Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday flagged off the rehabilitation of 31 public schools across the state, a step he said signalled the beginning of a new era for the education sector in the state.

AbdulRazaq flagged off the exercise in Baboko Community Secondary School in the capital city Ilorin where three blocks of six classrooms are to be fully rehabilitated and fixed with modern information communication facilities.

The rehabilitation of the Baboko school is to last six weeks.

The Governor said the 31 schools are the first phase of the rehabilitation he said is required to gradually guarantee decent learning environment for the children.

The school rehabilitation flag off occurred barely one hour after AbdulRazaq supervised the distribution of 932,572 free copies of customised 20, 40 and 80 leaves of exercise books for public school children in Kwara State.

He said he has approved the payment of N30.5m penalties imposed on some schools in Kwara for malpractices in the last year secondary school leaving examination.

"The lack of conducive learning environment and longstanding failure to properly fund education -- we last accessed UBEC fund in 2013 -- can explain rampant incidents of examination malpractices. We are working to end this menace and return Kwara to the top of the table in the north central and beyond," he said.

AbdulRazaq said the government will soon hold an education summit bringing together all the stakeholders and private sector players to discuss the challenges and evolve with workable solutions.

Education Commissioner Fatimah Ahmed commended the Governor for his giant strides in the sector, including the establishment of an ICT centre in the school for special needs, settling outstanding arrears of N55m feeding allowance of exchange students inherited from the past administration.

Ahmed said the administration has also provided N5m worth of teaching aids and other basic equipment at the special needs school, sponsored the 2019 common entrance, and the recent approval of routine training for teachers on the state.

Various stakeholders in the education sector commended the Governor for his determined effort to bring sanity and standard to the sector.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/30/kwara-gov-flags-off-rehabilitation-of-31-schools/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said he approved the resuscitation of the state annual sports festival as part of his belief in productive engagement of the youths to attain their full potentials.

The state is currently engrossed with excitement as contingents from across its 16 local governments participate in at least 26 games in the seventh Kwara State Sports Festival which was last held in 2005.

AbdulRazaq, who paid an unscheduled visit late Wednesday to the Kwara State Stadium Complex to watch some of the games, said such event would also help to promote talents and sportsmanship in the populace.

“The resuscitation of Kwara State Sports Festival hinges on the need to invest in the youths and sports. Hitherto, the state hired athletes to represent the state in festivals and we need to invest in ourselves and get the home-grown youths to take part in various sports events (nationwide and internationally),” he told reporters shortly after watching a photo finish (volleyball game) between Ilorin West and Offa.

AbdulRazaq also said the administration plans to upgrade some facilities in the sports complex in the 2020 fiscal year, especially the indoor hall, to provide the right environment for local talents to thrive.

“(There will be) renovation of the sports complex, investments in youth and sports. You will see a face-lift of the Indoor Sports Hall of the state stadium, a new squash court and renovation in all facets,” he said, offering insights into what the sector should expect in the 2020 budget that was passed on Wednesday.

“It is a pity that we've allowed (sports) infrastructure to decay. But despite that we can see the zeal, commitment of the sportsmen and women as well as the officials. You can see that they want to participate in sports. So, we need to provide the enabling environment to do what they need to do.”

AbdulRazaq said Kwara looks forward to greater showings in the upcoming 20th National Sports Festival in March in Edo State, adding: “In fact, this is the good beginning. We are not going to hire athletes to represent the state. The home-grown talents will represent us. So, we'll have a 10 year plan. We are not saying that we will be at the top of the medals table in Edo but gradually we will be the best.”

The Governor had earlier met with members of the main organising committee of the festival in the indoor hall where he commended them for a good job.

He was received by top government officials, sports veterans and entrepreneurs including the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Joanna Nnazua Kolo; Special Adviser on Sports and Youth Development Attahiru Ibrahim; Director of Sports Tunde Kazeem; Serah Adebooa Esan; Olusola Abubakar Sheu; ex-international Hameed Adio; Coach Bola Mogaji; Dr. Steve Olarinoye; Razaq Olorunmako; Ibrahim Bako; and Abimbola Agbeke Olaoye.





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/30/why-we-resuscitated-kwara-sports-festival-15-years-after-abdulrazaq/

The Kwara State Government has debunked claims circulating on social media platforms that the tripartite meeting involving State Government, Nigeria Labour Congress, National Union of Local Government Employees, Nigerian Union of Teachers and Trade Union on the full implementation of new minimum wage ended in a gridlock yesterday.

Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner for Finance and Planning, Mrs. Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence maintained that it was a claim of questionable accuracy, affirming that the meeting ended peacefully as they agreed on a framework which would fast track terms and provisions needed to complete the processes, this was contained in a statement released by Ayodeji Yusuf, Media Assistant to the Commissioner.

"In all honesty, the committee and the state government under the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are serious about the task ahead of it and I am glad to inform the public that the negotiation has reached a critical stage which will fast track the drafting and timely submission of our report as soon as possible", she added.

She reassured civil servants and members of the public that the Committee is sincere with the task as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has given them mandate to work assiduously with all labour unions to ensure that no stone is left unturned.

She commended the unflinching support and cooperation of all the parties involved in the negotiation processes, reiterating that the Governor has reinstated policies that take care of the welfare of state civil servants and Kwarans as a whole.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/29/minimum-wage-kwara-govt-debunks-deadlock-claims-in-negotiations-assures-workers/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday met with the Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama in the capital city Abuja to discuss how to repatriate Kwarans trapped in Lebanon and elsewhere, among other issues.

“The meeting is a follow up to the efforts by the Governor to ensure prompt repatriation of indigenes of the state who were victims of human trafficking especially in Lebanon from which two of such persons were recently brought back home,” Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesman of the Governor, said in a statement on the meeting.

“The Governor also discussed how Kwara can collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to benefit from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) particularly in the area of enterprise, agroprocessing, human capital development, and others.”

AbdulRazaq also told the minister of the resolve of his administration to kickstart the process of opening up an alternate West African route by linking Bode Saadu to Kaiama and Chikanda Road which empties into the country’s border with the northern axis of the Benin Republic.

“The Governor told the Foreign Minister that his administration will construct the Kosu-Bosu Bode Saadu Road which is critical for this international highway. He said the highway will effectively link Nigeria’s North Central to West Africa and will be an alternative to the West Africa highway which is a coastal road,” the statement said.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/29/kwara-gov-foreign-minister-meet-on-human-trafficking-foreign-direct-investment/

Following a released statement in the media by the PDP media team in Kwara state that Seyi Makinde has been executing huge projects across Oyo state but Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has done nothing of such, Coalition of State Civil Servants (CSCS) an Oyo State arm of civil servants group have issued a counter-statement through their Chairman Ogundairo Olajuwon in Ibadan the state Capital.

