The Kwara State Government has lauded the intellectual disposition by Kwarans to history preservation in the state.

The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq gave the accolades today at the launch of a book titled, ‘Kwara: the political journey so far’ at Bovina Hotels, Ilorin.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, encouraged more dedication to intellectual documentation as it could be a yardstick to guide public officers about their future references.

‘I hope to see more efforts dedicated into putting things in perspectives so that generations unborn can understand our journey as a people. Such efforts will guide us and generations unborn to make informed decisions about the future. It helps to also remind everyone, especially people in public office and every player, that our actions and inactions could be a subject of history.’

AbdulRazaq advocated constructive criticism and appealed to the people to engage in future building as election approaches by curbing violences, social vices and apathy as his administration strives to rebuild the state by addressing infrastructural deficits and deprivations.

He applauded the author’s contribution to history and urged everyone to be united to stamp out crimes by being vigilant and supportive of security agencies.

The chairman of the occasion, Senator representing Kwara South, Arch. Lola Ashiru, who was represented by Dr Buhari Mustapha, congratulated the author and encouraged him to engage in more intellectual pursuits.

The guest speaker, Dr Abdulwaheed Musa appreciated the Kwara State Governor’s distinct role exhibited in his cabinet by showing his love for the youth and gender balance.

The author, Mr John Kehinde Salako appreciated everyone who supported him through the writing of the book. He appealed to all Kwarans irrespective of their political affiliation to give the needed support to the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for a second tenure in office.

Modupe Joel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
August 13th, 2021

Reports in some sections of the media that the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has indefinitely suspended Local Government Area (LGA) and State Congresses is false.

Following the recent inauguration of Ward Congress Appeal Committees, the official information from the party was that dates and guidelines for the LGA Congresses will be fixed after the conclusion of the Ward Congresses Appeal excercise followed by due consideration of the Appeal Committee’s reports by the CECPC.

The CECPC has tentatively fixed LGA Congresses for the first week of September, 2021.

On behalf of the CECPC Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, we assure our teeming party supporters, members and leaders of our unflinching committment to credible, transparent and participatory congresses leading to the National Convention of our great party.

SIGNED:
*Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe Ph.D*
National Secretary
Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC)
All Progressives Congress (APC)

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday congratulated Aremo Prof. Mosobalaje Olaloye Oyawoye (CON) on his 94th birthday anniversary, describing the statesman as a living legend whose contributions to knowledge and national development are indelible.

Aremo Oyawoye is the first professor of Geology in Africa.

“I join the rest of Nigeria, and especially the people of Kwara State, to once again celebrate one of the living legends and pathfinders in science from Kwara State, Aremo Prof. Oyawoye, as he turns 94th today. Baba has been a role model, a pacesetter, a humanist, a great Kwaran, and a frontline and consistent lover of development. In him, many of our people, especially in Offa, have found succour as he continues his philanthropic gestures even at old age,” the Governor said.

“The government and people of Kwara State are proud to always identify with the patriot and wish him good health and happy ending after decades of selfless service to the world as one of its finest gifts.”

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
August 11, 2021

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has urged successful entrepreneurs, scholars, opinion moulders and other key stakeholders to offer support and mentorship to young people with a view to raising a new generation of great leaders.

“The future of our society rests on the quality of young people we are able to raise. I therefore beseech all of us to offer mentorship and whatever support we can mobilise to raise a new generation of great leaders. This is in realisation of the fact that the brighter the future of these young people, the brighter the future of Nigeria,” AbdulRazaq said at the Peace and Youths Development Summit/TheWriteUp 2021 Grand Finale held at Kwara State University Malete.

The event, organised on Wednesday by the Torchbearers Impact Network, coincided with the commemoration of the International Youths Day.

Represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, the Governor said his administration is biased in favour of raising quality Kwara youths who would stand shoulder to shoulder with their contemporaries worldwide. He said this begins with offering quality basic education to give the Kwara child a fair opportunity to compete.

