Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has used Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary to stress his administration’s investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education and social welfare, while urging Nigerians to remain united and hopeful.
In an Independence Day message on Thursday, Idris said the anniversary should be a time for national pride, reflection and renewed hope, while calling on citizens to continue praying for leaders at all levels.
He said, “Independence Anniversary is a moment of pride, reflection and renewed hope for our great nation.”
The governor said Kebbi had raised its minimum wage to N75,000 and maintained regular payment of salaries and pensions.
According to him, the government has also cleared more than N10bn in gratuities, death benefits and arrears, including N2.11bn recently released to settle entitlements involving 772 retirees and bereaved families.
On education, Idris said more than 2,000 schools had been constructed, renovated and furnished, while 2,000 professional teachers were recruited and casualisation in the teaching profession abolished.
He said the state had also revitalised 22 general hospitals, 179 primary healthcare centres and 63 dispensaries, while more than 2,200 health workers were recruited.
The governor listed other projects to include the dualisation of 88 roads, construction of a new State Secretariat and an ultra-modern Central Motor Park.
He added that more than 300 kilometres of rural roads were being constructed to link farming communities with markets, while over 800 mass transit buses had been deployed to ease transportation.
On agriculture and livelihoods, Idris said Kebbi secured $45bn in African Development Bank financing for the Special Agro-Processing Zone in Argungu, with transformation centres in Kalgo and Zuru.
He said the Kaura Cares Livelihood Programme had provided N100,000 each to 65,000 citizens, supported 3,200 persons with disabilities and empowered women and youth entrepreneurs.
The governor also said 500 affordable houses had been distributed to workers, while five female permanent secretaries were appointed as part of efforts to improve welfare and promote gender inclusion.
He disclosed that more than N30bn had been invested in security, while N15bn was allocated to water supply and rural electrification projects.
Idris further said the maiden Kebbi Investors Forum attracted investment commitments worth $4.1bn across mining, renewable energy, agriculture, manufacturing and logistics.
He said his administration would focus on converting the commitments into jobs, economic opportunities and improved livelihoods for residents.
The governor urged Nigerians to draw strength from the resilience of citizens and the sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers.
“As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, let us reject division and embrace unity. Let our diversity remain our strength as we work together to build a secure, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
Idris called on citizens to support development efforts and continue praying for the country’s leaders, saying Nigeria’s challenges could be overcome through unity, perseverance, responsible leadership and collective commitment.
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