Exit polls show Dr. Bukola Saraki as having won the senatorial race for Kwara Central in the NASS elections, which were held yesterday. Contrary to a number of unconfirmed news reports, it seems that Dr. Bukola Saraki has won the senatorial elections for Kwara Central. The official results are currently being eagerly awaited. The conduct of the elections were peaceful and free. Official results will start coming in from 3am this morning and there is a high sense of expectation among political watchers. The results of these elections will greatly impact the gubernatorial elections in Kwara, and they are being monitored closely.

@na so: Once again I restate my point Goodluck Jonathan is the worst candidate in terms of leadership ability among all the presidential aspirants, and he has no business contesting.

Anybody saying that he is supporting him because he is the one with the best leadership ability is telling a baldfaced lie.

The silence of BEAF and other GEJ supporters on his supremacy in terms of leadership ability over all other contestants is ominous. I stand by my assertion, that he is the weakest in terms of leadership ability, and Nigerians have no business considering him for the presidency.

If this presidential contest is truly about the ability to lead, vision and passion, then GEJ is automatically eliminated. If this contest is not about any of these 3 points then we need to ask ourselves what we are really doing. The irrational exuberance over the candidature of a mediocrity such as Jonathan is a disturbing incidence in our national life.

I cannot seem to understand the reason why there are so many people who are supporting Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. It is most certainly not because he is the best man for the job. If we look at all the candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring, Buhari, Saraki, Ribadu, IBB, Gusau, Atiku, Okotie, Jubril, Shekarau - Dr. Goodluck Jonathan will not even make the first five.

The candidacy of Goodluck Jonathan is an attempt to foist a thoroughgoing mediocrity on the nation in order to capitalize on an unanticipated opportunity without considering his ability to lead and the credentials of the others in the field.

Will Goodluck make a better leader than Buhari - NO!
Will Goodluck make a better leader than Saraki - NO!
Will Goodluck make a better leader than Atiku - NO!
Will Goodluck make a better leader than DOnald Duke - NO!
Will Goodluck make a better leader than Ribadu - MAYBE

The trend of the current presidential campaign has to be turned around to make ability to lead and vision the central discussion, not all this blind sentiment and political opportunism, which has no reasonable foundation. NO TO JONATHAN - YES TO LEADERSHIP AND VISION.

The truth is that Goodluck Jonathan is a dull, uncharismatic man, with no vision for Nigeria. He is the most unaccomplished and unremarkable of all the presidential contestants. He has no grand plan for Nigeria, and any promises he has made have been hurriedly concocted to take advantage of an opportunity that he was not prepared for.

Anyone who is supporting Goodluck Jonathan is not doing it because the man is the best of the field. I have never seen so much money spent on promoting a thorough-going mediocrity such as GEJ. If the candidates are ranked, Goodluck Jonathan would not even make the first 5.

The poster also seems to imply that the appearance of Dr. Bukola Saraki's poster on Nairaland is as a result of a direct transaction between Nairaland and the campaign team of Dr. Bukola Saraki. For your information, Google is responsible for the display of these advertisements, and Nairaland has no control over the adverts, which are displayed on it under the terms. The adverts are facilitated by a Google service known as AdWords. The accusatory tone adopted in your post is totally uncalled for. If you read up on Adwords, you'll see that Nairaland has no say in the adverts that show up on it, its controlled by Google.

Ilorin is not yet a better place and Kwara is not only Ilorin. what is happening in Igbomina and Ibolo towns?NOTHING.  What the ,  is wrong with Bukky? Is he going n, tts?

@ladman: I am sure that you do not live in Ilorin. I know what Ilorin was like 8 years ago, and I know what it is now. I personally never wish to go bacvk to what Ilorin was 8 years ago. If you prefer life in Ilorin as it was 8 years ago, then you are on your own.

When you are talking about Igbomina, and Ibolo town, you are being economical with the truth. There is no reasonable government, which does not distribute projects throughout its senatorial districts. The case of Bukola Saraki is no exception. There is no local government, which has not benefited from road construction, provision of potable water, and rural electrification, not to mention the fact that the state is the largest employer of labour throughout the entire state.

The complaint most people have is that there is many of them do not enjoy the benefit of large state funded projects, and the truth is that such large projects are based on economic expediency when resources are limited - and unless you will deny it the resources of Kwara are limited and we all know.

In spite of this, the fact that he has been able to tackle the problem of power, water supply, education, health, agriculture show that he is a man who has ideas, and leadership ability - PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL - NUFF SAID.

