Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday greeted Nigerians, especially Christians, on the occasion of the Christmas celebration, urging them to imbibe the spirit of love, God’s omniscience and service to humanity associated with the birth of Christ.

“Notwithstanding our differences, we are all from Adam and one lesson from this season (the birth of Christ) is the need to love and look after one another. We should think always about the legacy of love, mutual respect, and willingness to help one another in good or hard time,” AbdulRazaq said in a Christmas message signed by Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye.

“We call on Nigerians, especially Kwarans, to do more to foster love and peace this season and beyond because a major selling point of the state is the calm and peaceful disposition of our people. We also call for continuous mutual respect and understanding within the faith community and not allow anyone to cause disaffection in the state.”

The Governor, meanwhile, has urged residents of the state to be modest while the festive session lasts.

“A number of top artistes will perform in various parts of the state this season. While adequate security measures are being taken to ensure that people enjoy themselves in the spirit of the season, we call for restraint and modesty in everything we do,” the statement added.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/24/christmas-abdulrazaq-salutes-charges-nigerians-on-love/

Kwara has dedicated a whole ministry to enterprise as part of its larger strategies to grow businesses, encourage creativity, create more jobs and widen revenue generation base of the state, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said.

The Governor said a culture of waiting for monthly allocation from Abuja is neither sustainable nor pro-development, because it means the majority of the population would be dependent on the money from the centre with little left to drive infrastructural development.

“The fact that salaries consume the larger chunk of our income slows down our development by limiting what we put in capital projects like schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure. But the way to go is simple,” AbdulRazaq said late Monday during a tour of the multi-billion dollar KAM Holding's factory In Ilorin.

“Enterprise, through the private sector efforts like what you (KAM Holding) are doing, is what we need to grow our society and increase our GDP and standard of living.

"This is our focus and it is the reason we changed the Ministry of Commerce and related ones to Ministry of Enterprise. That is our future. If we can do this properly then we will turn this state around and that is our intention.”
Identifying him as the largest private investor in Kwara so far, AbdulRazaq commended the KAM Holding's proprietor Kamoru Yusuf for investing so heavily in the state and said government would always seek his advice in its entrepreneurial efforts as well as support him to do more for the state.

“Everywhere we go we would talk about you because you have been a great ambassador of our state. We will want others to emulate you. Only a patriotic citizen would do what you have done for our state and Nigeria,” the Governor added.
Yusuf, for his part, commended the Governor for his visit which he described as a morale booster for him and the staff of the conglomerate.

“Your visit will motivate all my team and drive us to do more for our country.
"Without the heart of sacrifice to your dear nation, it is not easy to be an industrialist in Nigeria today because of issues around the manufacturing sector,” according to the industrialist.
”No where in the whole world today that they are doing steel manufacturing and they will not have one or two things to do with KAM.

“I'm always bold to say anywhere in the world that I'm a Nigerian because of the privilege and the support I enjoy from the federal and state governments. That also motivates me to do more for my country and it is a pleasure to put the investment in my state where you can walk around without any fear.
”With KAM Holding, Kwara should not be referred to as a civil service state again. With the project we have here, we are the first black man in the whole of Africa doing this.

“What we have at Jimba-Oja (Kwara) is 40% capacity of what Nigeria has in Ajaokuta.
”We don't make noise about what we do but we bring modern technology to our country and the state. We appreciate His Excellency for this visit and whatever you think we can still do based on your experience in business world, we will like you to educate us.”





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/24/why-kwara-now-has-ministry-of-enterprise-by-abdulrazaq/

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in his relentless efforts to improve the standard of living of all Kwarans directed the reconstruction of major infrastructural needs of Kpada community.


The community is one of many in Kwara that has suffered over a decade of government neglect in infrastructure such as lack of road networks, lack of effective and affordable healthcare delivery, non-access to modern telecommunications services, over 10years of no power supply, lack of quality education amongst other basic infrastructural needs.

The Governor is walking the talk as work begins at sites he inspected during his visit only over a week ago. Construction of the Patigi/Kpada road is ongoing as promised by the Governor to fix basic infrastructural needs of the people.

Grading and expansion of the road has commenced on the site as heavy duty trucks arrived with construction materials. AbdulRazaq his prioritising the provision of critical infrastructure which plays an important role in economic growth and development of the state.

One of the elders from Kpada Community, Garkuwa Kpada was at the construction site to confirm the progress of work. Speaking in his native Nupe, he appreciated the Governor for coming to their aid, admitting that the construction of Kpada/Patigi road will ease the difficulty encountered all season, especially by farmers and market women.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/20/a-week-after-visit-kwara-govt-begins-work-on-kpada-patigi-road/

Budget Presentation is an annual ritual at federal, state and local government levels in Nigeria. The President, Governor or Local government usually present budget for next fiscal year to legislative arm for consideration and approval.

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq ignored the tradition by only reading executive summary within five minites before laying comprehensive proposal in the state assembly.

AbdulRazaq is proposing N162bn comprises 53% capital expenditure covering road construction and rehabilitation, rehabilitation and re-equipment of schools and hospitals, rehabilitation of court rooms, and completion of a 500-seater hall building at the House of Assembly, according to AbdulRazaq.

“Basically, we are presenting a budget estimate of N162billion for 2020, up from N157bn budget of the outgoing year. For this year, we propose 47% recurrent expenditure and 53% capital expenditure in a deliberate attempt to invest in the future and grow the economy through critical infrastructure and human capital development. One unique thing is that this budget is having an opening balance of N7bn, or 4.3% of the budget proposal, that we have saved in the past seven months,” the Governor said in a speech before the Assembly.

“Key highlights of the budget include construction of Kwara State innovation hub for information technology, large scale garment production factories, resuscitation of moribund industries, construction of new (urban and rural) roads, rehabilitation of public schools, capacity building for teachers for efficient service delivery, payment of UBEC contribution, rehabilitation of hospitals and health centres with provision of modern medical and laboratory equipment, payment of counterpart funds, and implementation of health insurance.

“We are also proposing construction of Ilorin Civic Centre (Ilorin Visual Art Centre), purchase of biometric finger prints and reader machines for e-auditing, commencement of e-Government, introduction of creative intervention fund for youth and graduates empowerment, provision of statewide irrigation scheme, agricultural mechanisation, commencement of the livestock transformation plan programme, and implementation of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme.”

He also proposed the purchase of vehicle for political office holders and Honourable members of the House, rehabilitation of Squash Court rooms and other sporting facilities at Stadium Complex Ilorin, construction of a twin Squash Court, interventions in the state-owned media, and active promotion of culture and tourism.

The governor said there is a plan to widen the state’s tax base without imposing new tax on the people but through blocking of leakages.

AbdulRazaq commended members of the Assembly and the Kwara public for their support since he assumed office, calling for more support and sacrifice in the new year in the strategic interest of the state.

“I also want to call on our compatriots that while we are ready to serve them to the best of our ability and within available resources, the situation of our state is such that all hands must be on deck to make all the necessary sacrifices and stay the course in our collective efforts to build a new Kwara that works for all. However, we must be clear that we cannot build a new state where things work with the same mindset and attitude that brought us to this sorry pass. I therefore call on us, leaders and the governed, to tighten our belt for the overall good of our state,” he added.

