Determined to reform education infrastructure across the state, Governor Nasir Idris has announced the allocation of ₦6.5 billion for the renovation of primary and secondary schools, along with the supply of furniture in Kebbi’s 2025 budget.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) National Executive Council meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, Idris reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to free education, improved learning environments, and equitable access for all children.
He added that the present administration had also purchased books worth N2.7 billion to be distributed to students free.
The governor added that his administration had reviewed the remuneration of medical doctors to ensure it was at par with what the federal government was paying doctors.
According to him, this is part of efforts to curb the brain drain menace in Nigeria’s health sector.
In agriculture, Idris disclosed that his administration had procured 520 trucks of fertilisers and distributed them to farmers for free.
He added that 10,000 tiller solar-powered pumping machines were also procured and distributed to farmers to boost dry season farming.
In his remarks, the NUT President, Mr Audu Titus-Amba, commended the governor for the legacies he left behind in the NUT.
Titus-Amba identified one of the legacies as the extension of the years of service for teachers from 60 to 65 years.
He described the emergence of Idris as governor of Kebbi as a divine blessing to the state.
While thanking Idris for elevating six teachers to the rank of Permanent Secretaries, the NUT president argued that the people of Kebbi did not make a mistake in electing a teacher to be their leader.
He described Kebbi as a “second home” for teachers, adding that members of the union would continue to pray and support the governor to succeed.
Also, Dr Halima Bande, Commissioner, Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, commended the governor for the massive investment in the education sector.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji-Na-Yelwa, the commissioner urged Idris to sustain the investment to ensure a better future for all children in the state.
Earlier, the acting Chairman of NUT in the state, Alhaji Usman Koko, also commended the governor for being an education and teacher-friendly governor.
According to him, Idris has recorded significant achievements in the last two years in office.
The NEC meeting was held in Kebbi in honour of the governor, who was the immediate past president of the union.
While at NUT, Idris served as the NUT State Chairman in Kebbi and was later elected National Treasurer of the union.
He later became the National President of NUT while serving simultaneously as the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, before being elected Governor of Kebbi State.