Bukola Saraki might just be the ideal compromise candidate for PDP. Torn between IBB (one of the most polarizing figures in the history of Nigeria) and Jonathan (a man with no track record of achievement), Bukola Saraki might just be the option out. If the PDP governors can find the guts and adopt him as a consensus candidate then no-one can rule out the possibility that he will emerge as the presidential flagbearer for PDP. It is early days yet - much can still happen).

It is standard practice, when reproducing news stories to credit the source of such stories. There are many posts on Nairaland, which do not state the source of the news stories, which are posted in the forum. These stories are intellectually property, even if they are available for free use, the writers must be credited. A news story from a secondary source should ideally contain source, and reporter. Following is one format

2011: Obasanjo May Dump Jonathan
Source: The Punch
By Fidelis Soriwei, Olusola Fabiyi and Ademola Oni
Saturday, 28 Aug 2010

Let's give our journalists their due recognition. Thanks everyone

The Sun Newspapers is owned by Orji Uzor Kalu - isn't it? It actually has been a source of incredulous stories concerning GEJ, so this story should be taken with a pinch of salt. Also bear in mind that there is a contradictory story in Vanguard (see link below).

[url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/08/24/sambo-anenih-to-head-jonathan%E2%80%99s-campaign/]SAMBO, ANENIH TO HEAD JONATHAN’S CAMPAIGN[/url]
LAGOS—AHEAD of formal declaration by President Goodluck Jonathan to contest 2011 presidential election, a campaign team headed by Vice-President Namadi Sambo and former Chairman of Board of Trustees, BoT, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, is already in place -> [url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/08/24/sambo-anenih-to-head-jonathan%E2%80%99s-campaign/]read more[/url]

Actually I am not in support of Goodluck Jonathan, but let anyone who is going to win the presidential contest win it fair and square.

I am not a GEJ fan, but I am taking this report with a grain of salt. Firstly, I do not hold Sun in high regard. The best I can say, is the GEJ should not give people like me who are not in support of his candidacy any more reason to antagonise him. I don't want to believe he would be so tactless, but if indeed he has been ,

naijacutee: This is a welcome development, as the expectation is that anything reducing our dependence on imported food in Nigeria will ultimately lead to cheaper food on the average Nigerians table (And more money in the pocket). This is an area I'm very interested in, and which I have spent a lot of time thinking about. Obviously things are improving all over the country, and Governor Saraki is obviously positioning Kwara State to be the potential food basket of the nation. I respect his foresight. However, I have one small observation with regards to the feasibility of the dairy production business structure. If the plant is producing UHT milk, how valuable would this be to the average Nigerian (compared with dried milk), seeing that electricity in our country is erractic at its best? Will the average Nigerian be appreciate UHT (as it is not fresh) milk over dried milk? What are your views? In this thread (https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-209096.0.html) most people voted Peak milk as their choice over Cowbell. Where do people think UHT liquid milk (of whatever brand) will stand in this picture?

naijacutee: Thanks for pointing that out - I should have read the first paragraph properly! I got slightly analytical when I saw "members of the public". . .

I don't think your question is inappropriate. If I read it correctly, then we will be seeing UHT milk products from WAMCO in the near future. You ask if Nigerians will appreciate UHT milk as opposed to dried milk. Many Nigerians have only known condensed or powdered milk, all their life. It may be that there are Nigerians who will prefer the flavor, appearance and taste of UHT milk. I think the introduction of UHT will give Nigerians a wider variety of products to choose from. It will also be a stern test of the true quality of the products in the market. Are they really that good, or are they being patronised because we have no better choices.

I think because our palate is already used to it, most Nigerians do not even realize that condensed milk has a caramelized (canned) taste that some people find disagreeable.

Allow me to digress a bit. The investment in commercial agriculture is a medium to long-term investment. The kinds of investments that empower communities economically take years to yield the result. Any good student of development will know that it is a long and torturous road down which only visionary leaders can lead their people. For instance the Euro-Tunnel project in Europe was projected to take at least 10 years to break even. Having said that, such projects are not without incidental benefits. Someone has mentioned the issue of value added tax. I also want to point out the impact on the host community. The Shonga that I know was an agrarian community. The only traders in the area were Yoruba people from Ogbomoso, or Ibo people from the east. The natives did not indulge in any kind of trading at all. If they wanted to make a phone call, they had to travel to neighbouring villages. However as we speak today, they have mobile telephone services in their community, new roads have been constructed, they are employed on the Shonga farms and dairy. When you are approach Shonga today, the first indication you get is a stream of motor cycles, which shows that money is entering the economy of the agrarian society. The females are starting to do petty trading where previously they did not have the resources for such. Recently, the directive was given for the Shonga community to be connected to the power injection substation at Shonga, which will give the community reliable electricity.