Read below.

“We cannot contain our anger and disgust when we read one dubious report in the media that Seyi Makinde is executing white elephants project and AbdulRazaq of Kwara state has not done any.

We deduce that the carriers of those posts has lost touch with reality and they're probably some deadbeats who are being used by the moribund opposition in the state to front their brazen irresponsibility.

First, the projects in question are federal government projects and that says it all.

Second, we would wish this irresponsible opposition in Kwara knows how much we’d have loved to swap Seyi Makinde to have AbdulRazaq for some months.

For a state like Oyo full to the brim with the tears of unpaid civil servants, a normal human would ask what purpose does this pseudo-populist projection of Seyi Makinde serve in the interest of a common man.

When they say project, do they mean pro-masses project or they mean projects that help sound the trumpet all over the media?

When speaking of a state dying slowly of hunger, a fame-purchasing human like Seyi Makinde is the least that we could pray for.

We have been following the Kwara state opposition for some time, we think the party is in the throes of death. And it’s for shame.

That said, opposition in Kwara need to sit back and learn from how AbdulRazaq is governing them. He has pushed them to a tight corner where they now have no option than to poke nose into what’s happening in other states. And one can see they have no other roles now in the state than mere angered spectators.

If the Kwara opposition can't sympathize with us they should not promote falsehood all in the name of promoting Seyi Makinde's falsehood to silence our pain.

And that is quite a thing to be ashamed of”


That’s the full text of the statement from the group.

Whether Kwara opposition will learn from this or not is entirely up to them as the Chairman of the Civil Service group Ogundairo Olajuwon has reiterated their readiness to write to the the National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus if Kwara Opposition continues in this path.

An investigative report by THISDAY newspaper published on Sunday has rattled the Saraki family and made them stay away from a scheduled meeting with the Kwara State government.

The report by THISDAY affirmed Saraki family does not own Asa Investments limited and that the real owners of Asa investments limited are deceased and the company is technically dead.

The Sarakis who have told the world that they own the land are now in quandary.

Information available from a reliable source close to the Saraki family have revealed to this medium that they're now contemplating on hiring two SANs to get them out of the log jam since there is no document to claim ownership.

As all their attempts to cast aspersion on the government well-intentioned movements have now proved unavailing, they have thrown themselves too deep down the pit of hullabaloos and now it is too late to back off and too deep to keep going down.

The family's next step is unknown and no official statement has been made as to why they shirked the meeting with the state government, but it seems the matter has become an albatross on Saraki family’s neck.

It therefore remains to be seen how they plan to break off the handcuff of embarrassment to which they have bound themselves.




https://kwaragist.com/civil-service-land-sarakis-duck-out-of-out-of-court-settlement-meeting/

Kwara State Government has begun intensive surveillance and screenings at its land borders and the Ilorin International Airports to check the spread of Lassa fever into the state, calling on the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious cases at the nearest health centres.

"Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has since directed that we should intensify surveillance and screening at our borders and at the Airport. We are working with the port health authorities to ensure that any foreigner or travellers coming to Kwara State is screened before entering the state,” Kwara State Health Commissioner Raji Rasaq told a news briefing in Ilorin, the state capital.

Rasaq said the government has also completed the construction of an isolation centre and activated State Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Rapid Response Teams and Incident Command System at the Kwara State Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate any outbreak of the disease currently ravaging some states.

"The disease has remained a public health challenge and has affected some states. We do not have any case in the state but it is important to be prepared,” he said.

"We have also designated an isolation centre for Lassa fever clinical management in Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin and make available response commodities and medicines."

He urged residents of the state to adopt regular hand washing, proper cleaning of surroundings and household items. Rasaq also called on residents of the state to keep their food items in good and hygienic conditions.

The Commissioner also encouraged residents to eliminate rats in their homes and communities as well as desist from using bare hands to touch the trapped rats.

Dr Rasaq promised that the state would continue to sensitise all health workers to have high index of suspicion and adhere strictly to standard precautions while providing care to the patients.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/27/lassa-fever-kwara-sets-up-isolation-centre-begins-border-screenings/

Next week, His Excellency the Governor of Kwara State AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will be 60 years old. He prefers to spend the day in personal reflection on God’s unmatched kindness to him.

Consequently, he requests that no government agency or functionaries should hold any birthday bash or publish any advertorial for him or in his honour. He appeals to friends, family members and well-wishers to not do so too according to the statement released by Rafiu Ajakaye the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

Instead, he calls on such individuals who may want to do anything for him to channel such to charities of their choice.

He deeply appreciates the goodwill of all well-wishers.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/26/kwara-gov-says-no-birthday-bash-adverts-for-him/

In late December, the Kwara State government reclaimed a piece of land bordering the civil service clinic in Ilorin, the state capital. The Government said the land originally belonged to it and was meant for construction of state secretariat but was unlawfully allocated to one Asa Investment Limited, a firm owned by the late strongman of Kwara politics Senator Olusola Saraki, in 2005 when his son, Bukola Saraki, was the Governor.

Bukola Saraki, until 2019 the all-in-all of Kwara politics, objected. He said the Governor had crossed the line of decency. He hauled so much invective on the Governor who Saraki insisted had declared a war. The Government, having reclaimed the land, moved to clear the sheds on it in readiness for its use. The Sarakites went on overdrive, with Bukola’s sister and a minister, Gbemisola, also aligning with her brother. Riding on their media influence, they sold the lie that the government actually demolished an old people’s home — one big lie that was meant to portray the government in bad light. There was nothing like old people’s home anywhere in Ilorin. That place had sheds and a small bungalow used to store political goods for followers of Saraki, male, female, old or young. Nobody ever lived there. Well, the lie was deliberately told to whip up sentiment.

Bragging to possess all the documents to lay claim to the land, Sarakites headed for the court. Government focused on its own narratives: this was a public property illegally given to a private firm without a dime paid to the government or any document validating the acquisition. Every other thing was baseless sentiment. Suddenly we heard of a 29-man committee set up to resolve the matter instead of the court. Findings have shown that the committee, peopled by very prominent elders from Ilorin, was at the behest of the Sarakites who in fact mobilised the media to its inaugural meeting.

That meeting didn’t achieve anything, as many of the elders understood the enormity of the issues and the moral burden placed on them. They diplomatically turned down the assignment. How would they resolve the issue without asking the Governor to release public property to a family? What precedent would they be setting for a state that is a victim of misrule and in-your-face arrogance, and is in a dire need of breaking free from its dark years? Besides, social listening revealed clearly that nine in every 10 Kwarans are opposed to the government releasing the land under whatever guise. Contrary to the grandstanding of the Sarakites, the Kwara public know the truth about the land.

