From my reading of the thread of this discussion, it seems some people are saying that they do not want a man, who has the name Abubakar, some are saying that they do not want a man whose sister may become governor. This is simply unbelievable. We live in a country that has dire problems, and we are bothering with frivolities such as the name that a person bears, or who is father or his sister is.

Let us identify the developmental problem of Nigeria, and let us simply pick the best man who can solve them. By the time we pick the developmental problems of Nigeria, we will be able to assess the man best suited to resolvethem.

A call for a return to the issues: what are the developmental problems of Nigeria? Can Bukola Saraki address them? Simple.

Insofar as there are younger politicians who are capable of leading this country, they should be represented across the board in the upcoming national elections. The recycling of perennial actors such as Babangida, Atiku, Buhari, Obasanjo over the years seems to suggest that we do not have any other options. It is not in the best interest of this country in anyway for prospective voters not to have the full range of options to choose from.

Within the PDP, Dr. Bukola Saraki probably represents the best and brightest of the younger generation of political leaders. His candidacy, if he chooses to contest is welcome, and nobody can rule out the possibility that he can clinch the presidential ticket of PDP.

Source: Peoples Daily
By Musa Simon Reef
Monday, August 30, 2010

Barring any last minute change, Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara state will soon declare his intention to vie for the Office of President in the 2011 general elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a top aide confided in Peoples Daily at the weekend.

The resolve by the Kwara state helmsman to join the presidential race, the source said, is coming on the heels of encouraging signals the governor has received from high level consultations with some eminent Nigerians as well as his colleagues at the Nigeria Governors' Forum, (NGF), especially from the PDP governors.

“Governor Saraki has gone far in his consultation with his colleagues in a bid to actualise his presidential dream. As the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, he has used his position to reach out to his colleagues for their support for his ambition.

“Apart from one or two governors who are not favourably disposed to Saraki’s presidential contest, majority support him,” the source said, adding that the Kwara governor is putting finishing plans for his formal declaration for the nation’s topmost job.

Another top aide of the governor, who said he was not permitted to speak to the press, also confirmed to Peoples Daily that Bukola Saraki is billed to join the presidential race.

Concerted efforts by our reporter to get official reaction from officials of the Kwara state Government proved futile. State government officials, who are permitted to speak to the press, were said to have accompanied the governor to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.

Governor Saraki is billed to be back in to the country by the end of this week.

The Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Billy Adedamola, who is, however, in the country, did not respond to persistent calls made to his mobile line yesterday. A text message requesting for his comments on the matter was also not replied.

At about press time, Adedamola, apparently disturbed by the persistent telephone calls, switched off his cell phone.

By Olanrewaju Lawal
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

A few years ago, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, invited the white farmers who had been asked to leave Zimbabwe by the government of Robert Mugabe. The former president had asked the Kwara state government, led by Governor Bukola Saraki, to give the farmers some acres of land for commercial farming. Since then, the farmers quartered at Shonga, in Edu local government of the state have continued to grow and harvest crops and animals such as maize, millet, rice, cassava, plantains and poultry.

Journalists in the state recently toured the area to assess how well or otherwise the project had fared and discovered that the commercial agriculture initiative, which effectively started in the state on 13, 000 hectares of land, in an area at the bank of River Niger in Shonga, has yielded encouraging dividends, despite the fact that at the initial stage, the initiative was characterised by criticisms, as many did not know the visitors’ intentions. Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Mohammed Gana-Yisa, said one of the reasons for establishing commercial farm was to achieve food security and create job opportunities.

He said: “The administration has recorded more than what it set out to achieve, in the sense that from crop cultivation, government has moved up to agro-industries at Shonga; and, more importantly, the fact that commercial agriculture which was initiated in Kwara state has made federal government to initiate steps to bring commercial agriculture to all parts of the country.”

“Today, from Shonga to other farms these crops are cultivated in large quantities to the extent that Kwara state has become the source of raw materials for other food industries in other states of the federation.

“I want to say clearly that more commercial farms have been established in the state because of the conducive environment that was created by the government. Most of the farms have been moving from mere cultivation to processing,’’ he said.

Continuing, he explained: “Today, we have a modern gari processing facility for quality gari production. Also, the Coga Farms has bought equipment for the production of starch and flour. They are only waiting for the government to assist them with provision of water, so that they can start processing these products.”

Governor Saraki, while speaking on the farmers’ location during an unscheduled inspection visit to the area, said: “The choice of the location is deliberate. It is now an incorporated company with shareholders and board of directors. It has three syndicated groups: Diary, Poultry and the Mixed Farming groups.

Peoples Daily learnt that the Mixed Farming group in the farm has, so far, cultivated a total of 4, 453 hectares of land.

Also, the Dairy syndicate has over 800 heads of cattle with the capacity of producing 50, 000 litres of milk a day, while the current production level is 7, 500 litres of fresh milk a day. These products are already being sold in the local markets in various parts of the state.

The state government is also providing fresh milk and supplying to pupils in primary and junior secondary schools, and some selected institutions in the state.







On June 6, the poultry outputs recorded a major breakthrough when it commenced the production on its 10, 000 frozen chickens per day factory located in the farm.
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the inspection, Governor Saraki expressed satisfaction with what the infant processing factory has been able to achieve within the short period of commencing production.

