Gov Idris harps on making kebbi youths self sufficient

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has reiterated his administration's commitment towards supporting youths to become self-sufficient.

He gave the assurance while receiving the corps members who joined the world in celebrating the Youths International Day at Government House Gate in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Nura Bala Fingilla, described the youths as future leaders and bedrock of meaningful growth and development of the society.

"The present government has been assisting the corps members by extending hands of fellowship to ensure sanity in the livelihood of the agile youths ready to serve the state. 

"Kebbi State Governor is the only one that do attend orientation programmes consistently and donate cash with cows to the corps members at the camp just to put smile on the faces of the corps members," he said.

The commissioner, who personally donated N0.5 million to the corps members, also urged them to continue to support the present administration under the leadership of Comrade Dr Nasir Idris in view of its commitment towards ensuring youths development.

Also speaking, the President, Kebbi State Corps Members Union, Ahmed Bello Yabo thanked the Kebbi State Governor for supporting the course of their service year, and pledged their loyalty to the present administration of the state.

In his remarks, the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Ahmed Yakubu-BK, who was represented by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, appreciated the youths for their continued support to present administration.

"As you all know, Kebbi State Governor has placed premium on issues relating to the youths and he has been rendering assistance to youths in the state.

"As such, we want you people to reciprocate the gesture by supporting this government and continusly pray for its success," he advised.

Uba Sani Welcomes 2025 Batch B Stream I Corps Members to Kaduna

Governor Uba Sani has urged members of the 2025 Batch B Stream I of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to Kaduna State to embrace discipline, tolerance, and patriotism throughout their service year.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development at the swearing-in ceremony held at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Government College, Kaduna, the governor welcomed the corps members to the state, describing it as “a melting point of Nigerians” with a rich history of peaceful coexistence.

He assured that the state government, through the NYSC Governing Board, had made adequate preparations to ensure their stay on camp was “memorable and comfortable,” while urging them to fully participate in all activities.

“The aim of camp life is to toughen you physically and mentally for the challenges of national service,” he said, advising corps members to put into practice the provisions of the Oath of National Service they took at the ceremony.

Governor Sani also encouraged them to take seriously the lectures on the language, history, and culture of Kaduna State to help them integrate better into their host communities.

“As you start your national service, be disciplined, loyal, committed, hardworking, and respectful to all constituted authorities. Avoid corruption, tribalism, religious extremism, violence, and other negative tendencies bedeviling our society,” he added.

The governor declared the 2025 Batch B Stream I orientation course open and wished the corps members a hitch-free exercise.

Gov. Idris seeks establishment of Air Force base in Kebbi

By Editor

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has appealed to the Nigerian Air Force to establish a base in the state to effectively tackle security challenges bedeviling the area.

Gov. Idris made the plea while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar on a courtesy at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

He said the call became imperative in view of the incursion of Lakurawa bandits from neighbouring countries of Niger and Benin Republics as well as activities of bandits operating from neighbouring Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger States.

He observed that Kebbi State has one of the best airports in Northern Nigeria, "which I believe can also be used to aid the troops on the ground.

"Kebbi State is strategic, because it shares boarders with two countries of Niger and Benin Republics.

"Before, the state used to be peaceful but with the incursion of Lakurawa bandits from the neighbouring countries, the state began to witness series of attacks.

"Apart from Lakurawa, other bandits who also come from Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger states to carry out serries of attacks on our people, after striking, they go back to their hideouts in those neighbouring states."

The governor said considering the gallant efforts of the security agencies operating in the state, the present administration had purchased 85 Toyota HILUX and distributed same to the personnel to ease their job and boost their morale.

Speaking on Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, in which Kebbi takes lion share of it, Gov. Idris said the state government had procured 20 Toyota HILUX for patrol, to give the side engineers and other workers adequate security to execute quality job.

"Of the 20 patrol vehicles, we have already handed over 10 to the personnel, while, the remaining 10 will also be given to them soon," he noted. 

Gov idris observed that securing Kebbi was not only for the good the state alone but also for the security of other neighbouring states as well as the boarders linking Nigeria with other neighbouring countries.

The governor expressed satisfaction that the Nigerian Air Force was always playing its complementary role by responding to the state's requests, especially in rescue missions.

Earlier, the Chief of the Air Staff, said ensuring peace in Kebbi was not only vital to the state but to national security in view of its strategic location.

The air force boss said he was in Kebbi to review the operational readiness of personnel in the state and to have a first hand information about their operation.

