_Beneficiaries to expect credit alerts after verification_

At the close of online students’ portal registration for fuel subsidy removal palliative for tertiary institutions students of Kwara State origin, a total of 30,775 applicants have successfully registered.

The technical sub-committee of the Kwara State Government Committee is expected to start verification exercise to sort, analyse, and authenticate the data submitted by the applicants online.

Successful applicants will be credited as soon as the committee completes its verification exercise.

Students’ palliative payment is one of the numerous initiatives of the Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration to mitigate the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Kwara State Government has extended similar initiatives to civil servants, traders, and artisans. These are in addition to the distribution of rice palliatives to the downtrodden in the state on a non-partisan basis.

Prof Shehu Raheem Adaramaja.

Chairman, Government Committee on students’ palliative.

31st August, 2023

• It’s a token of empathy for our people, says Gov

• Committee says working with various stakeholders, communities to ensure fairness

Kwara State Government on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of rice palliatives to the most vulnerable persons in the state, with the committee saying it would share at least 250,000 10kg bags in the first phase.

In what was an attempt to ensure nonpartisanship, fairness and equity, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on August 22 inaugurated the 12-person committee to coordinate the distribution of the palliatives purchased with the N2bn so far received from the Federal Government.

At the flag off of the distribution in Ilorin, the state capital, the Governor said the palliatives are only a show of empathy with the people as more sustainable initiatives are being implemented in phases.

He was represented by the Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu.

The Governor said: “This is only a fraction of what we have done to identify with the people at this very critical moment of our national life. Palliatives are a stop-gap measure to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on the most vulnerable among us.

“Over the last few weeks, our government has rolled out different palliative measures to support the people in the formal and informal sectors. Also, we had earlier distributed the five trucks of rice we received from the Federal Government. We acknowledge the limits of this distribution in terms of the reach.

“Today, we are flagging off the distribution of the first consignments of rice we purchased with the N2bn so far received from the Federal Government. We are distributing at least 250,000 10kg bags of rice in this phase.

“Beneficiaries will be identified on a nonpartisan basis by the committee of eminent Kwarans. This committee has continued to consult with different blocs of our communities as well as evidence-based registers of vulnerable people domiciled with key agencies of government such as the health insurance, primary healthcare agencies, as well as the World Bank. Distribution will be done in accordance with the timetable and logistics of the committee.

“For me, the most important aspect of today’s event is not the quantity or the sheer reach of the grains to be distributed. The most significant thing is the spirit of empathy that is behind what we are doing. The government at all levels empathises with the people across all social strata of our society. We are committed to taking every step possible to help the people cope with the inconveniences of this time.

“Huge investments are being made to boost the manufacturing sector, strengthen local production of food through commercial agriculture, local production of CNG and electric vehicles, and mass employment for young people in different aspects of the economy.

“We are a resilient people. I have no doubt that we will emerge from this tough situation much better and stronger as a nation.

“On that note, I have the honour to flag off the distribution of these palliative. I urge our people to trust the committee to do justice to the assignment, bearing in mind that the whole essence of this modest effort is to show concern to the plight of the people, especially the most vulnerable among us.”

The event was attended by members of palliative committee and beneficiaries of the first batch, including representatives of Persons living with disabilities; WOWICAN; Marketmen and women group; Hausa community; Igbo Community; South-south community; Youth Council; NANS; Youth CAN; Orphanage; NUT; NUJ; TUC; FOMWAN; Non-indigene community; NURTW; NLC and Artisans groups.

The committee chairperson CP Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi said the flag off marked the beginning of the exercise, which would see the palliatives being taken to all the 16 local government after agreeing the modalities with all the stakeholders and interest groups.

“The committee has the mandate to distribute approximately 250,000 bags of 10kg rice and advise the government on effective deployment of the N1bn worth of maize from the Maize Reserve (SMR) through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for Livestock Farmers across the state,” she said.

The committee has since started its assignment by directing Director of Personnel Management (DPM) of the local government area to collaboratively work with Primary Healthcare Development Agency in a bid to generate a list of potential beneficiaries and vulnerable indigenes across the nooks and crannies of the state, she added.