The Governor said the budget estimates are predicted on the national oil price benchmark of $57 per barrel; oil production estimate of 2.18m barrels per day; official exchange rate of N305 per US dollar; Gross Domestic rate of 2.93 percent; and inflation rate of 10.81 per cent.

He added that the budget estimates match the exact revenue projections for the state in the fiscal year, including N48,943,215,564, or 30.2 percent of the total revenue; VAT receipt of N16,430,807,482, or 10.1 percent of the total revenue; other sundry revenue valued at N3, 838,863,505, or 2.3.percent of revenue; Internally Generated Revenue of N39, 783,008,301, or 24.5.percent of the revenue; income from other sundry internal sources valued at N193,322,646, or 0.1 percent; capital development fund/aid and grants put at N45,871, 444,487, or 28.3 percent; and an opening balance of N7bn, or 4.3 percent of the revenue projections.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/19/gov-abdulrazaq-makes-history-in-budget-presentation/

Kwara State Government has pruned the ministries in the state civil service to 16, down from the 19 ministries inherited from the past administration, saying the measure was to cut cost and strengthen efficiency in service delivery to the people.
 
The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimehin told a news briefing Wednesday that the state executive council ratified the merger of some ministries and creation of one other at its maiden meeting held just before the budget presentation by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
 
Afolabi-Oshatimehin was joined at the briefing by her colleagues from Health Ministry Dr Raji Razaq and Tertiary Education Mrs Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu.
 
“Today, 18th Dec., 2019, the inaugural council meeting of the state executive council took place. Council deliberated on the proposed 2020 appropriation bill. It was adopted for His Excellency's presentation at the Kwara State House of Assembly. The second thing that was deliberated upon was the restructuring (merger) of some ministries and the creation of a new ministry,” Afolabi-Oshatimehin told reporters.
 
She said the old Ministry of Culture and Tourism has been collapsed into the Ministry of Information and Communications to form a wholesome Ministry of Communications, while the Ministry of Industry and Solid Mineral and the one of Commerce and Cooperative have been merged to become Ministry of Enterprise.
 
The old Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and Ministry of Finance are now Ministry of Finance and Planning, while the former Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has been collapsed into the Ministry of Works and Transport, she added.
 
Afolabi-Oshatimehin said the council also ratified the creation of the new Ministry of Special Duties.
 
The old Ministry of Environment and Forestry is now known simply as Ministry of Environment, while the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is now to be known as Ministry of Social Development, she added, commending the Governor for walking his talk on women inclusion in governance.
 
She said the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Justice, Energy, Water Resources, Education and Human Capital Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sports and Youths Development, Health, and Tertiary Education remain as they were before the new administration.
 
“What we are trying to do here is to ensure efficient service delivery and judicious allocation of resources to ensure that at the end of the day we are able to improve the welfare of Kwarans. Now how do we go about this? Council agreed on the need to cut cost because a lot has to be done with limited resources,” she said.
 

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/18/kwara-prunes-ministries-to-16-seeks-public-support/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday presented the 2020 budget estimates to the State House of Assembly, with provisions for critical infrastructure and human capital development taking the larger chunk of the budget.

The N162bn fiscal plan comprises 53% capital expenditure covering road construction and rehabilitation, rehabilitation and re-equipment of schools and hospitals, rehabilitation of court rooms, and completion of a 500-seater hall building at the House of Assembly, according to AbdulRazaq.

“Basically, we are presenting a budget estimate of N162billion for 2020, up from N157bn budget of the outgoing year. For this year, we propose 47% recurrent expenditure and 53% capital expenditure in a deliberate attempt to invest in the future and grow the economy through critical infrastructure and human capital development. One unique thing is that this budget is having an opening balance of N7bn, or 4.3% of the budget proposal, that we have saved in the past seven months,” the Governor said in a speech before the Assembly.

“Key highlights of the budget include construction of Kwara State innovation hub for information technology, large scale garment production factories, resuscitation of moribund industries, construction of new (urban and rural) roads, rehabilitation of public schools, capacity building for teachers for efficient service delivery, payment of UBEC contribution, rehabilitation of hospitals and health centres with provision of modern medical and laboratory equipment, payment of counterpart funds, and implementation of health insurance.

“We are also proposing construction of Ilorin Civic Centre (Ilorin Visual Art Centre), purchase of biometric finger prints and reader machines for e-auditing, commencement of e-Government, introduction of creative intervention fund for youth and graduates empowerment, provision of statewide irrigation scheme, agricultural mechanisation, commencement of the livestock transformation plan programme, and implementation of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme.”

He also proposed the purchase of vehicle for political office holders and Honourable members of the House, rehabilitation of Squash Court rooms and other sporting facilities at Stadium Complex Ilorin, construction of a twin Squash Court, interventions in the state-owned media, and active promotion of culture and tourism.

The governor said there is a plan to widen the state's tax base without imposing new tax on the people but through blocking of leakages.

AbdulRazaq commended members of the Assembly and the Kwara public for their support since he assumed office, calling for more support and sacrifice in the new year in the strategic interest of the state.

“I also want to call on our compatriots that while we are ready to serve them to the best of our ability and within available resources, the situation of our state is such that all hands must be on deck to make all the necessary sacrifices and stay the course in our collective efforts to build a new Kwara that works for all. However, we must be clear that we cannot build a new state where things work with the same mindset and attitude that brought us to this sorry pass. I therefore call on us, leaders and the governed, to tighten our belt for the overall good of our state,” he added.

The Governor said the budget estimates are predicted on the national oil price benchmark of $57 per barrel; oil production estimate of 2.18m barrels per day; official exchange rate of N305 per US dollar; Gross Domestic rate of 2.93 percent; and inflation rate of 10.81 per cent.

He added that the budget estimates match the exact revenue projections for the state in the fiscal year, including N48,943,215,564, or 30.2 percent of the total revenue; VAT receipt of N16,430,807,482, or 10.1 percent of the total revenue; other sundry revenue valued at N3, 838,863,505, or 2.3.percent of revenue; Internally Generated Revenue of N39, 783,008,301, or 24.5.percent of the revenue; income from other sundry internal sources valued at N193,322,646, or 0.1 percent; capital development fund/aid and grants put at N45,871, 444,487, or 28.3 percent; and an opening balance of N7bn, or 4.3 percent of the revenue projections.






https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/18/kwara-gov-presents-n162bn-budget-of-reconstruction-as-education-enterprise-health-roads-top-agenda/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday extended the suspension of 16 local government chairmen and their legislative committees, a decision premised on the ongoing investigation of the affected officials by the anti-graft body and a subsisting resolution of the House of Assembly.

Accused of alleged misappropriation of public funds, the officials were initially suspended for six months following a June 18 resolution of the Kwara State House of Assembly authorising the Governor to do so.

“In furtherance of the powers conferred on me by the said resolution of the Kwara State House of Assembly of 18th June 2019, I, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Governor of Kwara State, hereby extend the suspension of the executive and legislative committees of all the 16 local government areas for another six months with effect from 18th December, 2019, pending the outcome of the investigation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” according to a legal instrument signed by the Governor.

