A Fighter for Justice

By

Bala Dan Abu

Monday, April 19, 2004

Nobody gave him a chance during the preliminary stages of the race for Lugard House, Lokoja. Ibrahim Idris, the man who eventually beat many of Kogi's most experienced politicians to win the People's Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial ticket and later sent Abubakar Audu, incumbent governor packing, believes that his success was an act of God.

And he has governed the state with the humility of a man who believes in God. When he spoke with Newswatch's one-man team of Bala Dan Abu, editor, in Lokoja recently, Idris was emphatic that being governor was not what mattered to him most but what he is able to do for his people from that position of honour. He believes that respect that is earned through hard work is much more dignifying and enduring than one that is forced.

Idris has, therefore, chosen to work hard. He has a clear picture of the direction in which he intends to move the state. He said he was aware of what the people of the state need and he is ready to give it to them in abundance. The projects he has lined up for execution cut across and are evenly distributed among the three senatorial districts of the state. Road construction, the provision of good drinking water, promotion of agriculture, primary education and the development of infrastructure generally are areas of emphasis of his administration. He also fielded questions on why he is probing Audu, his predecessor and re-states his government's position on the raging argument over money borrowed by the immediate past governor of the state. Excerpts:

Newswatch: You have spent almost one year now as governor of Kogi State, what has the experience been like for you?

Idris: So far it has been a good and rewarding experience. And we have tried to work very hard to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of our people. Our people deserve the best. Because they voted for the best. And we must give them the best. That's what we have been trying to do this past one year. For example, in education, we have tried to transform the primary schools in the state. When I took over, I discovered that primary school buildings were in dilapidated conditions. I told myself that something had to be done immediately and we set out to work. I sent out my officials around primary schools throughout the state to give me statistics of schools in such bad condition. That was to enable me determine the extent of the decay and to know the amount of work that had to be done and the cost implications.

I noticed from the information that almost all the schools were in bad condition. And so we resolved that something had to be done immediately. So far, we have given out about 268 school buildings to be reconstructed. That was the figure we started with. But last week, we gave out another set of 240 blocks of four classroom buildings to be rehabilitated at the cost of N865 million. These buildings will be reconstructed and in some cases, pulled down and re-built. The schools rehabilitation project of this administration is a continuous exercise. Such dilapidated structures, wherever they may be in the state, will be rehabilitated. Our expectation is that by the end of 2005 most primary schools in the state will be wearing much more pleasant appearances.

We have also done a lot to improve facilities at the Kogi State University. We have already settled the 22 percent salary increase granted to the staff. The increase was granted all universities about three years ago but it is our administration that paid it because we felt it will help improve the morale of the lecturers. We don't want our lecturers to earn low salaries because it could lead to frustration and some of them may even decide to go elsewhere. We didn't want that to happen. So, we had to pay them. We did the same thing for lecturers at the state polytechnic and the college of education. Also, we are also working on how to improve standards of our secondary schools. Standards have been very low and we are not happy about it because that is where the society prepares its youths for future challenges. So, we cannot toy with the education of our children. That is why education is a priority in Kogi State today. There must be good classrooms and a general atmosphere that is conducive to the learning process. Such improvements are already taking place. By the time we are through with the rehabilitation work in primary and secondary schools, they will be among the best in the country.

Newswatch: We would need a clarification on what you are doing in the primary schools. Are you demolishing existing structures?

Idris: In some places, yes. That is where existing structures can no longer stand, where they have become a source of risk. In such cases, we demolish completely.

Newswatch: You aspired to become governor and you planned for it. You had a picture of what being a governor should be. Is that picture different from what you found as governor.

Idris: Yes, there is a lot of difference. You know, I have the background of a businessman. With that background, my interest is how to make one kobo become two kobo. I don't want to lose money. I noticed that there is a lot of inefficiency in resource management in government. And that's where my experience as a businessman has come in handy. I know, for example, that if my workers' welfare is well taken care of, I will get the best from them. Which is why the welfare of civil servants in Kogi State is a priority so, we are giving them their dues so that they will be in a position to render good services.

I have also noticed that governance is a very big challenge. It is much more challenging than I had thought. But I am prepared for these challenges. My success in my private business was a product of hard work. I have come into government with the same spirit of hard work and I'm determined to transform Kogi State.