He said: “With the success story of Shonga Farms and the Dairy factory, as well as the new chicken processing factory just coming on board, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy.”

The governor noted that the farm would be used to reduce and check the country’s over dependence on oil and unemployment, particularly among the youths, saying: “This part is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

Saraki emphasised the farm’s multiplier effects on the economy, saying that processed frozen chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, super markets within the state and its environs.

Speaking with journalists, the Factory’s Leader and Head of Operations, Mr Piet Dutoit, explained that the plant was currently producing 2,500 processed frozen chickens per day, but that the factory had the capacity to step - up to 10,000 chickens per day.

He said the farm had, so far, engaged 42 workers, “who are all natives of the host community,’’ adding that more hands would still be required as the farm continued to expand.









Detoit disclosed that the factory had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with about four firms on marketing of its product within and outside the state.

He, however, said commercial partners from the south-east and south-south geo-political zones of the country had already signified interest in doing business with the farm as distributors, adding that the International Market had been placed on the waiting-list in order to satisfy the local market first.

The General Manager, in charge of processing, Morne Vander Merwe, assured the people that frozen chickens from Shonga Poultry Farms are of good quality that could compete favourably with frozen chickens from any part of the world, noting that the farm would not compromise standards.

Merwe said: “Currently, we have got four partners in the project, and each has one fully operational chicken house; each house has the capacity to house 25,000 chickens. Three chicken houses per farm is our target.

The equipment for those houses have been shipped into the country. Ultimately, we hope to have 400, 000 birds in the four farms.”

They (poultry farmers) explained that their target in the first phase “is the production of 2, 500 chickens per day, afterwards I want to increase the capacity to 5, 000, and then to 7, 500, which is the capacity of the current plant. After that, we will increase the plant’s cooling system, and then increase production to 10, 000 daily.We have got marketing assistance based in Ilorin.”

He said: “We have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some promo food in the north, south-south and south-west regions of Nigeria.
Obviously, this is a new enterprise, but a lot of people still want to come to the table. We will be having a self-distribution of the products, but unfortunately, our buyers are predominantly people demanding either one or two kilos.

“However, we are out to sell at whole rates. Interestingly, the various states chambers of industry, mines and agriculture in the country have shown massive interest in our products. They want to sign MoU for distribution with us. Soprite and KFC foods wants to do business with us, and, for us, that is good news because that is big money,’’ he added.

“Even the state chairman of fast foods and catering association of Nigeria has disclosed the association’s willingness to partner with us. When we become up and kicking, we will also join the poultry association of Nigeria,” he stressed.

On the target consumers of the processed chickens they emphasised that “the products of the plant are not meant for export. A lot of legislation is attached to exportation.
Shonga Poultry Farm, in Kwara state.

“The internal demand in the country has been very phenomenal. Therefore, the local market is our target audience. We will focus on Ilorin and the whole of Kwara state before we think about other states. Although we cannot totally ignore exportation, we will do that in some years to come.”

According to him, it has not been a bed of roses as the company, just like any fledgling firm, reeks under the heavy hammer of some seemingly insurmountable challenges.

“Unfortunately, money is my major challenge. We need operating capital, and that runs into millions of the Naira. I also need packaging materials, which are not available locally. The first batch of 20,000 birds is in the region of N2.2million.In fact, everything here costs money,’’ he said.

“The other thing is manpower training. You don’t expect local employees to take on the speed of big processing chicken factory overnight. They have to be taught, shown and physically trained before they can do the job right,” he added.

While commending the operators for using modern and latest technologies, Governor Saraki noted that the development was like a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied concerns to drive the economy.

According to him, “with the success story of Shonga farm and the dairy factory, as well as the coming on board of the new chicken processing factory, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the country’s overdependence on oil. This is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

He also said processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to households, retail shops, and supermarkets across the state.

Source: People's Daily

By Olanrewaju Lawal
Tuesday, July 10 2010

A few years ago, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, invited the white farmers who had been asked to leave Zimbabwe by the government of Robert Mugabe. The former president had asked the Kwara state government, led by Governor Bukola Saraki, to give the farmers some acres of land for commercial farming. Since then, the farmers quartered at Shonga, in Edu local government of the state have continued to grow and harvest crops and animals such as maize, millet, rice, cassava, plantains and poultry.

Journalists in the state recently toured the area to assess how well or otherwise the project had fared and discovered that the commercial agriculture initiative, which effectively started in the state on 13, 000 hectares of land, in an area at the bank of River Niger in Shonga, has yielded encouraging dividends, despite the fact that at the initial stage, the initiative was characterised by criticisms, as many did not know the visitors’ intentions. Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Mohammed Gana-Yisa, said one of the reasons for establishing commercial farm was to achieve food security and create job opportunities.

He said: “The administration has recorded more than what it set out to achieve, in the sense that from crop cultivation, government has moved up to agro-industries at Shonga; and, more importantly, the fact that commercial agriculture which was initiated in Kwara state has made federal government to initiate steps to bring commercial agriculture to all parts of the country.”

“Today, from Shonga to other farms these crops are cultivated in large quantities to the extent that Kwara state has become the source of raw materials for other food industries in other states of the federation.

