LEADERSHIP Award Very Dear To Us – Governor Idris

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, has said the LEADERSHIP Newspaper Governor of the Year award bestowed on him is very dear to him and the people of the state.

The governor stated this on Wednesday at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja during the presentation of the award letter by the management of LEADERSHIP Group Limited.

Governor Idris described LEADERSHIP as one of Nigeria’s most reputable and longstanding media organisations, commending its commitment to objective journalism, balanced reporting and the promotion of issues of public importance.

He expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting that the nomination would encourage his administration to sustain its commitment to delivering people-oriented policies and programmes.

“This nomination is very dear to the people of Kebbi State and me. As I said, by December, we will mobilise, by God’s grace, to attend the event. The publisher of LEADERSHIP was my very good friend, and I will continue to support the organisation. I sincerely appreciate this recognition, and, by the grace of Allah, the good people of Kebbi State and I will be part of the award ceremony,” he said.

The governor also highlighted some of the major achievements of his administration, particularly in education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, youth empowerment and human capital development.

Other areas of progress mentioned by the governor include the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, the settlement of gratuities and other entitlements, and sustained support for students through scholarship programmes.

He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to consolidate these achievements and expand development opportunities across the state.

“In Kebbi State, we give free education. When I came into office as governor, I knew the challenges I faced. Kebbi State is also an agrarian state. I was the first governor in this country to purchase fertiliser, procuring almost 500 trucks of assorted fertiliser and sharing it with our farmers free of charge. Also, I was the first governor who bought 10,000 solar pumps, CNG-powered pumps, and other inputs and shared them with our farmers free of charge,” Idris said.

Presenting the award letter, the Group Managing Director of LEADERSHIP Group, Mr Muazu Elazeh, said Idris emerged as Governor of the Year after a thorough assessment of his administration’s performance and the improvements recorded in Kebbi State, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, education, civil service administration and human capital development.

Elazeh said the award was intended to encourage the governor to do more and inspire other public officials to pursue people-centred governance.

“Following a rigorous review of numerous high-profile nominees, the committee overwhelmingly voted to confer this prestigious honour upon you in recognition of your visionary, people-oriented leadership and transformative impact in Kebbi State.

“Under your administration, Kebbi has witnessed significant interventions in infrastructure, urban renewal, roads, drainage, transportation and public facilities, alongside notable improvements in healthcare, education, agriculture and security.

“Your administration’s investment in health, education and infrastructure development has strengthened the foundations of inclusive development,” he added.