The attention of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq students’ support group (AASSG) has been drawn to a disconcerting press conference released by the President of National Association of Kwara state students (NAKSS Nhqs) Comr. Abdulkadri Wokili.

We have conscientiously read the text of the press conference with the above caption. We would have loved to keep mute but we are left with no option than to write a rejoinder because of the inaccuracies it conveyed. The press only succeeded in exposing his ignorance vis-a-vis the transformation that has been happening in Kwara. It is not surprising to us, perhaps it is due to some deliberate intellectual mischief.

To set the record straight, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has, since the inception of his administration, birthed a new paradigm shift in the quest to transform Kwara state as a whole and no single sector in the state is left untouched in the unprecedented massive refurbishment. Before his emergence as the Executive Governor of the state, any perceptive observer would see that Kwara has become a distraught state which can be likened to the proverbial bride who lost her beauty and allure to the ravage of foul-minded suitors. But no sooner did Governor Abdulrahman assumed office that Kwara began to experience rejuvenation as he has redirected the affairs of the state towards promising trajectories via his unmatched governing policies and fair projects delivery.

Contrary to the fabricated claim of the bogus NAKSS president, Governor AbdulRazaq has scored inspiring feats in the state’s erstwhile dormant and languid education sector. Since he assumed office, Governor AbdulRazaq has given priority to education in the state. The sector had hitherto suffered neglect by previous administrations leading to the state being blacklisted from accessing the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund for more than seven years before his emergence as the governor. Thanks to Governor Abdulrazaq’s swift and continued interventions, the sector has been successfully saved from its ugly situation.

Also, the pushover president noted in his spurious statement that the state government paid no attention to the state owned tertiary institutions. This claim is not only untrue but also disingenuous. To start with the state polytechnic, popularly addressed as Kwara poly, meaningful and significant infrastructural developments have been recorded leading to academic expansion, improved teaching and learning through the adoption of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, improved welfare packages for the staffs and impactment of advanced skills and entrepreneurial trainings; completion of a Multipurpose Auditorium project which was initiated by the government of late Rear Admiral Muhammad Alabi Lawal; abandoned 2000-capacity auditorium was completed and furnished to taste and named after late Rear Admiral Lawal by AA’s government; abandoned 1000-capacity students’ hostel which was initiated by late Rear Admiral Lawal was completed through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND); millions of naira was released for the accreditation of some courses through the National Board of Technical Education(NBTE) so as to meet up with the requirements and stipulated standard for the continuation of some academic programmes; Higher National Diploma for Mass Communication Department was accredited along with the establishment of Campus Radio, Kwara Poly radio station with frequency modulation of 88.5fm, with a world class television studio in the Mass Communication Department.

In the same vein , the Abdulrazaq’s led-government also renovated and upgraded lecture halls and hostels, staff quarters, provision of office furniture and other academic facilities, payment of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 promotional arrears, free medical outreach for staff, operation light up Kwara Poly through solar power; refurbishment of 25 industrial machines at the Institute of Technology for wood works, metals, mechanical and electrical works. The state Polytechnic also boasts of commercial bakery and production of table water, to mention but a few.

Moving to the colleges of Education, during Gov. AbdulRahman’s first tenure, the payment of over 700 million naira was made to the colleges of education of which accumulated to seven months’ salary arrears owned by the last administration. The prestigious and long-existing colleges of education were a walking corpse. The staff members had always embarked on incessant strike due to non-payment of salaries. However, today, the colleges of education are back on their feet with non-stop payment of salary. Thanks to the God-sent Governor!

In a related development, payment of over #160 million for the accreditation exercise of the College of Education Technical Lafiaji, School of Nursing and Midwifery Ilorin, College of Health Technology Offa and College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies Ilorin by Governor AbdulRahman of which has been neglected by the last administration. Non-payment of the accreditation exercise has made the aforementioned schools nearly lost their old glory and has led to protests by students. Today, the schools can boast of having well accredited courses. All thanks to the pragmatic Governor.