“I want to say clearly that more commercial farms have been established in the state because of the conducive environment that was created by the government. Most of the farms have been moving from mere cultivation to processing,’’ he said.

Continuing, he explained: “Today, we have a modern gari processing facility for quality gari production. Also, the Coga Farms has bought equipment for the production of starch and flour. They are only waiting for the government to assist them with provision of water, so that they can start processing these products.”

Governor Saraki, while speaking on the farmers’ location during an unscheduled inspection visit to the area, said: “The choice of the location is deliberate. It is now an incorporated company with shareholders and board of directors. It has three syndicated groups: Diary, Poultry and the Mixed Farming groups.

Peoples Daily learnt that the Mixed Farming group in the farm has, so far, cultivated a total of 4, 453 hectares of land.

Also, the Dairy syndicate has over 800 heads of cattle with the capacity of producing 50, 000 litres of milk a day, while the current production level is 7, 500 litres of fresh milk a day. These products are already being sold in the local markets in various parts of the state.

The state government is also providing fresh milk and supplying to pupils in primary and junior secondary schools, and some selected institutions in the state.







On June 6, the poultry outputs recorded a major breakthrough when it commenced the production on its 10, 000 frozen chickens per day factory located in the farm.
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the inspection, Governor Saraki expressed satisfaction with what the infant processing factory has been able to achieve within the short period of commencing production.

He said: “With the success story of Shonga Farms and the Dairy factory, as well as the new chicken processing factory just coming on board, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy.”

The governor noted that the farm would be used to reduce and check the country’s over dependence on oil and unemployment, particularly among the youths, saying: “This part is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

Saraki emphasised the farm’s multiplier effects on the economy, saying that processed frozen chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, super markets within the state and its environs.

Speaking with journalists, the Factory’s Leader and Head of Operations, Mr Piet Dutoit, explained that the plant was currently producing 2,500 processed frozen chickens per day, but that the factory had the capacity to step - up to 10,000 chickens per day.

He said the farm had, so far, engaged 42 workers, “who are all natives of the host community,’’ adding that more hands would still be required as the farm continued to expand.









Detoit disclosed that the factory had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with about four firms on marketing of its product within and outside the state.

He, however, said commercial partners from the south-east and south-south geo-political zones of the country had already signified interest in doing business with the farm as distributors, adding that the International Market had been placed on the waiting-list in order to satisfy the local market first.

The General Manager, in charge of processing, Morne Vander Merwe, assured the people that frozen chickens from Shonga Poultry Farms are of good quality that could compete favourably with frozen chickens from any part of the world, noting that the farm would not compromise standards.

Merwe said: “Currently, we have got four partners in the project, and each has one fully operational chicken house; each house has the capacity to house 25,000 chickens. Three chicken houses per farm is our target.

The equipment for those houses have been shipped into the country. Ultimately, we hope to have 400, 000 birds in the four farms.”

They (poultry farmers) explained that their target in the first phase “is the production of 2, 500 chickens per day, afterwards I want to increase the capacity to 5, 000, and then to 7, 500, which is the capacity of the current plant. After that, we will increase the plant’s cooling system, and then increase production to 10, 000 daily.We have got marketing assistance based in Ilorin.”

He said: “We have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some promo food in the north, south-south and south-west regions of Nigeria.
Obviously, this is a new enterprise, but a lot of people still want to come to the table. We will be having a self-distribution of the products, but unfortunately, our buyers are predominantly people demanding either one or two kilos.

“However, we are out to sell at whole rates. Interestingly, the various states chambers of industry, mines and agriculture in the country have shown massive interest in our products. They want to sign MoU for distribution with us. Soprite and KFC foods wants to do business with us, and, for us, that is good news because that is big money,’’ he added.

“Even the state chairman of fast foods and catering association of Nigeria has disclosed the association’s willingness to partner with us. When we become up and kicking, we will also join the poultry association of Nigeria,” he stressed.

On the target consumers of the processed chickens they emphasised that “the products of the plant are not meant for export. A lot of legislation is attached to exportation.
Shonga Poultry Farm, in Kwara state.

“The internal demand in the country has been very phenomenal. Therefore, the local market is our target audience. We will focus on Ilorin and the whole of Kwara state before we think about other states. Although we cannot totally ignore exportation, we will do that in some years to come.”

According to him, it has not been a bed of roses as the company, just like any fledgling firm, reeks under the heavy hammer of some seemingly insurmountable challenges.

“Unfortunately, money is my major challenge. We need operating capital, and that runs into millions of the Naira. I also need packaging materials, which are not available locally. The first batch of 20,000 birds is in the region of N2.2million.In fact, everything here costs money,’’ he said.

“The other thing is manpower training. You don’t expect local employees to take on the speed of big processing chicken factory overnight. They have to be taught, shown and physically trained before they can do the job right,” he added.

While commending the operators for using modern and latest technologies, Governor Saraki noted that the development was like a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied concerns to drive the economy.

According to him, “with the success story of Shonga farm and the dairy factory, as well as the coming on board of the new chicken processing factory, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the country’s overdependence on oil. This is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

He also said processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to households, retail shops, and supermarkets across the state.

