Kwara APC welcomes hundreds of PDP members from Badari Ward in Ilorin West into the party.

Thousands of PDP members have now joined the APC across the state based on the style of leadership and governance of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The decampees reiterated that the leadership of PDP in Kwara needs to be humane and learn good governance from Governor AbdulRazaq and also apologize to Kwarans for mismanaging the state throughout their sixteen (16) years reign were led by Wasiu Badari, Lekan Olaoye, Funmi Ajani, Kehinde Alaro Muftau (Koba Koba) and several others.

The Kwara State Government has been commended for its untiring efforts in providing quality health care services to the good people of Kwara by ensuring that disease burden is reduced to the bearest minimum.

The National Coordinator, African Field Epidemiology Network( AFENET), Dr. Endie Waziri made the commendation recently at the close of the 4-day Evening Review Meeting (ERM) for the ongoing polio immunization campaign held at the State Cold Store.

Dr. Waziri appreciated the Kwara State Government for its huge investment in the health sector through prompt provision of counterpart funds for immunisation activities in the state.

She also commended the health workers for their dedication, enthusiasm and team work during the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive as well as that of polio immunization campaign in all the sixteen Local Government Areas of the State.

She stressed her optimism that Kwara State will quickly increase the COVID-19 vaccination coverage before the end of 1st quarter 2022 as as achieve 100% coverage in the ongoing polio campaign because their uncommon show of commitment.

She however assured the Executive Secretary that AFENET will not relent in its support to the Kwara State Government in future campaigns.

In her remark, the Executive Secretary of Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr.Nusirat Elelu expressed delight over the supervisory visit of one of the giants in the country’s health sector to Kwara: the National Coordinator of AFENET, Dr.waziri and her team to Kwara State to support the State.

Dr. Elelu reiterated that developmental partners such as AFENET, UNICEF, WHO and other collaborating NGOs are key to our administration’s success towards eliminating childhood preventable diseases in Kwara State.

She noted that Kwara State has benefited from their wealth of experience and that everyone has learnt a great deal as a result of their presence to support the State which will go a long way in attaining Universal Health Coverage.

She appreciated the Kwara State Government led by His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq for prioritizing the health sector by ensuring that funds are provided promptly to implement health programs.

Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board has concluded an arrangement to start issuing letters of promotion to its deserving teaching and non-teaching staff (2017 and 2018 categories) in the state, a statement has said.

The Board Chairman Professor Raheem Shehu Adaramaja disclosed this on Tuesday, in a statement by the Press Secretary of the agency, Aminat Abiola Atere.

The Board had in August conducted promotion exams and oral interviews for the deserving workers, who are accumulated from 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, following the approval of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The statement quoted Adaramaja as saying that the SUBEB’s workers who fall within the year 2019 and 2020 promotion and had successfully partaken in the last promotion exercise would get their own letters as soon as possible.

It further said that the gesture forms part of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s package to motivate higher productivity of the workforce.

“The government is taking every step within available resources to encourage the best performance of students in public schools, which is partly achievable when their teachers are well taken care of,” Adaramaja said.

He also appealed to all and sundry to continue to support the government in its bid to heighten the standard of education in basic classes, adding that the ongoing construction of over 600 schools across the state is part of the restoration mission of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Affected officers are expected to receive their letters from Education Secretaries in their respective local governments, according to the statement.

The Chairman therefore directed the Education Secretaries across the 16 LGEAs to forward to the Board copies of the compiled details of another set of workers in preparation for the 2021 promotion exercise.

In addition, all teaching and non teaching staff of SUBEB from GL.7 and above will also benefit from the consequential adjustment approved by His Excellency Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq effective from January, 2022 salary.

Coalition of Health Sector Unions has commended Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for approving the implementation of the 2019 adjudged CONHESS, calling him a Peoples’ Governor who prioritises the welfare of the people, including workers.

In a letter of commendation to the Governor, the unions said they are impressed with “your swift and untiring efforts for the release of circular for the implementation of the 2019 adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) for all categories of health workers in the state”.

“The Unions also appreciate you sincerely on your efforts in building good health facilities, promotion of our teeming members, payment of salaries as and when due, coupled with your administrative sagacity, we say kudos to you, and crown you as people’s Governor,” according to the letter jointly signed by COHESU State Chairman Comrade Murtala Saheed Olayinka and State Secretary Comrade Markus Luka.

