Our Reporter 

The Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Musa Yaro Enabo, has commended Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, for his exemplary leadership, commitment to public welfare and support for the people, describing his administration as an inspiration for community empowerment, grassroots development and political mobilisation in Kebbi State.

Alhaji Enabo made the commendation while presenting vehicles, motorcycles and other empowerment items to political coordinators, party leaders, elected representatives and support groups across the state. He explained that the gesture was intended to strengthen grassroots mobilisation, support livelihoods and consolidate the political structures working for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Idris.

The chairman expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for the trust, encouragement and opportunities extended to him, noting that their relationship had strengthened his commitment to public service and the development of Kebbi State. He urged political stakeholders to recognise the Governor’s leadership and work collectively towards sustaining the state’s progress.

“I have experienced a new chapter in life under your leadership. From the day we met, you demonstrated love, affection and loyalty, and I have continued to learn from your leadership. I am grateful to Allah for bringing us together and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the success of our party and the development of our people,” Enabo said.

Addressing concerns over the source of funding for the empowerment initiative, the chairman dismissed allegations that funds belonging to the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency or the state government had been used to finance the donation. He maintained that the resources were sourced from his legitimate business activities and personal earnings, explaining that his business interests spanned trading, agriculture, construction and transportation.

Providing details of the agency’s 2024 Hajj financial operations, Enabo stated that the agency collected ₦27,922,992,544 from intending pilgrims and remitted ₦25,731,196,769.76 to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). He explained that the remaining funds were allocated to pilgrims’ Basic Travelling Allowance and other local components of the Hajj operation, emphasising the importance of accountability and transparency in the management of pilgrims’ funds.

The chairman also highlighted achievements of the Idris administration in healthcare, education, infrastructure and security, citing the renovation of 117 primary healthcare centres and 25 general hospitals, alongside the recruitment of healthcare personnel and teachers, as evidence of the government’s commitment to improving public services and the welfare of residents.

On the political controversies surrounding the APC in Kebbi State, Enabo recalled his contributions, alongside those of Governor Idris, to strengthening the party’s political structures, including support for the purchase of nomination forms for 225 councillorship candidates and 42 local government chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates.

He alleged that some of these contributions had subsequently been attributed to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in what he described as an attempt to advance Malami’s governorship ambition.

“It is wrong for Malami and the ADC to claim that he was the one who assisted Kauran Gwandu when, according to our experience, the situation was the other way round,” Enabo said, insisting that the contributions made by himself and the Governor should be acknowledged accurately.

He maintained that the support was part of broader efforts to strengthen the APC’s grassroots structures, promote unity among party stakeholders and sustain political mobilisation across the state. He urged party members to remain committed to the collective interest of the APC and the continued development of Kebbi State.

The empowerment initiative features an extensive distribution of vehicles and motorcycles to facilitate political coordination and grassroots engagement. The allocation plan, as outlined by the chairman, includes vehicles for coordinators representing the state’s 21 local government areas; two vehicles each for the three serving senators; one Lexus vehicle each for the APC State Chairman and the party’s Kebbi Central Zonal Vice Chairman; and one vehicle each for eight members of the House of Representatives.

The plan also includes vehicles for designated beneficiaries and 225 motorcycles intended for distribution among APC ward chairmen to strengthen mobilisation and communication at the grassroots level.

Enabo further announced plans to extend support to committees operating across the state’s 3,627 polling units and to organise a separate empowerment programme for women, featuring sewing machines and other livelihood-support equipment.

In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris expressed appreciation for the generosity and support shown to political leaders and community representatives. He stressed that leadership carries a responsibility to support followers, improve people’s welfare and contribute meaningfully to community development.

The Governor prayed for Allah’s blessings on those investing their resources in the service of humanity, asking for continued prosperity and the strength to sustain their contributions to society.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the vehicles, motorcycles and other items responsibly for their intended purposes, particularly grassroots engagement, community assistance and economic empowerment.

Governor Idris reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering development projects and improving the living conditions of the people, while calling on APC members and supporters to sustain unity, peace and cooperation as Kebbi State continues on its development path.