The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar Abubakar, has described the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, as a highly proactive leader, commending his swift response to emergencies and commitment to transformative development across the state.
The NEMA Director-General made the remarks when a team of media aides to the Kebbi State Governor paid her an advocacy and courtesy visit. She said the remarkable developments recorded in Kebbi State under Governor Idris were evident and not based on hearsay, stressing that she had personally witnessed some of the achievements.
“Under the leadership of Governor Idris Kauran Gwandu, a lot has happened in terms of infrastructure, and this is not hearsay; I have also witnessed it,” she said.
She recalled an incident during one of her visits to Kebbi State when a security challenge occurred and Governor Idris immediately took action, describing him as “extremely proactive” in responding to emerging challenges.
Hajiya Umar also commended the governor’s efforts in the education sector, particularly the employment of 2,000 teachers, provision of buses to tertiary institutions, and the achievements of Kebbi students who developed a local flood early-warning system and subsequently won several awards.
According to her, the state government’s commitment to infrastructure and public safety was also evident in the provision of solar street lighting, which she said had significantly improved the environment and enhanced movement at night.
She added that the governor’s responsiveness had strengthened collaboration between the state government and NEMA. Recalling her suggestion for the establishment of a NEMA presence in Kebbi State, she said Governor Idris acted promptly.
“Before I left Kebbi, the governor had taken action. This is the type of response that we get,” she stated.
The NEMA Director-General further commended Kebbi State for its disaster preparedness and response, particularly in relation to flooding caused by the Rima and Niger rivers.
She said the state government had consistently responded promptly to seasonal climate predictions and annual flood outlooks, while the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had remained proactive in coordinating early-warning systems and establishing local emergency management committees.
She also praised the governor’s agricultural initiatives and support for farmers, noting that Kebbi State had a comparative advantage in rice production. She said she had personally witnessed the large turnout of farmers and the equipment provided by the state government to support agricultural activities.
The NEMA DG stressed that good governance must involve the people, describing Governor Idris as a listening leader who is always available to respond to issues concerning insecurity, education, disaster management and other challenges.
“We have a good leadership that is promoting togetherness, and we can achieve the sky; the sky is not even our limit,” she said, while calling for greater inclusion of women in development activities.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, said the visit was part of an advocacy engagement by the Kebbi State Government’s media team with individuals and institutions that had demonstrated friendship and partnership with the administration.
He said the team visited the NEMA Director-General because of her prominent role and strong relationship with Kebbi State, as well as her continued collaboration with the state government in areas related to her official responsibilities.
The Commissioner said Governor Idris had recorded significant achievements in infrastructure, health, education and security, noting that the administration had addressed longstanding deficits in road networks, healthcare facilities and schools.
According to him, the governor had also improved the welfare of medical personnel, employed 2,000 teachers, constructed and rehabilitated schools, provided instructional materials, and invested substantially in security through the provision of vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies.
He urged the NEMA Director-General to continue supporting and projecting the development efforts of the Kebbi State Government.
The Commissioner was accompanied by the Governor’s media aides: Alhaji Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity; Alhaji Aliyu Bandado Argungu, Special Adviser on New Media; Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali, Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation; Alhaji Abubakar Idris Zuru, Special Adviser on Strategic Communication; and Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