The Governor noted that all the officials were indicted in the probe by the House of Assembly.

“The report of the State House of Assembly indicting the executive and legislative committees of the local government areas for misappropriation of public funds has been sent to the EFCC for necessary action and possible prosecution,” the instrument added.

“The members of the executive and legislative committees of the 16 local government areas are currently under investigations by the EFCC.”



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/17/kwara-extends-suspension-of-indicted-kwara-lg-chairs-others/

Kwara State Government has established an e-Government Delivery Team to drive its efforts to deploy modern technology for government operations and make Kwara one of the easiest states to do business in Nigeria.

That comes a few weeks after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said Kwara would turn the page on the recent 2018 poor ranking of the State in the national ease of doing business index released by the World Bank.

“The economic challenges that we face demand that we invest in and adopt technology to deliver services to citizens, businesses, and become efficient in public administration,” AbdulRazaq said late Monday at the official introduction of the e-Government team to the newly sworn in cabinet and top echelons of the civil service.

“For these reasons, we have set up the e-Government Delivery Team which must think anew by assessing some of our current processes and procedures, and devise ways to build a smarter government that works to meet the expectations of our people and the demands of the 21st century.

“As we take steps to grow our economy, we must embrace innovative means of fostering government interagency collaborations. This would make it easy for existing enterprises to thrive as well as attract domestic and foreign investors to do business in our sectors of competitive advantage, thereby creating jobs and economic opportunities for our people.

Represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, AbdulRazaq said the team is tasked with assessing, streamlining and automating the state's investment processes which he said may entail registering a business, acquiring land, registering property, obtaining permits, and licenses via the state’s Investment Promotion Enabling System (IPES) platform.

“I believe this will help fast-track government transactions, strengthen efficiency and transparency, improve our rankings in key areas, place Kwara amongst the easiest States to do business in Nigeria, and make Kwara a modern state as well as grow our economic and revenue base,” the Governor said.

The delivery team is led by e-Government expert Feyiseye Ogundoro, and is supported by a motley of technocrats from the state's civil service.

The team took the cabinet through the e-Government take off template, saying the agenda is to develop technology systems and build the capacity of the state’s civil service to enable the government undertake and efficiently execute its functions.

The e-Government delivery team promised to deliver “integration of Kwara State Government MDAs, job creation through an enabling and sustainable business environment, improved policy-making and security through citizens engagement, and the development of digital platforms to drive revenue growth as well as improve government service delivery".

The project would promote awareness of opportunities in Kwara and make the state a top destination for investors, among other benefits, according to the team.

“In order to build the e-Government capacity of the civil service and realistically adapt to reforms, this process of digitisation would be a gradual and carefully phased-out one”, the team added.





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/17/kwara-embraces-e-govt-to-drive-growth-investments/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has directed immediate constitution of a government panel to meet with the Labour unions in the state to discuss the national minimum wage.

“The Head of Service has been directed to work out the modalities of the workings of the panel,” spokesman of the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye said in a terse statement early Tuesday.






https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/17/breaking-kwara-gov-directs-immediate-constitution-of-minimum-wage-committee/

The new Commissioner for Finance and Planning, Mrs Florence Olasunbo Oyeyemi knowing the enormous task ahead of her today being Monday performed her first official duty by meeting with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning, Alh AbdulKadir Shuaib Akanbi as early as 7:20 am. This is coming after the Executive Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq inaugurated his cabinet members on Friday.

Recall that Mrs Florence was assigned the Ministry of Finance and Planning during the inauguration, which means she will be expected to oversee the affairs of the two ministries which has now become one under her. A woman is assigned the Ministry for the first time since over three decades ago.

While meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning, Alh AbdulKadir Shuaib Akanbi on behalf of other senior staff, congratulated Mrs Oyeyemi on her appointment as the Commissioner to oversee the ministry, noting that her administrative experience will be laid bare in the discharge of her duties to the benefit of the state. Alh. Shuaib promised to synergize with the new commissioner, stating that he looks forward to a harmonious working relationship that would fast track service delivery.

Alh AbdulKadir however lamented the deplorable state of infrastructure and negligence suffered by the ministry during the last administration which he said affected productivity of the personnel. He praised the new government under the able leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for attending to numerous challenges facing the ministry head-on since he assumed office.

The Commissioner also was at the Ministry of Finance where she had a closed door meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Benjamel Fatigun, Acting Accountant General Ministry of Finance, Dr Kayode Waheed and Director of Finance, Alh Aliu Ahmed.

She was later conducted round the premises of the two ministries by the two Permanent Secretaries where facilities were assessed.

Mrs Oyeyemi assured staff of her ministry team work, an open and collaborative administration.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/16/kwara-commissioner-for-finance-and-planning-resumes-office-assures-staff-of-team-work/

Kwara State Government has received the sums of N3,583,324,421:07 (three billion, five hundred and eighty three million, three hundred and twenty four thousand, four hundred and twenty one naira and seven kobo) as federal allocation for the month of November.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Finance Benjamin Fatigun gave the details of the allocation to include N2,606,125,485:22 statutory revenue allocation (SRA); N971,005,574:69 value added tax (VAT); and N6,193,361:16 exchange gains.

The SRA excludes N681,499,217:53 (six hundred and eighty one million, four hundred and ninety nine thousand, two hundred and seventeen naira and fifty three kobo) deducted from source as repayment for previous loans like the budget support (bailout funds).

The statement also said a total sum of N2,168,411,341:86 (two billion, one hundred and sixty eight million, four hundred and eleven thousand, three hundred and forty one naira and eighty six kobo) SRA went to the 16 local government areas of the state. They also got N550,807,540:82 VAT and N4,084,941:50 Exchange Gains, bringing their total inflow for the month to N2,723,303,824:18 (two billion, seven hundred and twenty three million, three hundred and three thousand, eight hundred and twenty four naira and eighteen kobo).



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/14/kwara-gets-n3-5bn-allocation-for-november/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday inaugurated and called on his cabinet members to consider what legacies they would like to be remembered for in the discharge of their duties, saying the administration has a historical duty to change the narrative about the state.

He also sworn in members of the Civil Service Commission and the Deputy Chief of Staff Adebukola Risikat Babalola whose appointment was announced earlier Friday. He had earlier also named Architect Kale Belgore as Senior Adviser and Counsellor.

“Let me remind all of you that we are not necessarily the best out of the 3.5m people in this state. However, providence has placed on our shoulders the historic responsibility to take our people out of Egypt and safely into the Canaan land,” AbdulRazaq said at the inauguration ceremony at the Banquet Hall which was filled to the brim.

“This task requires focus, patience, sacrifice, tact, speed, and constant supplication to God Almighty to guide us every step of the way. We must engage, listen, and relate well with our people whose mandate has brought us here. In doing so, we must see the whole of Kwara as our constituency.”