The state university is not left out in the Governor’s beautiful touches. To mention but a few: The sum of 18million Naira was released for KWASU e-learning and virtual examination; ongoing construction of Osi and Ilesha Baruba satellite campuses of Kwasu with 60% completion; facilitation of construction of Central Research Laboratory by the Central Bank Of Nigeria.; construction of Senate Building by TETFUND ( A project facilitated by the Kwara State Government), among other infrastructural impactful projects.

The President alleged that the Governor doesn’t prioritize students welfarism, well he can say that because he is very new in the students leadership circle. To set the record straight, no Governor in the history of Kwara has ever prioritized welfare of the students as Governor AbdulRahman has been doing so far. He is the only Governor who has paid students bursary consecutively. Not only that, the increment of bursary by 100% is another pointer to the fact that the Governor is a lover of students. Students who graduated few years back will always remember how they often went on street in a bid to protest for the payment of their bursary, yet nothing would be paid .Not only that, the students will be treated like criminals by instigating securities to intimidate them. Interestingly, students have not, for a moment, embarked on protests all in the name of bursary in the last three and half years. This points to the steadfastness of Governor AbdulRahman in protecting the students welfare.

Also, Civil servants in Kwara state have never had it so good as Governor Abdulrazaq’s led Administration has been paying their full monthly salary as at when due, right from the onset plus other significant benefits which they never had the opportunity to enjoy before his emergence.

Talking about lack of infrastructure in the state is laughable, no ward in all the 16 local government areas that has not benefitted infrastructure in Kwara state of today. The opposition party, who sent the President, should note that Kwarans will never go back to the wretched kwara where we can’t boast of 3 good road networks across the state. Making a comparative analysis between this current administration and the last administration is like comparing a duplex with a face me, I face you apartment. It is crystal clear that infrastructure in kwara has drastically improved.

Conclusively, It is very laughable that someone who appraises the Governor few days ago is now passing a vote of no confidence on him. It is a total dismay that NAKSS is now being controlled by set of individuals who are only after their pocket. They have shamelessly jettisoned the interest of the entire Kwara students for cheap political gain. It is our advice for them to retrace their steps as at when due for their continuous display of ignorance cum lack of valuable will only continue to sabotage the integrity of the Association which has been built for years.

Signed:

Comr. Salami Wasiu Onidugbé

Coordinator, AASSG

07063539580

Through:

Comr. Shuaib Habeeb

Publicity Secretary, AASSG

08104277064

The University of Ilorin, Ilorin, has distanced itself from a report by a blog, Fact News NG, claiming that the school authorities blamed the Kwara State Government for transportation challenges faced by its students.

In a statement by Kunle Akogun, Director, Corporate Affairs, UNILORIN said the claims in the report are the wild imagination of the author of the concocted story.

“The report, which is purportedly based on the press statement we issued on Monday, 10th January, 2023, is a mischievous misrepresentation of the letters and intent of that press statement,” the University said.

Findings by our medium show that students of the institution do not just start facing transportation challenges. The transport glitch predates the construction of the Tunde Idiagbon Flyover in Tanke.

“The content of our original press statement is very clear and there is nowhere in it that the state government is blamed for the transportation glitch on University Road. That insinuation is in the wild imagination of the author of the factnewsng.com’s concocted story,” the University spokesperson added.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the University of Ilorin, as a reputable academic institution, has nothing to do with the politics of Kwara State and nobody should hide under our genuine concern for the welfare and wellbeing of our students to pursue personal agenda.”

Arrangements have been concluded for the Presidential Campaign Rally of the All Progressive Congress Flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday January 17, 2023.

The rally will be led by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, joined by the Presidential flagbearer of the Party , Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice Presidential Candidate Kashim Shettima, and other members of the Presidential Campaign Council.

Also to join the President, who is the Chairman of Presidential Campaign Council at the Rally, are the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Governor Simon Lalong, Deputy Director General of the Campaign Council, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, All Progressive Governors, Deputy Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, members of the Kwara State House of Assembly and the State Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council, His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in the State, Chief Sunday Fagbemi and his executive council members and the Director General, Kwara APC Campaign Council , Ambassador Yahaya Seriki are expected to join His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq to welcome the visitors to the State.