I think as with any other sound project, the Shonga project is actually touching lives in a practical and visible way. At least the people of Shonga will agree.


Dr. Bukola Saraki giving the directive for Shonga to be connected to power substation


The Shonga power substation

In comparing Dr. Bukola Saraki to Fashola, a lot of respondents have failed to take into consideration the amount of revenue that Lagos State has compared to what Kwara State. We have people talking about what Fashola has done in his first 100 days compared with what Dr. Bukola Saraki has been able to accomplish in one term. I wonder if Fashola would have been able to do everything he did in 100 days in Lagos, if he were the governor of Kwara. The answer is simply no. The money is simply not there. The best way the two of them can be compared is to look at what they each have been able to do with what has been at their disposal. In my opinion, I think Dr. Bukola Saraki is much better than Raji Fashola for this reason. Saraki has been able to manage a state with limited resources exceptionally well, while Fashola has been managing a state, with one of the highest revenue allocation. Lagos was a state that could survive 4 years without FG allocation - come on, what are we talking about?

Without Slavery and colonization, I think that Africa, would have developed still. Trade and contact with the outside world would have brought us the benefit of advances of science and technology. We would have had strong cultural institutions, and would have more respect for our sovereignty and culture. However, I think the ruling class would have benefited the most from this arrangement. The leadership of Africa in pre-colonial times does not give one any reason to believe that the benefits of increased wealth and power would have been shared out to the masses. I think that the situation would have been something like we have in Lesotho, where the king though highly educated and well traveled lives like a feudal lord. I think by and large Africa would be a less equitable place, with the ruling class cornering most of the wealth of the land for themselves, this time however, with the backing of the customary law and tradition.

I know that I am not the only one who has thought about this, but I was struck again the other day by the incongruity of both IBB and Buhari contesting for the presidency. I recently read that they were both forced to embrace each other by Obasanjo at a recent book launch. As I contemplated these trio of past leaders, I couldn't help being struck by the fact that the fate and governance of this country has been in the hands of the same cast of actors since independence. What says that they must continue to mange the affairs of this country.

Personally, I like Muhammadu Buhari, but the same question that is often asked of Babangida can be asked of him too - what did he forget in Aso Rock (Dodan Barracks?). Also have they not failed by not grooming younger people to succeed them and propagate their ideas. Now that I look at it most of these political actors do not even have a succession plan - they seem to think everything begins and ends with them.

There are people to day that refer to themselves as "Zikists", or "Awoists", where are the adherents of the philosophy of IBB, or Buhari, or to be even more inane (Lamidi Adedibu). This just underscores that the politics of Nigeria has devolved to a politics of personality. These men see themselves as all in all. They die and their house is scattered and the memory of them does not linger.

By Yekini Jimoh
Source: Saturday Tribune
Saturday, August 7, 2010



Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who has been the chairman of Governors’ Forum for seven and a half years, was recently given the national award of the Commander of the Order of  the Niger (CON). He spoke with newsmen in Ilorin. YEKINI JIMOH captured his remarks as they affect Kwara State and the nation in general. Excerpts:

N igeria will attain 50 years of independence by October. What do youthink is the place of the country among the developing nations of the world, and what are the challenges ahead?
I think we are not one of those nations that tend to celebrate what they are good at and what their successes are. You will find out that most people say negative things about the country. Not many countries have survived after going through civil wars. There are very few countries that have survived many military coups. There are very few countries that have the same number of tribes that we have. But despite all these, their natural resources  have been a bad omen. They have resulted in the disintegration of countries. This is a country we have differences in religion. We have stumbled, we have wobbled, but we have survived. I think that is a good sign.

I think this democracy that has stabilised us for 11 years should continue along that line. I am hopeful that with quality leadership, it is a matter of time before realising the country of our dream.

There are a lot of things we need to catch up on. If you look at the education sector, there are still many ways we can invest in it in order to bring about an improvement and education is key to developing our society. I think we are moving in the right direction, but we still need to have a good sense of patriotism or what I call spirit of national interest.

It is not that I am saying Nigeria is good or bad. But you don’t stand in front of the world and say my country is bad. It is just like in a family, you just don’t go around saying that your child is bad.