Newswatch: Now that you have touched the issue of workers welfare, may we know if workers salaries are in arrears?

Idris: So far, we have paid salaries as at when due. That has been the situation since I became governor. We believe it is important to pay workers' salaries promptly because, as I said, that is the only way you can get the best from them. We have ensured that by 23rd of every month, workers receive their salaries. This is part of human management and we are determined to keep religiously to it. To refuse to pay salaries is to promote hunger and anger. We don't want that in Kogi state. So, we are paying salaries regularly.

But we have even done more than that. We have also paid leave bonuses and other allowances. These have not been paid, in some cases, since the creation of Kogi State. This is the first administration that is paying leave bonuses. The civil servants are happy about all these and I am also happy that I am in a position to bring about these positive changes.

There is also one other thing I did which has not been done before. That is the harmonisation of pension. When I came in, I noticed that our pensioners were not being paid as at when due but were also not being paid their correct dues. They were paid far less than their actual entitlements. And I felt very bad about it. I said how could people who had worked so hard for the development of this country and this state suffer such injustice in their old age and in retirement. So, I decided to do something about it because, one day we are all going to be pensioners. So, I called them and asked them to work out the harmonisation themselves, which they did. Then the Ministry of Finance scrutinised what they did and when we were sure that the correct thing had been done, I then approved. Before we came in, the pension bill was about N16 million. But after the harmonisation, the figure went up to N49 million. But we are happy to pay because it is the right thing to do. This administration believes in fairness and that we have demonstrated in the case of civil servants and pensioners.

Teachers have also benefited from our commitment to fairness. Before we came in, teachers were being denied their allowances and their other entitlements. My attention was drawn to their plight and we reacted immediately and positively. What remains is the backlog of salaries. But I have decided that we are going to pay. And we have already started paying. It is about N396 million. We have started paying it already. Last month, I gave N50 million for it. This month, I have given another N50 million. Next month I will give another N50 million. And so, in the next two months, we would have cleared al the outstanding teachers' salaries. These salaries were outstanding before I took over. But government is continuity. I cannot say I will not pay because the debts were not incurred during my time. So, we are paying and we will soon be through with it.

Newswatch: Where have you accommodated members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners and other political appointees since their quarters were sold to their former occupants?

Idris: I believe it is wrong to sell off houses belonging to the government just like that. Each successive administration should not be expected to build its own set of quarters to accommodate its appointees. There should be permanent houses for such appointees. Out-going appointees should vacate them for those coming after them. So it is improper to sell off government quarters to their occupiers. That was why I said no to the arrangement made on these quarters before we came. The houses were built with public money. They should not just be given away like that. We cannot have our appointees scattered all over places in such a way that when we need them, we cannot even reach them because we don't know where they are. There should be a permanent quarters for political appointees so that successive governments would have a place to house them.

So, what we did was to ask those to whom the buildings were allocated to relinquish them. We did that quietly and told them even where some money had already been paid on such houses, such payments would be refunded by the government. So we were able to recover those houses. For now the commissioners are staying there. The new members of the House of Assembly say they want a better place but we reminded them of the monitisation programme and assured them that we would rather pay them what is due to them under this scheme and also give them a plot. That I have already done. So, now it is left for them to build their houses, if they want to.

Newswatch: You fought a big political battle with some political figures in the state to get the governorship ticket of the PDP. That left some bitterness in the process. What is your relationship with such people now?

Idris: It is human for some people to be unhappy in a contest such as we had, especially if such people were defeated. But, if you are lucky to be the fortunate one, the best you can do is to bring the others closer to you. Because we need the cooperation of everybody for the state to make progress. And that is what I did. My becoming governor is an act of God. I don't claim to be the best among those who wanted to be governor of Kogi State. I am not the richest or the most intelligent either. God had decided that it should be me and that is it. So, I felt challenged by this great thing God had done for me. That is why I have decided to commit myself to the service of the people. I am determined to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of my people using this position God has given to me. My determination is to make the entire people of Kogi State happy whatever their ethnic and religious background. I'm now the governor of the entire state, not only that of PDP members only. I need the cooperation of every indigene of the state to succeed. And we must all have to work together. To do, so, we must sink our differences. The political contest is over for now. Let's forget the bitterness from the contest and work for our people. That is the message I have been preaching. The message has been received favorably. And I am happy to tell you that all those who contested with me in PDP are now working with me. I have tried to give them a sense of belonging and their response is encouraging. My attitude is that they are respectable political leaders in this state and in this country. So I have a lot of regard and respect for them. And I want them to work with me and we are already working together as a team. The politicians in Kogi State are even more united than in other states. In politics and in a democracy, there must be opposing views but generally, we are together and we trying to do our best for our people. Most of those people are among my best friends today because they, too, have now understood me better.