The event was attended by hundreds of Kwarans and top government functionaries, including the Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker of the House of Assembly Salihu Danladi Yakubu; Representative of the Chief Judge Justice Bayo Yusuf; Grand Kadi of Kwara State Ola Abdulkadir; principal officers and members of the House of Assembly; Secretary to the State Government Prof Mamman Jibril; Head of Service Modupe Oluwole; and Chief of Staff to the Governor Aminu Adisa Logun.

The Governor reminded the cabinet members of the need to always relate well with the public and to work together as a team, “stronger together, each watching the back of the other.”

He added: “The recent retreat has offered you a clearer picture of where Kwara stands today and where we are headed as a team. Whatever assignment given to you must be done with all sincerity. Think always about what you want to be remembered for when you leave this office.

“Our team is faced on the one hand by high expectations of a populace long deprived of good governance and on the other by detractors who may never see anything good in whatever we do or stand for. But rest assured that the only obligation before us as a team is to prove the naysayers wrong and deliver on our mandate to the people of Kwara State.

“We are to build a state that is viable, accountable, inclusive, responsive to the basic yearnings of its people, and is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and institutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century, while also welcoming constructive criticism to make us better at what we do. Iseya!”

The Governor meanwhile has assigned portfolios to the commissioners and the Special Advisers.

Aisha Ahman Pategi was assigned Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Ayinla Jawondo Suleiman (Justice); Arinola Fatimah Lawal (Water Resources); Murtala Olanrewaju (Communications); Aliyu Mohammed Saifudeen (Environment and Forestry); Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu (Tertiary Education); Aliyu Sabi Kora (Energy); Ahmed Fatima Bisola (Education); Agbaje Wahab Femi (Enterprises); Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu (Works and Transports); Aremu Abosede Deborah (Social Development); Joana Nnazua Kolo (Youths and Sport); Adenike Afolabi Oshatimehin (Agriculture and Rural Development) Resources; Dr Raji Razak (Health); Oyeyemi Olasunbo Florence (Planning and Finance ); Oyedun Juliana Funke (Special Duties).

The Governor has also designated Saadu Salau as Special Adviser Political; Mr Yinka Aluko as Special Adviser on Special Duties; Attahiru Ibrahim as Special Adviser Youths and Sports, according to a statement by Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/13/kwara-gov-inaugurates-cabinet-charges-officials-on-sincerity-legacy/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Adeniyi Adebayo on Thursday toured the BUA sugar refinery and plantation in Lafiagi, Kwara State, amid assurances by AbdulRazaq that the state is open to business.
 
They were joined on the tour of the facility by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote; chairman of the BUA conglomerate Abdulsamad Rabiu; and other top players in the corporate business community in Nigeria.
 
“I welcome you all to Kwara. We are open to business. Ours is to assist you and ease the business environment for you so that you can invest more in Kwara. Our doors are open. We will make sure to keep you in Kwara,” AbdulRazaq said at the Lafiagi site of the multimillion dollar sugar refinery under construction by the BUA Group.
 
That comes a day after the Governor said the state would scale up its security arrangements as part of its overall strategy to attract more investments.
 
Adebayo said the factory aptly keys into the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s campaign for local content, food security and less reliance on importation of goods.
 
“The whole basis of this visit is for me to have firsthand knowledge of what is going on here, so that will enable me sit down (with my team) and see what we can do to assist you to fast track things especially as regards what we are trying to achieve in the local sugar production,” Adebayo added.
 
Adebayo also commended the BUA Group for the huge investment which the minister said would employ thousands of Nigerians when completed.
 
Rabiu, for his part, hailed AbdulRazaq for his “maximum support” for the conglomerate and his drive to attract investments to Kwara State, and said the factory would produce 10,000 tons of sugar per day and employ thousands of people.
 
“What we are trying to do is to produce not only plantation of raw sugar but also refined sugar. So, as you saw when we went round the factory, you will see that we have all the equipment for us to be able to complete this project by December next year, God willing. We have the equipment to be able to produce 10,000 tons per day,” Rabiu added.
 


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/12/kwara-is-open-to-business-abdulrazaq/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday said the administration is paying closer attention to security of lives and security as part of its strategic plan to reassure investors and the citizens.
 
“Our primary concern is the safety of lives and properties. For us, we don’t want anything that would scare investors away from our state because Kwara is a state of harmony,”AbdulRazaq said in a short address to an Army delegation to Kwara State Government House, led by the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army Anthony Bamidele Omozoje.
 
He commended all the security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, for their “selfless service to the country”, especially in Kwara State, where they have worked with the government and various communities to strengthen security.
 
AbdulRazaq added however that the administration has applied to the army headquarters in Abuja for the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Lafiagi ahead of take off of the multimillion dollar sugar plantation and refinery in the town.
 
“There is a reason for that. Presently, we have a construction of over $300m sugar refinery going on there…and we really don’t want any issues of insecurity,” he said, adding that the security initiatives would be fully supported by not just the state government but also the BUA Group, owners of the big investment.
 
The investment will generate at least 10,000 direct employments when operation begins late next year.
 
AbdulRazaq said his administration is working on the requests already made by the Army to aid their operations in Kwara, calling on the military to also deepen their community outreaches which the government would be willing to support.
 
Omozoje, for his part, said the Nigerian Army will continue to support the civilian authorities to keep the country safe and united, and commended AbdulRazaq for the support so far given the army in the discharge of its national mandate in Kwara.
 
“We thank Your Excellency for the large parcel of land that you have donated for the establishment of the FOB and we are waiting for the necessary paper works to be formalised to enable us to consolidate security in the area,” he said.
 




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/11/kwara-to-step-up-security-amid-fresh-investment-drive/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday said citizens’ aspirations would always drive the budget process under his administration as part of a larger strategy to deepen participatory democracy and ensure good governance.
 
“Democracy is all about the people. It is meaningless when the people are shut out of the processes of governance which in fact revolves around them and their wellbeing. This is the reason we have called this meeting to allow you to make inputs into the budget process,” AbdulRazaq said at a town hall meeting on citizens’ engagement in budget process in Ilorin in which citizens suggested things they want reflected in the budget.
 
The first of its kind in the state, AbdulRazaq said the platform would be widened next year to allow for wider participation of the citizens and promised to ensure that people’s aspirations are reflected in the budget outcome and implementations.
 
He also said the process would be fast-tracked to meet the January-December budget cycle, promising heavy investment in social infrastructure, agriculture and human capital development.
 
“While budgeting has always been an annual ritual where the government outlines its priority areas for the next fiscal year, this is the first time in our state that we are seeking the direct inputs of the citizenry to budget. It is the first time citizens are to say what they think the government should prioritise in the next financial year,” he said.
 
“This kind of citizen participation is an ingredient of participatory democracy and good governance as defined by various global bodies, including the World Bank. We note that the lack of such direct engagement of the citizens in budget preparation in the past was frowned at during a recent assessment of Kwara’s compliance with global best standards and our administration promised to address it immediately.”
 
AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, has passed a vote of confidence in the current leadership of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) which he absolved of any involvement in the recent allegations of fund mismanagement.
 
He said there’s an on ongoing house cleaning to ensure that such thing never happens again, insisting that public funds is a trust that must be guided jealously.
 