What you should say to the public is that “my child is good.” That is the way we should begin to look at our country. By saying that your country is good doesn’t mean that you have been bought by the government and you are now a sell-out.

When China was growing, there were rules people would not depart from, but they have grown and everybody is doing business with them now. What l am saying is that for this country to grow, we must look forward, not backward and that is always the problem. We are always criticising. We should  be positive and looking forward and I think the country would be better for it. I am optimistic that the future is bright.

There are insinuations that the Governors’ Forum is becoming a kind of pressure group. What do you say about this?
I think it is those of you in the media that gave these kinds of definitions. We are all key stakeholders and you will  agree with me that what we have gone through as a country in the last few months was unexpected. I didn’t think that we would ever find ourselves in the situation we have found ourselves today. And when your country is challenged by a strange thing like that, you have to come up with solutions. I think as stakeholders, as governors, we have played our role in stabilising the polity to ensure that democracy is stable.

In doing that, we have to provide direction in the  interest of the country. We came together across party lines in giving direction at a time there was no direction and there was much concern. I believe that some actions we took led some other stakeholders to come together and say, “look, we must do our best to save this democracy, we must do our best to provide leadership and I think that in the process of doing that, the country was better.

The country has come out of those trying times, we thank God that we are still moving forward. It is like a turning point in the history of this country. Like I said, the governors, by our action, got the National Assembly to come up with a motion that gave power to the vice president as acting president. People clapped and when we now met again as governors and took other decisions that some particular interests didn’t like, all of a sudden, the governors have become too powerful and you cannot choose when to be powerful and when not to be. I think these are the views of myopic individuals. I assure Nigerians that we are responsible stakeholders and will continue to play our role in ensuring that democracy is sustained and politics is stable.

During the last cabinet meeting, you approved a 20 per cent minimum wage increment for workers in the state, what prompted it?
Its a matter that we have been debating for a while and I set up a committee in November 2008 to review the issue of minimum wage, to see how we could improve on it as part of measures at ensuring that we motivate the civil servants. Unfortunately, in 2009 with the global recession that affected the revenues that were coming to states, I made a commitment then that in 2010, we would definitely implement and so the figures had already been agreed upon.

On the implementation, unfortunately, you all know what happened in the country. The Federal Government did not pass its budget until May. I think last week, we saw the implementation of the 2010 budget. What is to happen is that until the president signs the Appropriation Bill, the allocation that normally comes to government is based on last year’s figures.

A few days ago, we had the first council meeting,  after which I directed that the implementation be with immediate effect. That is a step in the right direction and the challenge has always been the resources of the state and at the slight improvement in them, we have kept to to our commitment and obligation.

The reticulation project concerning water supply is underway, what should be the expectations of the ordinary Kwaran?
In 2003 when we came into government, water production at Asa Dam had the capacity for 12 million gallons a day, but at that time, it was producing about three million which was inadequate.

The thinking was that in the metropolis, the minimum we should be serving was 24 million gallons per day and at that time, the Federal Government said it was going to construct another 12 million gallons per day water project and that we as a state should rehabilitate too.

We have rehabilitated and I believe from three million gallons per day, we have been able to make it 10 million gallons a day. The brand new one is half way through. The Federal Government changed its policy and said it was not going to do anymore urban waterworks, so we now had to take over.

We have done that now. We have taken the capacity now close to 24 million gallons per day but as you rightly said, if you pump that water out now, the pipes that we have cannot take them. Now, we are doing the reticulation which has cost us close to seven billion naira and for a state like ours, that is a lot of money on one sector.

But we are hopeful that by August/September, the first phase of the project will be completed. Yes, by the time those pipes are laid, definitely water must flow.

Seven years in the saddle, it is  apparent that you will be the first governor to spend two consecutive terms in Kwara State. What challenges have you confronted and what challenges are you likely to face before the expiration of your tenure?
Well, the challenges are there when you are trying to make changes, when you are trying to drive direction with focus. As I said, initially when we came in, Kwara was defined as a civil service- based state, but we tried to expand the economy, create opportunity in different sectors, including agriculture and industrialisation. As at today, the number of industries has increased. The cashew processing factory at Ogbondoroko that had existed before now is now larger than the one in Ibadan and now, the company wants to be the base for the West African region and I think these are realities. We have the processing being set up. We have the Edu rice processing, among others.

