₦airaland Forum

Kwara State Government on Wednesday flagged off a statewide campaign against chronic malnutrition in the state, with the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) officially launched to boost nutrition among children and women.

The ANRiN, facilitated by the Federal Government, is a World bank-assisted Project designed to encourage consumption of nutritious food/supplements among the citizens of the participating states, especially pregnant or lactating women and children.

“Our decision to key into ANRiN followed the unsavoury news that 238,171 out of every 696,405 children under 5 years of age in Kwara are stunted, a development that is an evidence of chronic malnutrition and a potent socioeconomic threat to the state,” Secretary to the Kwara State Government Prof Mamman Saba Jibril said at the flag off in Ilorin, the state capital.

Jibril represented Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the event attended by the Chairman Kwara State House Committee on Health and representative of the Kwara State First Lady, Abdulrasak Owolabi; representative of the Federal Ministry of Health Dr Kamil Soretire; Permanent Secretary Kwara State Ministry of Health Dr. Rhoda Ajiboye; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Communications, AbdulGaniyu Mustapha; representative of the World Bank, Sangeeta Carol Pinto; Magaji Are and representative of the Emir of Ilorin Aremu Zubair.

Jibril, who urged Kwarans to visit the primary health centres nearest to them to access the services, called the ANRIN a bold step to address malnutrition by increasing the utilisation of high quality and cost effective nutrition interventions among pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under the age of five (5) years.

“We are proud to say that Kwara State, which could have dropped out of the list of 11 states shortlisted for the intervention, is privileged to be on board because our administration promptly paid the first ever counterpart funds of N50m,” he said.

“This means that our pregnant women and children will benefit from ANRiN as the implementation of the project begins today across the 16 local government areas of the state. By this, our mothers and children, especially the under-fives, will henceforth have free access to an array of nutrition-related treatments across the Primary Health Centres in the state. There will be provision of micro nutrient powders, zinc/ORS to children, iron and folic acid tablets for pregnant and lactating women, high calories food for malnourished children, Vitamin A for children, malaria-preventing drugs to pregnant women, and deworming of children, among other benefits.”

Pinto, the World Bank official at the event, commended the government for keying into the programme, saying the partnership on ANRiN will go a long way in curbing child and maternal mortalities in the state.

Owolabi said the ANRiN programme would help halt the 50 percent countrywide child and maternal deaths on account of malnutrition.

Applauding the World Bank, Federal and the State Government for the project, he noted that the first 1000 days of the life of a child represent a critical period of their brain development, hence the need to access good nutrition to enhance their intellectual and cognitive capacities.

Ajiboye, for her part, noted that the government's giant stride in health sector is capable of achieving universal health coverage in the state.

She said the government's commitment to implementing ANRiN project will translate to huge relief for healthcare seekers.

Ajiboye commended AbdulRazaq for providing the state with a focused, goal-driven and purposeful leadership, a gesture she described as a sincere fulfilment of his campaign promises.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/10/02/counterpart-funds-kwara-flags-off-nutrition-treatments-for-children-pregnant-women/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq on Tuesday visited the state’s Special Needs School where he donated audio books for the use of the visually impaired students and congratulated the students on Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary.

The governor’s visit came after the students returned from the independence parade at the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin, the state capital.

AbdulRazaq, who had gone to identify with the children, also inspected the ongoing renovation of two blocks of five classrooms in the school.

The renovation works came following AbdulRazaq’s maiden visit to the school in July, during which he lamented the neglect of the school and pledged to ensure the facilities are upgraded.

Mrs Faoziyah Aroyehun, the principal of the school, commended the Governor for the audio books which she said would be very useful for the pupils.

“These audio books are particularly useful for the visually impaired students and we appreciate His Excellency for the kind gesture. We also commend him for the ongoing interventions in the school which he had facilitated,” she said.

In a message that targeted the interest of the less privileged, AbdulRazaq had earlier in his Independence Day message called on Nigerians to “build a country that works for all and not just for the privileged few. This requires that we look at the bigger picture each time we take decisions in our areas of influence. That bigger picture is national unity, national development and collective prosperity where no one is left behind.”



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/10/01/abdulrazaq-donates-audio-books-to-special-needs-school/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday called for a consensus among Nigerians, especially the political elite, to build a country where no one is left to suffer or is treated unfairly on account of whatever differences.

AbdulRazaq said in a message commemorating the 59th Independence Day Anniversary that he plans to leave a legacy of equal opportunity, gender parity, youth inclusiveness, and fiscal discipline in the state. He also urged Kwarans across backgrounds to rally behind his drive for growth and development, according to a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.

AbdulRazaq said the Independence Anniversary offers another window to celebrate Nigeria’s unity in diversity, insisting the country’s togetherness after 59 years is an achievement on its own, the statement added.

“I join Mr. President and all patriots across the country to call on all Nigerians to embrace one another and build a country where we identify and treat ourselves only as citizens and fellow human beings, and not as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Fulani, Christians, or Muslims. We should work harder to build a nation-state with zero emphasis on these cleavages,” the statement quoted him as saying ahead of a low-key celebration of the event in Ilorin, the state capital.

“Fellow citizens, 59 year down the road, we should build a country that works for all and not just for the privileged few. This requires that we look at the bigger picture each time we take decisions in our areas of influence. That bigger picture is national unity, national development and collective prosperity where no one is left behind.”