“(The whole investigation) has nothing to do with the current management of the KWIRS. The KWIRS is waxing stronger, reorganising and moving forward. I have confidence in the leadership of the KWIRS to move Kwara to the next level. EFCC will do its jobs. We'll allow them to do their jobs and we will all be better for it,” he said.
 
The event was attended by dozens of civil society organisations, Faith-based organisations, community-based organisations and civil servants who all lauded AbdulRazaq for the town hall meeting.
 
“You promised participatory governance and what you promised is what we are getting,” community development expert Lawal Olohungbebe said, however urging the Governor to establish a bureau of integrated rural development to cater to the needs of some 70% of Kwarans who reside in the countryside.
 
Bola Olojoku, head of the Mekunu Forum Agenda, commended the government for the initiative which he said was the first in the recent time in Kwara, urging the government to ensure that citizens are aware of who wins what contract for effective follow up at the grassroots.
 
Ayobola Olupinla, chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists in Kwara, urged the government to do more to include women in governance.
 
 


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/10/budget-citizens-engagement-key-to-good-governance-kwara-gov/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday said he would have inherited an empty treasury if the account of the state government had not been frozen on the eve of his inauguration, recalling that only the N4.8bn tax refund seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was inherited from the past administration.

“That N4.8bn is in our cash reserve. We have not touched it. It will be used to balance the budget for next year. It will be invested in our schools, road infrastructure, among others,” AbdulRazaq said at the International Anti Corruption Day Rally organised by the EFCC Ilorin Zonal Office in Ilorin, the state capital.

“We thank the Ilorin Zonal Office of EFCC for the recoveries they’ve made. When we came into power, there would have been nothing to inherit. The past government told us that they left a debt of N30bn but so far we are looking at the debt of almost N100bn.

“We don’t see this march as that of the law enforcement agency (alone). It is a march for everybody and the important message for all of us is, if we don’t kill corruption, it will kill all of us.”

AbdulRazaq said corruption is detrimental to socio-economic development of any society as it reduces government’s capacity to deliver on campaign promises.

“Corruption is killing us in our schools and hospitals; it hinders infrastructural development. It is therefore important that we work hand in hand with the anti-corruption agencies and be part of the processes to develop our society,” he said.

AbdulRazaq also thanked the EFCC for the recent recovery of N111m from some past government officials.

He also said whatever recoveries made from the ongoing probe of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) would be invested to secure the future of Kwarans, especially through the upcoming Social Investment Programme, assuring the anti-graft body of maximum support for its operations in the state.

AbdulRazaq urged Kwarans to continue to support the anti-corruption drive of the Muhammadu Buhari administration as part of the overall strategy to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Zonal Head of EFCC in Ilorin Isyaku Sharu said the body has recovered over 10 properties and cash worth over N3.6bn from “treasury looters” in Kwara State since February when it began operation in the state.

“These properties include two in Ikoyi, one in Lekki and the recent one is over one billion naira worth houses in GRA, Ilorin,” according to Sharu.

“It is pertinent to know that at the eve of the last handover, the commission saved the Kwara State Government over N4bn of tax refund. Currently, ongoing investigation into the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service led to the recovery of about N50m while efforts are in top gear to recover the remaining of about N4bn from some notable individuals fingered in the KWIRS saga.”

Sharu said the rally was an advocacy to further create awareness for the world to unite against corruption.

Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi commended the anti-graft body for its advocacy against corruption, adding: “It is important for all of us to partner with the EFCC to kill corruption and save our state and Nigeria in general.”

The rally was attended by hundreds of people, including top public servants like the Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi; and the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Professor Mamman Saba Jibri.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/09/efcc-saved-us-from-inheriting-empty-treasury-kwara-gov/

Water supply will resume on Monday to some parts of Ilorin metropolis affected by the works at the Geri Alimi Underpass, Kwara State Ministry of Water Resources said on Sunday.

“This is to inform the general public that the big water pipe that was affected at the Diamond Underpass has been repaired. We have also observed the required number of days for curing as specified by the engineers,” according to a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr Afolabi Ezekiel.

“We shall start supplying water as from Monday (9th December, 2019) to Oja-Oba, Adeta, Kuntu, Okelele, Pakata, Oloje.”

The statement also urged Kwarans to report water leakages to the Ministry through dedicated telephone lines like 07051020203; 07051020208; 08168331340. 

The Ministry said water supply would also resume to Ita Amodu and adjoining areas of the metropolis.

"In addition to the supply of water to inner ilorin township, the main line from Sobi waterworks which supplies water from Akerebiata to Gambari junction has also been repaired. Therefore, water will be supplied to that axis from Monday," the statement added.

"Alagbado Specialist Hospital and the adjoining community will also be supplied with water tomorrow."



https://kwaragist.com/water-supply-resumes-as-kwara-fixes-geri-alimi-underpass/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has spelt out the priorities of his administration to include big investments in education, infrastructure, health, agriculture, enterprise, and human capital development.
 
In an address to wrap the three-day retreat held for his cabinet picks in Patigi, the Governor said the state is almost starting “from the scratch” across every sector, especially education and primary healthcare, and directed the appointees to be ready to spend long hours, listen more, and work as a team to rebuild the state.
 
“The manifesto has been dissected and as you have known, we are going to emphasise on key issues because if we try to do everything, at the end of the day, we might look back and see that we've probably done nothing,” AbdulRazaq said, detailing the challenges ahead and the opportunities in them for Kwara.
 
“We have to do big in agriculture, health care, education and enterprise - social investment scheme, job creation and infrastructure. I was (just coming from) Kpada.  A journey of 30 minutes from Patigi took almost two hours. There is no road, no electricity, the health care and the school system has collapsed and so on. These are part of the challenges you will face when you assume office. It cuts across.
 
“We're building from the scratch and people may not understand the enormity of the challenges you are all going to face. You will all have sleepless nights. I can't over-emphasise the challenges ahead of us and that means we all have to work together. That is what a cabinet is all about. We are all in it together like the symbol of our political party — broom. So, we need to be strong together to move the state forward.”
 
He urged the appointees to ensure that they constantly relate with their communities for their input into governance, and said his administration will not abandon projects inherited from the previous administration but may always renegotiate the contracts to save public funds.
 
“You are the ambassadors of your community and you must be able to tell us what their priorities are. They must feel your impacts in your community. We need to know what the priority projects are in your community,” AbdulRazaq said.
 
The retreat, which attracted top-notch experts from various sectors of the Nigerian economy as facilitators, was held between Wednesday and Friday and featured drills on public service rules, procurement process, public relations, and practical tips on how to deliver democracy dividends to the public.
 
Apart from all the newly appointed cabinet members, the event was also attended by top government functionaries including the Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Secretary to the State Government Prof Mamman Saba Jibril; Head of Service Mrs Modupe Susan; and the Chief of Staff to the Governor Aminu Adisa Logun.
 
 


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/07/be-ready-to-spend-long-hours-abdulrazaq-tells-cabinet-as-retreat-ends/

A prosecution witness, one Sulyman AbdulKareem confirmed that he paid N2.3 million into the account of the General Manager of Kwara State Television Authority.



The trial of the embattled General Manager of Kwara State Television Authority,  Alhaji Abdulfatai Adewale Adebowale over alleged N4million ( four million naira) land fraud continued on Thursday.


This is disclosed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).


He said: ”My Lord, after the allocation of ten plots of land to the staff of the Kwara State Television Authority,  the General Manager of the Station,  Alhaji Abdulfatai Adewale Adebowale approached the Director-General of Kwara State Bureau of Land that, there is no way the ten plots could be shared among the staff, let them sell it and bring the money. The DG now linked me with the defendant who instructed me to look for buyers. I sold about four plots for N2.3m. I then contacted Adebowale who told me to bring the cash, but I said, No. I requested for his account number for proper records, and paid the money into his Stanbic IBTC account “, the witness said.


The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Adebowale on a six-count charge bordering on corrupt practices before Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

Count three of the charge reads; “That you, Abdulfatai Adewale Adebowale, being a public officer, as the General Manager of Kwara State Television Authority,  sometime between May 2015 and June 2015,  in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kwara State,  used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself,  when you received a cash deposit of the sum of N2.3 million through your  IBTC account from Sulyman Abdulkareem, being proceeds from the sale of land allocated to staff of Kwara State Television and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act,  2000”.


The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the EFCC.


Further hearing in the case has been adjourned till January 14,  2020, for cross-examination of the witness.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/05/i-paid-n2-3m-into-kwara-tv-gms-account-witness/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday called on his cabinet picks to be prepared to make the “required sacrifice” as the administration gets down for the task of rebuilding the state.

“The objectives of the retreat are clear, unambiguous and straight forward. It behooves on us all to participate effectively and evolve plausible ideas that would help our administration to quickly chart a course that would make the difference,” he said in an address to the commissioner-designates, special advisers and other government functionaries at the opening session of a retreat for the incoming cabinet in Patigi, Patigi Local Government Area.
He said the retreat has been designed to sharpen the appointees and place them on a better pedestal to impact positively on the people.

AbdulRazaq was represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi. The event was also attended by the Secretary to the Government Prof Mamman Saba Jibril; Chief of Staff to the Governor Aminu Logun; Head of Service Mrs Modupe Oluwole; and Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) Mrs Folashade Omoniyi; among others.

AbdulRazaq said the administration was elected to give Kwarans a new lease of life, hope and take the state to the frontline position in the country, urging the appointees to bring their experience and expertise to bear as they assume duties.

“I implore you all to continue meaningfully to enrich the outcome of this retreat for the good of the greatest number of our people whom we were elected to serve. Though this effort, we would have proved beyond any reasonable doubts that we are up to the task and prepares to face the obvious challenges of governance.”

The Governor asked the cabinet picks to reflect upon the agenda articulated in his inaugural address, saying discussions at the retreat would centre on the priorities, expectations and objectives of the administration.

He said the retreat would adopt the policy thrusts of the government, identify key strategic priorities as well as strategies to achieve them, and review the draft four years rolling strategy plan for Kwara State.

“Retreats of this nature are expected to give participants ample opportunity to seriously reflect on the essence of governance and evolve pragmatic vision that would not only stand the test of time but which would be fully receptive to systematic implementation of policies and programmes to make life more meaningful for our people,” the Governor said.





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/04/abdulrazaq-tasks-kwara-cabinet-members-on-challenges-ahead-as-retreat-begins/

Immediate past speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, has absolved the eighth state Assembly and himself in N5billion financial allegations levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the state revenue service.

He said that, “The 8th Kwara State of House of Assembly or I did not conspire with anyone to swindle N5 billion or any other amount “belonging to the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service.”

In a statement issued in Ilorin on behalf of former lawmakers, on Tuesday, signed by former speaker, Dr. Ahmad said that, “Chairman, House committee on Finance and Appropriation legally collected money from the revenue service, adding that, “without prejudice to his culpability, he has since negotiated to the satisfaction of the commission to refund the amount involved, not because a crime was committed but because he wanted back his peace”.

He said, “Throughout the lifetime of the 8th Assembly, all Committees had full independence regarding their operations and funds management in accordance with the Standing Rules of the House.

“Let me also place on record that as former public officials, my colleagues and I are ready anytime, anywhere and before any lawful person or authority to make ourselves available for scrutiny regarding any matter of public funds or any other matter of public interest.

“However, Kwarans doubt if the state government is interested in finance of the State or rather in the old-fashioned bullying and mudslinging against perceived opponents. Otherwise, how would you want to pull down the whole house claiming a phantom N5 billion, where only little sum was implicated and where just one Honourable member was involved?

“Our political history teaches that one of the signs of potential failure of a government is using state agencies to bully the opposition, or even potential opponents in the same political party. In other fair and equitable democracies, such tactics has been a solid ground for impeachment”.

The former speaker added, “A progressive, forward-looking and serious-minded government of a financially-challenged State like Kwara would have discreetly conducted forensic audit of past administration, confront those officers with the facts and figures and par force demand repayment, if any. Such government would have continuously widened its tax net and uncover other latent sources of revenue for the benefit of its people. Regrettably, even law enforcement agencies allegedly marvel at the level of chicanery and intolerance of Kwara State Government against ex-officials.

“It is surprising that the present government in Kwara State did not appear to know that when we worked with the past Executive to create the KWIRS in 2016 because the State IGR was around N500 million a month, we were under no illusion that the move was unpopular and would cause heavy political deficit. But we knew it was the only way to go to secure the future of the State.

“Before long, the State became a model for other States in tax administration. However, in trying to smear ex-officials, the present administration in Kwara State could be causing collateral damage to institutions strenuously nurtured like our Legislative House, and to strong agencies like the award-wining Kwara State Internal Revenue Service.

“Payment of tax is built on trust and when that is eroded through false alarm on embezzlement, real or imagined, it will certainly affect voluntary compliance with tax laws”.

He posited further that,”Whoever wants to recover Kwara money should go elsewhere as the 8th House of Assembly did not deal in money matters, contract awards or employment.

“The present Kwara State Government will do well to concentrate on governance and exit the campaign mode for now. The 8th House of Assembly in the State will resist attempts to get involved in any tactics aimed at creating unnecessary distraction from governance. When it is time for another campaign, it is then they will know propaganda, media hype and spins are not their exclusive preserve”, he said.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/03/efcc-n5bn-allegation-money-was-collected-from-kwirs-ex-kwara-speaker/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commiserated with the Emir and people of Patigi Emirate and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the death of Assembly member Ahmed Saidu Rufai.

“The death of Hon. Rufai is shocking and devastating. We pray Almighty Allah to forgive and repose his soul in Al-jannah. The departed gentleman was a peace loving Kwaran and a strong advocate for the development of his community,” Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We commiserate with the Emir of Pategi, the entire people of Patigi Constituency, the Rt. Hon Speaker and all the members of the 9th Assembly, and indeed the immediate family of the lawmaker on this sad event.”



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/12/03/oyedun-funke-mourns-kwara-assembly-member/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said his administration would not tolerate any attempt to create distractions in attempts to unravel the case of the N5bn alleged to have been shared among former lawmakers in the state.

Abdulrazaq also said no government official would be spared if proven to have committed infractions against the law.

“A few days ago, some former Kwara lawmakers were alleged to have shared N5bn of taxpayers’ money among themselves. This of course followed a pattern of systemic looting of the treasury which has been discovered since we assumed office,” the governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

"Furthermore, Mr. Governor wishes to place it on record that no act of corruption will be condoned under this administration and any government official, serving or former, who is proven to have corruptly enriched themselves shall face the full weight of the law.”



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/11/30/kwara-wont-spare-suspected-looters-of-public-funds-says-abdulrazaq/

A total of 8,304 final year students of Kwara State origin have each been paid N5000 as bursary straight into their accounts following weeks of electronic processes and verification of their applications by the government.

The AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration had recently launched a strictly e-bursary in a step meant to ensure that the process is transparent, with all eligible students directed to apply through a dedicated portal.

The Governor had approved N50m for the second tranche of 2019 bursary but insisted that applicants must apply online and have their money paid straight into their accounts without any middlemen.

“A total of 10,491 successful applications were received within a period of four weeks but only 8,304 of them were verified to be genuine and therefore recommended for payments. Consequently, payment is now being effected from today Friday, November 29, 2019,” according to a statement by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tertiary Education Dr Musa Dasuki.

The statement said the exercise, in which Kwara students from across the country benefited, gulped N41,520,000 out of the N50m approved for the bursary at N5000 each per beneficiary.

AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, has approved the payment of N100,000 each to 89 students of Kwara State origin who are currently at the Law School nationwide.

The governor also directed that the money be paid directly into the accounts of the law students.

“The Ministry of Tertiary Education has invited the leadership of the Law School students to a meeting to finalise payment procedures,” the statement added.

“We thank His Excellency the Governor for this new dawn in Kwara State, especially regarding the new regime of bursary payment, which is not only transparent but is also revolutionary, full-proof, and exemplary.”



https://kwaragist.com/abdulrazaq-approves-n100k-each-for-law-school-students/

Students across Kwara State public schools are to get free notebooks as part of government’s efforts to deepen access to quality education and ease the burden on the parents, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said.

Speaking with the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) late Wednesday, AbdulRazaq said the sums of N70m was released to the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to produce the notebooks and make them available to students in public schools for free.

The step effectively ends years of complaints of lack of writing materials by indigent students.It came a day after the education ministry conducted open bids for renovation of 31 public schools across Kwara State.

“I went to some schools where the students have no reading materials. That is why we set aside about N70million to make sure that books get to the students and they will soon start distributing them,” AbdulRazaq said.

Responding to appeals by the NUT for the governor to look into issues affecting them, AbdulRazaq promised to look holistically into the welfare of the civil servants including teachers who he said are key to the future of the children.

Toyin Salihu, the NUT Chairman in Kwara State, commended the Governor for his unique leadership of the state which he said has resulted in prompt and full payment of workers’ salary since he assumed office.

He then pledged their support for the government to realise its policy objectives in the education sector.





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/11/28/kwara-public-school-students-to-get-free-notebooks/

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq yesterday approved the taking over of Delta Force FC slot in the Nigeria Professional Football League for Kwara United FC.

The agreement to take over Delta Force was concluded today in Delta State, as the Chairman of the club, Clement Olakumbi Titiloye expressed gratitude to His Excellency for bringing joy and added economic value to stakeholders of the game in Kwara State.

After just a match in the 2019/2020 Nigeria National League (NNL), Kwara United Football Club will play in top flight.

Delta Force officially acquired Kada City of Kaduna state before the start of the current Premier League season, and may be finding it difficult adjusting to the rhythm in the top flight.

The deal was sealed today, after a thorough discussion between the management of the two sides in Delta State, with the General Manager of Kwara United FC, Bashir Badawiy leading the club's charge in Delta State.

Confirming the development to journalists in Ilorin this evening, the club's Chairman, Clement Olakumbi Titiloye said that the club is fully aware of the challenge of doing so, adding that it's a development that the stakeholders will also want to support.

Titiloye therefore commended the state government, under the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the support and encouragement, calling on the stakeholders to adjust to the latest system and challenge.

'We are conscious of the challenges that will come with this massive decision, but we know it's a situation that is redeemable, as the NPFL is just starting', he said.

Delta Force are currently in the 17th position on the NPFL table with four points after five matches, winning just a game, drew one and lost three matches, and with minus five goal difference.

Kwara United FC got relegated at the end of last season, and was drawn in Group A2 of the on-going Nigeria National League alongside Niger Tornadoes, FC Taraba, Sokoto United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Gombe United, Yobe Desert Stars, Rarara FC, Mighty Jets, EFCC and Real Stars, and they played their first match against Gombe United FC in Ilorin, which they won by a lone goal.

The team will continue from Week Six, after formal registration of the club following the take-over.





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/11/27/abdulrazaqs-approval-returns-kwara-united-fc-back-to-npfl/

At least 115 local contractors on Wednesday participated in an open bid held for the renovation of public schools recently advertised by Kwara State Government, in line with the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on transparent procurement process.

Mariam Garba, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, said the first phase of Government intervention will involve eight first generation schools in the state which will undergo comprehensive renovation as well as another 23 beneficiary schools selected for the renovation of a number of blocks of classrooms/offices to ameliorate the poor infrastructural facilities in the schools.

She noted that the Ministry would embark on the renovation of 31 public school projects which would be executed under 34 lots at the sum of N2,004,205,641.01.

“The infrastructure decay/deficit inherited is so enormous and cannot be immediately remedied due to the huge cost required. The present administration has therefore demonstrated courage in deciding to institute modalities for the gradual renovation of dilapidated structures and provision of essential facilities that will make public schools in the state conducive for teaching and learning," Garba disclosed.

"I want to reassure all bidders that this ministry is committed to ensuring that the whole process will be transparent, open, free and fair in line with applicable processes established at Kwara State, "

The formal bidding saw the ministry’s officials opening and read out the figures and other details of the bid, including the technical and financial parts of the proposals, with Manjo saying successful bidders would be communicated after the exhaustive processes have been followed.

Some of the contractors who spoke with newsmen commended the state government for the transparency employed in the bidding process and for the confidence it has on local contractors.

The Secretary, Indigenous Contractors in Kwara State, Maroof Ahmed commended praised the state government for adopting a transparent process.

"The process is transparent. We all saw the opening of the bid - the technical and financial bids were opened in our presence and as far as we are concerned it is transparent. We have the assurance from the Permanent Secretary that everybody will be equally treated.

"We want to thank the state government for patronising the services of indigenous contractors because it has its own merits. An indigenous contractor who wins any of the lots will engage artisans, local drivers, suppliers and the likes and these people make the bulk of our population in the state," Ahmed explained.

The Vice Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Kwara State who represented the society at the bid, Temitope Odetoye, the process is, fair, open and transparent as the bids were open in the presence of everyone.

"As Engineers, we have been promoting that indigenous engineers should be patronised. So, we are very happy this is happening. It a welcome idea. It is like giving back to the system and contribution to socio-economic development. So, our engineers are qualified. They have been trained and should be given the opportunity to contribute," Engr Odetoye explained.

The 31 public schools, which had earlier been advertised in the newspapers, included Government Secondary School, Alapa, Asa LGA, Community Secondary School, Baboko, Ilorin West LGA, Senior Secondary School, Okelele, Ilorin East LGA, Ansar Islam Secondary School, Ikotun, Oyun LGA, Pategi Secondary School, Patigi LGA, Government Arabic College, Jebba, Moro LGA, Government (Unity) Secondary School, Kaiama, and Osi Central School, Ekiti LGA.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/11/27/kwsg-holds-open-bid-for-renovation-of-31-public-schools/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said his administration renovated the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in the state as part of his efforts to project Kwara in positive light to the outside world.

“This intervention is the right thing to do. Each Corps member that comes to Kwara becomes an ambassador for the state when they leave. Then, we want them to leave with right impression from the state. That is why we need to make sure the right facilities are in place for them,” AbdulRazaq said during a visit to the renovated facility Monday evening.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi and two Commissioner-designates Rotimi Iliasu and Joanna Kolo.

AbdulRazaq recalled likening the facility to a penitentiary that was not fit for human living, saying his action was to fulfil his promise to make the place habitable for the NYSC members undergoing the mandatory scheme.

"When I visited here in June, I felt it was not habitable. I felt I couldn’t stay under such environment and I don’t want the corps members to leave in such condition either. They were managing with no proper running water and the toilets were unusable. Going into the bush put them at the risk of snake bites. So, we needed to come in and do the right thing,” he said.

The governor urged the management of the NYSC to manage the facilities properly and to always inform the government when there are issues before they degenerate.

The state Coordinator of NYSC, Esther Ikupolati, said the prompt intervention of the governor has brought relief to the camp as "hostels now can be called five-star hostels when compared to their previous state.

"The hostel facilities renovated were indeed in bad shape before now. And when His Excellency came to this camp barely a month in office, he expressed displeasure over the state of the hostels. He said the place was not habitable for humans."

She appreciated AbdulRazaq for coming to the aid of the NYSC with additional 400 mattresses, 200 double bunk beds, 100 benches for the hall and drugs for the clinic.

"Kwara NYSC camp is one of the few states enjoying the largesse of the state government in terms of meal subsidies, fumigation of the camp and support," Ikupolati said.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/11/26/why-we-renovated-kwara-nysc-camp-by-abdulrazaq/

Nigerian women on Tuesday gave a standing ovation to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as his administration was announced winner of the 2019 Voice of Women (VOW) Award in the capital city Abuja.
 
The award followed the Governor’s recent nomination of nine women as members of his cabinet and another woman, Mrs Folashade Omoniyi, as chairperson of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, among others.
 
The Kwara State Government won the ‘Government Agency Supporting Women and their Families’ category of the prestigious award at the 4th VOW Conference held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre Abuja.
 
AbdulRazaq received the award on behalf of the Government, pledging to do more to support the women and girl child and charged Women to deliver.
 
Attended by various international organisations, First Ladies from across the states and prominent Nigerians, First Lady Aisha Buhari also received the Woman of the Year award in honour of her Future Assured innovative which speaks ups for and empowers women and girl child.
 
The late Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who saved many lives during the Nigerian Ebola outbreak, bagged a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award while Allen Onyema, chairman of the Air Peace, got a Lifetime Achievement for evacuating hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa during the recent xenophobic attacks in Pretoria.
 
The award organisers cited AbdulRazaq as a “living example of every woman’s aspiration who has done what no other public servant has done for women in Nigeria”.
 
First Lady Aisha Buhari and wife of the Ekiti State Governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi got the audience to give the Governor a standing ovation for his courage and support to the women and child.
 
“We urge development agencies and the international community to support the Governor to further empower women, the girl child and develop Kwara,” said Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Managing Director of Women Radio 91.7, organisers of the 4th VOW conference and awards.
 
The award is the latest in the series of countrywide acknowledgment of AbdulRazaq as a great supporter of women empowerment and gender parity — a key focus of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 
 
https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/11/19/cabinet-aisha-buhari-bisi-fayemi-lead-standing-ovation-for-abdulrazaq/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday presented 27 new operational vehicles to the state civil service, including the State Fire Service, saying the gesture was to strengthen efficient service delivery and conducive working atmosphere.

“We present these to them to make their job easier. Civil servants are entering taxi and okada to perform their duties. That is not good enough. This will boost their performance capability. We saw that there is a need to mobilise them and make them more functional,” AbdulRazaq told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, shortly after handing over the keys of the vehicles to the Kwara State Head of Service (HOS), Susan Modupe Oluwole.

The Governor said the government purchased the 300-litre capacity modern firefighting vehicles for the Fire Service to empower it to operate more effectively during fire outbreaks in order to save lives and properties.

“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,” he said.

He said another set of fire fighting equipment have been ordered and would soon be delivered as part of the government’s effort to strengthen the capacity of the state to combat fire incident.

“Plans are underway by the Federal Government to set up Fire Training Institute in Kwara State to build capacity of fire fighting officers,” he said.

The vehicles comprised 15 Toyota Hillux vans; five Coaster Buses; five Hiace Buses; and two Hilux pick-up with Fire equipment.

The HOS commended AbdulRazaq for the gesture, saying “we have never had it so good and we assure you that we will also do more to justify the confidence.”

Kwara State Fire Service Director Waheed Yakub said the skytick firefighting technology is easy to use and can reach as far as 50 metres.

“We are grateful to the Governor for this. It is a great boost for our work. With this new technology, we can better deliver on our mandate. Unlike the old one, this vehicle can penetrate anywhere and it has twice the capacity of the bigger vans,” Yakub said.

Present at the brief ceremony were top government functionaries, including the Chief of Staff Adisa Logan; Commissioner-designate Rotimi Iliasu; and some Permanent secretaries and directors from the state civil service.





https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/11/18/abdulrazaq-presents-27-operational-vehicles-to-kwara-civil-service-firefighters/

The victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2019 general election was a befitting tribute to the memory of former Governor Mohammed Lawal who once led the struggle to free the state from oppressive rule, party’s spokesman Tajudeen Folaranmi Aro has said.

“The 13th anniversary of the death of the former Governor couldn’t have come at a better time than now when the people of Kwara have finally shed the weight of godfatherism and demagoguery, poor governance, and oppressive rule,” Aro said in a statement commemorating the 13th anniversary of the former Governor.

“The sheer size of attendance at the memorial prayers and the public sentiments about him aptly confirmed that history has finally vindicated him and his vision for Kwara. Our victory confirmed that he did not struggle in vain. His philosophy of a Kwara where everyone is an equal stakeholder has finally come to fruition.”

Aro commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for nominating Lawal’s daughter, Fatimoh Arinola, as a cabinet member, saying: “such gesture captures the mood of the people for proper recognition of Lawal as a great pillar of the struggle of Kwara people.”

He urged the Governor, who he described as focused and visionary, to ensure that the policies of his administration reflect the struggle to free Kwara from the stranglehold of misrule and prebendal godfatherism over the past decades.



https://apckwara.com/2019/11/18/our-victory-a-befitting-tribute-to-ex-gov-lawal-kwara-apc/