All members of the All Progressvice Congress in Kwara State are expected to turn out enmass to accord the President a befitting welcome.

E-Signed:
Alhaji Saadu Salahu
For: Local Organising Committee

Reading through a recent interview of Ali Ahmad with an online medium, Tabloid, one cannot help but wonder the depth to which character camouflage can be portrayed through employment of willing and/or unsuspecting media platforms.

One cannot give what you don’t possess. For an Ali Ahmad to be preaching TRUTH is an anomaly, an irony of sorts – because he is the grandfather of LIARS! If anyone doubts me, I challenge Ali Ahmad to bring out the infamous “House of Assembly Report into the allegations of Misappropriation relating to Government Assets under Harmony Holdings Limited” which he read under oath on the floor of Kwara State House of Assembly in March, 2018. He should, with is cohort, Hassan Oyeleke come for a public debate of that report page-by-page to expose their bare-faced duplicity and LIES. This duo kick-started the last election season with LIES and propaganda which was hijacked from them by more deft political propagandists in the “Otoge” fold. Then, Ali Ahmad effectively deployed “National Pilot” newspaper with a willing tool in one Billy Adedamola. They created a can and thereafter started searching for “worms” to fill their imaginary can of worms.

The negative effects of Ali Ahmad/Hassan Oyeleke (and his gang of committee members) unholy alliance in their quest to harvest from Harmony Holdings management debacle in 2017/2018 was multi-dimensional: They lied in pursuit of personal gratification and got both the general public and even their own party members to get unfairly disenchanted with Harmony Holdings and the then Government of the day with a deliberately but wrongly orchestrated impression that the entire system was corruption ridden.

The grand effect was that even party members voted against their own (then ruling) party at the 2019 general elections.

One other characteristic of your ilk using the dynasty and her structure as a façade is arrogance. In Hassan Oyeleke’s infamous tape, he reeled out threats – that if “‘Bayo Sanni does not comply with the demands of the committee, whatever the House of Assembly presented was what the general public would believe…..and there is nothing you can do about it”! Such arrogance and high-handedness where others were seen as ‘lesser beings’ was the trade mark of Ali Ahmad and his colleagues when they held sway on their high horses prior to the 2019 elections.

Hassan Oyeleke even boasted that “who are the Board of Directors of Harmony Holdings?…..even the Governor…..whatever we say here in this House is FINAL”! Board resolutions of a Public Limited Liability company did not matter to their own House of Assembly so they resolved to scandalize every transaction regardless of legally binding Board approvals. What this means is if by chance Hassan Oyeleke gets to the National Assembly, he with join forces with folks like him to disregard the approvals of the Board of NNPC, NPA, NBC and FIRS et al.

As an emergency turn-coat, the same Ali Ahmad wants to preach TRUTH to us in Kwara State of today! Wonders they say, shall never end.

The end result is unprecedented defamation of character and complete destruction of a brand (Harmony Holdings) being built out of hard work and sleepless nights of a few individuals. Today, that company is a ghost of what it was before Ali Ahmad’s 8th Assembly ventured into it. If truly Ali Ahmad is a merchant of TRUTH, the Kwara State Investment Holding company would very likely be soaring higher today. There was also the resulting backlash from voters.

But Ali Ahmad’s tissue of lies is not just about politicking. Recorded tapes at the last sitting of Ali Ahmad’s enthroned Committee on January 29, 2018 clearly reveal that his lies are for a purpose – grandstanding for self-gratification! His then stooge, Hassan Oyeleke (bird of the same feather) clearly requested that “Bayo Sanni should come and “see” the members of the committee; Harmony Holdings should come and “see” the House” in order for them to write (the Truth) a good report!

This is how abysmal the character of these so-called “leaders” have fallen. And here we are again, Ali Ahmad wants to preach TRUTH and wishes to “rescue Kwara from the reign of LIES and DECEIT”!! – I can’t help chuckling. If the party needs spokespersons for TRUTH, character and decency, Ali Ahmad is definitely a wrong choice.

