Dr. Nasiru Idris, the newly sworn-in Governor of Kebbi State, has promised to sack any appointee pursuing his/her personal aggrandisement instead of collective interest that would move the state forward.
Idris disclosed this while delivering his inaugural speech shortly after taking oath of office at the Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
The oath of office was administered by the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Umar Abubakar.
Idris said: “We are going to have a government committed to the blocking every hand that is stretched either to gain or exploit the resources of the state to personal advantage.
“Alternatively, we shall raise and lift up every hand that seeks to selflessly contribute in our genuine efforts to make Kebbi State better.
“To their end, appointees who place personal interests above public interests will be replaced quickly with those committed and devoted to the prosperity and well-being of Kebbi State and its people.
“I shall sincerely stand against every special interest from affairs of government and will request same from every government official, no matter their status.”
The governor appealed for collective support of people to achieve an agenda of redirection, reconstruction, re-alignment and restoration towards building a transformed Kebbi.
Idris said: “Our government will, In-shaa Allah, strive to achieve an agenda of redirection, reconstruction, re-alignment and restoration.
“It will not be easy but dear compatriots, it is very possible, it requires sacrifice and commitment from all of us.
“This agenda seeks to provide for our people just the way a family provides for its children.
“My good people of Kebbi state, our agenda is predicated on the cherished manifestor of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
He assured the people that his administration would lead with justice, fairness and fear of God, adding: “The government of the Land of Equity will govern with equity and give everyone a sense of belonging, hope and pride in our oneness.”
The governor further promised that the education sector would witness a positive revolution of high standards with improved welfare for teachers and students.
Idris recalled that he was first of all a teacher and a unionist, therefore teachers and workers would not suffocate under his watch.
He pledged to reform the civil service, provide an accessible healthcare services, motivate health personnel and build roads in urban and rural areas so that people would reap the fruits of democracy which they planted and nurtured.
“We shall focus attention on the improvement of the welfare of our people. We shall initiate programmes that will put the poor of our state at the top of our priorities.
“There will be deliberate policy support to the people to make them self-employed, self-reliant and productive employers of labour.
“This will be a huge boost to the economy of the people and the state. By doing this, we shall be investing in our people, in their jobs and in their future,” he assured.
Earlier, the outgoing governor, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, appreciated the people of the state for finding him worthy to lead them for eight years and appealed to them to extend all the necessary support and cooperation to the new governor to take Kebbi to greater heights of development.
Bagudu noted with satisfaction that the ceremony coincided with the release of the last batch of two girls of Federal Government College (FGC), Birnin Yauri, who spent about two years in captivity, saying, “the situation calls for appreciation”.