Source: People's Daily

By Olanrewaju Lawal
Tuesday, July 10 2010

A few years ago, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, invited the white farmers who had been asked to leave Zimbabwe by the government of Robert Mugabe. The former president had asked the Kwara state government, led by Governor Bukola Saraki, to give the farmers some acres of land for commercial farming. Since then, the farmers quartered at Shonga, in Edu local government of the state have continued to grow and harvest crops and animals such as maize, millet, rice, cassava, plantains and poultry.

Journalists in the state recently toured the area to assess how well or otherwise the project had fared and discovered that the commercial agriculture initiative, which effectively started in the state on 13, 000 hectares of land, in an area at the bank of River Niger in Shonga, has yielded encouraging dividends, despite the fact that at the initial stage, the initiative was characterised by criticisms, as many did not know the visitors’ intentions. Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Mohammed Gana-Yisa, said one of the reasons for establishing commercial farm was to achieve food security and create job opportunities.

He said: “The administration has recorded more than what it set out to achieve, in the sense that from crop cultivation, government has moved up to agro-industries at Shonga; and, more importantly, the fact that commercial agriculture which was initiated in Kwara state has made federal government to initiate steps to bring commercial agriculture to all parts of the country.”

“Today, from Shonga to other farms these crops are cultivated in large quantities to the extent that Kwara state has become the source of raw materials for other food industries in other states of the federation.

“I want to say clearly that more commercial farms have been established in the state because of the conducive environment that was created by the government. Most of the farms have been moving from mere cultivation to processing,’’ he said.

Continuing, he explained: “Today, we have a modern gari processing facility for quality gari production. Also, the Coga Farms has bought equipment for the production of starch and flour. They are only waiting for the government to assist them with provision of water, so that they can start processing these products.”

Governor Saraki, while speaking on the farmers’ location during an unscheduled inspection visit to the area, said: “The choice of the location is deliberate. It is now an incorporated company with shareholders and board of directors. It has three syndicated groups: Diary, Poultry and the Mixed Farming groups.

Peoples Daily learnt that the Mixed Farming group in the farm has, so far, cultivated a total of 4, 453 hectares of land.

Also, the Dairy syndicate has over 800 heads of cattle with the capacity of producing 50, 000 litres of milk a day, while the current production level is 7, 500 litres of fresh milk a day. These products are already being sold in the local markets in various parts of the state.

The state government is also providing fresh milk and supplying to pupils in primary and junior secondary schools, and some selected institutions in the state.







On June 6, the poultry outputs recorded a major breakthrough when it commenced the production on its 10, 000 frozen chickens per day factory located in the farm.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the inspection, Governor Saraki expressed satisfaction with what the infant processing factory has been able to achieve within the short period of commencing production.

He said: “With the success story of Shonga Farms and the Dairy factory, as well as the new chicken processing factory just coming on board, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy.”

The governor noted that the farm would be used to reduce and check the country’s over dependence on oil and unemployment, particularly among the youths, saying: “This part is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

Saraki emphasised the farm’s multiplier effects on the economy, saying that processed frozen chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, super markets within the state and its environs.

Speaking with journalists, the Factory’s Leader and Head of Operations, Mr Piet Dutoit, explained that the plant was currently producing 2,500 processed frozen chickens per day, but that the factory had the capacity to step - up to 10,000 chickens per day.

He said the farm had, so far, engaged 42 workers, “who are all natives of the host community,’’ adding that more hands would still be required as the farm continued to expand.









Detoit disclosed that the factory had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with about four firms on marketing of its product within and outside the state.

He, however, said commercial partners from the south-east and south-south geo-political zones of the country had already signified interest in doing business with the farm as distributors, adding that the International Market had been placed on the waiting-list in order to satisfy the local market first.

The General Manager, in charge of processing, Morne Vander Merwe, assured the people that frozen chickens from Shonga Poultry Farms are of good quality that could compete favourably with frozen chickens from any part of the world, noting that the farm would not compromise standards.

Merwe said: “Currently, we have got four partners in the project, and each has one fully operational chicken house; each house has the capacity to house 25,000 chickens. Three chicken houses per farm is our target.

The equipment for those houses have been shipped into the country. Ultimately, we hope to have 400, 000 birds in the four farms.”

They (poultry farmers) explained that their target in the first phase “is the production of 2, 500 chickens per day, afterwards I want to increase the capacity to 5, 000, and then to 7, 500, which is the capacity of the current plant. After that, we will increase the plant’s cooling system, and then increase production to 10, 000 daily.We have got marketing assistance based in Ilorin.”

He said: “We have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some promo food in the north, south-south and south-west regions of Nigeria.
Obviously, this is a new enterprise, but a lot of people still want to come to the table. We will be having a self-distribution of the products, but unfortunately, our buyers are predominantly people demanding either one or two kilos.

“However, we are out to sell at whole rates. Interestingly, the various states chambers of industry, mines and agriculture in the country have shown massive interest in our products. They want to sign MoU for distribution with us. Soprite and KFC foods wants to do business with us, and, for us, that is good news because that is big money,’’ he added.

“Even the state chairman of fast foods and catering association of Nigeria has disclosed the association’s willingness to partner with us. When we become up and kicking, we will also join the poultry association of Nigeria,” he stressed.

On the target consumers of the processed chickens they emphasised that “the products of the plant are not meant for export. A lot of legislation is attached to exportation.
Shonga Poultry Farm, in Kwara state.