The governor called for a consensus among critical stakeholders to free up funds to develop Nigeria, especially in his Kwara State where he charged citizens to shun antics that may keep the state going round in circles.

“On this note, I call on the political class to begin to see things in terms of what benefits the whole community and not what is politically expedient. Election is long over. Whether we belong to the ruling party or to the opposition, we are all confronted with the question of extreme poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, the danger of climate change, crime, and other challenges,” according to the statement.

“I call for elite consensus to develop our country and our state. We don’t claim to know it all but I can assure you, fellow Kwarans, that we are concerned only about leaving a legacy of equal opportunity, gender parity, youth inclusiveness, and fiscal discipline.”


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/10/01/independence-day-kwara-gov-pledges-legacy-of-equal-opportunities/

The Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq today met with MTN CEO, Rob Shuter where he expressed satisfaction over the telecommunications giant's corporate social responsibility programs undertaken in Kwara especially the supply of braille equipment to the Kwara State School For Special Needs, Ilorin.

The Governor said the latest development and more collaboration with his administration is greatly needed as his commitment to provide state of the art facilities that would make teaching and learning conducive for not just the physically challenged but all students in the state remains dear to his heart as he is working tiredlessly to reduce the inherited alarming increase in numbers of out of school children. He however promised that Kwara will leverage on the commitment shown by the company to ensure the school is well equipped and funded.

AbdulRazaq said Kwara will not levy MTN for laying Fibre Optics Cable Backbone for data services delivery, noting that he is conscious of the fact that the state will benefit more from such gesture in terms of Infrastructure - Innovation Hub, Education, Telemedicine, Telematics, Blockchain, e-Governance amongst others.


https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ChS9uBput/?igshid=1p3ybtisrsf0l

The Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq today attended the United Nations' LOCAL 2030 meeting on how to localize and make the aspirations of the Global Goals real to communities, households and individuals, particularly those who are at risk of falling behind achieving these goals by 2030. The meeting was held at the Conference Room of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

AbdulRazaq who is keen on ensuring Kwara realistically domesticate the global goals paid detailed attention to insightful contributions made at the meeting which will be helpful as the goals are in line with his already set vision for the state. He reiterated that Kwara would key into these developmental initiatives in line with global best practices.

The Governor was also a speaker at the event which was attended by several State Governors, the Acting Chairman of EFFC Ibrahim Magu, Hon Abdulraheem Olawuyi representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-ero Federal Constituency in the House of representatives and several distinguished government officials and Stake holders.

At least 70 percent of the ongoing free eye surgeries and 50 percent of the overall medical interventions in Ilorin General Hospital have been carried out, with beneficiaries commending the Kwara State Government and other sponsors of the exercise for the gesture.

The beneficiaries singled out Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for commendation for the corrective surgeries and other interventions which they said were made possible with multimillion naira equipment the government newly supplied to the hospital, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The interventions, which began on Monday, are sponsored by the state government in partnership with the Kwara State Association of Nigeria, North America (KSANG) and Sakinah Medical Outreach.

As at Wednesday, nearly 70 of the 100 cataract surgeries have been done while 250 glasses have been given to patients suffering from various eye disorders, according to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital Prof. Abdulfatai Olokoba.

He said additional 300 surgeries were being carried out across specialities of obstetrics and gynaecology, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgical interventions within the week.

Olokoba added that the surgical interventions have led to impressive capacity building within the General Hospital with the supply of more equipment, the opening of new wards and the ICU, which he said would be useful to the state.

Dr Salman Yusuf, chairman of the Sakinah Medical Outreach and head of the Volunteer Doctors, said they partook in the programme to support AbdulRazaq’s efforts to improve basic healthcare delivery in the state.

"We are volunteers medical practitioners — Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other supporting staff —decided to support the government to change the fortune of the state in basic healthcare,” he said.

Oloyede Lamidi, an hernia patent who benefited from the intervention, said the surgery carried out elsewhere last year was not successful and he could not bear the cost of carrying out another operation for lack of funds.

He commended AbdulRazaq for the interventions which he said were beneficial to indigent patients.

Miss Aderemi Olabisi, who had her breast lump removed, admitted that lack of funds had led to the delay in carrying out her surgery.

Muhammad Isa, who had a successful hernia surgery, said he had over the last one year been managing the case without success until the intervention.

Isa noted that he heard the information about the medical and surgical missions on radio and seized the opportunity.

"I made several efforts to carry out this surgery with no success because I don't have money. I am very happy with this. They didn't collect any money from me. I want thank the sponsors of this exercise whether those in Nigeria or the USA,” he said.

Miss Basirat Amzat, who had a Breast Lump, narrated her ordeal before the intervention and said exercise was seamless in the theatre.

"I really appreciate the Governor of Kwara State for this. Everything from check up to surgery is free. They did not collect anything from me,” she added.

Abubakar Jimoh, a guardian of a nine-year-old Muhammad Jimoh, who had hernia, said the family had taken the child to another hospital without success until the intervention this week.

Mrs Zainab Abdulwahab, mother of 45-day-old boy Abdulwahab, who had surgery for Hydrocephalus, commended the government and its partners for coming to the aid of the baby.

She said the had spinal difida and the surgery carried out earlier led to Hydrocephalus and the family was unable to fund the surgery until the government’s intervention which Mrs Abdulwahab enthused had lifted a huge burden from the family.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/25/beneficiaries-hail-abdulrazaq-partners-over-kwaras-free-surgeries/

In his bid to reduce the alarming rate of poverty he met in the state since he resumed office, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is seeking ways to ensure he creates jobs and sustainable wealth for the good people of Kwara State.

These issues were top of the agenda at the session on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals at the ongoing 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

AbdulRazaq is also hopeful that all insightful integrated solutions discussed at the session will further improve peace and prosperity of Kwara.



https://www.instagram.com/p/B21gTXkB_8x/?igshid=ptevnydr2asu

In his bid to reduce the alarming rate of poverty he met in the state since he resumed office, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is seeking ways to ensure he creates jobs and sustainable wealth for the good people of Kwara State.

These issues were top of the agenda at the session on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals at the ongoing 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

AbdulRazaq is also hopeful that all insightful integrated solutions discussed at the session will further improve peace and prosperity of Kwara.


https://www.instagram.com/p/B21gTXkB_8x/?igshid=16va7oz6ukm39

No fewer than 500 patients would benefit from a week-long free multimillion naira medical and surgical interventions funded by the Kwara State Government which begin on Monday at the Ilorin General Hospital in the state capital.

The mass public-funded surgical interventions are a first in the history of the state.

The interventions, which involve procedures such as cataract, glaucoma, hernia, and neurosurgery, among others, are in partnership with the Kwara State Association of Nigeria USA, Sakinah Medical Outreach, and the Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

Slated to hold between 23rd and 27th 2September, the surgical interventions are a follow up to the statewide medical mission during which doctors attended to over 2500 patients suffering from various ailments and offered medical advice and the ongoing medical screenings across most of the general hospitals in the state.

“These interventions are a part of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s agenda to ensure good healthcare for the people. The Governor had graciously released the sums of N26.9m for the interventions, covering the medical missions conducted across the state a few weeks ago and the cost of purchasing the equipment to prepare the hospital for these procedures in line with global best practices,” Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, said in a statement on Sunday.

“The exercise is in partnership with the KSANG, Sekinah and the Kwara State chapter of the NMA which brought US and Nigeria-based medical experts for the mission.”

Prof. Sulaiman said the patients for the surgery had been generated from the medical missions to the three senatorial districts.

The surgeries come a week after the administration held some preliminary Hepatitis and anti-polio Campaign in Lafiagi ahead of a full-blown statewide effort to stamp out hepatitis following fears that the virus is fast spreading in the state.

The first leg of the campaign was held at the College of Education (CoE) Lafiagi, while similar exercise would hold at the CoE, Oro, and another one at the Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/22/kwara-state-government-sponsor-500-surgical-interventions/

[center][/center]Kwara State Election Petition Tribunal on Friday dismissed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s petition seeking the nullification of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s election on the ground that he lacked the academic qualification to run.

The tribunal said the PDP’s candidate Razaq Atunwa failed to prove the allegations, holding instead that “all evidences before us show that (AbdulRazaq) sat the exam and was therefore qualified to run for the office of Governor.

“From all the evidences before us, we hold that the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Bassey Effiong, chairman of the three-person panel, held in a unanimous judgment in Ilorin, the state capital.

Effiong said the law is that where a petitioner makes the commission of a crime the kernel of their petition, then they must prove it beyond reasonable doubt.

“Has the petitioner discharged the burden of proof expected of them? From the evidence in this case, the answer is a resounding no,” Effiong added.

“We hold that all the evidences presented by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) — which the petitioners had relied upon and subpoenaed —were at variance with the pleadings of the petitioners,” Effiong added.

He insisted that the petitioners failed to prove that the Governor forged a certificate or presented a forged certificate in support of his candidature as alleged in their petition.

The judge said WAEC confirmed to the tribunal that AbdulRazaq’s certificate was “genuine and authentic”, adding that a classmate of the Governor also told the panel that the latter sat in front of him in the secondary school leaving certificate examination of June 1976.


Effiong said WAEC, which is the only statutory body to issue such a certificate, had made it clear that AbdulRazaq’s credential with all the relevant security details had emanated from it and that no other person can make contrary claim.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/20/tribunal-dismisses-forgery-case-against-kwara-gov/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday said the tribunal judgment dismissing the PDP’s certificate forgery allegations against him and upholding his election was a triumph of truth over falsehood and a sweet victory for Kwarans.

“This judgment affirms the truism that never will falsehood triumph over truth nor evil over good till the end of time — no matter the efforts or public grandstanding of the purveyors of such falsehood," according to a statement by the governor's spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.


The statement said the judgment confirmed the party's long-held position that the entire allegation was malicious and a tale by moonlight.

“For us, the judgment serves as a tonic to go the extra mile to build a polity where players will be motivated only by truth and the dream of serving our people and not by unbridled ambitions," the statement said.

“We thank their Lordships for their erudition and well-considered judgment. We express our profound respect and gratitude to our legal team who meticulously and professionally handled the provocative issue with admirable comportment and superior knowledge of the law.

“While we were always confident of victory since we had nothing to hide, there were some Kwarans who felt concerned that some persons were bent on either causing confusion or going through the backdoor to get whatever Kwarans did not give them at the poll. It is to this end that we most sincerely thank Kwarans for their support and prayers while the case lasted. We also assure them that we will follow through on the steps being taken to build a Kwara that is prosperous and is the pride of all.”



