Kebbi governor urges unity as Nigeria marks 66th independence anniversary
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, united and prayerful as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary. In his message, he highlighted reported state investments in wages, infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and security while urging citizens to support peaceful development.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, remain united and pray for leaders at all levels as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary. In an Independence Day message issued on Thursday, Idris described the anniversary as a time for national pride, reflection and renewed hope. He called on citizens to honour the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers and draw strength from the resilience of people who continue to support peace, productivity and national unity.
The governor also outlined what he described as achievements by his administration. He said Kebbi now pays a minimum wage of N75,000 and that salaries and pensions are paid regularly. More than N10bn in gratuities, death benefits and arrears had also been cleared, he said, including N2.11bn recently released for the entitlements of 772 retirees and bereaved families.
On education, Idris said over 2,000 schools had been constructed, renovated and furnished, while 2,000 professional teachers were recruited. He said casualisation in teaching had ended. In healthcare, he listed the revitalisation of 22 general hospitals, 179 primary healthcare centres and 63 dispensaries, alongside the recruitment of more than 2,200 health workers.
He said the government was also dualising 88 roads, building a new State Secretariat and constructing an ultra-modern Central Motor Park. More than 300 kilometres of rural roads were being built to link farming communities with markets, while over 800 mass transit buses had been deployed, he added. Idris said Kebbi secured $45bn in African Development Bank financing for a Special Agro-Processing Zone in Argungu, with transformation centres in Kalgo and Zuru.
He also cited livelihood grants, housing for workers, investments in security, water and rural electrification, and $4.1bn in investment commitments from the Kebbi Investors Forum. He urged Nigerians to reject division and make unity, peace and patriotism the basis of the country’s next phase of development.
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