“The internal demand in the country has been very phenomenal. Therefore, the local market is our target audience. We will focus on Ilorin and the whole of Kwara state before we think about other states. Although we cannot totally ignore exportation, we will do that in some years to come.”

According to him, it has not been a bed of roses as the company, just like any fledgling firm, reeks under the heavy hammer of some seemingly insurmountable challenges.

“Unfortunately, money is my major challenge. We need operating capital, and that runs into millions of the Naira. I also need packaging materials, which are not available locally. The first batch of 20,000 birds is in the region of N2.2million.In fact, everything here costs money,’’ he said.

“The other thing is manpower training. You don’t expect local employees to take on the speed of big processing chicken factory overnight. They have to be taught, shown and physically trained before they can do the job right,” he added.

While commending the operators for using modern and latest technologies, Governor Saraki noted that the development was like a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied concerns to drive the economy.

According to him, “with the success story of Shonga farm and the dairy factory, as well as the coming on board of the new chicken processing factory, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the country’s overdependence on oil. This is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

He also said processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to households, retail shops, and supermarkets across the state.

Source: People's Daily

By Dele Moses 
Monday, July 19, 2010
Source: Daily Independent

Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, has advised the Federal Government to compel the GSM operators to adopt devices for locating the specific area a call is being made to facilitate the tracing of kidnappers.

He said that the operators should be made to install in strategic places in all parts of the country gadgets that will indicate area of call, saying this will assist in apprehending kidnappers and others who make calls for illegal deals.

Saraki who made the advice in an interview with newsmen at the state Government House in Ilorin on Monday, recalled that he had once written a letter to the Presidency over the matter.

He said that the cost of procuring the needed gadgets by the GSM operators is very cheap compare with the huge profit they make from their numerous customers in Nigeria.

He said kidnapping is a criminal business and expressed worry that it is spreading in the country unabated.

He said government should not handle the fight against the illegal practice with levity

The governor said kidnapping could hardly be experienced in any developed countries because when such calls demanding for ransom are made the caller would be traced within 30 minutes and arrested.

He said the kidnapping of journalists for a week was an embarrassment to the nation and advised that the development should be considered as a challenge to launch a decisive fight against the illegal act

The governor said the call centre detecting devices is not unaffordable by the GSM operator and alleged that the operators fail to procure them because of their drive to make profit at the expense of the well being of their customers on whom they survive

He said people of the country would continue to suffer kidnapping if the GSM operators are not compel to install the device to discourage the criminal act.

Out of the 300MVA presently generated, the power consumption level of the State has just increased from the initial 40MVA to 100MVA. Apart from the convenient balance of the 200MVA still latent, there is plan in the power complex for another 300MVA for anticipated future increase in the power consumption of the State. In other words, the complex can still serve well over 200% of the state’s present power needs. According to one of the resident engineers, working in the complex, “in engineering there are usually the 5 years and 15 years forecast, which accommodates any anticipated increases”. The present capacity of the station is configured to accommodate the needs of the state even beyond this projected period. Thus, available supply to the state presently stands variously at 5, 12, 15, 25, 50, 60, 80MW. Alternative supply routes are still Omu-Aran, Offa, Oshogbo and challenge (Ilorin) District.

The twin supply sources however remain Kainji and Oshogbo; the National control centres that links the state to the national grid.

To be clear the 300MVA in the article refers to the present working capacity of the power substation, though it is capable of more. Stating that it generates 300MVA should not be confused with saying that it is a power generation station. It is clearly stated that its supply sources are Kainji and Osogbo.

@oyb: Nowhere in the article does it claim that the project generates electricity. It is clearly states that Kainji and Osogbo are the source of the energy, which it redistributes. It is officially designated as a NIPP - National Independent Power Project. In that context, it is not wrong to call it a power project.

GANMO POWER PROJECT: A Timely Elixir

In Nigeria the months preceding December 2008 were not quite pleasant months to remember in the troubled energy sector of the economy. It was a period the crisis in the energy sector peaked to a phenomenally embarrassing level as power supply nationwide ebbed to an all-time low, oscillating between 1,800MW and 2,400MW. As the energy crisis appeared to have defiled all known solutions, the economy of the entire nation was almost literally lying on its belly. It was such a desperate situation that rigorously tasked the leaders as well as the led. Something urgently needed to be done to safe Nigeria from the nightmarish experience.

Just about this time as if it was meant to be a Christmas gift to the people of Kwara State, the Ganmo Power Project commenced operation. And like a replenished hurricane lamp, the entire power supply in the State was rekindled, regaining full power supply in the State life. It has never looked back since then.

In the last one decade or so, there has been a legion suggested solutions to the enduring energy crisis that has chased many investors out of business. The crippling effects of the crisis tell the story better with the mortality rate and emigration of industries out of the inclement zone that Nigeria had suddenly become.
   
But the premier interventionist initiative of Governor Bukola Saraki, as typified by the Ganmo Power Project, has radically changed the story. Located in Ganmo, a sleepy neigbouring community of Ilorin, the power project has since asserted itself as an instant success as it has become an influential reference point in our collective attempt as a nation to solve the sectoral problem.