Last Thursday, a story broke that the Sarakites have written to seek out of court settlement with the government on the issue. They said they were acting pursuant to the court’s advice that the parties should settle out of court. Maybe. What nobody has said is that, contrary to the public chest-beating by the Sarakites, the only document they have filed before the court is that notorious letter of allocation of June 2005. What happened to the Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy that Sarakites said they have on the land? If they have those documents, why didn’t they file same before the court after all the law today is that you must front-load the documents with which you plan to prosecute your case? No surprises.

It is clear from the above that the balance of power in this case heavily tilts in favour of the government. The government not only has the legal basis and moral stamina to reclaim the land, what it did was the best for the state at this time. It is a warning to everyone that power is transient and should not be abused. It was an abuse of power for Bukola to have allocated public land to his father at the height of their controversial reign. It is also clear that Bukola Saraki overreached himself with his letter of threat to the Governor, knowing fully well that he lacks the moral or legal basis to invoke the principle of reciprocity in this delicate matter.

My personal take, as a Kwaran, is that the so-called out of court settlement must never jeopardise the interest of the state. In view of the baseless lies they have told to the world, the government’s delegation must demand that Saraki withdraw his threat to the Governor and apologise for misleading the public about the existence of an aged people’s home on that land. Gbemisola must also be told to withdraw her horrible lies that old women were shot at by some imaginary mercenaries. That is because there is no shred of evidence to support that unGodly lie. If they do so, among whatever conditions the government may have, the family can then be allowed to apply for another land that they must pay for. That is provided they still need any land for their political gathering which that place served. We can’t continue to allow anybody to hold the public in contempt in pursuit of their selfish agenda.


Ahmed writes from Ilorin.




https://royalnews.com.ng/opinion-now-that-saraki-is-begging-kwara-govt/

Kwara State Pension Board Executive Secretary Aliyu Boni Shuaibu has said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has brought joy to senior citizens in the state following his timely payments of their entitlements since he assumed office in May last year.
“Pensioners in the state are praying for you because you have brought great joy to them and their families. Your timely release of their money has led to up to date payment of state pension. We have also started clearing gratuities from March, 2014 where the former government stopped. This is a great thing and we are very grateful to you,” Shuaibu said Tuesday evening when AbdulRazaq paid an impromptu visit to the board in Ilorin, the state capital.

The pension board chief said the state currently owes at least N11bn in gratuities from the previous years.

He said the board was getting N150m monthly which abruptly stopped long ago until the Governor came in last May to restore the gratuities by paying ₦100M monthly which has been regular.

He also commended AbdulRazaq for approving training and retraining of staff of officials of the Board through the office of Head of Service.

He however urged the Governor to consider enrolling Kwara State in the contributory pension scheme (CPS) to lessen the burden of debt.

In what has become a pattern of incognito visits to public facilities to be on top of issues, AbdulRazaq also visited the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to inspect the facility and exchange ideas on its status with the leadership of the union.

The Governor, who arrived the facility unannounced in company of just his media aide and Aide-de-camp, said the government will rehabilitate the shaky building once he gets an expert report on its status.

He was taken round the facility by the NUJ chairman Umar Abdulwahab, following which he later took pictures with some citizens who saw him driving into the NUJ Centre.

The NUJ leadership called the visit a first by any Governor since 1999, commending him for his simplicity and efforts to rebuild the state.

AbdulRazaq also visited the Herald newspaper building, where he interacted with its workers and leadership.

He said steps would be taken to ensure the viability of the medium, including strengthening its online presence in line with global trend.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/23/youve-brought-joy-to-kwara-with-payment-of-our-entitlements-pension-board-chair-tells-abdulrazaq/

The Saraki family has officially written the Kwara State Government to settle out of court over the land the latter recently reclaimed, a step lawyers interpreted to be a face-saving measure in the absence of no document to prove their ownership of the land.

After threatening fire and brimstone and claiming ownership of the land in various media statements, the Sarakis had recently approached the court to claim the land which they insisted was legally acquired.

But court officials said the only document the Sarakis have filed through their firm — Asa Investment Limited— to prove their case before the court is a mere letter of allocation in principle without attaching any Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy documents.

The government, which said the land was originally meant for state secretariat and civil service clinic but was unlawfully hijacked, has insisted that the said controversial allocation letter contained conditions that the firm never met until the expiration of the 90 days moratorium given to it as far back as June 2005.

In a letter dated 20th January, 2020 and addressed to the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, counsel to the firm Barrister Ayodeji Ibrahim said the applicants were now willing to settle the matter out of court in line with the presiding judge’s advice that the two parties should explore out-of-court settlements.

Ibrahim urged the commissioner to use his “good office as the Chief Law Officer of the State to make the necessary arrangements as to time and venue where parties can meet and discuss. While trusting that our request herein would be treated with the needed swift attention it deserves, kindly accept the assurances of our esteem regards.”




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/23/ile-arugbo-saraki-makes-volte-face-begs-kwara-govt-for-out-of-court-settlement/

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has not taken any loan since he assumed office in May last year, according to a statement Wednesday night.

"This administration has not taken any loan whatsoever. The rise in the domestic debt profile of the state to the tune of N2bn, as contained in the latest report of the Debt Management Office, was as a result of under-reporting of the debt profile as at June 2019," Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye said in the statement.

"The rise of the debt profile from N61,335,531,821.69 in the second quarter to N63,177,349,538.89 in the third quarter — a difference of approximately N2bn — was because the N2bn Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) loan, which was long taken and spent by the last administration, was never declared to the Debt Management Office (DMO) until the third quarter of 2019. So the rise of the state’s debt profile was simply because of this new declaration of the MSMEDF loan taken by the last administration.

"While this administration has not taken any loan, it has indeed been servicing those inherited from the past administration, including the N2bn MSMEDF loan and the N17.569bn Budget Support Facility which repayments only started in July and September 2019 respectively. These loans are being deducted from source by the Federal Government."



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/22/weve-taken-no-loan-since-assuming-office-says-gov-abdulrazaq/

The Ilorin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Wednesday, secured the final forfeiture of three blocks of two bedroom flats situated at Gaa Ajegunle village, Egbejila road, Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.


Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of a Kwara state high court, gave the order of the final forfeiture of the property belonging to one Mr Olalekan Alabi, said to be one of the personal aides of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, after hearing the unchallenged application brought by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency had on November 18, 2019, approached the court to order the final forfeiture of the said property and one Honda Accord car to the Federal government of Nigeria, on the grounds that it was acquired through proceeds on unlawful activity.

