By Abdullahi Idris Zuru
The President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is, by any consideration, an elder statesman. Of course, there might be different views and opinions, but the fact remains that by age, he is a father, and by the virtue of his political position under a democratic dispensation, he is a leader.
These qualifications, the combination of age and authority, have made him a symbol of exemplary leadership that deserves to be respected by Nigerians regardless of their political, religious, and ethnic affiliations.
For the attainment of the nation’s much needed unity of purpose, peaceful coexistence, socio-economic development, and sustainable democratic governance, there should be mutual respect, support, and co-operation between the various arms and ties of government in the country.
It is against this background that Comrade Governor Nasir Idris’ easy accessibility to the Presidential Villa and the uncommon reception he is being accorded, whenever he visits the nation’s seat of power, made many people strongly believed that there exists, a cordial working relationship and mutual respect between Comrade Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State and President Tinubu such that resulted to a number of federal government’s special intervention in the development of the state.
However, presidential interventions might have been given to other states of the federation for different reasons, but the government and people of Kebbi State have a moral duty to acknowledge with appreciation, the gains of such gracious presidential intervention to the people of the state.
It is on record that Comrade Nasir, Kauran Gwandu inherited a number of abandoned economically viable federal road contracts, others half hazardly executed or completely neglected for 20 years in the state.
The abandoned road contracts included the Malando to Warra, Birnin Yauri, through Rijau in Niger state to Maga in Kebbi State and Koko-Zuru roads. It is, however, worthy of note that the previous administrations and members of the two chambers of the National Assembly in the state have made commendable efforts to ensure that the projects are executed.
After all was said and done, a presidential delegation was sent to Kebbi State last week to flag off the second phase of the distribution of the presidential palliatives. At the ceremony held in Birnin Kebbi, the cordiality of the relationship between Mr President and Comrade Nasir was publicly disclosed to the admiration of the people at the ceremony.
The three-man delegation comprised of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Masari and the Minister of Agriculture and Food security Senator Abubakar Abba Kyari led the delegation.
The Minister of Budget and Economic development who spoke first said although President Tinubu had in his 64th Independence anniversary broadcast appreciated the remarkable successes achieved by Comrade Nasir Kaura, the President has again delegated them to come and express his gratitude to the Govenor and the people of the state for attaining an impressive level of development in the last one year.
He stated that as the Minister of Budget, he was in a better position to give details of the Federal Government’s budgetary allocations, releases, and utilisation.
Senator Bagudu further declared that ” Governor Nasir Idris directly submitted his request to President Tinubu for the release of funds for the reconstruction of Birnin Yauri to Maga road and revocation of Koko-Zuru road, which were graciously approved. “
“In addition, Governor Nasir further submitted another request for the reconstruction of Natsini to Kamba and Zaria kala-kala to Besse to Koko roads and got express approval and the contracts will soon be awarded “
To crown it all, Senator Bagudu further revealed that ” the Federal Executive Council has just approved the release of over N950b for the execution of the Kebbi State’s portion, covering 285 kilometres of the Sokoto to Calabar super-highway which is one of the biggest contracts to be awarded by the present administration. “
Also speaking as part of President Tinubu’s message to the people of Kebbi State, the Minister of Agriculture and Food security Senator Abubakar Abba Kyari added that they were in Kebbi State with the presidential approval, to identify and discuss specific developmental programmes or projects for the Federal Government’s intervention through complementary support, particularly in agricultural development. He disclosed that already arrangements were being made to support farmers in the state affected by the recent devastating effects of flooding experienced in many states.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Alhaji Ibrahim kabiru Masari concluded President Tinubu’s message to the people of Kebbi State emphasising that “President Tinubu has seen in Comrade Nasir Idris, “a young, humble, loyal and promising politician of the present generation with demonstrated commitment and dedication to good governance through promotion of peaceful coexistence and sustainable socio-economic development in the Kebbi State based on his track record of performance so far. “
A visibly overwhelmed Comrade Governor in brief remarks reassured that the All Progressive Congress (APC) under his leadership in the state will, gradually continue to implement it’s socio-economic and political development programmes aimed at facilitating economic growth and peaceful coexistence among the multi ethnic, and religious communities in the state.
Zuru is the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Kebbi State Governor.
