nigerian Law School, increased imprest/cash allocations to all tertiary institutions, ensured full accreditation, and appointed Governing Councils for them.

“Our university had never held a convocation ceremony for its graduands since inception. Determined to elevate the institution, I approved the sponsorship of the maiden and joint convocation ceremony covering the graduating classes from 2010 to 2024.

“Governor Idris is a genuine comrade who truly cares for the people. As a labour leader, he abolished the casualization of workers, increased salaries for medical doctors and other health personnel, and approved the recruitment of 850 new health workers. With urgency, he upgraded 13 primary healthcare centres, and the Kebbi Medical Centre in Kalgo was elevated to the status of a teaching hospital. Drugs, equipment, and other facilities are now available in our hospitals. These bold actions could only be taken by a courageous, people-focused leader.

“Our cherished cultural festivals in Gwandu, Yauri, Argungu, and Zuru have been kept alive and made even more vibrant and attractive. We look forward to hosting the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival next year, In Shaa Allah. Idris is a God-fearing man who promotes religious harmony. He rehabilitated over 100 Juma’at mosques and hundreds of other mosques across the state. He also appointed a Special Adviser on Christian Affairs and cleared the debt incurred by Christian pilgrims.

“Governor Nasir’s urban renewal project is the best in Kebbi’s history. In less than one year, we witnessed the rise of a city and an uncommon transformation of the state. Under Kauran Gwandu, a new and beautiful story of progress and development has been written — a change driven by an honest agent of transformation. This change is affecting cities, towns, and villages, with rivers now bridged and narrow paths turned into beautiful roads.

“Today, Birnin Kebbi, the historic capital city of Kebbi State, has shed its old, tattered, and haggard image of underdevelopment, which previously made it resemble a glorified local government headquarters. It is now adorned with the elegance of a modern city. Ladies and gentlemen, come and see our magnificent multi-billion-naira new state secretariat with state-of-the-art facilities.

“Come with me to the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Agency and witness the wonders of Kauran Gwandu: 42 new coaster buses, a completely renovated and equipped Hajj camp, ₦1 million support for each pilgrim for the 2024 Hajj, provision of Ihram garments, and free sacrificial animals for all Kebbi pilgrims. We now have a beautiful and functional motor park in the capital city. This is the fulfillment of a promise — the actualization of a dream.

“Do you know Malala community in Birnin Kebbi? Their story used to be one of environmental degradation, soil erosion, ignorance, and disease. But Governor Idris gave them a school and a clinic — all in three months. His magic wand has touched the lives of many communities. He awarded contracts for over 200 kilometers of rural roads: Malisa–Kurya, Maruda Road, Rinin Gidan Jodi Road, and Yauri–Hundeji Road. From Bunza to Geru, down to Rugga–Suru and Shuwaka.

“There is Knike to Kataru and Tondi–Gada down to Sakace. Another road now runs from Gwamba to Raya–Kaole and Buya Makera–Gawasu, and Maurida–Farin Ruwa–Karallaje. We have not forgotten the Ribah–Maga, Kangiwa–Bayawa, Kure Babba–Kangiwa–Iri, and the Zauro–Kwartagi–Randali roads. In addition: Maidahini to Etene, Maidangwami to Kangi, Koko to Lani, Mashaya to Zakuwa, and Kangiwa to Chibike.

“What about the people of Kebbi South, whose story was one of bloodshed, killings, pain, insecurity, and destruction? Governor Idris equipped and funded security forces to confront, dislodge, and decimate the bandits, restoring peace to the communities. People have returned to their farms, and in addition, he gave them a road from Wasagu to Tudun Bichi. For the people of Zuru Emirate, Nasir Idris is the messiah they had long awaited.

“The deadly Koko–Mahuta–Dabai road, which consumed lives and property for over 15 years, has finally received attention through the Kauran Gwandu intervention. It is now under full reconstruction. Even Emir Sani Sami now sleeps with both eyes closed. The Lakurawas felt the strength of our government, and they saw action in Augle and Arewa.

“He did not neglect our royal fathers. Governor Idris bought SUVs for our emirs, renovated their palaces and those of district heads, took them into confidence, and accorded them the respect and honour they deserve. Ask our local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors — did Idris not buy them vehicles to support their duties and enhance their image? Kaura is a rare breed of responsive leadership in Nigeria.

“He purchased and distributed 520 trucks of fertilizer and 650 trucks of assorted food, free to the people. He disbursed ₦702 million to the underprivileged, another ₦100 million to small and medium-scale businesses across the state, and ₦100,000 each to 65,000 beneficiaries to boost economic activity. He spent another ₦8 billion to provide farm inputs to farmers. What more? He disbursed ₦494 million as support to 5,000 small-scale farmers, and another ₦880 million to petty traders and market women. In just two years, Kaura has produced over 100,000 millionaires.

“As a visionary leader, he established a commission for people with disabilities and granted ₦100,000 each to 3,210 persons living with disabilities to start small businesses. He distributed 150 tricycles to them, 50 motorcycles to other less privileged individuals, and provided 21,747 patients with free psychiatric medication.”

The Deputy Rector added: “Governor Idris has spent just two years out of his four-year mandate. What we have seen is only a tip of the iceberg. He shall lead Kebbi to the promised land.”