The unions also appealed to the government to give clearer directive on the issue of Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCOUR) which they said would deepen efficient service delivery in the health sector.

The appreciation comes few days after the UITH chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors applauded the Governor for his unprecedented achievements in the health sector, including the commencement of the residency training in the state-owned general hospital.

The All Progressives Congress, APC,in Kwara State, has issued a stern warning to all support groups and volunteers who are unwilling to compromise or moderate their positions moving forward, with the election of of new state executives through credible and acceptable congress.

While receiving a group, Kwara4Kwara at its state secretariat, the Secretary, Mustapha Isowo, told the group that the organization of a credible and acceptable state congress has put to an end the internecine war over party executives in the state.

This is against the backdrop of the Ilorin High Court ruling of Wednesday 19th January, which struck out the suit challenging the authenticity of the acting Caretaker Chairman of Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Abdullahi Samari and National Caretaker Chairman, Mai Mala Buni over the suspension of Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa as the State’s Caretaker Chairman.

“We are aware of attempts by recalcitrant members to use groups to destabilize the party.

“Equally, we shall not hesitate to enforce party discipline to ensure civility and orderliness within our party.

“The party is advising all groups within and outside the party, especially sympathizers of political actors to abide by its rules and regulations in all their activities,” the party stated in its statement.

Signed

Alhaji Tajudeen Aro FolaranmiS

tate Publicity Secretary

Kwara APC

Ilorin.

Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital chapter, has commended Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for funding the commencement of residency training for medical doctors for the first time in state hospitals.

Speaking at the January edition of its Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference on Saturday, ARD UITH President Dr Dele Abdullahi said the Governor is clearly committed to the growth of the health sector and deserves commendations for his efforts, especially the residency training that has now begun in the state.

The residency training followed the first-of-its-kind accreditation of the state’s premier hospital —Ilorin General Hospital — for the training of resident doctors, among other health professionals.

“You are a Governor that listens to us. We at ARD UITH are very grateful as we have always enjoyed your support. You have supported our outreaches, you listen to us, and you give us the platform to reach for greater heights,” Dr. Abdullahi said.

“Under you, the residency training started in Kwara State. This is one huge achievement we cannot push aside. We will keep reaching out to you, we hope that this open door policy that you have pushed forward as well as your cordiality will always be there. The residency training means that we can now train more doctors in the state and that will impact positively on the sector.”

In a short address to the conference, the Governor commended health professionals for their selfless service to humanity and restated the administration’s commitment to improvement of facilities and workers’ welfare.

The Governor said he took part in the zoom meeting to understand the theme of the conference which is ‘Medical Residency Training Act: Interpretation and controversies’ especially because the state has only recently commenced the programme.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Onyebueze John Ugochukwu who dwelt extensively on the Residency Act of 2017 and its purports for medical profession in the country.

“For us to be able to understand and draw up policies, we have to always listen to all constituencies and arguments from all divides. I’m glad I’m tuned in to this. I have listened to the issues at stake, some of which I already knew about. Understanding these issues helps us to better address the challenges,” the Governor said.

“We are not taking you (medical practitioners) for granted. The challenge in not meeting all your needs isn’t that we don’t care. It is simply because of limited resources at both national and subnational levels. There are other areas to take care of but we certainly do understand that without health being attended to, other things will simply collapse. Your contributions to humanity are truly appreciated. We cannot thank you or remunerate you enough for what you do. At the state level, we’ll continue to expand the facilities as well as attend to your welfare within available resources . As you all know, the state of our health needs to be improved upon and we are working so hard to make sure that facilities and health workers are given proper attention.”

Kwara has also recently approved better remunerations for its health workers, including medical doctors, to halt the former higher rate of attrition.

The AbdulRazaq administration had recently secured accreditations from the West Africa College of Surgeon to train resident doctors in O & G and approval from National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria to train resident doctor in family medicine.

Presently, the Ilorin General Hospital is in the process of applying for accreditation in paediatric and ophthalmology departments because of the huge investments and commitment of the administration to the health sector.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq came up for national applause in Abuja on Wednesday night as women of the ruling APC singled him out for recognition over his deliberate effort to mainstream gender inclusion in the state.

Apart from being the first Governor to nominate a female majority cabinet in the country, AbdulRazaq recently signed a legislation that makes it binding for Kwara to have at least 35% gender sensitive cabinet and public sector appointments.