Before the commencement of the Ganmo Power Project, Kwara State energy needs were precariously sustained (like other states of the federation) on a meager 40MW. Then, the state’s power supply absolutely depended on supplies from Jebba (in Kwara State) and Oshogbo (in Osun State) power stations. However, the story has changed for better since 2008 December when the power station was energized.

Ganmo Power Complex in view 











The Ganmo Power Project by conception and execution has comprehensively addressed the immediate and future needs of the State, taking into cognizance the projected power needs of a modern industrialized State. The configuration of the power station complex itself is robust and amorphous with state-of-the-art equipment to optimize its functioning. Its working capacity is 2x150MVA and 2x60MVA 330/132KV.

Presently, there are six energized lines, but only three of it are actively in use. The three lines in use supply Idofian, Igbaja, Oke-Ode, Gbuugbuu; Agba Dam, Gaa Imam, Asa Dam, Dangote, Adewole Estate, Airport Area. The other three lines are waiting to be used as the on-going expansion and distribution works are completed.

Out of the 300MVA presently generated, the power consumption level of the State has just increased from the initial 40MVA to 100MVA. Apart from the convenient balance of the 200MVA still latent, there is plan in the power complex for another 300MVA for anticipated future increase in the power consumption of the State. In other words, the complex can still serve well over 200% of the state’s present power needs. According to one of the resident engineers, working in the complex, “in engineering there are usually the 5 years and 15 years forecast, which accommodates any anticipated increases”. The present capacity of the station is configured to accommodate the needs of the state even beyond this projected period. Thus, available supply to the state presently stands variously at 5, 12, 15, 25, 50, 60, 80MW. Alternative supply routes are still Omu-Aran, Offa, Oshogbo and challenge (Ilorin) District.

The twin supply sources however remain Kainji and Oshogbo; the National control centres that links the state to the national grid. Some parts of the state, especially in Ilorin metropolis presently enjoy uninterrupted 20 hours power supply; this is, indeed, quite salutary. There is the assurance from the power holdings company of Nigeria(PHCN), an active partner in the Ganmo power project that others will enjoy even more by the time the distribution networking presently on-going is completed. The instant improvement in power supply now enjoyed by customers in Adewole Esate and Airport area is as a result of the construction of the Adeta and Agba Dam substations.

Interestingly, the Ganmo power project has changed the status of Kwara state from the vampiric club of consumer states to a reckoned benefactor. The station presently supplies Offa, Oshogbo and others as the need arises.

The benefit of this project which occupies the pilot position in contemporary Nigeria is inestimable. It is particularly so for a country that is genuinely working assiduously to join 20 most industrialized nations globally, by the year 2020.
In its host community, Ganmo the effect of this power project is profound. Because of unarguably stable power supply, the socio economic lives of this hitherto sedate community have been ignited. Living Standard generally has been graciously elevated.
Kwara state, more than ever before presently witness an unprecedented influx of investors of different shades and carriage. Power stability among other related indices has made Kwara investor’s destination.

The resultant effect of this is that the State is presently bristling with activities. The Ganmo power project has become the proverbial elixir, a life-giving tonic that revived lives in Kwara State. Other States of the federation are now green with envy and have since been coming for a blueprint so as to replicate the wonders in their respective domains.

 

Industrialists Commend Stable Power Supply In Kwara State

Mr. Arowolo Johnson,
Personnel/Admin Manager,
Tuyil Pharmaceutical Company Nig. Ltd, Ilorin.

We at Tuyil will forever be grateful to the Governor Bukola Saraki administration for its initiative in the area of stabilizing power supply in the state. This has paid off greatly.

Before the Ganmo Power Project came, we consumed nothing less than 10 drums of diesel monthly. But now with unprecedented stable power supply, we hardly use one drum of diesel within the same period. This is quite salutary.

We have many reasons to be grateful to the present administration: Apart from the fact that private power generation for industries is capital intensive, we have also since discovered that the use of generator often adversely affect our machines. Only a stable power supply ensured by the PHCN is good for the health of our machines.

The stable power supply has also increased our production level and has equally broadened our market base. We have developed from about five products at inception to about 82 products presently. We also have about 22 depots across the country.

We expect that very soon the cargo terminal will take off so as to reduce the challenges we face in transporting our cargos from the Lagos port by road.


Mr. Mokeke Jude,
Human Resources/Admin Manager,
Dangote Flour Mills, Ilorin.

Power supply has improved since early last year (2009). And you will agree with me that that was when the Ganmo Power Station was energized. This improvement is incontrovertible as even the most incurable cynic will admit this phenomenal improvement.

Our reliance on the PHCN power supply is quite on the high side because of our operations. Now our reliance rate on the PHCN power is about 88%. We use our generators sparingly to source for the remaining 12%.

The private sector community of the Nigerian economy has positively identified Kwara State as an emerging investors’ destination with great potentials still waiting to be tapped. This is why companies, industries are presently trooping to the state.

Stable power supply and a secured atmosphere which have become Kwara State’s middle names are great assets in industrial circle.

This new regime of stable power supply has helped our production level. Presently, we are increasing our production level from 500 tons to 1,000 tons daily. This development has its multiple advantages for us as a company – increase in output and turnover, and increase in number of factory hands needed – which are drawn from the host communities.

This present government has done very well. We only hope the next administration will be able to sustain this high level performance.

