Dr. Nasir Idris: The Impacts of His Strategic Trips-Yakubu Ahmed BK
The main misstep of the opposition parties in Kebbi State lies in their hasty and impulsive criticism of Dr. Nasir Idris administration.
Criticizing a government that is seen as the best ever in Kebbi State requires well-founded evidence. Underestimating the people of Kebbi and playing with their intelligence on the altar of political exigencies or just to score cheap political points could be a grave error.
Constructive criticism is the hallmark of democracy and where the opposition parties play their oversights correctly, it strengthens the levers of participatory democracy. The rule: however, is that when you take it upon yourself to criticize a performing government, especially one that has come to be loved by the ordinary people, you must arm yourself with watertight proofs.
A significant error occurred when opposition criticized the official trips of Governor Idris and his team. These trips, both national and international, are on record to have yielded tangible benefits for the state. For instance, after Dr. Idris visited Indonesia, a subsequent visit by the Indonesian Ambassador and technical officials highlighted mutual benefits, silencing many critics.
To further strengthen the impact of these strategic trips, foreign investors from Brazil became interested in the ‘Land of Equity’ following visits by Kebbi State officials. Unlike past administrations, these trips have begun to bring real change, challenging any skepticism about their purpose or results.
This piece is written to prove critics of such trips wrong and to address misplaced misgivings over the frequent visits by the governor to Abuja in particular. It is clear that critics in Kebbi often misunderstand the nature of the governor’s trips to the nation’s capital city, expecting him to remain within the confines of the state at all times. However, Nigeria’s political structure and its ever-changing dynamics necessitate building and leveraging connections.
Take the Koko/Zuru road project as an example. It is a classical case of getting things done if you have the audacity to venture out of your comfort zone into the corridors of power to exploit your connections.
The delay in advancing the Koko/Zuru road project due to federal bureaucracy and an ineffective contractor exemplifies this. Governor Idris, who showed commitment to fulfilling a campaign promise, navigated these challenges by engaging federal authorities persistently to revoke the contract when the incompetent contractor persistently failed to ensure progress. This road has been on the table for decades without any of the past governments getting anywhere near getting it done; not even a look-in. To make matters even worse and more painful, the road project had remained merely on paper.
The commitment demonstrated by Governor Nasir Idris by firstly getting it revoked and secondly getting the re-award process quickened is not only commendable but unprecedented in the annals of this state.
Re-awarding the project in question to three reputable companies will ensure quality and timely completion. Successes like these are the products of tireless advocacy and strategic engagement, underscoring the governor’s dedication to Kebbi’s development.
Had Governor Idris remained stagnant to placate a vocal few, projects like the Koko/Zuru road project might never have seen the light of the day or move beyond planning. His strategic trips and networking are crucial for state progress. As he continues to venture out to Abuja and beyond, the support of Kebbi’s populace becomes vital in countering detractors and fostering further development.
Those who seek to politicize the progress and development of Kebbi state on the altar of political differences must be stopped by the generality of the people of Kebbi State-Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK, who is the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Kebbi State, writes from Birni Kebbi
