NIGERIA (Katsina)-President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated the N8bilion Katsina State Government House as part of many projects commissioned during his working visit to the state.

Speaking during the commissioning exercise, President Jonathan showered praises on Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema for his selfless service in completing the project.

Earlier, Gov. Shema urged President Jonathan to continue with his programme and not to be distracted by challenges facing the nation, adding that politics has gone beyond promotion of personal interest,rather, it is all about service to humanity.

“Mr. President, you have offered yourself for the service of this country and you are doing the best in human capacity development.

“In human endeavour, there must be some challenges, so yours is not peculiar and Nigeria is facing its own challenges like the other nations of the world.”

“There is no part of the world today that can claim that it is 100 per cent in peace and harmony but deliberate and sincere work from leaders must be put in place to address the issue,” he said.

According to him, the N8 billion spent on the edifice was not sourced from federal allocation or Internally generated revenue, but done from interest accruing from bank savings.

Shema also said the proceeds from the bank interest were used to construct the N400 million Katsina Government Liaison office in Abuja.

Furthermore, Gov. Shema said his administration built 200 secondary schools and 38 primary schools, while education from primary to secondary is free.

According to him, the current administration in the state had sent 600 students to various higher schools of learning to study specialised courses, such as medicine, engineering and environmental sciences, among others.

He said that the State built 2000 houses which were sold to indigenes at 50 per cent discount with instalmental payment in 15 years.

The Government House complex include the governor’s office, governor’s lodge, office complex for the governor’s wife and additional offices for principal staff of the governor.

The edifice also includes, the Presidential Lodge and chalets for presidential aides, 200-capacity banquet hall and an indoor games and fitness centre.