Newswatch: The local government elections have just been concluded. There was a lot of tension in the state. Two well-known persons were killed even before the elections. How did you manage the tension that preceded the elections?

Idris: I owe God a lot of gratitude for what He did in Kogi State. He actually intervened in Kogi State and that was why we saw less violence, especially during the elections. There were a lot of intra-party conflicts in Kogi State and they did not come as a surprise to me. So, I took steps to reduce their effect in the party. Where there were problems, I made sure I went there myself. I didn't send people. I always tried to get to the roots of the problem and then try to find the solution by talking with all other political leaders in the area. In most cases, the problems were over how offices should be shared - that is who contests for what.

In resolving the issues, we took all the competing interest into account with all the groups getting something. We didn't allow the bigger groups to take everything. We encouraged them to leave some for smaller groups. Because that is the only way we can give everybody a sense of belonging. That helped us a lot in reducing political tension.

Many people thought there would be fire in Kogi State but it didn't happen because of our approach and God's intervention. But the murder of the PDP candidate in Bassa LG is an unfortunate occurrence. He was a popular candidate. In fact, he had already been chosen by the people to contest. But why they had to kill him is strange to me. And it is sad. The case of Kabba/Bunu - well, the problem had been there all along. There had always been disagreement between Kabba and Bunu communities and we have been managing it. But the LG elections highlighted tension and suspicion. But God has intervened by making them to realise that they are brothers. And, indeed, they are brothers. So I don't see why they should be fighting. We had actually resolved the political issues there. But I was shocked to hear the following day that somebody had been killed. I still don't know why that should happen.

Newswatch: May be they suspected that he would influence the election in favour of an opposing group.

Idris: No. Olorunnipa (the man who was killed, was very close to me. I knew him very well and I gave him the job because I know he was fair-minded. He had worked hard for a free and fair election. Those who killed him had actually judged him wrongly. He was not the man to stand on the side of injustice. His murder was a big mistake.

Newswatch: Elections were postponed in Dekina LG. Why? And where else did elections not take place in the state?

Idris: Election did not take place in four local governments. That is Bassa-because of the killing of the chairmanship candidate, Kabba/Bunu- because of the killing of Olorunipa - the state Independent Electoral Commission chairman. I suspended elections in these two places to allow room for tension to calm down. Ajaokuta and Dekina LGs had their elections also suspended. The two cases had to do with the choice of the chairmanship candidates. In the case of Ajaokuta - the original candidate had suffered a stroke. And so, there was need for another candidate. General Ibrahim Saliu, a retired military general from the place came up with his own choice of a candidate. But the party in the LG rejected that choice. They said it was an imposition. And that the choice of a candidate was the prerogative of the party organ in the LG, not that of an individual. They had also argued that the candidate was not known in that area. Well, General Saliu is a key political figure and leader. But the people said he could not have his way on this matter. That was the problem. Tension rose and they were ready to start killing themselves. That sort of thing is not good for my state. So, we had to suspend elections.

In Dekina, there are two candidates one was recognised by the National Secretariat of PDP while the other was a former caretaker chairman. The party organ in the LG could not agree on who should contest. So there was tension. Well, both of them are PDP members and any of them that become chairman is for me and I will work with him. So it didn't really matter to me who becomes the candidate. Barrister Sule Paul is the candidate recognised by the national secretariat of the party. But it appeared, from the mood of the people, that Akawe, his opponent was more preferable to the people at the grassroots. There was tension and people prepared for crisis as if they were going to fight a war. So, we had to suspend elections. That was what happened. Now, I have asked the national secretariat of the party to send people to conduct fresh primaries for the two of them. Whoever wins, will be the PDP candidate.