Engr. Yahaya Hussein,
KAM WILL Industry Nig. Ltd, Asa Dam, Road, Ilorin.

I must be honest with you, we are grateful to the Governor Bukola Saraki administration. He has done commendably well on the issue of power supply. Power Supply has improved significantly since the commissioning of the Ganmo Power Project. We particularly started experiencing this in January this year. Before January 2010, we used to enjoy power supply between 15 to 17 hours daily. But now, it has hopped up to between 22 to 23 hours daily. You will agree with me that in the Nigeria of today, this is quite significant.

The development has also drastically cut down on our diesel consumption often needed to power our generators in times of power outage which were incessant before January this year. But we must add that we still occasionally experience fluctuations, which we learnt is being attended to. And in domestic power supply, there is still more to be done in the area of distribution as some areas in Ilorin are still being subjected to shifts. For instance, where I live in Ilorin enjoys electricity between 8 to 10 hours daily. But admittedly, power supply has improved appreciably.

…And The Saw Millers Too.

Mallam Ibrahim Isa,
Irewolede Saw Mill, Ilorin

We are presently enjoying a steady power supply like never before. I have been in the saw milling business for about 40 years now. The regular power supply we enjoy in this place presently is unprecedented.

The volume of business is so much that we, at times, turn back customers because we work from dawn to dusk. However, this wouldn’t have been possible without a stable power supply.

Here we enjoy everything - a brand new, high powered transformer, stable power supply; all these have combined to engender a boom in business for us. We cannot thank Governor Bukola Saraki enough. We wish it were possible to prolong the tenure of this administration for another fresh term. However, we pray the coming administration will be able to sustain this laudable legacy of Governor Saraki.

Source: Kwara State Government Website

Dr. Bukola Saraki has undoubtedly positioned himself front and center as the primary spokesman and chief advocate of Kwara State. He has not let any opportunity to attract investment to Kwara State pass him by. Once again in faraway Seattle (United States) he has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kwara State Association of North America, KSANG on the provision of medical facilities and equipment.

According to the terms of the MOU which was signed in Seattle, Washington State at the weekend (Saturday, July 3, 2010), the state government is expected to work within the framework of the Health Project to develop the new medical facilities in order to improve access to good health care for all Kwarans.

It is also expected to work with the KSANG health committee to provide estimated cost of upgrading existing medical facilities to a desirable standard level that will provide state-of-the-art healthcare to the people. The state government will also provide the financial resources for the upgrading of community health centres in the state and the building of new ones.

On its part, KSANG is expected to actively solicit funds for the project and organize fund raising events from US philanthropic agencies, medical organizations and business partners.

It has been clear for some time now, that the health needs of Kwara State far outstrip its resources, and it is encouraging to see private citizens partnering with the state government to meet the health needs of the state.

Dr. Bukola Saraki on Saturday (July 3, 2010) called on indigenes of Kwara State living in America to contribute to the development of the state, and Nigeria at large. He made this call in Seattle (Washington State) during the conferment of a merit award on him, by the North American chapter of Kwara State Association of Nigeria (KSANG).

The governor urged Kwarans in the diaspora to take their rightful place in the development of their fatherland. He added that the Kwara State government was prepared to work with KSANG to achieve this objective.

Dr. Saraki observed that Kwara State has achieved giant strides in the past seven years, especially in the areas of agriculture, energy, education reform, healthcare delivery, infrastructural development, housing and security. According to him:

“In Nigeria today, Kwara is a pacesetter and we will continue to play that key role in our dear state and the nation.”

Speaking at the occasion, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Prof. Ade Adefuye commended KSANG for the honor, which t bestowed on dr. Bukola Saraki. He called on other governors to emulate Dr. Bukola Saraki, saying that his achievements were there for everyone to see. He said:

“It is a matter of fact that Kwara has one of the best electricity supply in Nigeria today.”

He also commended Dr. Bukola Saraki for inviting white Zimbabwean farmers to initiate commercial agriculture in Nigeria, stressing, “it takes a genius to do that.”

Prof. Adefuye called on Nigerians in the US to be good citizens in their host country. He said the relationship between Nigeria and the US has improved significantly with both countries signing bilateral agreements and Nigeria being struck off the terror watch list. All these he said should be complemented by Nigerians in the US by being good ambassadors of their country and living within the law of their host country.

Prof. Adefuye disclosed that the Nigerian embassy in the US is sparing no efforts to improve on its services to adequately cater for the needs of Nigerians living in America.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Lt. Governor of Washington State, Mr. Bradley Owen, described Nigeria as an emerging market and a strong business ally of the of the US. According to him, there is a need to enlighten the people that Nigeria is a growing economy and a safe place to invest. “There is a need to raise the awareness that there are great trade opportunities in Nigeria”, he said.

Shonga Holdings, a conglomerate of commercial farms, initiated by the current administration of Dr. Bukola Saraki in Kwara State has added to its list of accomplishments, the commencement of a chicken processing plant. This continues the drive of Dr. Bukola Saraki to diversify the economic base of Kwara State and make Kwara State the food basket of the country. The commercial agriculture project of the Kwara State has been pursued with commendable vision and will, and is a challenge to other states in the country to confront the developmental needs of the country imaginatively and decisively.

