By: John Bassey, Kebbi.

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of civil servants, announcing the constitution of a committee to design comprehensive welfare packages for workers in the state.

The Governor made the declaration on Thursday while declaring open a two-day training workshop titled “The Use of E-Government for Effective Service Delivery,” organised by the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy for intermediary civil servants at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ultra-Modern Secretariat, Gwadangaji, Birnin Kebbi.

Governor Idris said the committee would specifically look into workers’ welfare programmes, including housing loans, motorcycle loans, and other incentives aimed at improving the living conditions of civil servants across the state.

According to him“The Government of Kebbi State, your own government, has set up a committee that will look into welfare packages such as housing loans, motorcycle loans, and other incentives that workers in Kebbi State will enjoy by the grace of God.”

The Governor, who described workers as the backbone of his administration, commended labour unions and civil servants for their steadfast support and loyalty to his government.

“I always thank workers through their unions and umbrella bodies for the support you are giving this administration. Nobody is more important than you as far as this administration is concerned because you stood firm and ensured that one of your own emerged as Governor of Kebbi State,” he stated.

Governor Idris emphasized that his administration would continue to prioritize workers’ welfare, noting that Kebbi remains one of the few states consistently paying salaries, pensions, gratuities, and death benefits without delay.

“We are up-to-date in the payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, including death benefits. We owe nobody because we must show leadership by example,” he declared.

He further recalled that Kebbi State was among the first states to implement the new national minimum wage, describing the state’s wage structure as one of the best in Nigeria.

The Governor also announced plans to solarise the entire Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ultra-Modern Secretariat to create a more conducive working environment for civil servants.

Governor Idris said the workshop marked the first official function he had personally attended at the newly completed secretariat, fulfilling a promise he made to workers before assuming office.

“This secretariat was part of my priority promises to workers so that the majority of our civil servants can work in a conducive environment, and today that promise has been fulfilled,” he remarked.

Highlighting achievements of his administration, the Governor disclosed that over 2,000 schools had either been constructed, rehabilitated, or furnished across the state, while 22 out of the 30 inherited general hospitals had been rehabilitated and equipped.

He added that his administration had also upgraded 192 out of the 225 primary healthcare centres across Kebbi State.

Governor Idris further stated that his government had absorbed 5,143 workers — including teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and other professionals — into the civil service, thereby ending casualisation in the state workforce.

“As a labour leader, I fought against casualisation nationally, and I see no reason why I should allow it in Kebbi State,” he affirmed.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to free education, explaining that the government had continued to shoulder tuition fees for Kebbi students in tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria in order to ease the burden on parents.

Earlier in his remarks, the Head of Service, TPL Malami Shekare, described the training as a strategic step towards the digital transformation and modernization of the Kebbi State Civil Service.

He said the programme was designed to equip civil servants with practical digital skills to improve efficiency and service delivery in line with global best practices.

The Head of Service also disclosed that Governor Idris had approved the printing of a book titled “Know Your Civil Service,” aimed at strengthening the relationship between political office holders and the civil service structure.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Sakaba, described the workshop as a transformative initiative that would reposition the state workforce for effective digital governance.

He commended Governor Idris for what he described as visionary and practical leadership in advancing digital governance and modern public service operations in Kebbi State.

The Commissioner noted that the training would expose civil servants to contemporary digital tools and innovative strategies for efficient government operations.

A highlight of the occasion was the presentation of an Award of Excellence to Governor Nasir Idris by the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy.