The petty traders in Kwara couldn’t contain their joy on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin Kwara State after receiving business recapitalisation grants from the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Economic Empowerment Program launched by Her Excellency Professor Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State.

The RHI’s Economic Empowerment Program is an initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu aimed at financially supporting the businesses of 1000 women petty traders in each of the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. At the launch, the Founder of Ajike Support Centre offered 1000 women the business recapitalisation grants.

Represented at the event by the State Coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative and Chairperson Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, Senator Remi Tinubu highlighted the focus of the Nigerian government on women’s interests, particularly emphasizing economic empowerment. She emphasized the need for empowering the women in the country and acknowledged their dedication and hard work in various businesses.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for providing substantial grants through various initiatives and empowerment programs. The First Lady assured the petty traders present of the government’s dedication to supporting their businesses and ensuring conducive business environments while implementing empowerment programs to safeguard the welfare of all citizens.

She added that she planned to introduce more initiatives aimed at enriching the lives of women, youth, and all citizens across Nigeria. The First Lady noted that the sum of N50 million naira had been disbursed to the 36 states and the FCT and that each shortlisted woman petty trader would receive a sum of N50,000 to boost her business while also expressing deep concerns about the challenges faced by women in their businesses and pledged to continue providing opportunities for them to thrive in their businesses.

Before the curtain of the event dropped, the First Lady of Kwara and Chairperson Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq and other dignitaries present presented N50,000 cash support to 50 petty traders while noting that other beneficiaries would receive their grants through their various bank accounts.

Some of the dignitaries present at the event include the spouse of the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, the spouse of the Chief Justice of Kwara State, Chairperson House Committee on Women Affairs, members of the State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Kwara State Governor, Secretary to Kwara State Government, State Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Assistants to the Governor, APC women leader and executives, and top government ally among others.

The event was also graced by women’s groups and associations, the youth in the state, the media, members of civil society organizations, the beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and voluntary organizations. The list is inexhaustible.

•Says AbdulRazaq’s brought massive devt to state

•Commends govt’s sensitisation efforts

The ongoing urban renewal projects of Kwara State Government enjoy our full support as they are necessary for socioeconomic development and sustainable environment, Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari said on Thursday, calling on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to push through the massive infrastructural works.

“I am pleased with the foresight of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with the ongoing expansion and reconstruction of roads across the state, particularly within the Ilorin metropolis. What the government is doing is necessary for the development of the capital city and the state at large,” the Emir told a government delegation led by the Commissioner for Works Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo and the Special Adviser on Special Duties Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah.

“I am aware of the massive road projects going on, and as a traditional institution, we will continue to support the administration with prayers to succeed. You are doing the right thing. As I said before, the performance of the Governor is res ipsa loquitur (self-evident). When one embarks on such projects, you don’t listen to the naysayers. They will later appreciate it once you do it. So, I urge you to continue with the good job.”

On the delegation were the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun; Commissioner for Environment Nafisat Buge; Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographical Information Service Alhaji Abdulkareem Suleiman; Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rafiu Ajakaye; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Infrastructure Engr. Ladi Yusuf; and some senior bureaucrats.

The team visited the Emir to seek further support for the road project from Works Roundabout to Post Office through Emir’s Road down to Isale Oja and other areas.

The Emir of Ilorin urged the government to continue with its expansion programme without further delay.

“It is good that you employ traditional approach for your advocacy and I want to assure you of maximum support to succeed. Don’t be distracted. It is normal for few individuals to say negative things about what you do. Your projects are visible for all to see. You should continue with your infrastructural renewal and expansion programmes without further delay,” the Emir said.

Jiddah, for his part, explained that the homage was to seek cooperation and support of the Emir and the larger community on the projects within the Ilorin metropolis.

“This advocacy visit tour becomes important for us in line with the urban renewal agenda of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The homage to the Emir is to seek more cooperation and support for all our projects, especially road expansion and urban renewal initiatives,” he said.

Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the visit, Olododo also sought public support for the extensive construction works from the Ministry of Works Roundabout through Emir’s Road to Isale-Oja junction; Adifa to Gambari; and Balogun-Fulani back to the Emir’s Road.

“From Ministry of Works roundabout to Isale-Oja junction and from Adifa to Gambari and Balogun-Fulani back to Emir’s Road is about 5.8km. This will be completed within four months,” he said.

“The traditional approach remains the best approach because as the leader of the Emirate, we believe that once the Emir speaks to our people through the Alanguas, Daodus, and Magajis, effective communication would have been established and compliance will be a lot easier.

“We need the support and collaboration of the Emir on the setbacks that the projects will reclaim. This will affect the temporary structures built on the government’s setbacks along the routes. We also talked about the illegal refuse dump by some people, which endangers everyone.”

Olajide Abolarinwa

Press Secretary

Ministry of Works, Ilorin.

August 22, 2024.

As published by Nigerian Tribune and other mainstream media, the political parties the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) said would participate in the September 21 local government elections are five and they include the Accord Party (AP) Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Social Democratic Party (SDP) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, among these parties, it is only the PDP that has been crying wolf.

Before KWSIEC announced September 21 as the date of the forthcoming polls, we knew how some elements in the PDP called the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration names saying the Governor didn’t want to conduct the LG election. They weren’t alone in this name-calling — one unregistered political party and self-styled CSO also donated its deserted Facebook page to attack him and his government.

Kwara LG polls are a few weeks away and PDP is doing everything possible to ensure the election does not hold. Mr Bukola Saraki and his sidekicks after their failed attempts to get the electoral commission to do their bidding as usual have resorted to plotting against it won’t succeed in conducting the polls which many observers have said would end in tears for the PDP. A few weeks ago, they dragged KWSIEC to the court and asked the court to prevent INEC from releasing crucial electoral materials for the election to the commission and today they are complaining about the pace of its preparation.

While some people may not know why Saraki and his followers don’t want the election to be held next month, analysts have said that there is no reason other than the fact they have studied the mood of the electorates and found that the polls aren’t going to favour their party’s candidates. In other words, they have seen that their unpopular candidates from bottom to top will lose the polls.

Analysts have said the PDP’s imminent defeat in the next month’s polls is connected to ex-governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Saraki administrations’ maladministration, noting that it is the ghost of their fraudulent and wasteful governments that is haunting the PDP. Seconded by the latter’s tenure, the former’s administration is the worst Kwara has witnessed since the return of democracy in 1999. He strangulated civil servants’ promotions, owed workers salaries, and diverted UBEB counterpart funds. Kwara’s roads and schools were in terrible conditions throughout his inglorious administration.

For Saraki and his party to think they could stop KWSIEC from conducting local government polls next month, they must be joking. Their recent moves can’t shake the commission neither can they be a clog in the wheel of the forthcoming polls. KWSIEC is determined and ready to conduct a free and fair election as it promised. Neither Saraki nor his deluded followers could teach or educate it on how to prepare for an election it had been conducting before dropping his medical profession for Saraki’s dirty politics.

It was last week or so, that I stumbled upon a post where the writer, a Kwaran tried to advise Saraki and his followers to channel the energy they are wasting trying to stop KWSIEC from conducting the forthcoming LG polls into healing their hailing party, the PDP maybe it would win at least one seat in the state house of assembly in 2027 general elections. However, several of the comments I found under the post could be better summarised as ‘PDP in Kwara? Never again!’

Abdulsalam, a public affairs analyst, writes from Ilorin.

• Works Commissioner, KW-GIS chief visit Offa, project sites in Ilorin

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s passion for infrastructural and rural urban development is beyond doubt, Olofa of Offa said on Tuesday, calling on the people of the community to support the expansion and rehabilitation works recently approved for the popular Ibrahim Taiwo road.

The Olofa spoke at his palace during a sensitisation visit by the Kwara State Commissioner for Works Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, where he sought public support for the extensive construction works.

On the Commissioner’s entourage were the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographical Information Service Alhaji Abdulkareem Suleiman; Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rafiu Ajakaye; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Infrastructure Engr. Ladi Yusuf; and some senior bureaucrats.

The team was received at the Palace by Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II alongside many High Chiefs and the leadership of the Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU).

The Olofa commended Governor AbdulRazaq for the project and how his government continues to prioritise the welfare of the people of the state, including Offa community.

The monarch said his subjects are lovers of development and are ready to cooperate with the government and the contractors.

“We are happy for what brought you here today. We thank His Excellency for always being with us. His Excellency has always shown us that Offa is his second home,” Olofa of Offa said.

“We are always in support of his good works and laudable projects, and we pray Almighty Allah to be with him in all ramifications.

“I am sending out my chiefs and representatives to inform the people of the need to support this huge development. Nobody should disturb the contractor under any guise. If you have anything obstructing government’s setbacks, please remove it. This is in our interest.”

Abdulquawiy said the team visited the First Class monarch to seek his support, especially with a view to educating persons whose temporary structures have taken over road setbacks to give way.

“We are here in Offa to meet the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II and the Offa Descendants Union (ODU) and to intimate them and the entire Offa community about the reconstruction of Ibrahim Taiwo road,” he said.

“For us to reconstruct and expand this road, we will need to claim the government setback where we have some temporary structures. So we need their cooperation.

“As you all know, this government of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is about the people. There is the need for us to communicate and engage with the community for them to be aware of exactly what our intentions are and what we are doing. We are glad about the reception by the Olofa and the ODU.”

The Commissioner said the contractors are now on site to proceed with the work, which will last about four months.

The road will be supported with concrete drainage, solar street lights, and walkways, he added.

National Vice President for ODU, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, commended the administration for the road project, which he said reflects its commitment to infrastructural growth across the state.

He urged residents to always respect road setbacks when erecting any structures, saying road setbacks are meant for public advantage.

“We want everybody to key into what the government is doing. The government is not doing anything that is bad. It is the right thing to maintain the setbacks while building anything. So, the road setbacks belong to the government, and that is what the government is claiming for the good of our community,” he said.

The Commissioner also inspected the Flyover at Unity, which he said is now 65% done.

“We are very satisfied with the quality of work done on this project.

Just a few days ago, a delegation from Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers was on this site, and they equally issued a statement that the quality that is being done is very satisfactory,” he said.

“The project is moving at a good pace that we are very happy with. As you can see, we are already standing on the bridge.”

Olajide Abolarinwa

Press Secretary

Ministry of Works, Ilorin.

August 20, 2024.

•Encomium pours for Governor AbdulRazaq’s full sponsorship, conducive environment

•Kwara is now a model for qualitative education: Parents

No fewer than 62,000 Primary Six Pupils yesterday sat for the 2024 common entrance (placement) examinations into public Junior Secondary School One across the 16 Local Government Areas in Kwara State.

The State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, who made the disclosure in Ilorin, said the exercise took place at various centres across the state.

Hajia Modibbo Kawu, alongside a team from the Ministry, monitored the exercise in some centres in Ilorin, Oke-Ero, and Ekiti Local Government Areas of the state.

The Commissioner, who applauded the hitch-free exercise, noted that the centres visited were peaceful as the commencement of the examination was timely.

Expressing satisfaction over the conduct of the exercise, the Commissioner commended the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment at improving the quality of education, which is now drawing more families to the public schools system in the state.

She disclosed that the transition examination from primary to junior secondary school is fully sponsored by the state government, pointing out that Mallam AbdulRazaq is a peoples’ governor who feels the plight of an average Kwaran.

Modibbo Kawu explained further that the state government is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing quality education throughout the state.

“As you can see, everything is hitch-free and going on well. Let me quickly give kudos to the state government and the management and staff of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development involved in the process, for doing a great job at ensuring good preparation and seamless exercise, as reports gathered from other centres across the state reinforced that it was satisfactory.

“As a government, we will encourage our children to enrol in public schools by providing the enabling environment to improve learning outcomes. The present administration places education on the front burner and ensures that everyone has access to qualitative education”, the Commissioner stated.

Also Speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rebecca Olanrewaju Bake, who applauded the governor for the prompt release of fund for the conduct of the Common Entrance Examination, charged teachers across the state to continue to put in their best to complement government’s efforts in revamping the education sector in the state.

The Director, Curriculum and Assessment Department, Mrs. Victoria Funmilayo Adewuyi described this year’s Common Entrance Examination as one of the best in recent times.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mrs. Aisha Ahmed commended the state government for conducting the placement examination in a conducive environment and sponsoring the examination in full, noting that their wards were well attended to during the exercise.

The centres visited by the Commissioner’s team included Junior Secondary School,Agbe-ola Oro, St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin; Babalola Memorial Grammar School, Odo-Owa, and Iloffa Grammar School, Iloffa, in Oke-Ero LGA; Osi Central Secondary School, Osi; CAC Junior Secondary School, Osi, Anglican Comprehensive High School, Oke-Opin and Community Junior Secondary School, Epe-Opin, all in Ekiti LGA.

The Commissioner, who led the Kwara South Senatorial District team, was accompanied on the monitoring exercise by the Permanent Secretary, Directors, and other members of staff of the Ministry.

Peter Amogbonjaye

Press Secretary,

Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has flagged off the distribution of improved seeds, chemicals, and fertilisers to 10,000 farmers across the 16 local government areas of the state to grow crops in their farms in this farming season.

While underscoring the essence of the gesture, AbdulRazaq stressed that it is part of the administration’s efforts to encourage bumper harvest and promote food security in the state and the country.

The government had recently targeted 600,000 households, including small-scale farmers, in its recent distribution of farm implements and other supports.

Speaking in Ilorin at the launch of the distribution of farm inputs (3rd batch) to local farmers, the Governor, who observed that farmers are the backbone of food security and sustainable economic growth, further pointed out, “This administration is committed to addressing the challenges in the agricultural sector. Farmers are recognised as the backbone of food security and economic growth. Hence, a rigorous farmer registration process has been set up, ensuring that only genuine farmers benefit.”

He disclosed that, “the first batch of the Special Rice Intervention Programme assisted 3400 real farmers with quality seeds, fertilisers, and agrochemicals, resulting in significant increases in rice production.

“With the second phase (FADAMA NG CARES), 600,000 beneficiaries are receiving support, including boats, seeds, agrochemicals, power tillers, and grinding machines. This initiative aims to make agricultural productivity more robust and widespread.”

AbdulRazaq insisted that his government is also committed to boosting livestock productivity and market access through its Livestock Productivity and Enhancement Scheme campaigns in the state.

“By supporting farmers, food security is ensured, jobs created, and economic growth is sustained,” he added.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Toyosi Thomas-Adebayo, reminded that there are several programmes that the government has embarked upon to support farmers and improve farm yields in the state.

She commended AbdulRazaq for his purposeful leadership.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Funke Sokoya in her remarks said the distribution of farm inputs for farmers means a lot in the agricultural sector, and thus urged the beneficiaries to use the items for the purpose that serves public interest.

Abdur-rahman Akindele Ayuba, the Executive Director, Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, who spoke on behalf of other CSOs, hailed the government for engaging them in all stages of the exercise.

He urged the government officials to ensure proper monitoring of the recipients so that the inputs and other supports are used appropriately.

• Communities, farmers laud govt’s interventions, support

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Saturday did extensive tour of rice plantations in communities in Edu and Patigi local government areas of the state to assess the impacts of seedlings, fertilisers, and other inputs they recently received from the state government.

The Governor was represented on the tour by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Toyosi Thomas-Adebayo, who was accompanied by Director of Personnel Finance and Supply in the Ministry Mayaki Babadzuko Ma’adu.

The visit to Edu and Patigi will be followed by another ‘feedback mission’ to Kaiama and other parts of the state to inspect maize and soya beans farmlands, among others.

Last week, the Governor personally inspected the Kwara Youths Farm in Malete (Moro LG), where at least 1500 hectares of land are being cultivated for soyabeans production this farming season.

The government had recently launched the distribution of seedlings, fertilizers, and other farm inputs to support 10,000 farmers across the sixteen local governments. It is to ensure bumper harvest and promote food security, the Governor had said.

Speaking to reporters in Edu on Saturday, the Governor said: “Today, we are here for a monitoring exercise to meet (rice) farmers, who benefitted from the government’s interventions, and check their farms to make sure that what they have been given were put to use. That is the main purpose of the exercise.

“One of the things we do as a government to improve food security is to improve productivity. One of the ways we do that is to give timely and quality inputs to our farmers.”

The rice farms visited were in Lafiagi Ward 1 and 2 of Edu; Lade, Sakpefu-lade, Sheshi and Rogun in Kpada Ward 2 of Patigi local government.

At least 20,000 hectares of land are being cultivated for rice production in the areas covered, according to locals.

AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction with the happenings on the farms and commended the farmers for their commitment to the food security drive of the government.

“I am very happy about what I have seen. Clearly, the farmers have put to use what they got. We have been able to motivate our farmers to do more. We also have a number of farmers waiting to get support from the government and they will get in due course,” he added.

“We have carried out three interventions this year. We started with free input to 3,400 rice farmers and we did another one under the NG-CARES FADAMA for 600,000 farmers which included assets like boats for fishermen and the recently concluded intervention (Agro chemicals, fertilizers and seeds for 10,000 farmers). Even with all these, we still have more farmers seeking the support of the state government. So, we are going to support more farmers.”

Most of the farmers, who spoke with reporters, took turns to eulogise the Governor’s support to boost farming activities in Edu and Patigi local governments of the state, and solicited for more.

Bala Sa’adu from Lade Community said farmers under Dukulade Irrigation Scheme have benefitted immensely from the present administration, particularly with the regular provision of farm inputs and desilting of blocked canals, where they source water for their farms.

“About two years ago, when the entire canal was filled up with sand, we appealed to the Governor to help us desilt it. The government supported us with about N7million to rectify the problem. And everybody had a bumper harvest last year. The canal served us so well until recently that it was blocked again,” he said.

“The government has also provided us with fertilizers, chemicals, and rice seeds free of charge. We all know how much a bag of fertilizer costs now. So, all these interventions are very commendable because it will reduce the cost of production.”

Sa’adu requested the government to also assist in fixing their blocked canal.

Alhaji Muhammad, Secretary of Sakpefu community who praised the government for various support for rice farmers, appealed for an extension of their farmland to increase their yields.

Muhammadu Kudu Yakub, who spoke for rice farmers in Lafiagi, appreciated the government’s support which he said has assisted their farming activities a lot.

“We are predominantly farmers from the Lafiagi community. We are into crop production such as rice, maize, groundnuts, beans, potatoes, and cassava. We really thank the government for every support to strengthen our occupation. It has really assisted us. But it has not gone round. We need more support, especially pumping machines so that we can access adequate water to improve our production,” he said.

The Ministry had earlier visited other local government areas on the same mission, including Asa and Ilorin East.

Oladipo Temple Olushola O.

Press Secretary

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

August 4, 2024.

•As govt marks World Breastfeeding Week

Kwara State First Lady, Amb. Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq has called on women, particularly nursing mothers, to ensure their children are optimally and exclusively breastfed from the first 60 minutes of birth to 6 months for mental and physical growth.

The First Lady made this call today at the launch of the World Breastfeeding Week with the theme: “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All”, a yearly activity that was organised by the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ilorin.

Amb. AbdulRazaq urged key stakeholders, including community heads, religious and political leaders, to collaborate in advancing the awareness campaigns on the huge benefits of absolute breastfeeding and the risks of doing otherwise.

“Optimal breastfeeding practices, starting from the first 60 minutes of birth, exclusive breastfeeding which means giving breast milk only for the first 6 months of life of a child with no water added, and continuous breastfeeding for at least the first 2 years of life are so critical to the physical and mental health of a child that every mother should take very seriously”, she said.

The First Lady, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, said the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration has created an enabling environment for the state to meet the global target of 70% of women, exclusively breastfeeding by 2030.

According to her, “Our Governor was one of the first to approve the 6 months maternity leave for civil servants in the country thereby setting the stage for children to be exclusively breastfed.”

Amb. AbdulRazaq added that about 300 healthcare workers have been trained on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices across the state through the Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria Project – a World Bank project that supports the state upon the payment of counterpart funds by the state government.

The First Lady explained further that the project has also provided counseling cards to health facilities across the state to help healthcare workers to emphasise optimal feeding practices during antenatal care clinics.

“This year’s celebration aims to recognise breastfeeding mums, ensure they are seen and heard, and share relatable human experiences about breastfeeding and the importance of multilevel support”, Amb. AbdulRazaq noted.

“This support could be in the form of policies and attitudes that value women and breastfeeding, a breastfeeding friendly healthcare system, respect for women’s autonomy and the right to breastfeed anytime and anywhere. It is also to galvanise solidarity and community support for optimal breastfeeding practices.”

The First Lady disclosed that part of activities to mark this year’s event was the mobilization of 30,000 mothers, including 500 from Kwara State, who would be breastfeeding their babies across all 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

“This event symbolizes our collective commitment to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding across Nigeria”, the First Lady stated.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminat El-Imam, said the benefits of breastfeeding are numerous and when done righteously, it has the potential to positively impact the child and the mother.

She called on mothers to practice optimal breastfeeding, adding that the Ministry is working for more women support initiatives aimed at encouraging breastfeeding.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nusirat Elelu, said the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Kwara State is 57.6%, which she noted is the highest in the North Central zone and higher than the National average of 34.4%.

Dr. Elelu, who was represented by the Director, Primary Healthcare System, Dr. Michael Oguntoye, said the state is poised to surpass the target of 70% by 2030 through several interventions and an enabling environment provided by Governor AbdulRazaq.

The representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Pharmacist Adebayo Bolaji, described breastfeeding as a foundation of lifelong health and well-being that every nursing mother is not expected to downplay.

“Breastfeeding is a simple, cost-effective, and natural way to provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development”, he said.

Dignitaries at the event included the wife of Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Mrs. Sa’adat Salihu Danladi; Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu; Commissioner for Social Development, Hon. Olaitan Bosede Buraimoh; Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Afeez Abolore Alabi; Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yinusa Lade; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Adetola Salahu; Senior Special Assistant on Religious Matters (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmegoro; and Special Assistant on Drug Abuse, Prevention and Control, Hon. Aliru Olamilekan, among others.

Alade Opeyemi,

Press Secretary,

Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday inaugurated the consequential adjustment committee on minimum wage, charging members to look at all the variables and design an agreement that caters for the interest of the workers, other segments of the society, and considers issues of development.

The committee members were inaugurated at the council chambers of the Government House, attended by top government officials, labour leaders, and representatives of the organised private sector in the state.

“The setting up of this committee sets out the process for the implementation of the national minimum wage in Kwara State. Following a legislative backing by the National Assembly, the President has recently approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage. We welcome the development in Kwara State. But the law means more than just paying N70,000 to the lowest ranking worker. It involves working out the maths on how this affects the take home for senior workers on different cadres,” the Governor said.

“This multi-stakeholder committee is therefore tasked to critically look at all the indices and arrive at workable consequential adjustments for all cadres of workers.

“I trust that this committee of senior government officials, reasonable labour leaders and organised private sector will consider all the variables and balance the need for decent salary adjustments with the important need to have something left for development and other strata of the society. In other words, we should arrive at an agreement that is durable, meets the legitimate needs of all, and takes into account the overall interest of our state.”

State Head of Service and Chairman of the Committee Mrs Modupe Susan Oluwole commended the Governor’s proactiveness in constituting the committee.

“Recently, the President signed the 70,000 national minimum wage into law, and our Governor, being proactive, constituted this noble committee within 72 hours,” she said.

The HOS was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Training, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim.

AbdulRazaq prioritises workers’ welfare, she added, saying the committee will be diligent and clear-headed in its work.

The Governor had recently announced the 18-person committee which comprises commissioners, bureaucrats, labour leaders, and private sector players.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 2, 2024

• says we can’t afford to hurt ourselves

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq has commended the people of the state — including young people— for opting for peace and harmony.

He specifically commended the people of the state for shunning the temptation to repeat ugly history.

“I am again proud of every Kwaran today. The peace in the state is a true reflection of who we are, and we should continue along that path. This is our state, the only one we have; we should not do anything that may bring violence, hurt one another, or lead to loss of lives and properties. We do not need it,” he said.

“I wholeheartedly acknowledge the wisdom of our people, old and young, who have chosen the viable option of positive engagement, safety, peace, and harmony. God bless you all.”

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

August 2, 2024