From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi

Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris has said that his administration would remain committed to the rapid socio-economic development of the State and vowed his determination to leave behind the state better than how he met it.

Idris who stated while addressing executive members of the Kebbi Elders Consultative Forum at their indoor meeting held Birnin Kebbi,said that he would sustain the current trajectory of development being experience in the state and shall leave Kebbi State much better than how he inherited it.

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.

Idris, who lauded the foresight of the forum’s leadership, maintained that all the indigenes 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.

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.

Governor also told the Forum that 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.

Idris added that qualified 2,000 new teachers were recruited to fill the gaps left by those who either retired or died.

He said that 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 to ensure that the classrooms were not empty of experienced teachers.

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.

 

Also speaking, the former Governor of the state, Senator Muhammadu 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..

Bamaiyi expressed delight about the giant strides recorded by the idris’ 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.