Speaking at the APC Women National Conference in Abuja, National Women Representative at the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee Hon. Stella Okotete commended AbdulRazaq for the gender policy and called on other governors to follow in his footsteps.

The award event, which wrapped the two-day conference, was attended by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Vice President of Liberia Dr. Jewel Taylor; Senators Yahya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Lola Ashiru (South), and Sadiq Umar (North); female lawmakers from across Nigeria; wives of governors; Minister of Women Affairs Paulen Tallen; ministers; female cabinet members from across the country; APC National Chairmanship aspirant Turaki Saliu Mustapha; party leaders; among others.

Accompanied by dignitaries from Kwara State, Senator Oloriegbe received the award on behalf of AbdulRazaq who was attending a meeting of the Governors Forum in Abuja. The Governor had earlier made a brief appearance at the women’s conference.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo urged women to demand equal representation at all levels, including in elective positions, instead of asking for just 35%.

“I want to emphasise that our women should be asking for equal representation, not 35%. That is what you should ask for,” she said in his keynote address.

“While women were breaking the glass ceiling in business and corporate world, things are much slower in politics and in the public service. A lot needs to be done and you will find out that this is so all over the world. There is the need for us to ensure that women are giving their fair place.”

Vice President also disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that women be given equal opportunities in the social investment programmes, saying 56.4% of the beneficiaries of the Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme are women.

“I also bring a warm felicitation of the number one HeforShe champion in Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari. To demonstrate that role champion of Nigeria, Mr President insisted that women must be given equal opportunity in all of our social investment programmes. Out of the 2.4m beneficiaries of the Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme, 1.2m were women. That’s 56.4% of beneficiaries. Women are the heart and soul of our party, the APC,” he said.

His counterpart from Liberia Dr Jewel Taylor called on Nigerian women to be agents of change in making a difference in the country.

“Today, we are calling for agents of change to make a difference and change the trajectories of your country (Nigeria). This is your time. The time is now,” she said.

Tallen tasked women to be assertive, strong and be relevant in their respective communities as they seek to make a difference.

“I celebrate all women in executive positions. I celebrate all women that are gathered here. It has been two days of great work brainstorming and finding ways to make our presence felt. I want to call on women that have come as delegates and participants to go back fully reenergised, believing in yourselves, trusting in God and making sure that you don’t go back the same. You are going back as achievers. You going back as winners and women who will make a difference within your communities,” she said.

“The Ministry of Women Affairs is ready to support and guide all female aspirants to make a difference. We are demanding for 35% and one-third representation across board in elective and appointive positions. Liberia has made it. We believe Nigeria will definitely make it too.”

Okotete, for her part, said: “We decided to come together in one accord to speak with one voice because we understand the important role women play in national economy and national development. So far, so good, we have spent the last 48hrs brainstorming, taking a diagnostic approach of what we have done as a party and proffering solutions that will help in providing more visibility for our women, not just in party politics but in Nigeria.”

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

January 22, 2022

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) at its 19th regular meeting on Wednesday 19th January, 2022 at the Party’s National Secretariat (Buhari House) considered and adopted the timetable/schedule of activities for the 26th February, 2022 APC National Convention.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Receiving of the Interim Report of the National Reconciliation Committee – 31/01/2022

Consideration and adoption of Reports of State Congresses – 02/02/2022

Inauguration of the State Executives – 03/02/2022

Sales of Forms to all aspirants vying for National Offices (APC National Secretariat) – 14/02/2022

Submission of completed forms and accompanying documents (APC National Secretariat) – On or before 19/02/2022

Publication of Sub-Committees – 19/02/2022

Screening of all aspirants vying for National Offices – 20th – 22nd of February. 2022

Screening Appeals to hear and resolve complaints arising from the screening exercise – 23/02/2022

Accreditation of all statutory and elected delegates to the National Convention – 24th – 25th of February 2022

National Convention to elect National Officers to the National Executive Committee (NEC) – 26/02/2022

National Convention Appeal to hear and resolve complaints arising from the National Convention – 28/02/2022

SIGNED:

Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe Ph.D

APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC)

19th January, 2022

Residents and commuters plying the 33km Ilesha Baruba-Gwanara road in Baruten local government area of Kwara State have commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on the ongoing construction of the road, saying the development represents a marked departure from their experience in the past.