Newswatch: What is your general assessment of the election? Are you satisfied with its outcome?

Idris: I'm satisfied and very happy about the outcome of the elections. The elections were peaceful. In an election such as we have just had, you cannot expect that there will be no protest at all. It is expected that some people will express dismay about proceedings of this nature. But the total picture was that of a peaceful election and I commend the entire people of the state for their maturity. The peaceful nature of the elections is one of the best things that have happened in Kogi State since I assumed office as governor, and I thank the people for it.

Newswatch: What are your plans for developing Kogi State? Soon you'll be one year old as governor of the state.

Idris: Many things are already on ground. I would say, we have moved very fast. We are very much concerned about the need to quickly and drastically change the situation of things in the state. Our people have suffered neglect for too long and we are not going to keep them waiting much longer. For example, we have done something substantial on roads. So far, we have awarded contract for the re-construction of three major roads in the state. The roads are crucial to our people and they are located in the three senatorial districts of the state - that is Kogi Central, Kogi West and Kogi East.

In the West, the road awarded is the Ijowa-Ejukwu-Jege road. The contractors are already on site and work has started in earnest. In Kogi Central, we awarded the Obehira-Ayere road. This road cuts across four local governments. The contractors are also on site now and work has started. In Kogi East, we awarded the Ankpa-Abejukolo-Bagana road. The contractors are also on site already and are working. Beside these three major road projects, we are planning to construct one very important road in each local government in the state. This will start soon after the three major roads in the senatorial districts are completed.

Newswatch: What is the completion period for these three?

Idris: Aah. We hope that they will be completed in six months. We are hoping that as soon as that is done and we pay for the job, we will then move on to the road projects in each of the local governments. The roads to be awarded have been selected. We already know them and the aim is to ensure that every local government benefits from the determination of our government to open up the rural areas for investment and development.

The roads in the local government will be done through direct labour and we have placed orders for machinery that will be needed. Some of them have started arriving. The state ministry of works will handle the job. I have very capable hands that can do the job. One other major project is the Meme Bridge in Lokoja. The bridge is very narrow and has been the scene of many fatal accidents involving many lives. The bridge is now to be expanded as a double carriage bridge and re-built at a total cost of N20 million. This project, when completed, will bring a lot of relief to our people and others using the roads. It will also help ease traffic congestion in Lokoja, which gets compounded during major national festivities for which Nigerians travel to their homes. Lokoja is a major transit town for people travelling East, West and North.

The importance of rural roads needs no further emphasis. You know such roads will ease transportation of farm produce by farmers into the cities where they will sell more and make more money. So, it is another way of promoting agricultural activities. Our people residing in the cities will be encouraged to come home more often if roads to their villages are good. Our ultimate goal is to open up the rural areas and make them accessible.

Newswatch: Water supply is a general problem affecting this country. I am sure this state has its own share of that problem. What are you doing in this direction?

Idris: We have done a lot and we are still working very hard to ensure availability of water. When I came in as governor, I noticed that Lokoja, the state capital had acute problem of water supply. The Lokoja water works was not in good shape. So, we had to first of all rehabilitate it. We also dug more boreholes in around Lokoja. We also built more water tanks. With the new tanks, water being generated will be pumped into them and then distributed to various parts of the town. But, even with that, we are not satisfied. We have gone ahead to award contract for the supply of eight water treatment packages at a cost of N186 million. With this equipment water supply to Lokoja will go up by about one million gallons daily. Presently, we produce about 700,000 gallons daily. This will bring the total to 1.7 million gallons.

The Lokoja project is only part of the larger programme of rehabilitation of water supply plants in the state. The entire programme will cover 20 towns and our aim is to boost the quantity and quality of water supply to the people. Other towns to benefit from this water rehabilitation programme are Abejukolo, Ajaka, Buddom, Eggan, Koton Karfe, Igbaruku, Ugwolawo, Icheke, Anyigba, Dekina, Ogugu, Ogodu, Ogale One and Ogale Two, Iluke, Ekwuechi, Adavi Okehi, Magongo, Ijumu Mopa Moro, Yagba-West, Yagba East, and Ajaokuta. Some of the town will be supplied with new water borehole rigs while others will be supplied with water treatment packages.

