In the upcoming weeks, Nigeria will get a $163 million loan from the African Development Bank (ADB), according to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
During a Sunday visit to the family of the late Sheikh Abubakar Giro, the Vice President announced the loan in Argungu, Kebbi State.
President Bola Tinubu’s vice president paid a visit to the late Islamic scholar’s family on his behalf.
He said: “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, government, and people of Kebbi State and the north in general.”
Continued the vice president, “Late Sheikh Abubakar Giro was a respected scholar.”
He toiled for God and didn’t give a damn about material things. He led a modest existence.
Shettima concluded, “May God accept his repentance and grant him eternal life.”
The vice president added that the government would pay close attention to food security and reiterated the Tinubu administration’s resolve to keep its commitments, particularly in the agricultural sector.
He stated, “We need 10,000 hectares of land in Kebbi State,” in reference to the government’s food security agenda. The plan, however, will be successfully carried out in Jigawa State with the cultivation of 50,000 hectares of land to increase wheat production.
In his remarks, HRH Sumaila Mohammed Mera, Emir of Argungu, said that the Emirate was proud of the accomplishments of the late Sheikh Giro.
In addition to thanking Tinubu and Shettima for their support, he prayed for the prosperity and unity of Nigeria.
Sheikh Bala Lau, the National Leader of the Izala Sect, expressed gratitude to Tinubu and Shettima for their display of affection when receiving the Vice President on behalf of the family.
The state governor of Birnin Kebbi, Dr. Nasir Idris, welcomed the vice president earlier when he arrived at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Airport in Birnin Kebbi.
Sen. Umar Tafida, the deputy governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Kyari, the minister of agriculture and food security, and other members of the Kebbi State Executive Council were also present in the Vice President’s entourage.
Recently deceased preacher Sheikh Abubakar Giro was recently buried in his birthplace of Argungu, Kebbi State, in accordance with Islamic customs.
