Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Jirgi is a seasoned journalist and
Managing Director, Triple CEE Media Ltd, Abuja.
An astute politician, he was a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Media and Publicity Committee in the last general elections and former
Special Advisor, Media and Publicity, to the late Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State. In this interview, he takes a look at the one year in office of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, saying the man popularly called Kauran Gwandu has performed exceptionally. MUYIWA OYINLOLA presents the excerpts:
How do you assess the performance of Dr. Nasir Idris one year after assuming office as Kebbi State governor?
Well, I would describe his performance as unprecedented.
I say this because his tenure has witnessed remarkable progress in various sectors, particularly in agriculture, education, and healthcare. Under his leadership, Kebbi State is experiencing a remarkable transformation, making it a shining example of progress and development.
How has the state fared in the last one year in terms of youth development?
Youth development is a critical sector under the administration of His Excellency Dr. Nasir Idris. As a matter of fact, he has great passion for investing in the youths who are the future leaders for the development of the state.
Through the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, a number of programmes have been designed for the benefit of the teeming youths in the state; in line with the provisions of the National Youth Policy of the Federal Government such as skills acquisition, youth empowerment scheme, youth, foreign, National and Local sponsorship, among others.
There is going to be collaboration with both local or foreign NGOs as well as ministries, agencies and parastatals willing to assist in the empowerment or youth training in trade, agriculture and other sectors.
As I speak with you,
Kebbi State Government under his leadership has concluded plans to construct nine skills acquisition centers across the state with a view to harnessing the abundant youths’ talents to make them self employed.
In view of paucity of funds in the nation’s vault, states have started looking inwards to better their lots, what ingenuity has the state brought to bear in this direction?
A lot. One of such is by improving internally generated revenue, IGR, towards attaining even socio-economic development of the state.
The state government is taking measures through land reforms, small claims courts and other means to generate revenue for the state.
The state is also taking advantage of its conducive and investment opportunities to attract investors.
How is the governor handling the current economic meltdown ravaging the country?
The state government is offering operational support to firms, and I can tell you that as at today, not less than 613 firms have received operational support grants from the state government.
The State Ministry of Budget also facilitated the coordination of World Bank supported programmes in the state. Chief amongst this is the coordination of the NG-CARES Programme for Results tagged ,KAURA CARES, under 4 major platforms.
This money was further released to continue the programme implementation during which beneficiaries were given access to livelihood support, food security interventions, grants for poor and vulnerable households as well as grants for Small and Medium Enterprises.
Now, let’s take a look at pensioners whose plights have become a major concern both at the federal and state levels. How is the governor handling it?
Thank you. It is really a major concern and pitiful that people who have served at both federal and state levels go through untold hardships and live in penury.
But luckily in Kebbi State, Kauran Gwandu, Governor Idris is ensuring that the state is different. As a matter of fact, he recently approved over N241m gratuity to 91 retirees, over N34m for the payment of gratuity to 91 retired workers from November to December, 2023. The governor has also approved N34,662,964:80 for adjustment of disparity in pension for 2012/2013 retirees in the state.
The present administration in the atate under the leadership of Gov. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu has spend over 21 billion Naira on palliatives and livelihood improvement initiative. The amount covered distribution of solar powered irrigation pumps, fertilisers and financial support to those in need.
He is very active, very generous.
He is running an open and all inclusive government.
He openly said ‘Come to my office or personal residence any time with Constructive criticism and good ideas on how to move Kebbi forward’
He has extended the hands of friendship to the opposition parties in building Kebbi State right from his swearing-in.
With listening ears
He is carrying everyone along in the task of governing Kebbi.
