Nigeria’s Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima says the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu will fulfill its promises to Nigerians.
He adds that the challenges of poverty and insecurity will also be tackled.
VP Shettima made the declaration in Argungu, Kebbi State on Sunday, while on a condolence visit to the family of late Sheikh Abubakar Giro Argungu, who died recently.
Continuing, the Vice President, who visited the family on behalf of the Nigerian government, said:
“This is a great loss to Kebbi State, the nation and West Africa. I am here on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, who called me from India and directed that I should come to Argungu to commiserate with the family of the respected Sheikh, the government and the people of Kebbi State.
“Late Sheikh Abubakar Giro was a respected scholar. He worked for God, he didn’t bother about things of the world he lived a humble life. May God forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternity.
“As a government, we will not allow the poor to continue to suffer. We will fulfil our promises to Nigerians,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Leader of the Izala sect, Sheikh Bala Lau, who received the Vice President on behalf of the family in the company of other national executives of Izala, thanked President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their show of love.
TINUBU WILL FULFIL PROMISES MADE TO NIGERIANS, VP SHETTIMA REASSURES DURING CONDOLENCE VISIT TO KEBBI
*Mourns respected Islamic cleric, late Sheikh Giro Argungu
* Condoles family, government, people of Kebbi State
* Announces FG’s $163m AfFB loan for wheat production
The… pic.twitter.com/CNoh7wylRq
— Senator Kashim Shettima (@officialSKSM) September 10, 2023
He prayed for the peace and progress of Nigeria.
The Vice President, who arrived in Kebbi State on Sunday, was received at the Sir Ahmed Bello airport in the State capital, Birnin Kebbi, by the State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris.
He later proceeded to the palace of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sumaila Mohammed Mera.
At the palace, the VP described the death of the late Sheikh Giro as a great loss to the nation.
Interventions
He told the Emir that President Bola Tinubu has approved the sum of N50 billion for intervention for States in the North West, affected by banditry.
“The President has approved N50 billion to assist states suffering from banditry in Northwest, including Benue and Niger who though not in the Northwest, but are badly affected too.
“We are building 1000 houses in Kebbi Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Katsina.”
On agriculture, he said: “Two million jumbo cashew seedlings are in place and would be planted in the affected states.
“We have also obtained a 163m dollar loan from the African Development Bank for wheat production. The scheme will be launched on 10th November. We need 10,000 hectares of land in Kebbi. But the scheme would be well executed in Jigsaw State with a cultivation of 50, 000 hectares of land to boost wheat production.”
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, who accompanied the Vice President on the visit, also commiserated with the family of the late Sheikh Giro.
In his remarks, the Emir of Argungu, Sumaila Mohammed Mera, said the entire emirate was proud of the achievements of the late Sheikh Giro.
He prayed for the unity and progress of Nigeria, and he also thanked President Tinubu and VP Shettima for their support.
Also present during the condolence visit were the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Umar Tafida, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and members of the Kebbi State Executive Council among others.
Sheikh Abubakar Giro had during his lifetime advocated for the downtrodden. He also held leaders accountable, urging them to meet their obligations to citizens.
The renowned cleric, who died on Wednesday, was buried the same day, according to Islamic rites at his hometown in Argungu, Kebbi State.