Journalists recently visited the plant, and were given a tour of the state of the art facilities available at the plant, which is the most technically advanced plant of its type in West Africa.The head of operation at the plant Mr Piet Dutoit, told journalists that the plant was currently processing 2,500 chickens per day, although it had a capacity for 10,000. According to him, the farm currently employs 42 workers - all natives of the host community, and more hands would still be required as the farm expanded.

During a recent tour of the farms, Dr. Bukola Saraki to the farms expressed satisfaction with what the processing factory had been able to achieve since its commencement. The governor commended the operators the use of state-of-the-art technology. He described the development as a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied companies to drive the economy. According to him:

“With the success story of Shonga farm and the dairy factory as well as the coming on board of the new chicken processing factory, am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the overdependence of the country on oil. This is proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country,”

Governor Saraki speaking on the multiplier effect of the poultry farm on the economy corroborated the general manager that processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, and super market in Ilorin and by extension Kwara State. He enjoined other states of the federation to emulate Kwara State in its drive towards agriculture.

Shonga Holdings, a conglomerate of commercial farms, initiated by the current administration of Dr. Bukola Saraki in Kwara State has added to its list of accomplishments, the commencement of a chicken processing plant. With this development the efforts of the Bukola Saraki led administration to make agriculture a mainstay of the state continue on track.

Journalists recently visited the plant, and were given a tour of the state of the art facilities available at the plant, which is the most technically advanced plant of its type in West Africa.The head of operation at the plant Mr Piet Dutoit, told journalists that the plant was currently processing 2,500 chickens per day, although it had a capacity for 10,000. According to him, the farm currently employs 42 workers - all natives of the host community, and more hands would still be required as the farm expanded.

During a recent tour of the farms, Dr. Bukola Saraki to the farms expressed satisfaction with what the processing factory had been able to achieve since its commencement. The governor commended the operators the use of state-of-the-art technology. He described the development as a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied companies to drive the economy. According to him:

“With the success story of Shonga farm and the dairy factory as well as the coming on board of the new chicken processing factory, am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the overdependence of the country on oil. This is proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country,”

Governor Saraki speaking on the multiplier effect of the poultry farm on the economy corroborated the general manager that processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, and super market in Ilorin and by extension Kwara State. He enjoined other states of the federation to emulate Kwara State in its drive towards agriculture.

Dr. Bukola Saraki on Saturday (June 19th, 2010) met with the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Rong Yansang, in Ilorin, the state capital. At the meeting Dr. Saraki Mr. Rong Yansang, in Ilorin, the state capital, Saraki said he would ensure speedy establishment of a relationship between the Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA1) and the Chinese Government to enhance standard of the living of the people.

The governor assured would-be investors from China of government’s support.

Yansang praised the governor for his performance. Noting that investment was pivot to accelerated socio-economic transformation of any state, he described Kwara as a peaceful environment with prospective business future.

Yansang promised to invite more Chinese investors to the state to take part in project development.
The purpose of the visit was to promote economic and trade cooperation

This is further goes to underscores the growing presence of China in the country and Africa at large.

The Kwara State Government under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki has distributed hospital equipment and Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (LLITN) at the Ministry of Health. This exercise is a continuation of the efforts of the Bukola Saraki led administration to strengthen primary health care delivery and combat the scourge of malaria in Kwara state.

The state government has already renovated and upgraded most of its hospitals. The state also runs the first community health insurance scheme, in which the subsidies required to give communities access to quality care are co-financed by the state. The scheme currently gives over 100,000 people access to quality medical care for as low as N300 a year.

75000 units of LLITN were distributed at the event. 32 ultra sound machines were donated across the existing Local Government Areas (LGAS) of the state, just as two mobile x-Ray machines were given to specialist hospital at Sobi and Civil Service Clinic Ilorin. Speaking at the event, Mr. Tunji Morohunfolu, a special adviser to Dr. Bukola Saraki on millennium development goals stated that Kwara State is targeting the distribution of one million units of LLITN before the end of the year in its fight against the spread of malaria.

@Kayality. Fortunately I am from Kwara State, so I can speak authoritatively. Antone who says nothing is happening in Kwara State is being economical with the truth. I grew up in Ilorin, and I know the difference between Ilorin before Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Ilorin now - believe me it is very much better to say the least.

You raised the issue of civil service salaries. Civil service salaries become an issue in a civil service state. Abi you know know say Kwara State is a civil service state. In short 75% of the people in paid employment are civil servants, and guess what, you will be using almost all your federal allocation (65% )to pay salaries and recurrent expenditure. So you want the governor to be using all the federal allocation to pay civil servants salary. Bear in mind Kwara State has the third lowest federal allocation in the state.

That is what Dr. Bukola Saraki has been saying Kwara has to diversify. If you are really from Ilorin, you will know how easygoing our people are. Dr. Bukola Saraki has put a lot of infrastructure in place what is needed now is more of an entrepreneurial spirit on the part of the citizen. I don't hear anybody talking about civil service structure in Lagos. The government did not give Lagos its allocation for years and they survived. As things are now, if FG does not give Kwara its allocation for one month what will happen? My brother forget all this civil service thing, we need to be more entrepreneurial, if we are to grow. By the way Dr. Bukola Saraki approved a 20% increase in the salary of civil servants in the state last week.