Moving the application Wednesday, Counsel to the EFCC, Mr A A Adebayo told the court that “My Lord, our motion is dated 18th November,2019, the motion is praying your Lordship to grant the order of final forfeiture of the property lying and situated at Gaa Ajegunle village, Egbejila road Ilorin, which was found and recovered by the commission from the respondent.”

He said “we have complied with the order of your Lordship by publishing the interim order in the Nation Newspaper, the respondent was issued with the hearing notice, he was duly notified, I urge your Lordship to grant our prayers and order the final forfeiture of the said property.”

After listening to the EFCC lawyer, Justice Oyinloye said ” I have seen the order of this honorable court published in the Nation Newspaper, this court is of the opinion that the respondent was duly informed, but decided not to challenge the application.”

This honorable court hereby grant the request of the EFCC, the said property and the car are hereby forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria,” Oyinloye ruled.







https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/22/efcc-secures-forfeiture-of-ex-governor-ahmeds-aides-property-in-ilorin/

The newly appointed General Managing Director of Harmony Holdings Limited, Abdulmajeed Abdullahi has lauded the 9th Assembly for its due diligence and thorough scrutiny on the 2020 proposed appropriation budget, describing is as 'unprecedented positive development'

Speaking at the ongoing Kwara state House of Assembly 2020 proposed budget defense, Abdulmajeed noted that the company was incorporated as a vehicle for management of the State's assets valued at over #4billion, but lying value.

He disclosed that the company was a good idea but was marred by undue political interference which jeoperdized the prime objective for which it was established.

He added that a sum of #2.5billion liquidity to asset was required to keep those moribund assets to use for economic benefit of the state, but the then government released just about #440million, which was mismanaged by previous managers of the corporation, rather than the primary purpose of investment.

"Most of those who managed the corporation were highly politically exposed and undue interference set in.

You can't imagine just two people who are friends of yesterday's government shared Kwara state Lands in Galadimawa, without account of the proceeds".

"Today is my happiest moment, as I am seeing real legislature that is widening our horizons on the path of sustainable development and greater future of Kwara state", he said.

He therefore solicits for the 9th Assembly's support to set Harmony Holding Limited back on track and make it work for Kwarans, as it should ideally.

Reacting, the Speaker, Kwara state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi appreciated several laudable initiatives the GMD shared with the Honourable House, while imploring him to walk his talk and ensure the economic impact of Harmony Holdings Limited is felt by Kwarans.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/21/kwara-lands-worth-n220m-shared-by-two-friends-of-past-government-gmd-harmony-holdings-ltd/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said his administration is putting in place measures to empower young people and strengthen local businesses to discourage Kwarans from seeking so-called greener pastures abroad and endangering their lives.

“What our government is doing is trying to create a better environment for the youth to excel in their chosen businesses. The 2020 budget has been structured to empower businesses and promote entrepreneurship in the state,” AbdulRazaq said late Wednesday when the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), led by Commandant Bello Ale, brought the lady repatriated from Lebanon Gloria Taiye Bright to the Governor.

AbdulRazaq said the government has made provisions for skills acquisition for Kwarans especially young people.

"We will support our youth in entrepreneurship, different aspects of agriculture and businesses to upscale and improve their economic lives and become employers of labour. I must emphasise that there are endless opportunities in farming and we will assist our youth in land clearing, irrigation and other areas of interventions,” he said.

AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, has commended the roles of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Lebanon for their efforts in the location and ongoing repatriation of Nigerians, especially Kwarans trapped in the Middle Eastern country.

“Specifically, we thank Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and his Permanent Secretary for their great efforts that made it happen. We are going to work with his office to ensure that all Kwarans still trapped in the country are all brought back home,” he said when a delegation of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) visited him on Thursday afternoon.

The Governor, who said the administration is footing the bill of such repatriation, also commended the efforts of the NSCDC and the nonprofit organisation Phemnic Life Support involved in the development.

"We all watched the video online and I want to thank the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the NAPTIP and Phemnic Life Support for the prompt actions which led to the repatriation,” he said.

"There are thousands of people who are victims of trafficking, as many youth in their quest for better opportunities fall into wrong hands who took advantage of the situation."

Ale, for his part, commended AbdulRazaq for the support he offered while the agency worked to track down some suspects connected to the development and the repatriation of the lady.








https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/16/kwara-creating-environment-to-discourage-economic-migration-abdulrazaq/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday flagged off the distribution of computers and other office tools to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to equip the civil service with modern tools and make the workers more efficient.
 
AbdulRazaq said the administration purchased the computers (desktop and laptop), monitors, printers, UPS, and photocopiers following his discoveries that most of the offices either did not have them or the ones they had were not working.
 
“We are here to unveil these innovation tools to make work easier for you. Going through Ministries, I saw that these equipment were lacking. I saw archaic equipment in offices, mostly not working, with civil servants going to business centres to type and print letters. This will be a thing of the past,” AbdulRazaq said at a brief event to distribute the equipment in Ilorin, the state capital.
 
“I am not saying that these equipment will solve all your problems today but just like a journey of a thousand miles, which starts with a step, I believe this is a first step and we will continue to build on this.”
 
He said the civil service is a good system with good people which only requires adequate tools to deliver on its mandate, adding that: “I hope this will help you in your productivity.”
 
The Governor later witnessed the distribution of the tools which included 100 HP branded desktop computers; 100 HP Monitors (18.5’); 100 HP printers; 100 UPS; 50 Sharp photocopiers (AR602); and 20 HP laptop computers.
 
Kwara State Head of Service Susan Modupe Oluwole commended the Governor for rewriting the story of the civil service, saying: “I don’t know for long we have been working without tools. If we get paid and there are no tools to work with, it makes no difference. So this is a new era and we are excited that we are now getting tools to work with.”
 
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Transport and Housing Dr Garba Manjo hailed AbdulRazaq for stabilising the civil service, saying the Governor’s decision to not hurriedly scatter workers around after he was sworn in testifies to his maturity and respect for institutions.
 
“Your Excellency we thank you for the good work you have been doing for the service for past seven months. We thank you for the completion of the state secretariat. We thank you for the prompt payment of salaries. We thank you for the timely release of operational grants to MDAs,” Manjo said.
 
“We thank you for the stability you have brought into the service. In the past, we were used to changing all officers across all levels with the change in government but you chose to stabilise the service and this surprised everybody. We also thank you for ending the era of no cash backing.
 
“We thank you for the distribution of these computer sets which will enhance our operational efficiency. You have restored the state to the era of ‘administocracy’ which we witnessed last in the 1970s and 1980s.”
 
The brief event was attended by top government functionaries and senior civil servants, especially representatives of the various MDAs who received the tools on behalf of their offices. 
 