CP Adelesi explained that the exercise targets as many vulnerable persons as possible, promising to deploy multidimensional and all-encompassing leadership acumen in making sure that the palliative items get to the targeted vulnerable across the three senatorial districts of the state.

In their separate responses, representative of Persons with disabilities Alfred Oluwole; representative of FOMWAN Hajia Bilqees Oladimeji; representative of WOWICAN Mrs Kehinde Awe; and the President, Kwara State Artisans Congress Alhaji Jimoh Adeshina applauded AbdulRazaq for this initiative aimed at cushion the effects of fuel subsidy.

“We know the cost of a bag of rice in the market today. So, we thank the Federal and the state government for this initiative. We really appreciate our able and unique Governor for his passion in improving the welfare of the citizenry,” Adeshina said.

“We are grateful to the state government for following the step of the federal government for this bold initiative. We’re very grateful.”

Some beneficiaries took turns to commend the government for the palliatives.

Issa Muhammed

Press Secretary to the Committee

August 30, 2023

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has appointed a United Kingdom-trained administrator Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji as the pioneer Managing Director of the Kwara Garment Factory Ltd, one of the signature projects of the administration conceived to boost economic productivity and employment generation.

Olubukola, who is from Offa, was educated at the University of Hull, United Kingdom; Merton Adult Education London; University of Ilorin; Ahmadu Bello University; and Kwara State College of Technology; among others.

A member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, she holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and has held several leadership positions in firms in Nigeria and United Kingdom, including Managing Director of Premium Procurements Limited and Director of Growth at MCE Ltd. She was an administrator at Northeast Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT) Ewell, Surrey, United Kingdom; and Project Coordinator at Kent & Medway Networks Ltd, Folkestone, United Kingdom.

One-time Administrator for Family Care Support Care Planning Team at the London Borough of Sutton, the appointee was the Risk Asset Manager at Intercity Bank Plc, Kaduna; Principal Consultant at Business Solutions International Ltd, Abuja; and Operations Manager at Gamji Bank Plc, Abuja; among several other professional experience.

Olubukola’s appointment will kickstart preliminary activities at the garment factory, which is now completed.

The Governor has also appointed Dr. Tejidini Toyin Olayinka, a university teacher, as the new Acting General Manager of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP).

Tejidini, a deft political operative from Ilorin, holds a doctoral degree in sociology and comes to the job with administrative experiences spanning years.

He was educated at Government High School Ilorin; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; and University of Ilorin.

Dr. Tejidini also holds a certificate in social administration, and has attended academic conferences in Nigeria and abroad.

He is a thoroughbred administrator, especially in the academic community where he has held several leadership positions. His work experiences cut across University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, and Kwara State Polytechnic.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 29, 2023

• Abdulrazaq meets traditional rulers on security, people’s well-being

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday handed at least 1,000 life jackets to the people of Patigi to prevent drowning and death in the event of a boat mishap during water travel.

AbdulRazaq handed the life jackets to the Etsu Patigi Alhaji Umar Bologi II, shortly after a meeting the Governor had with some first class monarchs who had come to brief him on some issues of security and general well-being of the people.

The Governor said a similar gesture will be extended to Edu local government and other riverine areas to promote safe water travel in the state.

“This is only a phase of donation of lifejacket to people of Patigi Local Government. We will also move to Edu Local Government to make sure we have adequate life-saving equipment for our people along the banks of River Niger and within the riverine communities in the state. It is a continuous process and health and safety issue concern being addressed,” he said.

The brief ceremony was attended by the state Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Jide Asonibare; Vice Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs and Etsu Patigi Alhaji Umar Bologi II;

Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye; Olupo of Ajase-Ipo Oba Ismaila Yahaya Alebiosu; Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar; and Olomu of Omu Aran Oba AbdulRaheem Oladele Adeoti.

Etsu Bologi II thanked AbdulRazaq for taking “wonderful steps” to protect his subjects, adding that this will go a long way to avert recurrence of boat mishap in the area.