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/20/tribunal-judgment-triumph-of-truth-over-falsehood-says-kwara-gov/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday said the tribunal judgment dismissing the PDP’s certificate forgery allegations against him and upholding his election was a triumph of truth over falsehood and a sweet victory for Kwarans.

“This judgment affirms the truism that never will falsehood triumph over truth nor evil over good till the end of time — no matter the efforts or public grandstanding of the purveyors of such falsehood," according to a statement by the governor's spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.


The statement said the judgment confirmed the party's long-held position that the entire allegation was malicious and a tale by moonlight.

“For us, the judgment serves as a tonic to go the extra mile to build a polity where players will be motivated only by truth and the dream of serving our people and not by unbridled ambitions," the statement said.

“We thank their Lordships for their erudition and well-considered judgment. We express our profound respect and gratitude to our legal team who meticulously and professionally handled the provocative issue with admirable comportment and superior knowledge of the law.

“While we were always confident of victory since we had nothing to hide, there were some Kwarans who felt concerned that some persons were bent on either causing confusion or going through the backdoor to get whatever Kwarans did not give them at the poll. It is to this end that we most sincerely thank Kwarans for their support and prayers while the case lasted. We also assure them that we will follow through on the steps being taken to build a Kwara that is prosperous and is the pride of all.”



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/20/tribunal-judgment-triumph-of-truth-over-falsehood-says-kwara-gov/

Orders Kaiama water project fixed in one month
State may drag contractors to anti-graft agency over abandoned roads

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said local communities would have the option of nominating trusted indigenous contractors to fix their schools and hospitals while government funds the projects.

The contractors so nominated would be picked only after going through the government's procurement processes as spelt out under the law.

AbdulRazaq said government has recently retooled the 2019 budget to focus on rebuilding basic infrastructure such as township roads, schools, hospitals and toilets to tackle the menace of open defecation.

"For each community where we want to rebuild the schools or hospitals, we want to use the local contractors from those communities, so that we have trickle down effects and regenerate the economy by investing in the economy," AbdulRazaq said in Kaiama town late Tuesday on a tour of public facilities in the northern senatorial district.

He visited communities like Gwaria, a major hub for yam flour production in Nigeria; Junga Aboki; and Kaiama town -- all in Kaiama local government area of the state.

"When we got in we realised that there are big issues with our roads, hospitals and schools, they are practically down, and I am here to make sure I understand in full the problems with all the hospitals and schools," he said.

"They all have peculiar problems....We have seen the different challenges in different hospitals and schools and we are going to make sure that the right people are used in order to reposition the hospitals and the schools."

The governor said while his campaign thrust of development and change remain valid, he is constantly rejigging the campaign promises to reflect the realities of Kwara he now sees, especially because basic infrastructures for education and health are almost non-existent and must first be put in place before other things.

AbdulRazaq suggested that government would provide the prototypes and the standard of the schools or hospitals to be built while local communities would engage contractors to fix them under strict monitoring -- a strategy expected to engender community participation in project execution, empower local contractors, ensure community ownership of public infrastructure, and increase the purchasing power of the people.

He said Kwarans would start seeing more infrastructural development and better government's presence across the board once the reviewed budget is passed in the coming months.

The governor, meanwhile, has ordered the site engineer handling the Kaiama Water project to fix the facilities within one month or be sacked.

AbdulRazaq handed down the directive when he visited the facilities in Kaiama town, warning that he would always personally keep a tab on projects funded with taxpayers' money through unscheduled visits.

He said his visit to the town has revealed that claims about Kaiama water projects progressing as scheduled were not true, warning that his personal tour of facilities was meant to know the truth about their exact situation.

The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Umar Shehu Mu'azu, had earlier told the governor that the engineer had been sabotaging the project despite getting money from the government and the community.

Mu'azu also urged AbdulRazaq to prioritise roads in the agrarian axis, especially Kishi Kaiama Road, commending him for approving the construction of the Kaiama township road.

The Governor said he has taken up the matter with the Federal Government, adding however that his administration might report the contractor employed by the previous administration to the anti-graft agency for collecting at least N1.1bn to fix a segment of the road without any result.

AbdulRazaq said the action of the contractor was a setback for the road as the Federal Government would not release further funds for the road unless it is satisfied that the one released had been properly utilised.

The Governor said the same scenario had occured in the Gwanara road in Baruten which led to the eight Assembly dragging the contractor to the EFCC and forcing the contractor back to site.

He also said the administration is discussing the Kosubosu-Kaiama-Bode Sadu road with the Federal government but added that the state might seek alternative funding for the huge project to hasten its construction in the next four years and then apply for refunds.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/18/local-contractors-to-fix-kwara-schools-hospitals-projects-says-gov-abdulrazaq/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has forwarded the names of four women to the State House of Assembly as commissioner-nominees, including a 26-year-old Joana Nnazua Kolo from Edu local government area of the state.

AbdulRazaq has also nominated a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the FBN Mortgages Limited, a subsidiary of the First Bank, Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi, as the new Chairperson of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS). She would succeed Prof Murtala Awodun whose tenure expires soon.

Omoniyi, who holds a bachelor of engineering from the University of Ilorin and Masters of Business Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, has many years of leadership experience in the banking sector, marketing, information communication technology, and business management.