He lauded the security agencies for their efforts in maintaining peace in the state and the Northwest region.

While emphasising the importance of security to human existence, Abubakar said meaningful and successful development would not take place in an unsecured environment.

The air force chief therefore, solicited deeper and effective collaboration with Kebbi State Government to secure the entire region. 

Gov Idris bags traditional title of sadaukin Borgu

The Sarkin Bargu and District Head of Ka'oje in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Alhaji Mustapha Usman-Adamu, has conferred a traditional tittle of Sadaukin Bargu on His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris.

The district head announced this while receiving the governor on a courtesy visit to his palace at Ka'oje on Saturday.

He said: "The traditional council of Bargu district and the entire people of Bargu have collectively resolved to confer on you the traditional tittle of Sadaukin Bargu with the hope that you will accept our offer.

"We know it's not everywhere that His Excellency receives traditional tittle but our own is different from others, this is your house and your visit to our domain is home coming." 

Speaking on projects executed in the area, the traditional ruler noted with satisfaction that the present administration had executed different developmental projects that have direct bearing to the lives of citizenry in the area.

He listed some of the areas that received attention of the present administration to include; Genden-Gumba-Raha, Ka'oje-Karallaje, Ka'oje-Yamusa, Ka'oje-Buya, and Ka'oje-Tungar Kawo, among others.

He observed that traditional institutions were in a better position to identify projects in their respective domains, "this is because, these projects are executed in our areas, we know them, we saw them and we can testify.

"I want to use this medium to also appreciate the present administration under Kauran Gwandu, especially its empowerment programmes, which gave many of our youth the opportunity to become self-sufficient," he said.

He assured the governor that the entire people of Bargu including; traditional institutions, clerics from both sides, youth and women, as well as all other stakeholders remained united in support of the governor.

Responding, Gov. Idris appreciated the traditional ruler for finding him worthy of the tittle and thanked him for his fatherly contribution to the peace and stability of the state.

While assuring the Sarkin Bargu that his relationship with the area had been long standing, the governor also thanked the member representing Suru/Bagudo federal constituency for the delivery of dividends of democracy to his people.

"The kind of empowerment Hon. Bello Ka'oje is extending to his people is what we want. He has been doing his best to take his people out poverty and encourage them to become self-sufficient.

"I am happy to state that I mentored Dallatun Ka'oje to be somebody who sources from within and outside the country and come back home and take good care of his people.

"I am glad that Dallatun has learned and followed my footstep and he is doing well. I want to use the opportunity to thank the district head for your hospitality whenever we visit this district," he said.

The governor said the state government would renovate the dilapidated government lodge in the area, assuring that the edifice would be given a new facelift that would host not only the governor but also other distinguished visitors of high calibre.

On his part, the lawmaker representing Suru/Bagudo, said the people of the area lacked an adjective that would truly represent their deep and internal happiness for the present administration under Kauran Gwandu.

Bello Ka'oje said: "The only thing we can do to you is prayer but as far as we are concerned we have nothing to offer to you because you have shown us all the needed concern and love.

"I can recall, during your electioneering camping, Ka'oje was the first place you passed your night. And as a governor of the state, on tour of the state, you normally pass the nights only in Emirate Headquarters.

"But Bagudo is the only town not an emirate headquarters you visited, spent the day, passed the night and spent another day because of the love you have for our people, we highly appreciate you Your Excellency."

The lawmaker added that the people of the area were owing the governor and assured that his people were ever ready to pay back when the time comes. 

Ex lawmakers passes vote of confidence on gov idris

The Association of Ex-lawmakers, who served at the Kebbi State House of Assembly have passed a vote of confidence for the sterling leadership qualities of Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu.

Endorsing the governor during a courtesy visit on him at Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Monday, the forum Chairman, Rt. Hon. Hassan Mohammed Shala said their action became necessary in view of the achievements recorded by Kauran Gwandu's administration within a short period of governance.

The chairman, who is also the ex-Speaker of the house, observed that the governor had transformed the state capital by giving it a befitting outlook.

Shalla expressed satisfaction over the spread of developmental projects across the state, saying: "There is no doubt, the presence of this administration is glaring, we are all living witness to your infrastructure strides.

"Your projects cut across all sectors of the economy, apart from empowerment programmes to give the good people of the state a sense of belonging.

"We are happy that a season teacher and a Comrade to the core is in the corridor of power, our education system will certainly not suffer."

