The Kebbi State Scholars’ Association has solicited partnership with Kebbi State Government to facilitate rapid growth and development of the state.
The association made this known when its executive led other members on a courtesy visit on His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu at Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the association, Prof. Dahiru Mohammed-Argungu said: “We are here to formally introduce ourselves to you and inform you that this association is the first of its kind in the nation, especially in Northern Nigeria.
“The association comprises academics and by implication, Your Excellency, you are one of us, we are happy a teacher is in the helm of affairs.
“Our mission is rooted in the believe that our partnership will bring positive development to the state.”
According to the chairman, as academics, they are committed to supporting the present administration in many fields towards taking it to next level of development.
“These crop of scholars are huge resources to Kebbi State. However, we acknowledged the development you have brought to the state,” he noted.
Alhaji Shehu Ma’azu, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, identified areas of collaboration with scholars to include; agriculture, skills acquisition, information and communication technology (ICT), and seeds production among others.
In his submission, Prof. M. D. Magaji from Usman Danfodio University, observed that seed was a critical component of successful farming.
He lamented that most farmers plant grains instead of seeds, adding that grains were meant to be consumed, while seeds were specifically meant for planting.
“We must pay attention to our seeds system locally by not allowing foreign seeds companies to come and distablise our farming system,” he advised.
Responding, Gov. Nasir Idris, expressed happiness for the visit and assured that “Kebbi is moving, and is moving forward.”
He recalled that when the administration came onboard, it inherited a lot of infrastructure decay but in less than two years, “we have rehabilitated over 2,000 schools across the state.
“We have constructed and equipped about 346 primary and post primary schools.
“We have increased years of service and retirement age for teachers to reduce the burden of retired teachers.
“We have recently recruited over 2,000 qualified teachers to boost the education system.”
Other development projects listed by the governor were; completion of secretariat ready for commissioning, saying that it would accommodate more 25,000 civil servants at a go.
The governor also said that his administration had influenced the revoking and re-awarding of Koko-Dabai road which had been delayed for many years for the good of Zuru people.
In an effort to ensure speedy completion with quality job, Gov. Idris noted that the contract was re-warded to three different reputable companies.
He added that all the palaces of the four first class Emirs had been given a first lift, apart from SUV vehicles for the four Emirs.
The governor recalled that the present administration had purchased and distributed 520 trailers of fertilisers free-of-charge to the general public, adding that it had also procured 650 trucks of assorted food and distributed to people to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
He said as a labour leader, who is totally against casualisation of workers, he recently ordered the absorption of casual workers into the main stream civil service to discourage casualisation.