 


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/17/kwara-on-the-path-of-digitalization-as-abdulrazaq-distributes-computers-to-civil-servants/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has threatened heavy sanctions against any school heads or officials caught aiding and abetting examination malpractices, saying such action in the 2019 WAEC has led to the blacklist of 165 schools in the state and financial penalties from the examination body.
 
The examinations were held between 8th April and 31st May, 2019.
 
The development -- the worst in the history of the state -- affected 122 public secondary schools and 43 private schools, each fined N250,000.
 
“This administration is sad to note that WAEC has derecognised 165 schools in Kwara because of widespread cases of cheating in the 2019 senior secondary certificate examination in which some top education officials and parents were implicated. This is very unfortunate and this administration will not hesitate to sanction any school heads or officials that ever engage in such conduct in the future,” Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the Governor, said in a statement on Thursday.
 
“The administration also urges parents to desist from encouraging cheating in the examination. We call on Kwarans to expose this cancer. As a result of such incidents of aiding and abetting of examination malpractices, this administration will now have to pay N30.5m of scarce public resources to get the necessary approval for the affected public schools to host WAEC examinations in the future. This is avoidable. Examination malpractice constitutes some of the worst hindrance to a bright future because it negates the time tested principles of hard work, diligence, and thirst for knowledge and excellence.”
 
The statement said such unhealthy trend and other shortcomings in the sector explain why the government is organising an education summit in the first quarter of 2020 to discuss all the issues affecting the sector and come up with practicable roadmap and reform options.
 
 




https://kwaragist.com/kwara-gov-says-waec-blacklist-of-165-schools-n30-5m-fines-avoidable/

The Kwara state Fire Service earlier today once again prevented what could have been described as a black Sunday in Ilorin as another fire inferno was put off at Faagba area of Ilorin.

The incidence occurred at No 7. Faagba Street behind Emir's Palace Ilorin where a story building of about four rooms and five shops were exposed to fire but thanks to the quick response and efforts of men of the state Fire Service who immediately arrived at the scene of the incident and contained the fire.

The quick response of the Fire Service men to prevent the inferno which would have caused many damages to people in the neighbourhood can not be far from the reason that Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq had taken some proactive measures few months back by acquiring more fire fighting vehicles for the state command of the Fire Service.

It will be recalled that the state government had in November 2019 procured more fire fighting trucks for the state fire service to empower it to operate more effectively during fire outbreaks in order to save lives and properties.

Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq during the presentation of the fire fighting trucks said "We procured these fire fighting equipment because of the safety of lives and property. It is important we safeguard lives and property. The firefighters have been selfless in what they do to the government and people of the state. So, we need to build their capacity and keep them up to the task.”

And that decision was justified earlier today as the fire outbreak in the said location within Ilorin was immediately put off by men of the fire service. The response team was able to put off the enraging inferno because Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had earlier done the needful.





http://royaltimes.net/again-kwara-fire-service-curtails-fire-outbreak/

At least 179 law students and new lawyers of Kwara State origin have each been paid N100,000 scholarship after online application processes and verification that lasted weeks, a government statement said on Saturday.

The payment, made straight to beneficiaries’ accounts, was done in two batches after thorough screenings of the applicants, according to the statement by Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu.

The statement said the first batch comprised 68 backlog students who are still in the law school out of the 89 who applied, while the second batch involved 111 lawyers of Kwara state origin that were called to bar last year November.

“The verification process in the first batch saved the government N2.1million as 21 of the original 89 applicants were screened out on various grounds. Some of them have graduated from law schools, some are non- Kwarans and about 7 of them are neither Kwarans nor in law schools. The successful applicants were paid late December, 2019,” the statement said.

“Yesterday, Friday 10 January, 2020, the government concluded the second batch by paying (N100,000 each) to 111 law school graduates who were recently called to bar after online and physical verification duly monitored by all the stakeholders.”

The government also saved N5.8million as only 111 of the 169 on the approved list survived the screening exercise.

The government had in November paid N5000 bursary each to 8,304 final year students in all the Government-owned (state and federal) tertiary institutions across the country.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, has commended one Barrister Yunusa AbdulMutallab, one of the beneficiaries, who was twice credited during the exercise due to network glitches but voluntarily returned the extra payment of N100,000 to the Ministry.

“His action is quite inspiring and reassuring that this state has a bright future. The Governor hereby commends this fine learned gentleman for his honesty and contentment. We are in fact proud of him and wish him success in all of his endeavours,” according to the statement.





https://kwaragist.com/179-law-school-students-new-lawyers-get-kwara-scholarship/

The Honourable Commissioner for Energy, Alh. Aliyu Kora has revealed that massive rural electrification is ongoing across the state under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. He revealed this while addressing journalists in his office earlier today.

The commissioner revealed that about eleven communities which have been in darkness for 3 consecutive years in some areas of the state are presently receiving government's attention. The communities include Ganiki, Ajeigbe, Kulende, Sango in Ilorin metropolis. The problem according to the Commissioner who was on the spot for assessment is due to insufficient number of transformers in the aforementioned neighbourhoods.

He said the technical team of the distribution company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and the contractor who is to execute the projects have been already mobilised to the sites to hook up the lines as transformers are being supplied to the areas.

He noted that the only place without electricity for over 10years in Kwara State at the moment is Baruten Local Government Area and revealed AbdulRazaq led administration's plans to connect all rural communities to the National grid starting with Ilesha-Baruba to Gwanara line whose electrification will be initiated today by the government.

Hon. Aliyu Kora reiterated government's commitment to providing power supply to all communities in Kwara state in order to improve socio-economic growth and development while also providing sustainable living income for the teeming masses, noting that his ministry's readiness is in line with Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's concerted efforts towards attracting investors and opening up the state for massive economic growth and development.





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/10/kwara-connects-rural-communities-to-national-grid/

Iseya Update:

A blast into Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s seven months in office. Ever since he assumed the leadership of the Kwara State Government, records have been made in area of infrastructure from May 29, 2019 - December 31, 2019.

In pictures, see for yourself.

HonMike:



Flashback:

Also, the Kwara Change Initiative in a statement by its Organizing Secretary, Adewale Adefila said “the ugly incident of October 16th, 2013 where scores of Nigerians lost their lives in a rather controversial manner at the Iloffa road, GRA residence of Dr. Bukola Saraki must be given the desired attention by relevant authorities going by the number of causalities and its frequency. “We therefore call on the National Security Adviser to the President, the Chief of Staff to the President and Police Service Commission to probe this heinous crime that the power bloc sought to keep under wrap. The perpetrators are not far-fetched. Since Kwara State government and Police have always looked the other way, we are compelled to seek help from the top,” the statement said.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ilorin-stampede-one-tragedy-too-many.html

You may read the link below and searching "Ile-Arugbo" on google will give you records of the yearly occurrence of uninvestigated death cases relating to the subject matter.

