Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi has resolved a debt amounting to ₦18 million that was owed by the Kebbi Branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).
It is worth noting that the debt pertained to unpaid funds for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Christians from Kebbi, which had remained unsettled for an extended period.
In response to a recent request from CAN members who visited his office in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, Governor Idris instructed the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, to ensure the immediate payment of the debt.
Additionally, Governor Idris contributed ₦30 million to CAN for the benefit of its members and mandated the allocation of funds to complete the construction of CAN’s Secretariat in Birnin Kebbi.
The Governor also approved the allocation of more lands for Christians to build churches in the state, noting that his government will continue to provide welfare packages to the Christian community during festive periods, including Christmas, Easter and others.
“The government will consult with the relevant agencies and authorities on the provision of a Christian cemetery and additional land for the construction of more Churches in the state capital.
“My administration is all-encompassing. We will give everyone, section and creed, a sense of belonging. The government will continue to assist Christians on pilgrimage to Jerusalem,” Governor Idris pledged.
The governor thanked CAN members for their support, loyalty, and cooperation with him and his administration.
“I am aware of the prominence of health, I have given money to at least eight Christians to travel abroad for medical treatment.
“This government will sustain the provision of welfare packages to the Christian community during festivals like Christmas, Easter, and whenever the need arises,” Idris assured.
In his remark, the CAN Chairman in the state, Rev. Dr Ayuba Kanta, thanked Governor Idris and the administration for their support for the Christian community.
He said: “We thank the governor for putting God first in governance as testified by the creation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Commissioner in the Ministry is doing a good job.
“The governor has appointed a Special Adviser on Christian Religious Matters, we have other Advisers and Special Assistants.
“There are more than 30 Christians in the government circle. This is highly commendable; you are a man of God.
”Your Excellency, Christians have other requests on possession of a cemetery, additional land to build Churches and welfare packages.
“Sir, you have carried along adherents of all religious beliefs, and you have executed projects to uplift the living standards of the Kebbi people. We commend you.
“Christians will sustain prayers for your success.”
FG Revove Contract For Construction Of Koko-Dabai Road
Governor Idris also took advantage of the moment to announce that the federal government had revoked the contract for the construction of the Koko–Dabai road due to incompetence by the contractor.
He said: “The Kebbi government has received approval to go ahead and reconstruct the road to be compensated afterwards; we shall execute the job whether or not Kebbi is reimbursed because our people are the major beneficiaries.
“Work will commence immediately the process of documentation is finalized.”