Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, has stated that his administration does not owe teachers, workers, or pensioners any salary arrears, pensions, or gratuities. Speaking at the 59th National Conference of Delegates of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Enugu, Idris cited leadership by example as a key factor in his government's commitment to paying workers' salaries and benefits on time. He emphasized that his government has maintained an up-to-date payment status for workers' salaries, pensions, gratuities, and death benefits across the state, local government, and local government education authorities.
Idris highlighted his administration's efforts to improve the welfare of teachers and workers in Kebbi State. He mentioned that over 5,000 professional workers, including teachers, medical personnel, and lawyers, were absorbed into the permanent civil service to eliminate casualization. Additionally, about 6,144 civil servants, including teachers and health workers, were recruited to strengthen the workforce. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of education and healthcare in the state.
The governor emphasized the importance of primary education, describing it as the bedrock of societal advancement. He stated that his administration has consistently prioritized the welfare of teachers, declaring that they should not be treated as second-class workers. To achieve this, budgetary allocations were increased to drive structural reforms, facilitating the construction, renovation, or furnishing of over 2,000 schools.
Idris also mentioned that his administration has taken steps to address the issue of out-of-school children in Kebbi State. He stated that the government wants to ensure that children remain in school and has implemented various initiatives to stem the tide of out-of-school children. The governor's efforts aim to improve access to education and reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.
The governor's comments come in the context of a conference themed "Deployment of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education Will Erode the Place of Teachers in the Classroom: Myth or Reality?" The conference, which ends on September 30, features discussions on the role of technology in education and its potential impact on teachers. Idris's address to the conference highlighted his administration's commitment to improving education in Kebbi State.
Earlier in his address, NUT National President, Comrade Audu Amba, raised concerns about the Federal Government's plan to concession King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association under a Public-Private Partnership. Amba described the move as a threat to public education and the employment security of teachers. He called for the immediate suspension and reversal of the plan, as well as meaningful consultation with stakeholders.
Amba also lamented that the Federal Government's budgetary allocations to education have remained far below the internationally recommended benchmarks. He noted that many states, including Kebbi, have refused to access their counterpart funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission to aid the provision of essential school infrastructure and instructional resources at the basic education level. The NUT president appealed to the Federal Government to work with stakeholders to implement approved incentives and welfare packages for teachers.
Key points
- Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, claims his administration has paid workers' salaries, pensions, and gratuities up-to-date.
- Idris's administration has absorbed over 5,000 professional workers into the permanent civil service and recruited 6,144 civil servants to strengthen the workforce.
- The governor has increased budgetary allocations to drive structural reforms in education, including the construction, renovation, or furnishing of over 2,000 schools.