“also gathered that the sad discovery that many lives have been lost”


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/how-stampede-tragedy-marred-former-gov-saraki%E2%80%99s-valedictory-party/


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/146753-several-die-stampede-kwara-pdp-members-scramble-sarakis-sallah-gifts.html

CapitalHYC:
Hmm.. A very stupid One from the useless governor... A lot of people died from stampede in the place (who did the survey, when was it done ) why not leave the women and let them die there then) and these old women still stay there?? How come they now protested against the Demolition and Tear Gased .... This one is a very stupid assertion from this government

Flashback:

Also, the Kwara Change Initiative in a statement by its Organizing Secretary, Adewale Adefila said “the ugly incident of October 16th, 2013 where scores of Nigerians lost their lives in a rather controversial manner at the Iloffa road, GRA residence of Dr. Bukola Saraki must be given the desired attention by relevant authorities going by the number of causalities and its frequency. “We therefore call on the National Security Adviser to the President, the Chief of Staff to the President and Police Service Commission to probe this heinous crime that the power bloc sought to keep under wrap. The perpetrators are not far-fetched. Since Kwara State government and Police have always looked the other way, we are compelled to seek help from the top,” the statement said.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ilorin-stampede-one-tragedy-too-many.html

Kwara State Government on Monday denied attacking or demolishing any home belonging to old people, saying the property demolished was a shed occasionally used for political gathering and never a place where old women are being quartered.



Kwara State Communications Commissioner Murtala Olanrewaju said in a statement Monday night that the whole narrative about government demolishing old people’s home was a fabrication by the opposition to cover up for their lack of any document confirming their ownership of the property bordering the civil service clinic in Ilorin, the state capital.



Olanrewaju said the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration currently holds the trophy as the most gender-friendly government in Africa with at least 56 percent of the cabinet being women while some other top government positions are held by females.



He added that the government is also embarking on so many initiatives, including the social investment programme and health insurance scheme due for launch this quarter, targeted at taking care of old people, especially women.



“The property is one of the over 100 government assets in GRA, Ilorin Kwara State, Victoria Island Lagos, Kaduna, and Abuja investigated by the Asset Recovery Committee led by Senator Suleiman Ajadi, which were unlawfully converted to private use. Until its physical reclamation, the property comprised only of sheds,” Olanrewaju said.



“The property was never an old people’s home, nor was it residential; nobody lived there. The property has always been a security risk. No fewer than 97 people, mostly women, have died in mysterious stampedes in that facility as they scampered for handouts. There were yearly mass deaths in the said property in November 2010, June 2011, and October 2013. A google search will instantly reveal these sordid facts which were widely published in the media.



“Contrary to the claims by the opposition, the physical reclamation of the property by the government on 2 January 2020 was without any incident. Nobody was met on the property. It was never a place where people lived in, so the question of ejecting, maltreating or deploying violence against anyone did not arise. No court process has been served on the government.



“Without any legal basis to claim the property, the opposition later that morning (2 January) mobilised some women to stage a protest in which they portrayed the government as attacking old people who were quartered there. This is an outright fabrication. The Government strongly condemns the use and abuse of vulnerable and indigent old women for propaganda purposes.



“This Administration can boldly claim the trophy for being the most gender-friendly sub-national government in Africa in recent history with a 56%-woman cabinet. Furthermore, women are heads of key government institutions like the Civil Service Commission, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) as well as the Head of Service.



“Following the steps of President Muhammadu Buhari whose Social Investment Programme has been a huge success, Kwara State has become one of the first subnational entities to set up a Social Investment Programme which will commence in the first quarter of 2020 with a bias for women, especially market women. The conditional cash transfer component of the programme has in fact been designed to favour old people to stamp out destitution and extreme poverty. The law setting up the Kwara State Social Investment Programme was recently passed by the State House of Assembly.



“The first quarter of this year will also witness the government formal launch of the State Health Insurance Scheme, mostly targeting the poor, especially our senior citizens. We urge members of the public to ignore the disinformation about the status of the said land and the events of the last few days as the opposition only seek to distract attention from the main issues of probity, accountability and good governance.”





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/06/alleged-demolition-of-ile-arugbo-was-a-fabrication-by-the-opposition-to-cover-up-for-lack-of-documents-to-confirm-their-ownership-kwara-govt/

Controversy over the reclamation of the land bordering the civil service clinic was needless because the Kwara State Government has only recovered a property that originally belonged to it but was unlawfully diverted for private use, a committee that probed the sales of some Kwara properties said on Sunday.

Senator Suleiman Ajadi, chairman of the Committee on the Review of Kwara State Government Properties from 1999 to 2019, told a news briefing in Ilorin that many of the publications on the land were either erroneous or mischievous as there are no proofs anywhere that the land ever belongs to Asa Investment Limited.

“The issue of the land in question came under the terms of reference of this committee which considered several other properties of government and submitted its recommendations in July 2019,” Ajadi said.

“As was the case with all the properties looked into by the committee, the committee's recommendations were based on strictly available records from the archives of government. And based on the available records, the Committee did not see proof of any payments nor an approved Right of Occupancy even though there was a letter of allocation in principle.

“In reaching its conclusions, the Committee noted foundation work with erected columns at varying areas of the larger segment of the land. The Committee also noted that the land in question was also a part of a larger parcel of land, part of which has been developed into the Civil Service Clinic and Secretariat complex now housing the State Ministry of Finance, among others.

“Finally, based on the existing convention that land acquired by Government in overriding public interest cannot be converted to private use, unless under extraneous circumstances which requires the express approval of the Governor of the State, the Committee did not see a case made for this land and neither was there any approval from the Governor of the state to convert it to private use. In view of the above reasons, therefore, the committee was compelled to recommend that the land be repossessed and put to the original use it was meant for.”

Flanked by some members of the committee, Ajadi also described as false the claims that the government demolished a belonging to the late politician Senator Olusola Saraki, wondering how a place bordering a hospital could be used for political meetings where noise and commotion were rife.

He added: “let me draw the attention of Nigerians to the use of "ile arugbo" to describe the land in question. Usage of that phrase leads to many people erroneously thinking of a structured building where old people were catered for. This is not so. What was on the ground up until the physical reclamation by the government was a garage-like structure (a shed) used by the older Saraki to keep people waiting to see him or to hold political meetings.

“In addition, it is important to discuss the issue of ownership which should be central to the whole debate. With emphasis, from all records available, there is no "Right of Occupancy" or "Certificate of Occupancy" available to the private firm to which the land was allocated in principle. There also no receipt of payments for the land. Where, therefore, is the right to a claim to this land?