She has executive education in positive leadership from Michigan Ross Executive Education (USA); Market Driving Strategies from London Business School (UK); Strategic Uses of Information Technology from Stanford Business School ( USA); and Senior Management Programme (SMP18) from the Lagos Business School (Nigeria).

Omoniyi is from Irepodun local government area of the state.

Miss Kolo, the youngest commissioner-nominee in the state’s history, is a 2018 graduate of Library Science from the Kwara State University (KWASU). A grassroots mobiliser, Miss Kolo is an ardent advocate of community development.

If confirmed, she would be Nigeria’s youngest commissioner, taking the trophy from Oyo State’s 27-year-old Oluwaseun Fakorede.

Miss Kolo is still having her National Youths Service Corps programme in Jigawa, where she is teaching at Model Boarding Junior Secondary School Guri. Her screening for the cabinet seat would hold after she rounds off her NYSC service in the next two weeks.

The three other nominees are professionals and grassroots politicians: Mrs Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu; Arinola Fatimoh Lawal; and Aisha Ahman Pategi, according to a correspondence AbdulRazaq forwarded to the House and read at the Tuesday plenary by the Speaker, Rt. Honourable Salihu Yakubu Danladi.

A 1997 graduate of Economics from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Mrs Modibbo-Kawu also holds Masters in Business Administration from University of Ilorin and various certificates from Penn Foster Career School Scranton in the United States and Metropolitan School of Business and Management in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A member of several professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria and Nigeria Institute of Management, she is a co-founder of a number of schools and learning centres.

She is married to the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Ishaq Modibbo-Kawu and would be representing Ilorin South in the cabinet if her nomination scales through the House of Assembly.

Arinola Fatimoh Lawal, a 1993 graduate of Catering and Hotel Management from the Kwara State Polytechnic, is a top-rated player in Nigeria’s hospitality industry with experience as chief executive officers of several firms including Batool Nigeria Limited, Mohbalamira Nigeria Limited and MirMira Enterprise.

Hajia Lawal, who was a member of the Kwara State Transition Committee in 2019, is a daughter of former Kwara State Governor Mohammed Lawal from Ilorin East local government. Her skills cover project management, tourism and hospitality, change management, and Risk Management. A grassroots mobiliser with effective leadership skills and emotional intelligence, the nominee is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State.

A scion of one of Kwara’s oldest political families, nominee Aisha Ahman-Pategi is a professional business manager with over 20 years experience in communication strategy, investment/financial consulting, and marketing and motivational leadership. She is a serial entrepreneur known for a contagious passion for excellence and innovation with great resource skills in research, government and relations.

Ms Ahman-Pategi was educated at the School of Remedial Studies and FASS-International Relations in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State in 1996; Agent and Broker License Barney Fletcher School, in Atlanta GA, USA in 2004; Capstone Institute of Mortgage Finance, also in Atlanta in 2006; Stanford University, Stanford California where she obtained a certificate in Political Science (Data Analysis) in 2013; Bachelor of Art – Mass Communication from Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma; and MBA Business Administration from American Inter-Continental University, Dunwoody GA.

Aisha was Sales Manager for J&S Auto Sales Decatur, GA 30082 before founding A-Line Realty SMYRNA, GA 30082 in 2004 as the President and Managing Broker. The agency serves more than 300 clients by providing financial planning, assets management, commercial and residential estate transactions.

Between 2005 and 2007, she joined Continental Mortgage/World Financial Services Inc., Atlanta, GA 30324 as Financial Advisor/Mortgage consultant where she assisted clients with their needs via financial need analysis.

Aisha, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Strategy and Communication, has also worked for the nonprofit Project Coach Foundation since 2018 as executive director.

The nonprofit organisation serves the most vulnerable communities in Nigeria through Community Outreach, Advocacy, Capacity building and Health (COACH) projects.




https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/17/kwara-gov-announces-youngest-commissioner-in-nigerias-history/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered immediate refund of N2000 and N1500 examination charges that the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) collected from teachers who applied to become principals and vice principals across the state.

AbdulRazaq reasoned that there was no basis for such charges since all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government now get their running cost since he came on board, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

The statement said the over 100 applicants for the positions who sat the evaluation examination last Wednesday had been asked to pay the fee as was the practice before but the administration objected to it on the ground that the government had already paid for running cost that covers such exercise.

TESCOM has complied with the Governor’s directive as over 90% of the applicants have been refunded, the statement said, quoting the TESCOM’s supervisory Permanent Secretary, Bayo Onimago.

“The directive has been complied with immediately. Almost all the affected principals and Vice principals have been refunded,” the statement quoted Onimago as saying.

A key development in Kwara’s civil service since AbdulRazaq’s ascension was the restoration of running cost to the ministries — a step that has gone a long way in energising the civil service to perform its roles as the government’s engine room.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/16/kwara-gov-orders-tescom-to-refund-exam-charges-to-principals-vice-principals/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered immediate refund of N2000 and N1500 examination charges that the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) collected from teachers who applied to become principals and vice principals across the state.

AbdulRazaq reasoned that there was no basis for such charges since all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government now get their running cost since he came on board, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

The statement said the over 100 applicants for the positions who sat the evaluation examination last Wednesday had been asked to pay the fee as was the practice before but the administration objected to it on the ground that the government had already paid for running cost that covers such exercise.