“Our administration is leading the charge in this regard. We have not only recently given interest-free loan to young people to run their own businesses and be successful at it, we also provided them with mentorship from solid backgrounds,” he said.

“Our huge investments in the innovation hub are targeted at giving new skills to young people. Our target is to make Kwara the go-to place for young techies, innovators, and solution providers. When it is completed, it will be the largest of such facility anywhere in Nigeria.

The governor also congratulated the young people on the International Youth Day which coincides with the event and appealed to the youths to reflect on the present and the future and then make the best decisions for posterity.

“I believe strongly that the way to manage youth bulge and engender peace in our society is to create an atmosphere for young people to thrive. This is what we are trying to do in our state. From agriculture to innovation, sports and creative industry, we are steadily creating a veritable market for our young people to hone their skills, sell their ideas, and lead a fulfilling life,” he added.

“I believe that this contest, which is titled TheWriteUp, will help to motivate our young people to further hone their literary skills. I believe that initiatives like this should be encouraged. I congratulate the winners and everyone who has participated in the contest. I must also commend the panel of judges for their good job. I hope to see many of you winners going ahead to win big literary prizes like the Nigerian Prize for Literarure, the Booker Prize, the Pulitzer, Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and so on. You can do it! The only obstacle to you not winning is you not giving it a try.”

AbdulRazaq also commended the management and the entire KWASU community for providing the right environment for such initiative.

Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu charged the youths to harness their energies efficiently and positively to contribute to the development of the country by assuming leadership positions in all aspects of human endeavours.

“What we are witnessing now is a generational change. Youths have both positive and negative impacts on this country. But I believe youths are positively contributing to the development of this country in different fields. Youth should use their numerical strength to take up leadership positions, think positively and proffer solutions to current challenges facing the country,” Speaker said.

The State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Barrister Senior Ibrahim urged Nigerian youths to shun violence, cultism, banditry and kidnapping and other forms of societal ills to enable them realise their full potentials in life.

KWASU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mustapha Akanbi (SAN) commended TIN for providing a platform for promoting arts and literature at a time that the art of writing has been bastardised by the advent of social media.

He called for more of such initiatives.

A 500-level law student of Adekunle Ajasin University (Ondo State) Miss Oluwadamilola Akintewe emerged the winner of the contest and went home with N200,000. The first runnner-up, who got N100,000, is Enobong Enobong of University of Lagos; while Oyewopo Ibrahim of the Federal University of Technology Minna emerged third and got the sum of N50,000.

Founder of the Torchbearers Impact Network Ibraheem Abdullateef said they set out to encourage young people to aspire to be the best they could, asserting that capacity building and skills acquisitions will open the doors of opportunities.

“What we set to achieve is to let youths know that it is time to prioritise academic excellence. Now, we have been able to identify young people across the nation who have passion and talents for writing and we will mobilise resources and support them in whatever way we can,” Abdullateef said.

“I also want to pass a message across that everyone out there is a torchbearer. You don’t need to be a member of Torchbearers Impact Network before they can be torch bearers themselves. As young people, we need to have it in mind that we are representing our communities, our schools, our states and the country wherever we are and we must try to make impact. On behalf of our team, I thank the Governor of Kwara State Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, KWASU authorities, The Hook Creative Agency, all the facilitators and everyone who has contributed to make this programme a success. We are truly grateful.”

Modupe Joel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
August 11, 2021

Thousands of women from various backgrounds on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commending his first-of-a-kind gender inclusion in political appointments and programmes designed to lift as many women as possible out of poverty line.

At a rally held at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, women in politics, business, entertainment and sports gathered in their thousands to express support for the Governor’s gestures which they said were unprecedented in the history of the state, citing his gender-friendly cabinet, social investment programmes, health and education projects and attention to basic amenities that ease things for women.

Organised by the special assistant to the Governor on Women empowerment Hajia Bolanle Ismail, women groups in different attires were unanimous in their calls for AbdulRazaq to run for another term, having achieved remarkable successes in education, healthcare, road infrastructure, support for farmers and provision of basic amenities in the last two years.