The challenges I give to myself, I take them up. They are enough challenges to create an environment where people can begin to have sources of livelihood outside the civil service. That has been the focus, expanding the economy and the indices are there in terms of commercial activities since 2003, compared to other states around us.

If you look at the indices in area of construction activities going on in the state, they will tell you from statistics that the buying power is improving. Those are the challenges and those are what have given me the confidence that we have positioned the state into a commercially active state. If you look at education, we have led new steps in education. A lot of states were talking about some of the things we did when we were fighting against examination malpractices.

Today, Kwara State is a place you don’t go near if that is the kind of thing you want to do. The attitudes of teachers now is not what you had in 2002/2003, there is now more commitment, more training. If you look at the quality of education, we have recorded improvement on the quantum of passes and credits secured by our students at WAEC and NECO levels, we are better now. So, these are some of the reforms we are doing in the education sector.

We have a cement factory that might not take off before the end of this tenure but would have gone far with other projects.  If you look at the power situation in the state, the challenge is there. I challenge anybody in Nigeria that says there is any other place apart from Kwara that can challenge us in the area of power generation. So when you look at these indices, definitely one gives thanks to the Almighty in the past seven years particularly with those challenges we faced at the beginning. A lot of people were speculating whether or not one was capable, but today, one has stayed focused and also positioned Kwara within the Nigerian polity.

Your administration has zero tolerance for corruption, what are you planning to put in place to ensure sustainability?
Well, there have been a number of things that we’ve put in place even by law. The Fiscal Responsibility Act has set clear guidelines and processes by which some of the government’s decisions as regards money matters are treated. Also, at the inception of this government, we set up the Pricing Intelligence Unit that has gone a long way in terms of trying to streamline the process of over-inflated prices of goods and services. I know that very soon, we will be coming out with a book to show to Kwarans the billions of naira that we have been able to save.

There are contractors that can’t come to work in Kwara, they tell you, ‘look we can’t work in Kwara because their ways are just not acceptable.’

Most importantly, it is not only the head that matters but the system and that is why we are restructuring the Civil Service Commission, that is why we have quality people as permanent secretaries and as directors and you see, Kwara is one of the states again that led this issue of having exams, interviews and processes for promotion. I remember when I became governor, my first batch of permanent secretaries was based on lobbying, these ones are my friends and it has nothing to do with their capacity. Besides, the ability of some of them was zero.

But after a few years, I have put a system in place that lobbying is not going to put you there. You must go through exams; you must go through some kind of processes. So that brings out such kinds of qualities in the era we are living in now.

There is the issue of pension for former governors and there are comments as regards the unprecedented pension matter in the history of this state. Can you clarify some grey areas?
Well, I think you are right, there has been a lot of misrepresentations. First of all, the governor had nothing to do with it and it was a private bill. I was able to get a copy of it and I made my own comments.

For example, talking about annual vacation and another one says building houses for governors and deputy governor and I personally said I don’t want the issue of even the allowances. I even said the pension from 100 per cent should be cut down to 50 per ent, and these are all stated and documented to show that definitely on my side, that is not what  it is all about. I have not signed the bill into law because I am still going back to the House on the issue of 50 per cent. I want them to have a look at that and one or two areas I will want them to review and consider.

The Ilorin International Aviation College is scheduled for commissioning on October 1, 2010. When commissioned, the college will be the second aviation training school in Nigeria. The site of the college is presently a beehive of activity as preparations continue towards its official takeoff. The project is the brainchild of Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Executive Governor of Kwara State. It is one of several projects, which he has spearheaded in an effort to reposition Kwara State nationally, and globally. Having nursed the project from inception, and through the difficult period of the global economic meltdown, the college is now scheduled to be commissioned on October 1, 2010.

From The Rector
Speaking on the future of the college, the rector of the college, Kenneth Hawkins, stated that the college will takeoff in October with a student population of 20. According to him the first set of students are expected to complete their training by April 2011. He commended Dr. Bukola Saraki for sparing no expense in making sure that the school is equipped with the state of the art in training facilities.


Dr. Bukola Saraki and IAC Rector, Kenneth Hawkins

He explained that the Diamond aircraft, which the school will be using for training, is the state of the art in training aircraft. He said that the Diamond is made of composite material, which makes it lighter and more fuel efficient than aircraft made from aluminum. . He pointed out that the Boeing 747 is also made of composite material. He said that the Diamond aircraft uses diesel rather than AGO. Speaking further, he stated that aircraft made from composite material cannot be parked in the open, as this could lead to structural defect. Consequently the training aircraft for the students will not be flown into the country until the hangars in which they will be kept have been made ready.