TESCOM has complied with the Governor’s directive as over 90% of the applicants have been refunded, the statement said, quoting the TESCOM’s supervisory Permanent Secretary, Bayo Onimago.

“The directive has been complied with immediately. Almost all the affected principals and Vice principals have been refunded,” the statement quoted Onimago as saying.

A key development in Kwara’s civil service since AbdulRazaq’s ascension was the restoration of running cost to the ministries — a step that has gone a long way in energising the civil service to perform its roles as the government’s engine room.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/16/kwara-gov-orders-tescom-to-refund-exam-charges-to-principals-vice-principals/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday said sports could be a means of Nigeria projecting soft power to the world if the local talents are properly developed and motivated.

"It’s my hope that the government at all levels should develop a sectoral plan strategy to transform sports into an industry that empowers our teeming youths for social and economic development," AbdulRazaq said in a speech at the closing ceremony of the 5th National Youths Games at the University of Ilorin in Ilorin, the state capital.

"Sports should not just be for mere recreation; it should be an important tools for image projection and diplomacy, a source of soft power, and a big industry that can engage the youths who would otherwise have channelled their abundant energy to other untoward activities" according to the statement released Rafiu Ajakaye the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

AbdulRazaq commended all the participants for their sportsmanship and hailed the Sports Ministry and the host university for their efforts that resulted in the success of the game.

"All of you are winners. The fact that you all came here from across the country shows your efforts to win," he said.

"I hereby congratulate the organisers of this event. It is a fantastic event, hosting up to 4000 youths is a phenomenal thing. I salute Delta, Lagos in specific, I cannot call all states."

He pledged to make the event better next year, including ensuring that the state contingent performs better.

"This is a new government, and we have seen what can be achieved and what is achievable. Certainly next year it is going to be a better event. This is my first time to this event, next year we would come in full force. And we believe there will be progression and growth because the number of the participants in this edition surpassed last year's, and next year we hope to have more," he added.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/16/kwara-gov-says-sports-could-be-nigerias-soft-power/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

"Given the unprecedented margin of victory that Mr. President recorded in our state, Kwara, and the very glaring acceptability of his candidature across the country, I have always known that any legal challenge to his victory was just an academic exercise because the people have spoken clearly," AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

"Without predudice to the right of the opposition to seek redress as they did, the judgment of the presidential election tribunal only affirmed the position of the people of Nigeria who appreciate the discipline, integrity, patriotism, and commitment of Mr. President to a better Nigeria."

He said the judgment was a victory for the ordinary Nigerians who stood for many hours on the queue to cast their ballot in the election.

AbdulRazaq also commended the erudition of the President's legal team who the Governor said remained focus "even in the face of every-day propaganda by the opposition."

He called on Nigerians across party lines to rally round the President to deliver more dividends of democracy.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/12/presidential-tribunal-verdict-true-reflection-of-peoples-wish-says-abdulrazaq/

Kwara state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited Alhaji Aliko Dangote in a bid to seek Public-private partnership to diversify the economy of the state.

The governor who has seen enterprise as the path way to economic growth arrived at the meeting at the appointed time of 6am.

The meeting which lasted for about six hours commenced with a facility tour of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical plant as the governor was taken round all the different sections of what is regarded as the largest of its kind in Africa.

The governor revealed that monthly salaries takes up 75% of the state's statutory allocation and 100% of local government allocation. Hence, the need for kwara state government to seriously seek investors and investments to create jobs and wealth for the teeming population.

During the visit, Alh. Aliko Dangote also confirmed his interest in sugar production in Kwara state.

Dangote has already acquired over 16,000 hectares out of the 50,000 hectares that he needs in Patigi local government.

AbdulRazaq gave an assurance that Kwara state government will work with Dangote Groups to achieve the minimum benchmark as the state has the capacity to produce 100% of Nigeria's sugar consumption with quality partnership that will reduce unemployment in the state, stating that Kwara under his leadership remains the new bride of foresighted investors.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said over 90 properties built with public funds were unlawfully appropriated by some officials of the past administration, saying the development underpins the impunity with which the state was almost run aground.
 
The Governor, meanwhile, has set up a 15-member committee to undertake a comprehensive assessment and recommendation of the Kwara State Social Assessment Vulnerable Indicator (KW-SAVI) Parameters — a key part of AbdulRazaq’s plan to clean up the state and ward off environmental disasters.
 
The committee is to be chaired by former Chief Judge of Kwara State Justice Raliat Elelu, while the Secretary is Shuaib AbdulGaniyu, an assistant director in the Governor’s Office. The committee will be inaugurated on Monday (today) by the Secretary to the State Government Prof Mamman Saba Jibril.
 
Speaking on the misappropriation of public properties, AbdulRazaq said the damning revelations came from the report of the Senator Sulaiman Ajadi Committee which he had set up to probe the handling of public assets since 1999, lamenting how such action has stripped Kwara of necessary accommodation to host statutory dignitaries visiting the state. 
 
“The (Senator Ajadi) committee did a very good job. They submitted two reports and we're waiting for the final report. It is unfortunate that from my little reading of it so far, people just shared government property as if it was their fiefdom. They did not even think for one second that it was government property,” according to the excerpts of the maiden breakfast meeting AbdulRazaq had with journalists on Thursday.
 