In Okene, there are two water works-Okene water works and Ekuku water works. The two were not in good condition when I came in as governor. But as soon as I assumed office, I rehabilitated them. And the people are now getting high quality water from them, not just water, as was the case before their rehabilitation. We have increased the number of gallons the Okene water works is producing. The Ekuku water works has not worked for the past 16 years. People had even written it off. They told me it could no longer function. But I told them I could still make it to work. And that is exactly what we have done to the surprise of the people. It is now pumping about 100,000 gallon of water daily. We have also rehabilitated its distribution network. So, those areas in Okene that had no water before can now start having water.

The Idah water works was also abandoned. It did not work for 14 years. And people felt it was no longer possible to make it work. But I have made it possible. Idah water works is pumping about one million gallons of water daily now. The distribution network has already been completed and as I am talking to you, there is water in the town already. But we want to ensure that all parts of the town that have not been linked by pipes to the water works are now linked so that the whole town can enjoy high quality water.

There is also the Ajaka water works. The new contract we have awarded is for about eight towns that will have direct water. We are providing for them two package units. With that, they can pump raw water from the streams and then the package units will purify the water, which will then be distributed to the town. It has never been done before but I am determined to make it happen. By the time the package units are in place in Ajaka, there will be no shortage of water in the town again. It is the same thing we have done for Ugwolawo. In Anyigba, we have ordered four package units because it is a much bigger town. We also have to lay a special pipe from the stream to the town. The system will have to be protected in a special way to avoid vandalisation because we are aware that some people are not happy that we are providing water to the people because it will ruin their water business. In about two months time, Anyigba will start having very clean water. Ejule water works has problems and we have decided to buy two package units for the town. That will provide water. That is to say we are discarding the former water works because it was structurally defective. Dekina is presently pumping raw water. That is wrong. That is why we are providing the town with two water treatment packages to purify the water. We are doing the same thing in Omalla, Koton Karfe, Budon, and Eggan. These are areas where we have rivers from which water can be pumped.

We have ordered for two borehole rigs - one from South Africa and one from Hansen here in Nigeria. This we have done to ensure that before the end of this year, every small village in the state will have good drinking water - either from borehole or treated water. That is my plan and by the grace of God, I should be able to achieve it.

Newswatch: The people of Kogi State are mainly farmers. What is your plan for such people?

Idris: For the first time in the history of this state, we are providing loans for farmers. And I'm happy that it is my own administration that is pioneering it. We have three categories of loans that we are giving to farmers. Recently, we granted loans to fishermen in the state. There is another category of loan for Fadama farmers. The amount involved is about N500 million. We have already paid the counterpart funding of N20 million. The loan will be sponsored by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The loan, when ready will be given to our farmers. There is yet another agricultural loan. We are required to make a part funding of N30 million. We are expecting a loan package of N150 million also to be given to farmers. This may even be done as from next week. All these we have done to assure farmers that this administration is solidly behind them.

In addition to all these, we have purchased and distributed to farmers about 27 tractors and we have also ordered for 25 more. These will arrive anytime from now. We have kept all our counter-part funding agreements with both local and international agricultural donor agencies so that farmers in the state can benefit from whatever assistance will come the way of farmers in the country from these agencies. The farmers are very happy with these efforts we are making because they have never had it so good before.

We have also been able to provide fertiliser to farmers. Unfortunately, the immediate past administration bought fertiliser worth N148 million which it did not pay. When I came in, I had to settle that indebtedness, because if I did not, supply channel for the future would be closed against us. After that, we bought large quantities of fertiliser for our farmers. Not only did we make sure they got to the real farmers, we gave to them at subsidised prices. We took the fertilisers right to their farm gates. Before, fertiliser bought by the state government for farmers in the state always found their ways to other states where they are sold.

Recently, we bought about 84 trucks for the new agricultural scheme we are starting. It is the Fadama scheme under which farmers are expected to grow their crops all the year round. The scheme will help boost food production since they will be able to farm even during the dry season. I flagged off that scheme about two weeks ago.

Newswatch: There is the problem of youth unemployment in the country. This is threatening security in the country. In what way are you planning to help youths in the state to be gainfully employed?

