Kebbi: Abbas urges stakeholders to take position on state police, role for traditional rulers

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has urged stakeholders in Kebbi State to take a position on the issues of state police and the role of traditional rulers in the ongoing constitution review.

Abbas made this call while speaking at the 14th Joint Convocation of the Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.

He explained that the National Assembly is collecting submissions from all stakeholders to improve the Constitution, stressing that it is now incumbent on all Nigerians to provide input.

“By the time we come to Kebbi, we expect people of the state to have articulated a common position on areas such as state police, women’s inclusion in governance, and a constitutional role for traditional rulers. We want to see traditional rulers given a role in the Constitution,” he said.

The Speaker, while addressing the graduates, counselled them to stop searching for non-existent employment and instead utilise the skills learned at school to become self-employed.

“Put theory into practice. You have acquired knowledge in technology that can make you self-reliant, even employers of labour,” he said.

“You have been taught practical skills. Build your career, and don’t waste time jumping from one office to another knocking for jobs. Put into use what you learnt,” the Speaker emphasised.

Abbas commended the Waziri Umaru Polytechnic for striving to achieve excellence in line with its core mandate, extending such honour to Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, for facilitating the development of the education sector.

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He requested the Governor, the state government, traditional rulers and all stakeholders to avail themselves of the opportunity for the ongoing constitutional amendment by providing input into the debate.

In his remark, the Rector of the Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, Dr. Usman Tunga, thanked President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for allocating additional funding to the institution, which enhanced its infrastructural development, improved teaching, learning and research, and consolidated its ability to attain excellence.

“Already, the Polytechnic has been designated as a Centre of Excellence on Renewable Energy,” he said.

He announced that the Polytechnic has secured affiliation with the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, to run BSc Degree courses in Computer Science, Microbiology, Statistics, Architecture, Building Technology, Accounting, as well as Business Administration and Management.

Six sets of graduates, from 2019 to 2023, totalling 4,888, were awarded the Higher National Diploma (HND), National Diploma (ND), and the National Certificate on Education (NCE).

The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, represented the Visitor to the Polytechnic, President Bola Tinubu, who affirmed the incumbent administration’s commitment to the massive improvement of the education sector.

Fellowship awards of the Polytechnic were conferred on Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, a famous businessman, Abdussamad Isiaka Rabi’u, and the late Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Haruna Rasheed (posthumously).