Little wonder the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and the then Registrar would not touch Ali Ahmad with the longest pole when he applied to return to the University (by his own confession in the interview). These are very decent individuals and highly reputed academics and gentlemen. They must have experienced the real Ali Ahmad – the ruthless blackmailer. I am certain the Abuja Universities will also have their stories to tell pretty soon about Ali Ahmad.

Kwara Gov mourns Chief Imam of Shao Sheikh Bamgbola

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commiserated with the people of Shao over the death of the chief Imam of the community, Sheikh Habibullaah Muhammad Jamiu Bamgbola.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Governor said the death is a significant depletion in the ranks of Muslim scholars in the State and a minus to Shao as a community.

“We send our condolences to His Royal Highness the Ohoro of Shao and his chiefs, the Muslim community, and the immediate and extended families of the late scholar,” the statement said.

“We beseech Allah to admit the late Imam Bamgbola to al-jannah Firdaus and comfort the entire community and the Muslim ummah he left behind.”

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

January 11, 2023

Kwara APC suspends campaign in honour of House Leader

The Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the suspension of all outdoor campaign activities for the next one week in honour of the House of Assembly Leader Abubakar Magaji Olawoyin who died early Monday.

“We hereby call on all our party organs, candidates and support groups to put a hold to all outdoor campaign rallies and activities for the next seven days until after the Fidau prayer. This is in honour of one of our leaders and brothers, Hon. Abubakar Magaji Olawoyin,” the statement said.

“We pray that Allah will grant Al-Jannah to all our dead, especially the Leader of the 9th Kwara State House of Assembly Hon. Abubakar Magaji Olawoyin.”

Prince Sunday Fagbemi

APC Chairman,

Kwara State

January 9, 2023

The Kwara state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expressed shock over the death of 9th leader of Kwara House of Assembly, Hon. Olawoyin Mogaji Abubakar.

The party in a statement issued said Olawoyin was a selfless and committed party chieftain that would be greatly missed.

“We express our heartfelt condolences to the Governor, Speaker and members of the Kwara Assembly over this sad event and pray that God forgives his shortcomings and grant him paradise,” the statement read.

Signed

Alhaji Tajudeen Aro Folaranmi

State Publicity Secretary

Kwara APC, Ilorin.

January 9, 2023.

Alhaji Lateef Ibrahim, former Kwara South Senatorial Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

The politician who dropped his resignation letter on the eve of new year said his decision to leave PDP was as a result of his conviction.

He added that the good works of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are commendable and convincing for everybody to support him.

Ibrahim was a strong follower of the Saraki dynasty in Offa Local Government and had served as board member of Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) both under former Governors Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatai Ahmed.

He left the PDP with a horde of his followers who will now work for the victory of the APC in the 2023 general election and support all the party’s candidates.

Candidate of the Labour Party for Ilorin East State House of Assembly Constituency, Hon. Abdulkareem Ismail, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with hundreds of his followers.

Ismail cited Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s superlative performance and achievements over the years, especially in the area of youth inclusion in governance, as his reason for joining ranks with the APC in the state.

The former Labour Party chieftain announced his defection after a meeting with Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi.

The commissioner commended the move by the politician, welcoming him and hundreds of his supporters to the APC.

Ismail said he owes no one apology for his decision, noting he considers it apt and necessary.

“I have been overwhelmed and convinced that truly the Governor is divinely sent to Kwara in order to wipe off our tears through the democratic gains and dividends we are all experiencing in virtually every facet of our sector in the State,” he said.

“The truth be told, the developmental policies, reforms, programmes, youth inclusion and women participation in governance of His Excellency using whatever form of performance measurement is second to none. The deafs and the blinds are beginning to hear and see respectively.”

Abdulkareem promised to join hands with other progressives to secure victory for Governor AbdulRazaq during the election.

He also appreciated Dr. Abolore for being a mentor and unifier, describing him as a humble and smart grassroots politician.