“For example, you give property to Harmony Holdings to invest on behalf of the state as trust and those in Harmony Holdings just shared the properties among themselves, even selling below the valuation prices. Even those in government did the same thing. There is a new layout called New GRA, none of them went there to build new houses because it was cheaper to pick government houses for next to nothing rather than build their own houses. We will look at the recommendations.
 
“In fact, some of them just live in those houses without paying anything while most of them only started paying after the election was won and lost to the extent that the state government does not have enough accommodation to accommodate dignitaries and traditional rulers from other states to host them rather than putting them in the hotel. That's how they shared the property and we are looking at more than 90 properties which they carved out for themselves. We'll go back to the report of the panel and make sure the proper thing is done.”
 
The Governor said the Raliat Elelu Committee will look into environmental issues such as unlawful dumping of waste and other violations that hurt public planning and endanger public health.
 
“We have also set up a committee in place headed by Justice Raliat Elelu to look at the issue top down on environment and once they submit their report things will start changing. If you drive through our major roads, you will see rubbish all over the places. But give us time all these will be a thing of the past,” the Governor said.
 

 
https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/09/gov-abdulrazaq-sets-up-kw-savi-parameters-assessment-committee/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called on the police to intensify efforts to free the six Kwarans who were abducted at the weekend along Abuja-Kaduna expressway way on their way to Kaduna.

“We urge the police and other security agencies to do everything possible to free these citizens as soon as possible. We call on the criminals behind the dastardly act to immediately and unconditionally release our people in their custody,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his media spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.

The Governor also urged relations of the abductees to remain calm, saying the government is in constant touch with the security agencies over the development.

“Finally, we call on anyone with useful hints about this development to pass such information to the police or nearest government offices,” the statement added.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/09/abdulrazaq-tasks-police-over-abduction-of-kaduna-bound-kwarans/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was at his humility game on Friday as he insisted on praying outside the Ilorin Central Mosque as part of what seems a conscious attempt by the Governor to associate with the masses and demystify the invincibility and grandeur often associated with public office.

The Governor, who arrived the venue in company of his usually light entourage of few aides, opted to sit at the corridor of the sprawling mosque with the Secretary to the State Government Prof Mamman Sabah Jibril and other aides, even though he arrived the mosque very early. The Governor arrived at about 2:02p.m as the Friday sermon was just starting. The prayer is at 2:30p.m.

Government House insiders said AbdulRazaq had long given a standing instruction to his aides to never disrupt public events or build wall of invincibility around him because “he had been elected by the people to serve, and not to become another Lord of the Manor.”

“He believes things should be done differently if we must achieve different results and move the society forward. He believes we must stop carrying on as if we are better than other members of the society, especially the voters,” according to the source.

Besides, the Governor had long maintained that he is a private citizen each time he attends a religious event.

AbdulRazaq set a new record in Kwara State during the last Eid-el-Fitr arriving the mosque as early as 9a.m. — the first time in many years for an incumbent to arrive the gathering so early without discomforting the faithful with their usually large entourage, elaborate security arrangements and fanfares.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/06/kwara-gov-wows-muslim-congregation-in-ilorin-central-mosque/

At least 1000 traders, marketers and artisans will benefit from a N1billion soft loan to run their businesses under the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) under consideration by the State House of Assembly, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said on Thursday.

AbdulRazaq said at a maiden breakfast meeting with journalists in Kwara State that the focus of his administration centres around human capital and infrastructural development which would attract investments, combat poverty and take Kwara to the top of the table of revenue generation and competitiveness.

He listed his major landmarks to include fixing the perennial water crisis within Ilorin metropolis, taking Kwara out of its pariah status as the least performing state in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) ranking, getting contractors back to work to complete abandoned or uncompleted projects, paying counterpart funds that have changed the story of the state in health and education sector, paying years of arrears owed Colleges of education, and reaccreditaion of the state’s tertiary institutions, among others.

AbdulRazaq said his administration has done these without touching the N4.8bn it inherited from the previous government, saying the fund is reserved to kickstart the state’s social security programme and putting basic infrastructure in place.

“Under the Kwara State Social Investment Programme, for instance, we plan to spend N1bn to help traders and artisans with soft loans. We are looking at roughly 1000 beneficiaries of such soft loan. We cannot watch while our people are suffering. We have to do something in that regard,” he said at the event attended by top government officials and party leaders that included by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Secretary to the Government Prof. Mamman Sabah Jibril; Chief of Staff to the Governor Aminu Adisa Logun; Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole; and All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Bashiru Bolarinwa.

The Speaker, the Chief Judge, and the Grand Khadi were represented at the event.

AbdulRazaq also said Kwarans should expect something concrete on cabinet formation from next week, saying the delay had been due to wide consultations with all stakeholders within the ruling party and dismissing claims of rancour within its ranks.

Dwelling extensively on his development priorities, he said the recent budget review and the 2020 budget would help redirect funding for infrastructural projects that fit into his campaign promises to the people.

“We have prioritised and will always prioritise water, education, health, road and general infrastructure. Agriculture is also a priority and we are looking at ensuring that a lot is done is the area of agroprocessing because of our comparative advantages. We want to completely change the story of this state and our plans revolve around just that, beginning from the budget review,” he said.