“On behalf of myself and entire people of Patigi Emirate Council, we want to sincerely thank His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for this wonderful donation of lifejacket to our people at riverine areas who are mostly farmers and fishermen,” he said.

“Thank you very much, Your Excellency, and we pray Almighty Allah to guide and protect you and continue to uplift your government and see you succeed.”

The Government had recently sent a team to the Lagos Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) as part of its ongoing efforts to boost water travel and safety.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 24, 2023

· _Says govt working hard to ease things, seeks public understanding_
· _Committee to interface with labour unions, marketers, youths, other stakeholders_

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday inaugurated the 12-person committee on distribution of the N5bn federal government’s palliatives in the state, restating that the government is committed to making sure that distribution process is totally nonpartisan, transparent and credible.

The state government had set up the committee at the weekend — a day after the federal government announced the countrywide palliatives which include N4bn worth of rice and maize from the strategic maize reserve (SMR) valued at least N1bn.

The Governor said the palliative is only one of the many steps the government has taken to relieve people of the difficulties arising from the fuel subsidy removal and strengthen the economy.

“It is important to clarify that food palliatives are only a stopgap measure to show empathy and reach out to the people, especially the most vulnerable ones among us. It is not the only step the government has taken since the removal of fuel subsidy. Government is committing huge resources to hasten mass production and use of gas and electricity-powered vehicles nationwide as well boost agricultural productivity, manufacturing, and small and medium scale enterprises. We are in this together, and I plead that we work together as one people bounded by one destiny to get over this current challenge,” AbdulRazaq told the committee.

“We have set up this committee to make the process of distributing the palliative as nonpartisan, transparent, participatory and credible as humanly possible. We trust your judgment and commitment to make the palliatives to reach the nearest and farthest corners of our state.”

The Governor commended members of the committee for accepting to serve the state, urging them to make Kwara a shining example and saying that other states are already adopting the modalities of the Kwara State Government.

The committee’s terms of reference include to reach out to different stakeholders and communities, including labour union and trade unions, marketers, to generate a list of beneficiaries that would be as representative as possible. The committee, among other things, will also coordinate and distribute the rice palliative in 10kg bags as well as advise the government on the best way to handle the maize component of the palliative.

The timeframe for the assignment would be determined by different factors, such as the receipt of the balance of N2bn to be given to the state, which would then be used to purchase new consignments of the food stuffs, according to the terms of reference.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Commissioner of Police Ebunoluwa Rotimi Adelesi said: “We thank His Excellency for founding us worthy and for having the trust in us to be members of this committee. We promised to be transparent. We are not going to let the Governor and the state down.

“We will put into consideration the people who are supposed to be given the palliatives: the deserving people. We are going to abide by the terms of reference and we will come clean with the public to let them know what we are doing. We will not let you down.”

Members of the committee are CP Adelesi; His Royal Highness Dr. Haliru Yahaya (OON); Abdulrasheed Shafi (DSS); Prof Hamzah Abdulraheem (Secretary General of JNI, Kwara State); Bishop Sunday Timothy Adewole (CAN); Dr Lawal Olohungbebe (CSO); Mrs Grace Funke Bolaji (CSO); Dr. Saudat AbdulBaqi; Stephen Owoyale; Comrade Yusuf Bashir (people living with disabilities); Binta Abubakar Mora (NUJ); and Abdulrahman Babatunde Ameen (Secretary).

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
August 22, 2023

Kwara State Government has constituted a steering committee for the implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a FG/World Bank-supported programme to improve girl child’s access to quality secondary school education.

The setting up of the steering committee is another step which follows the state government’s fulfillment of all criteria that qualified it for the programme, including payment of a commitment fund of N150m, according to a statement.

The committee comprises headship/Commissioner of the Ministry of Education (chairperson); Commissioner for Finance; Commissioner for Health; Commissioner for Women Affairs; Commissioner for Social Development; Commissioner for Youth Development; Commissioner for Environment; Commissioner for Communications; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development; Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board; Executive Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission; Executive Director Agency for Mass Education; Chairman, State School Based Management Committee; Coordinator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All; and State Project Coordinator (Secretary).