In her address to the mammoth gathering, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs Deborah Aremu said the administration has made a huge difference in the lives of the people, especially women in Kwara State.

“His Excellency has achieved so much in the past two years. These cut across women inclusion and empowerment, health care, infrastructure, security, welfare, agriculture, environment, sports, arts and culture, capacity building and development as well as social justice,” she said.

“Governor AbdulRazaq’s achievement are visible for all to see. This is true for women as it is for other segments of the state. Apart from gender inclusion, some specific pro-women interventions include signing into law the violence against persons prohibition bill to further create a social support system for victims of sexual and gender-based violence in the state; renovation of children reception centre, establishment of sexual assaults referral centre at Oko-Erin, women empowerment and skill acquisition programme.”

Hajia Bolanle Ismail, for her part, explained that the rally was organised to show support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq whom she said had proven to be the most gender friendly governor in Nigeria.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has gone down in history as the first African leader with the highest number of female cabinet members and political appointees. Over 56% female in the cabinet which is way far over the 35% sought by Beijing declaration,” she observed.

“The Governor has appointed women to head strategic government offices. Also, the appointment of 12 female permanent secretaries remains the highest in the history of the state.

“Dearest Kwara women, it is now time to reciprocate the good gesture of this administration of His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Kwara women are known for paying good with good. AbdulRazaq’s unprecedented achievements deserve to be acknowledged. Thus, AA deserves a second term. On behalf of Kwara women I say one good term deserves another.”

Dr Shaadat Yetunde Yusuf, another attendee, said the mega rally was to publicly declare women’s support to Governor AbdulRazaq, saying the governor had done extremely well especially in terms of women empowerment and inclusion in the decision making process.

“This is the first time we are having very significant number of women in state cabinet. He recognises us as women. He knows that without women, there cannot be the World. That is why he gives us special recognition. With this mega rally, we are telling him that Kwara women are in full support and we are also telling him that he should come for second term,” she said.

The state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Saadatu Modibo Kawu, added: “Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been doing great things for women in Kwara State. We have never had it so good for women in the history of the state. This is a first time in the country that you see a governor who gives women special recognition in his cabinet. That is why we owe him our support and we have to celebrate him as well.”

Princess Abolanle Abidemi of the Kwara State Like-minds Women Forum said it was obvious that the administration has given voice to women like no other government in the history of the state and it was only fair to stand by him.

“Whether in the area of gender inclusion or policy measures and programmes that favour women, no fair-minded person will score him low. He has done well and the records are there. Look at the number of our women commissioners, permanent secretaries, top officials, heads of statutory agencies. It has never been so and we are truly grateful,” she said.

“AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq appreciates women and he is very passionate about their welfare especially, widows and the less privileged. He gave us Owo-Isowo, Owo-Arugbo. His passion for the welfare of women is apolitical and he is doing it without any political affiliation.

“So, he deserves the second term if he ever desires that. That is why we organize this mega to tell the world that women who are not politicians are in his support because he deserves a second term.”

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated the Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Muhammed Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, describing his reign as hugely impactful and goal-oriented for the Offa community and beyond.

“My felicitations go to His Royal Majesty the Olofa of Offa on his 58th birthday anniversary today. May God Almighty grant His Royal Majesty good health and long life on the stool of his forbears. I join sons and daughters of Offa, and the entire state, to commend his statesmanship, his personal investments in ensuring that his community continues to stand out for good things, his commitment to socio-cultural and economic growth of the ancient town, as well as his support for the government’s peace efforts in the state,” the Governor said in a statement.

The Governor urges the first class monarch to continue to lead the initiatives for development and peace in Offa, saying posterity will judge him right as he continues to bring honour and class to the stool of his forebears.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
August 10, 2021

***President Buhari’s promise to safeguard lives, livlihoods highest priority

The All Progressives Congress (APC) reassures Nigerians that the security of the nation is of the highest priority to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and this government is effectively deploying resources to ensure that all Nigerians go about their activities in peace and safety.