Diamond Training Aircraft for Students

Speaking further, he stated that the college will also have flight simulators, which will use the latest flight simulation software from Oxford Aviation Academy. The rector Kenneth Hawkins is a seasoned airline pilot, with more than 35 years experience in the airline industry, during which he held several managerial positions. He retired from North West Airlines.

College Layout
The college is situated on the outskirts of Ilorin, in close proximity to the Ilorin International Airport. It presently consists of 3 main buildings. These are the headquarters, student hostel, and the rector’s house. The headquarters will house staff offices, classrooms, and the flight simulators.


3D Illustration of aerial view of IAC


3D and actual image of headquarters


3D and actual image of student hostel


3D and actual image of rector's house

When completed, the project will be a credit to the Kwara State Government and Dr. Bukola Saraki, who seems to be developing a reputation for pushing ambitious mega-projects successfully. As with many other projects of the Kwara State Government, it is a Private Public Partnership project. The Kwara State Government has provided the take-off capital for the college. However, private investors are expected to take up equity in the project. The state is expected to hold no more than 50 % equity in the college.

By Hammed Shittu
August 3, 2010
Source: ThisDay



Hammed Shittu in this report captures  efforts  being made by the Kwara State Government to improve agriculture,   so that apart from making food  sufficiently available for the people  of the state, it could reduce the continued dependence on petro-dollar as the main source  of revenue.

Since assumption of office in year 2003, the incumbent governor of Kwara state, Dr. Bukola Saraki has taken agriculture development as one of the major thrust of his administration. In his pursuit of this laudable objective, the governor has put agriculture in the front burner in such a way that it would reduce the continued dependence of the government on petro-dollar as the main source of revenue.

It is on this premise that the government engaged the services of expertise on agriculture development from the Zimbabwe through the Public Private Partnership Initiative in order to bring into focus the real practice of  modern agriculture
Today, the state government in collaboration with the Zimbabwean farmers under the commercial farming project has commenced series of agriculture practice at Shonga, in Edu local government council area of the state. The farmers planted maize, rearing animals, chickens among others.

But, Shonga Holdings, a conglomerate of commercial farms,  added another feather to its  operations  with the commencement of processed chicken at Shonga Farms,
A visit of some newsmen to the site recently  at Shonga revealed that the situation at the Shonga Farms has improved seriously as the available equipment, the environment  and the technical know how are second to none,  comparable to any other high tech chickens processing factory in the sub Sahara west Africa.

The farms’ poultry section now has chickens processing factory even as the factory is set to produce, a minimum of 7,500 processed chickens meant for the consumption of Ilorin residents, Kwara state at large and for residents in other parts of the country.
The  leader and head of operation of the factory  Mr. Piet Dutoit, told journalists   that the plant was currently on 2,500 processed frozen chickens per day, pointing out that when it becomes fully operational, it  has capacity to step –up to 10,000 chickens per day.


Dr. Bukola Saraki being shown the production line


Workers in the chicken processing plant


Part of the production line

He said the farm has so far engaged the services of 42 workers who were all natives of the host community, adding that more hands would still be required as the farm expanded.
While expressing optimism on market for the factory’s product   Detoit assured that the immediate local market would be adequately catered for as well as the immediate environment and all those who have shown interest in its products.

The head of the farm however disclosed that 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, stating that the international market has been placed on the waiting list in other to satisfied the local market first. 
Also speaking in an interview with pressmen, the General Manager of the plant,
Morne Vandernerwe speaking  on the target consumers of the processed chickens  emphasized that “the products of the plant is not meant for export. A lot of legislation is attached to exportation. 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. Though, we cannot totally ignore exportation but that will be in some years to come.” 
Morne Vandernerwe,  however,  noted that it has not been all bed of roses as the company just like any fledgling firm reeks under the heavy hammer of some seemingly insurmountable challenges. 

According to him, “unfortunately, money is my major challenge. We need operating capital that include couple of millions of Naira I need packaging materials. They are not available locally. The first batch of 20,000 birds is in the region of N2.2million. Everything here costs money’’. 
“The other thing is manpower training. You don’t expect local employees to take on the speed of the big processing chicken factory overnight. They have to be taught, shown and physically trained before they can do the job right.”

He said already, the poultry plant slaughtered recently about 2500 birds, stressing that “for the time being we have got four partners in the project. Each also has one fully operational chicken house, each house also 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.”

