Former NUT president is Kebbi gov as Catholic priest takes Benue

A former President of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr. Nasir Idris, was sworn in as Kebbi State governor, yesterday, alongside his deputy, Umar Abubakar Tafida.

The ceremony took place at the Halliru Abdu township stadium in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. In his remarks, shortly after taking the oath of office, Idris promised to operate an inclusive government.

The state’s Acting Chief Judge, Justice Umar Abubakar, administered the oath.

“The leadership we promised you is the one which will transform Kebbi State for the benefit of all. Priority attention will be given to agriculture, to drive our economy and build our farmers to greatness,” he said.

Idris assured that the education sector would also receive a revolution, with improvement in the welfare of teachers and students.

According to him, the government would ensure that every private or personal interest is eliminated, while public interest is embraced. He promised to block every hand seeking to exploit resources of the state for personal advantage.

The former governor, Abubakar Bagudu, thanked people of the state for support and cooperation accorded his administration in the last eight years, urging them to back the new administration.

Also, in Benue State, Catholic priest, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, took the oath of office as sixth executive governor of the state. Alia, who was sworn in at the IBB Square in Makurdi, yesterday, is the second Catholic priest to become governor of the state since its creation in 1976. The first was Rev. Fr Moses Adasu in 1991.

In his post inauguration speech, Alia told a mammoth crowd of supporters that his emergence as governor marks a new dawn in the state. He said: “I want to assure you, Benue people, that hope is here…Benue is broken and needs a reset. The moment is here and the time is now,” he said.

The governor stirred applause when he announced: “The period of campaigns are over. I am not the governor of APC; I am the governor of Benue State. I want to extend my hand of fellowship to you all, so that we can build Benue State.” He further promised to give priority attention to the economy of the state, with particular attention to the agricultural value chain.