Going by the major role played and the negligent handling of insecurity by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when it was in government, the failed opposition party is seriously unqualified to speak on how this government is tackling insecurity and the attendant rot the PDP left behind.

The PDP apparently chooses to forget how the same insecurity it now desperately seeks to politicise, metamorphosed and festered under its watch which ultimately led Nigerians to overwhelmingly reject it in the 2015 elections through their votes.

Nigerians still recall how bad things got under the PDP to the extent that Muhammadu Buhari before he was elected President was attacked by terrorists in Kaduna State. The country’s capital, Abuja became the epicentre of Boko Haram attacks with brazen bomb attacks on the United Nations building, the Police Headquarters, recreation centres, markets, motor parks and Eagle Square where foreign heads of governments gathered to celebrate the country’s independence, among others.

Lest we forget monies meant to buy arms to fight insurgents was stolen and diverted to private pockets of PDP members and their cronies while Boko Haram seized Nigeria’s territory and hoisted their flags.

This is no longer the case under the government of President Buhari. Security funds are no longer being pocketed and no inch of Nigeria’s territory is under the control of the now decimated insurgents.

Aside emerging security incidents recorded in some parts of the country which is equally being tackled by our security services with great success, the APC is not oblivious to the politically-motivated security incidents being sponsored to discredit and destabilise this government. These evil sponsors and perpetrators will soon be unravelled and made to face the full weight of the law.

In keeping with our election promise to Nigerians, President Buhari has shown uncommon leadership, intent and capacity to permanently end all security incidents and criminalities in the country.

So for the PDP to suggest the country’s security situation is at its worst when it was rejected by the electorates in 2015 shows that its leadership is out of touch with the state of the nation, particularly successes recorded by this government in safeguarding lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.

The record investments in the procurement of military and intelligence platforms, training and retraining of service personnel by the Buhari-led administation have led to the neutralisation of insurgents, arrests of bandits and kidnappers by our security services.

While the PDP labours to politicise security incidents in some parts of the country, the truth is this government’s promise of ending insecurity is on course and would soon be realised.

On a daily basis, insurgents are surrendering to our security services, bandits and kidnappers camps are being sacked, our forests are being cleared of criminal and other undesirable elements. It is clearly no longer business as usual for these criminals as was the case in the previous administration.

Under this government, the military and other security services have been re-professionalised and re-equipped to meet the growing exigencies of security in the country.

The APC thanks Nigerians for trusting the President Buhari government to end the security incidents in spite of unpatriotic, insincere and insensitive interventions by the PDP constantly seeking political gains from issues of unsecurity.

While we urge continued support to the military and other security agencies against insecurity, we renew our charge that irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliations, it is the right thing to come together in our strive to bring the menace of insecurity to an end.

SIGNED:
*Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe Ph.D*
National Secretary
Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC)
All Progressives Congress (APC)

Protocols

In the name of Allaah, the most gracious and the most merciful. I beseech Allaah’s blessings on the best of mankind and his household, Muhammad, the teacher of the universe. Sollaa Allaahu alaehi wasalaam

It is the dawn of another Hijra year. We have now entered 1443 AH. I congratulate the entire Muslim ummah on this significant day. The Hijra means a whole lot to Muslims and to the entire world. It marked the rise of a civilisation that is not comparable to any before or after it in human history. To date, that epoch remains a subject of study for historians and seekers of truth from around the world.

In an article published on September 7, 2009 to briefly explain the term al-Hijra to the British audience, the BBC said: “By breaking the link with his own tribe the Prophet demonstrated that tribal and family loyalties were insignificant compared to the bonds of Islam”.

Esteemed brothers and sisters in Islam, this quote partly captures the essence of Hijra. Allah has blessed us with the Prophet who united all tongues and races around the values of Islamic monotheism and universal brotherhood of man, coloured or white.