The poultry farmer said that his target in the “first phase is the production of 2500 chickens per day, afterwards I want to increase the capacity to 5000 then to 7,500 the capacity that the current plant has got. After which we will increase the cooling of the plant and then increase production to 10,000 daily.”
He said that his target market for now is Ilorin , environs and the state in general, adding that “we have got marketing assistance based in Ilorin .”

In his words: “We have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some promo food in northern, 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.
“Unfortunately, our buyers are predominantly people demanding to but either one or two kilos, but we are out to sell at whole rate. Incidentally, the various states chambers of industry, mines and agriculture in the country have shown massive interest in our products. They want to sign MoU with for distribution with us. Soprite and KFC foods want to do business with us. For us that is good news because that is a big money.

“Even the state chairman of fast food 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 .”
  However, during the recent tour of Governor Saraki to the farms recently,  he expressed satisfaction with what the processing factory had been able to achieve within the short period of commencement of production.

The governor commended the operators for using modern and latest technology, and described the development as a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied 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 was capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the country’s over dependency on oil. This is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country,” the governor said and also enjoined “other states of the federation to emulate state in its drive towards agriculture.”

He also said that there would be  multiplier effect of the poultry farm on the economy, as the  processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, and super market in Ilorin and to the outside world for consumption .

PENSION BILL: WHY SARAKI WITHHOLDS ASSENT
By Adekunle Jimoh (The Nation)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki has refused to assent a bill, which proposed juicy retirement packages for him. ADEKUNLE JIMOH examines the bill, the moves against it and why Saraki returned it to the House of Assembly without assenting it.
The much pilloried pension bill for erstwhile governors and deputy governors of Kwara State is yet to see the light of the day. Governor Bukola Saraki recently returned the bill to the legislators without appending his signature on it.
The governor argued that “there are many controversial issues in it and I will not sign the Bill. I am sending it back to the House for them to take a look at some of the issues therein.

“I know that about eight states are now operating similar pension schemes but something must be amended”, the governor insisted. He said that he was more concerned “with the resources of the state and the ability to implement the bill, saying that, definitely the bill will return to the House for a second look so as to see what they can stave-off from the bill.”

Earlier, in a letter dated April 12, 2010 and signed by the then Chief of Staff (Government House), Dr. Ali Ahmad, the governor gave details of his grouses with the bill. The letter reads: “I am to convey to you the following which represent the view of His Excellency on the said bill; that entitlements under the law should be extended to all democratically elected governors and deputies of the state since 1967 (as opined by the NBA), that the annual basic salary of the governor and deputy governor should be reduced (as posited by NBA) to 50 percent of annual basic salary of the incumbent governor and deputy governor.

“On a governor or deputy who served only one term, provision of transportation should be limited to cars, rather than local transport expenses with one car and one security car; one administrative officer and one personal secretary. That the idea of provision of a residential house in the Federal Capital Territory should be discarded (as opined by NBA). The chief administrative officer, personal secretary and protocol officer of the governor should rather be two, two and one respectively.

“The annual vacation should not be part of the entitlement. On governor’s travel expenses, it is important to provide travel expenses for governor for journeys within the country.”

The letter also adds that “policemen be provided for residences and personal security of both the governors and deputies. It is hoped that the above will be taken into account in the consideration of the final outcome of the bill.”  Shedding more light on the contentious bill, the House Speaker, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed explained why Governor Saraki refused to assent  the bill.

According to him, the governor has some reservations on some of the clauses in the bill, which was a private member sponsored bill.
He said that the governor’s refusal to assent to the bill further confirmed that “it was a private member sponsored bill and not an executive bill.”

The speaker added: “Governor Saraki may be considering the lean resources of the state. We are going to look at the issues he raised at the appropriate time.”

Of the 36 Bills passed into law by the House, pension bill for former governors and former deputy governors of the state generated debates from both the government and members of the public.

The state House of Assembly passed the controversial bill into law about one and half months ago.
The coalition of opposition parties in the state derided it, describing it as selfish. The Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) castigated it at the public hearing. Eventually, voice of reason prevailed as the state governor acceded to most of the suggestions and recommendations of the NBA.

In fact, the Kwara Stakeholders Forum (KSF) headed by Dr. Amuda Aluko described the bill as self-serving. The group, in a statement, wondered why the sponsors of the bill narrowed the beneficiaries to only those who had served from 1999 till date without considering those who had previously served the state in that capacity before 1999.