The statement said the committee is to meet quarterly to review the implementation of the state’s sub-projects and forward its analysis and conclusions to the National Project Coordinating Unit; approve annual work programmes; budget and procurement plans; ensure that performance targets are met; track performance using key performance indicators for the programme; ensure effective communication and access to information; monitor feedback and grievances; and monitor project implementation outcome achievement.

The counterpart fund is to help the state kickstart the AGILE programme, which will involve substantial investments in secondary school infrastructure, hygiene facilities, reduction in dropout rates among girls, and better school outcomes for them.

Further details on the programme may be accessed through www.kwaraagile.com.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 17, 2023

• _Gov thanks FG for support_

Kwara State Government has received two trucks containing exactly 1,200 bags of rice from the Federal Government, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq directing immediate distribution of same to the less privileged through local government structures in the state.

“The government took delivery of the rice on Thursday. The Governor has now directed that these be shared to the less privileged immediately. The local government authorities are to supervise the distribution,” according to a Government House statement on Tuesday morning.

“The Governor demands that various stakeholders, especially community-based groups and traditional institutions, be consulted to generate the list of the beneficiaries on a non-partisan basis.

“The state government, meanwhile, is still awaiting delivery of three more trucks of bags of rice, which would be distributed in like manner.

“The Governor expresses profound appreciation to the Federal Government, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the kind gesture.”

Kwara State Government had earlier rolled out several palliatives to cushion the efforts of the removal of fuel subsidy, including the ongoing e-process to give stipends to students of Kwara State origin.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 8, 2023

• KWARTMA gets 3 patrol vehicles

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday presented 32 brand new patrol vehicles and 160 motorcycles to support the movement of security personnel as government steps up collaborations to improve safety in the hinterlands.

The Governor also presented three patrol vehicles to Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) to improve their operations.

“Today is another day in our efforts to strengthen security across the state. Each of the 16 local governments is getting two vehicles and 10 motorcycles each,” the Governor said at a brief event in Government House Ilorin.

“The local council authorities are to work closely with all the stakeholders, including traditional rulers within their areas, and make sure that they have serious engagements with security agencies. The security agencies cannot do it alone. They need our support to make sure that our communities are safe. This is why we are making sure that they have the right mobility to do that. We urge them to put it to good use.”

Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu commended the Governor for the initiative, which he said would help to bolster security in every part of the state.

“With what we saw here today, the job of the security networks across the 24 constituencies has been made easier. With this, security will be greatly improved in all the 16 local government areas. This shows again that His Excellency means well for the state. He has played his own role, and I plead that those in charge should make good use of it. This will bring positive development to the state,” he said.

Kwara State Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON)/Ifelodun Local Government chairman Jide Ashonibare lauded the distribution of the vehicles, which he said would go a long way to strengthen local security architecture in the state.

“We are grateful to Your Excellency for this great step. We will make sure that they are put to proper use to strengthen security in our respective areas,” Ashonibare said.

KWARTMA Chief Executive Officer Akeem Adegboye received the vehicles on behalf of the body, thanking the Governor for the gesture.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 7, 2023

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday came up for applause as Faculty members of Public Health and Community Medicine commended his administration’s commitment to the sector through investments in infrastructure, payment of counterpart funds, and improved welfare of health sector workers in the state.

Speaking on Monday at the 2023 Faculty Day lecture of the Nigeria Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Ilorin, Faculty Chairman Dr Chikaike Ogbonna said the Governor has blazed the trail in his prompt attention to health issues, including the recent approval of 100% CONMESS and skipping allowance for medical doctors and consultants in the state.

The lecture was themed ‘leading outbreak response in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: the excitements, the frustrations, and the lessons learned’.

Ogbonna commended the Governor for honouring the Faculty with his attendance, charging him to continue along that path.

“We sincerely thank His Excellency for his great strides and for his commitments to healthcare delivery in Kwara State. Your Excellency has paid all counterpart funds as well as 100% CONMESS for doctors and allowances for nurses. You truly deserve to be commended for your efforts,” the Professor said, as the audience clapped in appreciation of the Governor.