My message to everyone is simple: let us borrow a leaf from what Hijra symbolises to unite our country and reject everything that stalls its growth. Wherever we stand on party politics, let us unite on common issues of national unity, security, peace and development. Let us reject forces of doom. The movement of the prophet and his lieutenants from Taif and then to Madinna in trickles and the growth and development of Islam in phases should teach us that no nation attains greatness in a jiffy. It takes hard work, discipline, sacrifice and unity of purpose by everyone to develop our country.

I commend the organisers of this rally for their hard work in putting this together. I agree that occasions like this have historical significance and should be commemorated. The sentiments around it are of immense values for generations. Our government is therefore not unaware of suggestions that a day be set aside to enable our Muslim brethren, especially public servants, to fully take part in the commemoration of new Hijra year like their counterparts in a few other states. We are therefore making consultations on it.

I wish everyone Happy Hijra 1443. I bid us to endeavour to internalise its lessons for our spiritual and socioeconomic growth.

I pray Allah to continue to shower His blessings upon the prophet Muhammad and his household, and to grant forgiveness to the Muhaajirun and the Ansaar.

As-salaam alaekum warahmatullah!

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Governor, Kwara State
August 9, 2021

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated businessman, philanthropist and APC chieftain Alhaji Jani Ibrahim on his birthday anniversary, praying God to grant him better years ahead in the service of humanity.

In a statement on Sunday, the Governor described the industrialist as a fine gentleman, a peace builder, and a man of middle course who is popular for always being on the side of conciliation.

“My best wishes for Alhaji Jani Ibrahim on the occasion of his birthday. He is a man who truly believes in the great potentials of Kwara State and its people. He has invested his resources to build industries and employ Kwarans in various capacities, while contributing his quota over the years in the struggle for a better Kwara where every citizen is a stakeholder,” the statement said.

“Our administration wishes to identify with Alhaji Jani Ibrahim and his family on this joyous day, and prays Allah to grant him good health and long life.”

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
August 8, 2021

As part of efforts towards ensuring a safer and conducive society, the Kwara State Ministry of Environment has reiterated it promise of collaborating with the Kwara State Police Command through working with the outlined mechanism and guidelines.

The Honourable Commissioner of Environment, Mrs Remilekun Banigbe gave this assertion during a visit to the Kwara State Police Command, Headquarters, Ilorin with her team recently.

Banigbe said that the partnership was in order to ensure clean and safe environment and to address issues of major complains to the ministry, especially issues on deforestation and environmental banditry.

” By destroying the forests througg indiscriminate tree fellings, environmental banditry, charcoal productions, the entire ecosystem is in danger, creating natural imbalances, and posing serious threats to our communities. Sadly, this is fast becoming a norm in the northern part of the state, so, we are soliciting for your support to combat these nuisance and return normalcy” she said.

She however noted that the cordial relationship built with the police force will also help in curbing the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians and violation against the monthly sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner had earlier appreciated the support and the cooperation enjoyed so far since it has been partnering with the ministry,while pledging to work on the outlined mechanism for the betterment of the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Abraham Kola Ojo, said despite the law against the cutting and burning of trees for charcoal production, people have not desist from such act, hence calls for the need of conservative effort with the police force for the preservation of the forest.

He explained further that the cooperation of the police force will be highly appreciated in enforcing adequate compliance of the people during the monthly sanitation exercise, not only in the Ilorin metropolis but also the outskirt.

Responding, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Rotimi Adelesi, who also doubles as the Acting Commissioner of Police gave the assurance of total support and cooperation with the ministry for the betterment and progress of the state.

” we will join hands together for the state to move, we have our own primary assignments but we will also involve in creating environmental peace and order to the progress of the state; as the state remains ” the state of harmony” she pledges.

Adelesi however urged the ministry to take cognizance of the necessary mechanisms to put in place especially constituting of environmental taskforce to work with for adequate enforcement of the environmental laws.

Also present at the visit are: the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Paul Omata, Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Ambrose Onah and the ministry management staff.

Okanlawon Taiwo
Press Secretary
Ministry of Environment