“Another issue of note is the absurdity of putting a political gathering place beside a (medical) clinic. An hospital is supposed to be a serene environment for medical welfare of patients; it is definitely not a political war centre where people make the loudest noise, fight, or find themselves enmeshed in commotion and fatal stampede etc which was the lot of that place.

“I, therefore, on behalf of all of my committee members, some of whom are present here today, believe it was necessary and prudent to make this public clarification on an issue that has generated needless controversy.”



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/05/kwara-govt-only-recovered-what-belongs-to-it-property-committee/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday congratulated Kwarans on the successful completion of year 2019 which he said heralded a new dawn for the people of the state with the outcome of the general election.

“We spent substantial part of the outgoing year trying to stabilise a state that was left in ruins because of years of neglect — whether in the area of water supply, basic healthcare, primary education, workers’ welfare, and other basic amenities,” Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press Secretary to the Governor, said in a statement.

“We changed the water situation to an appreciable extent, restored some sanity to the primary health sector with hundreds of millions of counterpart funds, and returned Kwara back to reckoning at the Universal Basic Education Commission. We are resuscitating dying state institutions, restoring dignity and running cost back to the civil service, returning life back to the sports sector, and gradually stopping the bleeding of public resources, among others.”

AbdulRazaq said the new year would be decisive for Kwara in terms of socioeconomic and human capital development, adding that the administration would also insist on using public funds to advance public interest only and encouraging a new political culture of probity and modesty in the spirit of the Otoge revolution.

“Nonetheless, Kwarans must know that we are still up against a pocket of groups that are reeling against either their lack of access to the public till or those who regard public office as an avenue to feather their own nests. These forces will throw in everything in the new year, including blackmail and fake news, to misinform the public and distract the government. Kwarans should rest assured that we are up to the task and shall never give in to them amid renewed determination to free up resources for development,” he said.

“In 2020, we are laying a solid foundation for a greater Kwara, one that works for all. The first quarter will record official launch of the Social Investment Programme to empower the people across various social strata. We will build innovation hub for our tech-savvy youths to unearth latent potentials and contribute to building solutions to local and global challenges, construct garment factories to rejig our economy and generate employment, key into various agricultural initiatives, invest in mechanised farming, rehabilitate and equip our primary schools and basic health centres, open up our state with roads, train and retrain workers to keep them on top of their game, and launch our e-Government initiative for ease of doing business, among others.”

Calling for more support from the citizens, the statement also said the Governor would work with the progressive leadership of the House of Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill to deepen transparency and accountability.

He however called on citizens to guide against fake news which the Governor warned poses grave danger for public peace and order.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/01/2020-will-be-positively-decisive-for-kwarans-as-we-are-laying-a-solid-foundation-for-a-greater-kwara-one-that-works-for-all-abdulrazaq/

The Kwara State’s Bureau of Lands on Wednesday revealed further details surrounding the Civil Service Clinic land and its adjourning plots in Ilorin, the state capital, amid public enquiry on the status of the property recently reclaimed by the State Government.
 
“The entire land was acquired in the 1970s for Overriding Public Interest and same was initially designed to host the phase II of the State Secretariat. The construction of the said State Secretariat Phase II was actually commenced and it was at superstructure level before same was abandoned,” Director General of the Bureau of Land Ibrahim Salman said in a statement.
 
“The entire land was later redesigned in the 1980s for the construction of a Civil Service Clinic, State Secretariat, and a parking lot for both the Clinic and the State Secretariat.
 
“The Clinic was subsequently constructed in 1982, while the remaining plots of land were conceived for the expansion of the Clinic into a full-fledged Hospital.
 
“The dream of the State Government was stalled when part of the land slated for the parking lot was spuriously allocated in principle to one Asa Investment for commercial purpose.
 
From available records, the allocation was not based on a formal application, nor application forms filled; there was no evidence of payment for the said allocation as stipulated in the letter of allocation in principle and consequently, no right of occupancy was ever issued to the Company.
 
“Furthermore, in flagrant abuse of the allocation terms, the company took possession of the land and constructed what is today known as “Ile Arugbo” on part of the land that was designed as parking lot and later conceived to host the expansion of the Civil Service Clinic into a full-fledged Hospital.
 
“Following a resolution of the Kwara State House of Assembly mandating him to revoke/withdraw the spurious allocation, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq recently signed an instrument to reclaim the land on the ground that same was unlawfully allocated to a private Company contrary to the public purpose of its acquisition and occupied in breach of the terms of allocation.
 
“This (press) release is intended to state the facts on the land recently revoked/withdrawn by the state government as contained in our records.”
 
 



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2020/01/01/ile-arugbo-saraki-family-has-no-c-of-o-kwara-land-bureau-opens-up-on-civil-service-clinic-property/

With regards to the revocation of Ile-Arugbo, a new evidence has just emerged confirming further the shoddy circumstances under which the plots of land became Saraki’s in the first place.

This medium has reliably laid its hand on a transactional letter which requested that a particular sum of money be paid to the state government to complete the transfer of ownership to Dr Olusola Saraki.

The letter, which was addressed to Asa Investment, was titled “APPLICATION FOR STATUTORY RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY FOR PLOT WITHIN ILORIN URBAN AREA.”

The letter also demanded that the sums applicable be paid within ninety days from the issuance of letter or the plot may be allocated to another applicant without prior notice.

What is, however, missing is the evidence of payment that and official agreement that legitimize Saraki’s use of the plot of land.

Attached with this post is the photo of the letter for those who might want to confirm.

Recall that in the last few days, the entire matter of land revocation has become an avenue to exchange tirades with the Kwara state government. And instead of Saraki to thread the path of an honourable man by keeping silent or challenging the case in court, he bursted with rage and storm.

Here right before the public is a new evidence that indicts his father. It remains to be seen whether Saraki will provide the public with a counter-evidence to prove the state government wrong.




https://kwaragist.com/revocation-of-ile-arugbo-a-new-evidence-against-saraki-emerges/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Saturday bagged a chieftaincy title of Soludero of Offa Land as he attended the 8th edition of the Ijakadi Festival, a celebration of the culture and history of the ancient town.

AbdulRazaq arrived the Offa stadium venue of the colourful festival in his signature low-key manner at exactly 11a.m. — way ahead of any other government officials or dignitaries who later met him on the seat.

Olofa of Offa Land Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi (Esuwoye II) said AbdulRazaq has made history as the first Governor to attend the event since it began eight years ago and gave him the traditional title (roughly the comforter of Offa Land) because his attendance shows his love for culture and community development

“This is the eight edition of Ijakadi festival and His Excellency is the first Governor to attend this programme. I'm giving him the title of Soludero of Offa Land. That's a mark of our appreciation for your coming. This event is about our love for equity, justice and fairness. We have always shown the way not only in Kwara but in Northern Nigeria. We are always helping our community,” the Olofa said.

AbdulRazaq, for his part, acknowledged the self-driven development initiatives and resilience of the Offa people and how their support in the run up to the election had been very decisive in the Kwara’s political struggle.

“The Ijakadi Offa Festival typifies your resilience and ingenuity as a people and this has continued to make you critical stakeholders in the socioeconomic and political space of Kwara State. I urge you to never relent in this regard because healthy competition — devoid of destructive jealousy — is key to development,” he said, restating his administration’s commitment to grow culture and tourism in the state.

“The 2020 budget contains provisions to promote our cultural heritage as Kwarans as well as project our festivals to the world as part of our efforts to making tourism a major revenue earner for the state.

“The Kwara we used to know was renowned for the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. Our people were not always dependent on handouts from any government but things changed along the way following a deliberate effort to impoverish the people. Even then, many people and communities resisted such tendency. I am proud to say that the people of Offa stood tall during those dark years. I must thank you for that.

“Going forward, this administration will promote qualitative and inclusive education, enterprise, and sustainable development with all seriousness. The 2020 budget has pointed in that direction and your own son is at the centre of our developmental initiatives as the commissioner for enterprise.

“One of our upcoming projects is the renovation of the Offa Grammar School. We have completed the tender process to rehabilitate the Offa water works to strengthen sanitation and public health. We have recently fixed the Popo Road, while we have also awarded the construction of Tipper Garage-Amuyo-to-Adesoye College road.”




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/30/my-administration-will-promote-qualitative-and-inclusive-education-enterprise-and-sustainable-development-with-all-seriousness-abdulrazaq/

Ownership of the land bordering the Civil Service Clinic in Ilorin has officially reverted to Kwara State Government, a statement said on Friday, adding that a new secretariat complex will now be erected on the land next year.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye said in the statement that the land was originally meant for Government Secretariat and parking space of the Civil Service Clinic but was unlawfully allocated to a private firm Asa Investments Limited without any record of payment to the state government.

No certificate of occupancy was ever issued in favour of the firm, the statement added.

Government itself had bought the land to house the civil service clinic, its parking space, and a secretariat.

The statement said the government has now made provisions for the secretariat in the 2020 budget, although its construction will spill over to 2021.

“Hundreds of civil servants still operate from rented apartments at a huge cost to the government. The new secretariat, once completed in 2021, will definitely go a long way to end this unhealthy trend as well as provide a more conducive and decent working environment for government workers,” the statement added.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has signed a constitutional instrument withdrawing the allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 to the firm, asserting that the said land was unlawfully appropriated contrary to the purpose for which it was meant.

The Governor’s decision followed a resolution of the State House of Assembly urging him to reclaim the land because it was arbitrarily taken over in the 1990s without any evidence of payment by the Asa Investment Limited, even though the land was meant for public use.

The Governor noted in the revocation order that the land was originally meant for the construction of another phase of the Kwara State Civil Service Secretariat and a parking space for both the civil service clinic and the Secretariat.

The revocation order read: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999 and Section 1 and 28 of the Land Use Act Cap. L.5 of 2004 and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State of Nigeria, give the following notice:

“The Notice may be cited as the Land Use (Revocation of Right of Occupancy and withdrawal of allocation) Notice , 2019.

“Allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 to Asa Investment (Nig) Ltd. which is meant for the Kwara State Secretariat. The land, specifically and more described in survey No. KwSH 927 and Land/G1071 situated and lying beside Civil Service Clinic along Ilofa Road Ilorin, Kwara State, is hereby revoked and withdrawn for overriding public interest for use of the purpose it is originally meant for:

“The construction of Kwara State Secretariat; parking space for civil service clinic and the Kwara State Secretariat and annex to the Civil Service when upgraded to a hospital.

“That the plots allocated are hereby declared void. Notice is therefore given to you, Asa Investments Nigeria Limited, that the plots of land 1,3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 allocated to you and any title on the land whatsoever are hereby revoked and the allocation is withdrawn for overriding public interest.”





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/27/kwara-to-build-new-secretariat-complex-in-2020-as-govt-reclaims-land-for-civil-service-clinic/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday denied that the government was behind the popular musical concert that featured pop star WhizKid in Ilorin, adding however that the event was a welcome development and could be a springboard to promote entertainment and get local talents hooked to other talents from outside the state.

He laughed off claims that the administration spent N200m to organise an end of the year party, saying those behind the claims were the people who brought the state to its knees and thought everyone was like them.

“The WhizKid concert was not sponsored or funded by the state government. It was purely a private sector initiative,” the Governor said in his remarks at the public presentation of a pictorial compendium of the appalling state of infrastructures and social amenities across every sector in Kwara.

“We however would continue to support such enterprising initiatives so that Kwara can better tap into the potentials in the entertainment and creative industry. Ours is to provide the enabling environment for such initiatives. Those who said we spent N50m to bring WhizKid also said we spent N200m on the end of the year party. They also said I bought bulletproof cars. These are laughable claims.

“Their strategy is to say that we are like them and tar us with the same brush. We are not. We are prudent with public resources. As at today, I still drive my personal cars as official cars. I bought them before I was sworn in. Although the law allows me to buy such vehicles, it is not a priority for me. We need to fix our state first.”

Stressing the need to grow the entertainment industry and empower talented youths, AbdulRazaq said he requested a meeting with WhizKid in his house yesterday where he sought a partnership to empower local talents especially the Kwara Idol and other programmes that have grown the creative industry.

The event, which was attended by House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu, cabinet members, civil society organisations, scholars and community leaders, was organised by Kwara Development Trackers (KDT), a nonprofit platform of apolitical Kwarans who are driven by the need to urgently fix the huge infrastructure deficits in the state as captured in the compendium.

AbdulRazaq said the compendium was a challenge for him to deliver more to the people, noting that the rot he met on the ground has forced the administration to rethink his campaign manifesto in line with the current realities.

The Governor said his strategy for a better Kwara included putting in place the necessary infrastructure to attract investment, such as massive rehabilitation of schools and health centres, engaging and training the necessary manpower, and making the state a hub for innovation and enterprise.

KDT Convener Barrister Muritala Sambo said the compendium was put together to point up the infrastructural needs of the state.

“This is done with to provide the new government and the people of Kwara State with an encyclopaedic information of people’s needs and the state of development across the state,” he added, warning that the effort was not to rubbish anyone but to set the record straight and challenge the new government.

Ahmad Moyosore, who represented Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah as the guest speaker, said fixing the state requires the collaboration of all stakeholders like the government, civil society organisations, development partners, and philanthropists.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/26/wizkid-concert-was-not-sponsored-or-funded-by-kwara-govt-abdulrazaq/