• Gov hails ex-CJ for his forthrightness

Immediate past Chief Judge of Kwara State Justice Suleiman Durosinlorun Kawu has said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq gave him the confidence to pull through a tough moment in the twilight of his career when several petitions were written to force him out of office.

Justice Kawu retired as the Chief Judge of the state on Wednesday amid commendations for his brilliance, forthrightness, people-skills, and other good leadership qualities with which he ran the office.

Speaking at a dinner the Governor held in his honour on Wednesday night, Justice Kawu recalled how the Governor told him to ignore the attacks on him and continue his duties as the CJ.

“Talking about our working relationship, I remember there was an occasion when I requested for some things on behalf of the state judiciary, and Your Excellency said that My Lord, please be sure that these things you are requesting for are captured in the state budget because you didn’t want to run foul of the Procurement Act, and I assured you that I would never bring anything outside the budget. Your action, that day indicated to me that you are a law abiding citizen and leader, ” Justice Kawu said.

“There was also a time when, for some reasons, some issues cropped up and there were so many petitions written against me, both to me, to Your Excellency, the Kwara State House of Assembly and the NJC (National Judicial Council). It got to a time I almost fed up.

“I booked appointment with Your Excellency one day and I told you (Governor) that I was preparing to retire as the Chief Judge of Kwara state, and if you find me wanting on three issues of being a lazy judge, corrupt, or I have used my office for political ends. I said just any of them, and I would be ready to resign.

“And you asked me, My Lord, why did you ask this question? I replied that the petitions were too unbearable for me. I remember that you just opened your drawer and showed me some copies of the petitions, and also said, if I had not raised it, you would not have bothered to ask me. And you said ‘please my Lord, go on with your work’.

“That your action impacted me positively as it gave me the confidence that I was doing the right thing and that I could go on. May God Almighty continue to guide and protect you.”

The ceremony was attended by creme de la creme from the bar and the bench, industry, traditional institutions, and the academia. Top attendees included the Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu; retired Chief Judge of the state Justice Durosinlorun Kawu, and his wife Hajiya Rahmat Olanike Kawu; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state Senior Ibrahim Suleiman; and Chairman State APC Prince Sunday Fagbemi.

Justice Kawu, who appreciated the Governor for honouring him, said the dinner further attested to the fact that AbdulRazaq holds the judiciary in high esteem.

“With this dinner, Your Excellency has demonstrated that the judicial arm of government is an important arm. You have demonstrated the fact that all the three arms of government in the state must work in unity for the benefit of the people of Kwara state. You have refused to relegate the Kwara State Judiciary to the background,” he added.

He sought the continued support of the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the state for Hon. Justice Mathew Adebara who succeeds him, noting that such will help him consolidate on the existing gains in the judiciary.

AbdulRazaq, in his response, congratulated Justice Kawu on the successful retirement after his meritorious service to the state, affirming that he enjoyed working with him as the state Chief Judge.

“I celebrate with my Lord on this momentous day. This is a day that every public servant would look forward to with joy; it is a day to cherish and to remember forever,” he said.

He said the Lordship’s wealth of experience will continue to be of immense benefit to the state, hoping that the retired CJ will always be available to render the same support to the state and Nigeria as a whole even after retirement.

“I want to place on record that since assuming office as Governor, I have had a cordial working relationship with Hon. Justice Kawu. In the past three and a half years, I have enjoyed his forthrightness, his commitment to duty, and his readiness to serve,” he said.

“Today marks your Lordship’s official disengagement from service. Words alone cannot express my felicitations to you on your remarkable public service duty tour spanning nearly four decades.”

The Governor thereafter handed a car key to the retired CJ, saying the retired judicial officer deserved it.

He said there are plans to do the same for other judges, saying the delay had been due to the paucity of resources.

Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of the state, Senior Ibrahim Suleiman, for his part, said the retired CJ was a jurist per excellence, who he said had laboured hard to sustain the dignity of the judiciary in the state.

He thanked AbdulRazaq for deeming it fit to honour the Chief Judge and how he has respected the principle of separation of power among the three arms of government in Kwara.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

January 6, 2023