The Chairman of the Ilorin branch of NBA, Salman Jawondo had at the public hearing of the bill called for a reduction of the entire pension package for governors and their deputies by 50 per cent. He equally opposed the provision of accommodation for a consecutive two-term governor of the state in the Federal Capital Territory and canvassed  the implementation of the bill from 1967 when the state was created. Governor Saraki’s acceptance of the slicing of the entire package by half, cancellation of official residence in FCT and the implementation of the bill from 1967 as against 1999 suggested by the sponsors of the bill had helped  in silencing the initial critics of the provisions in the bill.

This has earned the governor commendations. In an advertorial signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Congress of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in the state, Mallam Zakari Mohammed and Adebayo Lawal, the body  took a swipe at those critical of the bill, saying they were blind to the monumental development in the state. In their words: “Unfortunately, for these individuals, they fail to realise that Kwara State is no longer what it used to be. While they have remained stuck with the past, fixated on their life-long obsession to “dislodge Saraki” from Kwara politics, the people of Kwara State have moved on and, therefore, can no longer be deceived by this quadrennial politicians.

“Even the most mentally challenged villager cannot deny that the seven year administration of Dr. Bukola Saraki has redefined, not only the way Kwarans see themselves, but also the way other people see us, not only in Nigeria but in different parts of the world. Today, by the grace of God, we are no longer that State in the middle of nowhere, but one of the most dynamic and innovative States in Nigeria.“

“With a very slim resource base that sees us occupying number 33 of 36 on revenue allocation list, Dr. Bukola Saraki has managed to achieve more than what so many other States with huge resource profiles have failed to achieve. The temptation is for us to begin to mention or recap the achievements of Dr. Saraki here, but these people have eyes, so they can see; they have ears, so they can hear; so they know where we were in this state years ago, and they know where we are now."

“What they lack is lack of good intention. They are so blind with envy that they would refuse to see anything good in Dr. Bukola Saraki’s administration. After all, the governor is the son of their mortal enemy, Dr. Olusola Saraki, who against their wildest imagination has brought unprecedented development to a state that they have held down for years with their petty jealousy, lack of vision or coherence."

“It is interesting to note that the proposed bill by the House of Assembly of Kwara State to enact a law providing for the pensions of executive governor and deputy governor in the state has given these individuals another opportunity for belly-aching. Even though the bill is a legislative bill initiated by the House of Assembly, they have sought to present it as an executive bill sponsored by the governor because it suits their malicious agenda against the governor to do so."

“For the avoidance of doubt, the said bill is wholly a legislative bill, which seeks to follow similar laws that have been passed at the Federal level and eight other states in the country. The House of Assembly has advertised for a public hearing on the bill, which means that every aspect of the bill is only a proposal and is open to debates, amendments, and contributions from all members of the public.

“Therefore, these individuals can also attend the hearing to give their views. But it is understandable why they would not do this because that would not be as dramatic or as egoistic as issuing a press statement to condemn Dr. Bukola Saraki.”

CULLED FROM THE NATION

Steps taken by Dr. Bukola Saraki have resolved the furore generated by the Executive Pension Bill, which was recently passed by the Kwara State House of Assembly. The bill as originally proposed by the state assembly attracted a lot of criticism. The bill, emanated from the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Ishola Balogun-Fulani from Ilorin South constituency, supported by the Chief Whip, Hon. Razaq Taiwo, Hon. Dauda Taoheed and Babatunde Umar, from Odo-Ogun, Patigi, and Ilorin East constituencies respectively.

Following the public hearing of the bill, Dr. Bukola Saraki made his views on the bill as proposed by the state assembly known. Through a signed letter written by his erstwhile Chief of Staff, Dr. Ali Ahmad, dated April 22 2010 he requested for nine amendments to the bill as originally proposed. These amendments took note of the public sentiment and suggestions made by the Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. Of the nine amendments requested by Dr. Bukola Saraki, the assembly approved eight and rejected one.

The attentiveness of Dr. Bukola Saraki to the public sentiment and incorporation of suggestions made by other stakeholders has gone a long way in dousing the tension generated by the bill as originally presented by the proponents of the bill. Amendments suggested by Dr. Bukola Saraki and accepted by the assembly, include the following

[list]
[li]Extension of the entitlements under the law to all democratically elected governors and deputies of the state since 1967[/li]
[li]50% reduction in the annual basic salary as initially proposed by[/li]
[li]cancellation of official residence in FCT[/li]
[/list]

Similar bills exist in Lagos, Delta, Gombe, and Borno states.