By Awwal Umar Kontagora Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has announced that his administration has earmarked N6.5 billion for...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has announced that his administration has earmarked N6.5 billion for the renovation of primary and secondary schools as well as the supply of furniture across the state.
The governor made this known on Monday during the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), held in Birnin Kebbi.
The NEC meeting is being held in Kebbi in honour of Governor Idris, a former NUT leader who rose through the ranks as State Chairman, National Treasurer, and ultimately National President, while also serving as Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) before assuming office as governor.
Governor Idris also disclosed that the state government has procured books worth N2.7 billion, to be distributed free of charge to students.
“I am the happiest person today. I thank God that people who understand the importance of education are gathered here in Kebbi,” he said. “We are operating a free education system in the state to ensure access to formal education for all. We have also improved boarding school feeding to encourage students to remain in school.”
In a bid to address the issue of brain drain in the health sector, he said the state had reviewed medical doctors’ remuneration to match that of their counterparts at the federal level.
The governor further highlighted agricultural interventions by his administration, including the procurement and free distribution of 520 trucks of fertiliser, 10,000 tillers, and 10,000 solar-powered water pumping machines to farmers across the state.
In his remarks, NUT National President, Mr. Audu Titus-Amba, described Kebbi as the union's "second home," noting that many members were delighted to meet their former president, now serving as governor.
"Your Excellency, here are members of your second constituency. Kebbi State is your first, and NUT is your second,” he said. “Most of our members have only heard that their former president is now governor. Today, they have seen you, and they are happy. I am short of words to express my internal joy.”
Titus-Amba praised Governor Idris' past contributions to the NUT, particularly reforms that continue to benefit members, including the extension of service years for teachers. He also commended the elevation of six teachers to the position of Permanent Secretaries, calling the governor’s emergence “divine and a blessing to the state.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Bande—represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji-Na-Yelwa—said union leaders often make the best education leaders. She commended the governor for prioritising education and urged him to sustain the momentum.
Earlier, the acting NUT State Chairman, Alhaji Usman Koko, described Governor Idris as a teacher- and education-friendly leader who has achieved remarkable progress in less than two years in office.
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