Idris: We are aware of this problem and we are already tackling it. We have three schemes designed to tackle the problem of youth un-employment. One will be sited in Kabba, another in Anyigba and another one in Okene. We have an agreement with a group of Chinese people to come into the state and train our people. We are providing all the logistics to enable them do this successfully and it is in connection with this scheme that I am travelling to China next week. While there, I hope to finalise the arrangement for this youth development schemes to take off. They are coming with their equipment and their personnel to train our youth to become good mechanics, bricklayers, and electricians and in other critical areas that will make the youths self-reliant.

We are also building a sugar producing industry in Ibaji area. My trip will also fine-tune the arrangement for this. We need a factory that will use sugar cane produced by our farmers as raw materials. With the factory, we can achieve a whole lot of other things. Sugar cane farmers will make more money and our youths will be employed as factory hands. And with Obajgana Cement Company and Ajaokuta Steel being completed, many of our people are going to be gainfully employed.

Newswatch: What state is the Obagjana cement project now?

Idirs: The project is going on well. There is a lot of work going on there and we hope that in one year from now, it will be ready.

Newswatch: Will the factory produce cement or it will re-bag already produced cement?

Idris: No, No, it will produce cement. Actually, Obajgana is going to be the largest cement factory in West Africa, if not Africa as a whole. The company is being promoted by the Dangote Group and you know Dangote is a serious-minded businessman. He is the core-investor. The factory is being built by Julius Berger, another very capable construction company. So, I'm very optimistic that at the end of the day, we will have cause to be happy with the project. Because, that is one project that will boost the economy of the state and reduce un-employment.

Newswatch: What are you doing to improve on the quality and access to medical care in the state?

Idris: So far, we have completed 14 cottage hospitals in the state. We have also awarded contract for them to be fully equipped. We told the contractors to complete the supplies in one month. So, in about two months or so, the hospitals should be functional. We have other plans. Our philosophy in this respect is to ensure that our people have easy access to medical care. That is why we believe that we should correct an obvious mistake of the past in the state. Lokoja, for example, does not have a general hospital. This should not be so. We are in the process of building one and before the end of this month, contract will be awarded for its construction. But very importantly, we have decided to give a face-lift to all our general hospitals in the state. When we have done that, the hospitals should become more functional in terms of attending to the medical needs of the people.

Newswatch: You are planning big to develop the state. But development cannot be achieved without some basic infrastructures.

Idris: We do realise that. For example, we want our civil servants to be comfortable so that they can give their best in service to the state. Tht is why we are embarking on the construction of some housing units. For example, we have the 500 housing units project. We have awarded the contract for them. We intend to sell them to the civil servants and other indigenes of the state. That is why we see the Meme Bridge project as very important. It will be a dual carriage bridge. Most of these housing projects are on the other side of that bridge. That is why the project is important to us. We have also prepared some service plots for sale to indigenes of the state that need land to build houses. We are using this to encourage our people to show interest in the state. And for civil servants who will be allocated the houses we are building, our plan is that they should have a roof over their heads after retirement. I think that is a rational and fair thing to do. The houses will be given out to them on owner-occupier-basis but the payment will be spread out.

Newswatch: What kind of relationship do you have with members of the opposing parties?

Idris: By the Grace of God, I'm the governor today. That has made me the father to all indigenes and non-indigenes of Kogi State resident in the state. In fact some people are even surprised about some of the things I do for people in the opposing parties. For example, the cottage hospitals we have just completed were started by the All Nigeria Peoples Party government in the state. People expected me to terminate the contract because those awarded the job were ANPP. I said no. They should continue because they are from the state and they are Nigerians. We gave them money and they completed the project. They are indigenes of Kogi State. So I have to care for all. And it has paid off. Many ANPP members are decamping from the party into PDP daily. And that is because of my style.

Newswatch: How are you financing the projects you have lined up? Are you borrowing more money?

Idris: No. I have a business background and I make sure that my one kobo becomes two kobo at the end of the day. So, I would say I'm prudent, prudence is one gift God gave me. I don't allow room for waste. That is what is seeing me through in Kogi State and as governor.

Newswatch: There is an argument between your administration and Abubakar Audu, your predecessor, over whether or not his government took loans while in office. What is the real position?

Idris: He took several loans. His administration took loans from about three banks and these we are still paying. These are banks in the country. There are the external loans, which have been there, and we are still paying.