During the visit, a motion was raised by the former Deputy Speaker, who represented Zuru constituency then, Hon. Jafaru Mohammed and seconded by former member, representing Bagudo Local Government constituency, Hon. Nafi'u Aliyu Bagudo.

The forum then unanimously supported and adopted the motion and subsequently passed the endorsement in favour of the governor.

Responding, Gov. Idris appreciated the ex-legislators for the visit and assured them of his administration's support.

He assured them that his administration would not turn them down, hence the need for them to extend maximum support and cooperation to the present government.

Gov. Idris pleaded for support from the ex-legislators, stakeholders and the entire people of the state to rally round his administration to successfully deliver the goods for the good of all.

Cassava Production Can Stimulate Economic Growth, Create Jobs – Halima Zubairu

Chairperson of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, Kano State chapter, Hajiya Halima Zubairu Danbatta, has called for renewed investment in cassava production, describing the crop as a powerful tool to drive economic growth, reduce unemployment, and improve food security across Nigeria.

Speaking during a visit to cassava seedling banks in Gwarzo local government area of Kano State, Hajiya Halima, a former House of Assembly candidate, urged the federal and state governments to prioritize cassava value chains as part of broader national economic recovery efforts.

“Cassava production can be a game-changer for our economy and our youths,” she told journalists. “If fully embraced, it will not only boost our GDP but also take thousands of restless young people off the streets by creating sustainable jobs.”

According to her, women play a central role in agricultural productivity and food security but often lack access to funding and modern mechanized tools. “Women are the backbone of rural agricultures “Their empowerment through cassava production is essential for our national food agenda,” she said.

Hajiya Halima called on government at all levels to provide soft loans and subsidized equipment for cassava farmers, warning that without strong policy intervention, Nigeria risks losing out on a multi-billion naira industry with untapped export potential.

“We need soft loans, access to modern mechanization, and stronger market links,” she said. “Cassava is a versatile crop. it can be processed into flour, ethanol, starch, and many industrial products. With the right tools, we can turn rural communities into economic hubs.”

While commending the Kano State government’s support for cassava farmers, she stressed the need to sustain momentum through long-term investments and rural training schemes.

“Kano has made important progress, but we must not relent,” she added. “With the right policies, we can make this state a leading hub for cassava production in Nigeria.”

The visit to Gwarzo’s cassava facilities also included an inspection of community-level seed multiplication banks, which she described as the “foundation of sustainable cassava development.”

She concluded by reaffirming her association’s commitment to supporting government programmes and youth initiatives aimed at reviving agriculture and reducing poverty.

“Cassava is not just food. It’s a strategy,” she said. “A strategy for jobs, for exports, and for inclusive economic growth.”

Kaduna Philanthropist Hails Tinubu On Tax Law, Says Reform Will Boost Small Businesses

Kaduna based philanthropist, Ambassador Yerima Usman Shettima, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his bold steps towards reforming the nation's economy and signing the tax reform bill into law, saying that it will benefit Nigerians, and also encouraged foreigners to invest in the country.

There no doubt that the new law has laid a solid foundation to boost Nigeria's economy by simplifying tax processes, expanding the tax base, and creating a more business -friendly environment for Nigerians and foreigners.

Shettima stated this in a statement issued and  made available to newsmen on Monday in Kaduna, where he equally called on all the stakeholders, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) , to ensure proper and transparency in the implementation of the new law in the interest of all.

Highlighting the benefits of the new tax reform law, he said that the reform will support small businesses, increased revenue generation, and simplified tax payments and the socio-economic situation of the country.

This is just as the philantropist added that it is particularly significant that the law are focused on fair and equitable distribution of VAT revenue, enabling states to fund more projects independently.

"This law aims to overhaul the country’s tax collection and administration systems, presenting an opportunity to create a more equitable and efficient taxation model. At the heart of the bill are transformative provisions, such as revisions to the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue-sharing formula and exemptions for small businesses and the average Nigerians. 

"While these changes could potentially revitalize Nigeria’s economy, they also expose critical issues within the country’s federal structure, particularly the economic imbalances among regions (States and Local Governments)," Shettima explained.

While applauding the President in the statement, he further explained that: “with the enactment of these transformative tax laws, President Tinubu has once again demonstrated bold leadership and the political will to drive meaningful reforms that promote economic inclusion, reduce inequality, and spur growth".

Ambassador Shettima therefore urged Nigerians to support the actualization of the law, adding that it is a defining moment. President Tinubu has delivered the blueprint; now it is time for all stakeholders to ensure it works for the Nigerian people.”