Some of the respondents who spoke to newsmen on the ongoing asphalt overlay of the 33km road said the intervention of the present administration has reduced travel time, cost of transportation and improved socioeconomic potentials in the agrarian belt.

Alhaji Muhammad Idris, a community leader at Tumbuyan, narrated the harrowing experience navigating through the road for the past 60 years, saying the present administration has brought unforgettable dividends of democracy to the axis.

“My thought on this road is entirely positive. We are grateful to the government. For the past 60 years, we have not seen such a thing here. This is the first time we are seeing this. We are thankful to the government, especially our governor and our speaker who is the son of the soil, Danladi. May God help them to the next level,” Idris said.

“The experience navigating through this road in the past had been terrible. Now 50% is almost conquered. But in the past in the raining season you cannot come here. The road will cut off.

“The road was abandoned and the new government is trying for us and we are praising it for that. We are truly grateful.”

Idris explained that the road would boost the economy of the area as traders from Oyo, Osun and other parts of the country would be encouraged to buy farm produce from Baruten local government area.

“There are so many farmers in the bush that will be able to bring in their goods from the farms to the nearby villages when the road is good. So many economic activities will spring once the road is fully done, and we have started seeing that,” he said.

“We know that the money coming in is meagre. But we urge the government to finish the road on time. We want the government to finish it within the next 12 months. We want the government to construct the road up till Gwabe beyond Gwanara.”

A commuter, Opeyemi Obisesan, said the ongoing construction has brought huge relief to him and others plying the road, saying the cost of transportation from Ilesha to Gwanara has also reduced.

“Travelling through bike (motorcycle) before now from Ilesha Baruba to Gwanara was N2000 but now it is N1000 because of what has been done. This is because the road is good now as a large portion has been tarred while other sections have been cleared. Before now, we could hardly pass through here with cars. We are now enjoying the road unlike in the past. The road is good. For now, to move from Ilesha to Gwanara is very easy for us,” Obisesan said.

Ibrahim Adamu of Yekira community said he now passes through Ilesha Baruba to Gwanara with his bike with ease and urged the state government to extend the ongoing work to Yekira community.

Another speaker and resident of Tambuyan Ahmed Halidu commended the Governor and the Speaker for working together to bring development to the area.

“We really appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu for this road which passes through our village. Before this road was very terrible. In fact, before you reach Ilesha from here you must spend one hour. Now, we thank God. We can get there within eight minutes,” Halidu said.

“We really appreciate. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq loves our village and our people, and we love him too. At the right time, we will show him our appreciation.”

Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for more support for members of the Armed Forces and sister security agencies whose efforts the Governor said keep the country united and its people safe.

Speaking to reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, shortly after inspecting the guard of honour and laying the wreath in honour of fallen soldiers, the Governor urged members of the public to support families of fallen soldiers in every way possible as well as offer actionable intelligence to those still in active service.

Their sacrifice to keep the country safe and united cannot be overemphasised, the Governor said at the ceremony commemorating the 2022 (National) Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“The patriotic roles being played by the gallant officers in the Service in curtailing insurgency and other security threats cannot be quantified. We salute all of them, including those of them who had lost their lives in the course of serving the nation,” according to the Governor.

He was joined at the solemn wreath-laying ceremony by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, who was represented by Hon. Gafar Ayilara of the Ilorin North-West Constituency; Commanders and heads of various military formations and security agencies; and Chairman of the Nigeria Legion of Ex-service Men.

The Governor urged Nigerians to replicate the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces to keep peace with more gratitude and necessary support, saying security is everyone’s business.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for progressively scaling up the welfare of the security forces, saying his administration would also continue to support the agencies in its own ways.

“Partnering with the security agencies is an ongoing exercise. Security belongs to everyone. Not just the agencies. We make their task easier if we support them as a people. They need actionable intelligence from the public for them to be able to protect us. In other words, all of us should be part of the security architecture,” AbdulRazaq added.

“Today, as always, we honour them, we remember their service and we will continue to do that.”

The Governor also lauded the traditional rulers in the state for their support for security agencies and the government to maintain law and order.

This support accounts for why Kwara is a very peaceful state in Nigeria, AbdulRazaq added.

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is commemorated every January 15 in honour of Nigeria’s serving and fallen soldiers, with emphasis often placed on national security and unity and support for the families of security operatives who died during service.