Newswatch: Were the external loans also obtained by his administration?

Idris: Those loans are mixed-up. Some he took, others were taken by his predecessors. But he took the internal ones from different banks, and as I am talking to you now, we are still re-paying the loans. About N2.42 million is deducted monthly from our allocation from the Federation Account. So he cannot be telling the truth if he says he did not obtain any loan.

Newswatch: Is that why you are probing him?

Idris: No, I'm not probing him because of that. There are so many things his administration did wrong. We want him to tell us what happened to some of the money he collected and other things we have seen from the report of the transition committee we appointed. Our action is based on that report. The committee recommended that we call him to come and explain where some of the money he collected went. And that is exactly what I am doing.

Newswatch: Your trip to South Africa recently was for what?

Idris: It was an economic trip. We went there to see what ways they can help us improve our economic life. I know they are good in agriculture and in manufacturing. We met some agro-allied companies and mining companies. You know we have a lot of mineral deposits in Kogi State. We discussed and they are positively disposed towards coming to Kogi State to help us in those areas that they have excelled. They are also willing to help us with our proposed sugar factory.

Newswatch: This state has problems of security. Incidents of armed robbery have been on the increase. There are border clashes too. Recently, there were cases of political assassinations. What are you doing about these problems?

Idris: Yes, it is a serious problem. And because it is serious I have intervened in a big way. For example, I have given the Nigerian police a helping hand for them to fight criminals effectively. We gave them 10 Peugeot station wagons fully equipped with communication gadgets. With the type of communication system fitted in those vehicles, their users can communicate with themselves from any part of Kogi State. This will increase their efficiency in crime detection and control. We also provided them with 50 pieces of walkie-talkie as part of our effort to help their efficiency. Police personnel in some crucial beats are using them. The vehicles and the walkie-talkie were presented to Tafa Balogun, inspector-general of police and he was very happy. In fact, a few days after the equipment were put to use, five stolen vehicles were recovered. This is the kind of thing that I will like to see. I want the lives and properties of our people secured and this equipment we have provided will enhance that.

Newswatch: What is your relationship with the State House of Assembly like?

Idris: It has been good so far. And it is a product of our mutual realisation that there is need for all arms of government, that is the executive, the legislature and the judiciary - not only to respect one another but to co-operate for the greater good of our people. Our state is in dire need of development and this can only be achieved fast under an atmosphere of peace. All the arms of government in the state realise the need for this and that is why no one arm interferes with the duties of the other. So, we are at peace with one another and the whole state is at peace.

Newswatch: How would you describe your relationship with your deputy?

Idris: It is okay. We have been working as a team to ensure that Kogi State is taken to greater heights under my administration.

Newswatch: You still have about three years to the end of your first term. But at the end of it, what kind of picture of Kogi State shall you be leaving behind?

Idris: Let me say this. I did not become governor because I'm the best candidate for that office from this state. It was rather destined by God that it should be so. So I have accepted this responsibility with humility. And I, also, have taken it as a challenge and I intend to give Kogi State the best that it can ever get. So my determination is to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Kogi State. And this means good roads, good drinking water available in all nooks and corners of the state. And more.

Newswatch: People say you are humble, that even as governor, you don't go around with the air of that office. Why are you like that?

Idris: To me, being the governor is not the most important thing. That is not what makes me proud. What will make me proud is what I am able to do for the people. As governor, I believe I have come to serve my people, no not to lord it over them. Before I became governor, I had my life-style. That cannot change now because I am governor. I respect everybody; even my servants get his or her due respect from me. But my humility will not negatively impact on my job. Some people may think if you are humble, you are weak. I say no to that. They are two different things. You can be humble and be effective. And that is what I am. But I don't believe that I should make life hell for everybody just because I happen to be governor. No. That's not part of my own lifestyle. I don't have to make myself a kind of tin god just because I'm governor. My own style is to respect everybody around me and I expect them to give me my own due respect. That is how it should be.

Newswatch: How do you handle people who may be tempted to take your humility for weakness?

Idris: I don't let people get away with such behaviour. If you try to mess me up because I'm humble, oh, I will give it back to you. I will make you realise that you have made a big mistake. I am not the kind of person that you can toy with. I'm not the type of person that can be bent easily. But I believe in truth and in equity.