The Governor, who commended the Faculty and health specialists for their great efforts in saving humanity at every turn, called on relevant stakeholders in the health sector to strengthen mechanisms towards taming public health issues around the world.

“It’s in the news that UK is having a resurgence of COVID-19. So, we must not let down our guards because it is very important since it is a public health issue. We truly appreciate the work you are doing. In Kwara here, we were able to manage COVID-19 pandemic. Africa was able to manage COVID-19 than many other continents, and this is largely due to your commitment,” AbdulRazaq said shortly after receiving an award from the Faculty.

“The lecture today has enriched me personally as it has drawn my attention to things we may sometimes overlook in terms of budgeting and appropriation.

“The theme of today’s lecture brings to live the memory of the joint effort that was committed to rid our communities of COVID-19. What we achieved, both as a nation and specifically here, was an outstanding enabler, which gave us a practical opportunity to evaluate the health system we inherited.”

AbdulRazaq urged medical doctors to work harmoniously with all other members of the health team for better results.

“In response to our observations and findings, our administration concentrated on addressing the infrastructural gaps in my first tenure during which we were able to fix well over 57 health care facilities, ensured payment of counterpart and commitment funds to enlist the state and initiate operationalisation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, run the ANRiN project smoothly. We also made multi-pronged Malaria elimination interventions accessible to all Kwarans amongst others,” he said.

“Without resting on our oars, about 2 weeks ago, I approved the upgrade of the CONMESS salary to 100% for doctors and also approved several allowances to enhance the CONHESS salary for nurses and pharmacists in the state and the local Government.

“We are hopeful that addressing attrition challenges in human resources, in this way, will tremendously reverse the JAPA trend and enable us to retain more good hands and make our state attractive for more specialists to join us in providing quality health care to our people.

“In consonance with the extant definition of health, according to WHO, and the SDGs, we are equally touching the lives of all Kwarans positively in the socio-economic space, education, agriculture, and rural development, amongst others with a view to maintaining an overall well-being.”

Speaking on the theme of the lecture, a Professor of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adedeji Onayade, identified limited resources, strained facilities, communication barriers, the rapid spread of false or misinformation, rumour, and myth mongering through the social media as some of the hurdles for executing effective response in disease outbreaks.

“Amidst these excitements and frustrations, valuable lessons are learned. Each outbreak response provided an opportunity for reflection, improvement, and building resilience for future challenges, for example, based on the experience with Ebola, active members of the COVID-19 committee were volunteers who committed to the response,” he added.

“My excitements lie in opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and the lives saved. Leading the teams, responding to affected persons, motivating workers, and applying my knowledge, expertise, little understanding of the Yoruba culture and proverbs, to devise strategies for outbreak containment and disarm distractors have been rewarding.”

Prof Onayade also described disease outbreak as a security issue and called on policymakers to maximize the large pool of expertise available in the departments of community health/Medicine within the tertiary institutions during outbreak of diseases.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 7, 2023

••Youth inclusiveness in governance and decision making are catalyst to prosperity of a great nation, says Hon. Dayo Israel.

The APC National Youth Leader Hon. Dayo Israel appreciates President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR over his leadership prowess by nominating young and vibrant Nigerians as ministerial-designates.

In a statement released through the office of the National Youth Leader, and personally signed by Hon. Dayo Israel described the ministerial list youthful with the combination of seasoned politicians and technocrats.

The statement reads; “I want to use this glorious opportunity to appreciates and thank our Indefatigable father, leader and President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his act of magnanimity to appoint youths into his cabinet.

“This is another testament to his (Tinubu l) campaign promises which Nigerians should envisage in the coming years of his administration.

“President Tinubu has once again demonstrated an high level of trust and conviction in his leadership.

“The much eluded youth inclusiveness which Nigerian youths had been clamouring for over over the years has finally been achieved under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu leadership as President.

“Words can’t quantify our gratitude to you as you have demonstrated compassion, trust and humility.

“Let me also congratulates and urge the nominated youths to see this as a great challenge far beyond jubilation but a call to serve, test integrity, represent the youths positively and perform excellently with their respective portfolios which will give more opportunities to the youths in nearest future.