He said the World Bank has indicated interest in supporting the scheme which is the first of such state-led initiative modelled after the Federal Government Social Investment Programme which components included TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and FarmerMoni, among other supports for small and medium scale businesses.

“We are targeting 1000 beneficiaries under our own scheme. We are working with the Federal Government agencies that handled the market moni and trader moni. They will help to train our own officials. And we are also working with the Bank of Industry which will do the disbursement to allow for transparency and ensure that the money gets to the real beneficiaries,” he said.

The governor said he has spent the last 100 days putting in place basic infrastructural needs of the people that ought to have been done in the past, citing the lack of water, access to basic healthcare and dilapidated schools as examples of the rots he inherited and has started acting upon with prompt release of funds.

He also said the school feeding programme, a key component of the KWASSIP, will begin next year, and is designed to address the menace of malnutrition such as stunting and wasting which the Governor said affect many children in Kwara.

AbdulRazaq said Kwara will also access N7bn from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to fix the infrastructure deficits in the primary education once it pays its own counterpart fund of N7bn, adding that such funds would go a long way to turn around the fortunes of primary schools in the state.

The Governor also said he has discussed major road projects in the state with President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the focus of his administration is to change the story of Kwara for good in the area of infrastructure and human capital development.

Modelled after the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programmes, the KWSSIP would comprise Kwara State Conditional Cash Transfer (KWCCIT) to support those within the lowest poverty bracket by improving nutrition and increasing household consumption; Kwara State
Poverty Reduction Programme (KWSPRP) to assist Kwarans to acquire and develop lifelong skills; Kwara State Government Entrepreneur and Empowerment Programme (KWSGEEP) which shall lend money to petty traders, artisans, farmers, enterprising youths, men and women; and the HomeGrown School Feeding Programme (HGSF).

“The HGSF will ensure school feeding of schoolchildren in order to increase school enrolment, reduce malnutrition, empower community women, and support small farmers in the state,” the Governor said.

AbdulRazaq said a major challenge he inherited was a culture of previous government officials selling public properties to themselves at ridiculous prices, insisting the administration is disappointed at mindless mismanagement of public resources and would take steps to redress the excesses.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/05/1000-kwara-traders-artisans-to-get-n1bn-soft-loans-says-gov-abdulrazaq/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Saturday felicitated with the Muslim communities worldwide on the Islamic New Year (Hijra 1441), calling on the faithfuls, especially in Kwara, to reflect on the spiritual, historical and contextual meanings of Hijrah and how that relates to the state.

“The Hijrah remains an evergreen and historic moment for the Muslim community. It was a tough time for the Prophet, his immediate household, and the early Muslims. But their perseverance, discipline, sacrifice, and commitment to the truth helped to establish not just the Islamic monotheism but to also transform their society positively in accordance to the tenets of Islam like principles of fairness, justice and support for the les privileged,” the Governor said in a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“The 2019 elections represented a sort of Hijrah for the people of Kwara State. Together we changed the course of our political history to the glory of God. I therefore call on every Kwaran to imbibe the spirit of Hijrah as we face the arduous task of rebuilding our state. Everything that contributed to the pitiable state of our state must be left in the past. We must, in the spirit of Hijrah, embrace prudence and selflessness for the greater good of Kwara.”


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/09/01/abdulrazaq-greets-muslims-at-hijrah-urges-selfless-service/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday flagged a statewide campaign to curtail malaria, calling it one of the first fruits of his early interventions in the health sector where he recently paid N232m counterpart funds.

The campaign, named Malaria-Free-Kwara, qualifies Kwarans to access free malaria treatments in the health centres near them in the state. It is part of the Roll-Back-Malaria Partnership, a donor-funded programme which Kwara has now keyed into after AbdulRazaq paid the required counterpart funds.

“One of the interventions we have made in the health sector was to pay N82m (out of the total N232million) counterpart funds to show commitment to be involved in the global anti-malaria campaign led by the Roll-Back-Malaria Partnership, a donors-driven initiative to stamp out the menace of malaria in the world, especially in our country Nigeria,” he said at the official launch of the Malaria-Free-Kwara in Ilorin, the state capital.

“The Malaria-Free-Kwara we are launching this morning is a product of that timely intervention, which is to complement the humanitarian efforts of the Roll-Back-Malaria Partnership. No serious government, especially in Nigeria, should trivialise the global campaign against malaria. In 2018 alone, Nigeria recorded 100million malaria cases with at least 300,000 deaths resulting from such cases. Such shameful data contributed to our recurring low rating in global development indices.”

AbdulRazaq, who is currently in the entourage of President Muhammadu Buhari to Japan, was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government Dr Saba Jibril.

“As I flag off the Malaria Free Kwara campaign for year 2019, I request all Kwarans and caregivers in the state to visit the nearest health facility to them to access this service in the interest of everyone and overall well-being of our state,” he said.

Lamenting that the anti-malaria campaign had been purely donor-driven since 2008 when it started, AbdulRazaq said the payment of the counterpart funds has qualified Kwara for such future interventions by donors in the global campaign against the deadly disease.

“I assure you that our administration will continue to do everything possible to reposition the health sector in line with our campaign promises of making sure that quality health care services are available and obtainable by all and sundry so as to brighten our chances of achieving Universal Health Coverage,” he stated.

“It is our belief that with the planned sustainability of this project, Kwara State will witness a significant decline in malaria cases, which would in turn boost our standing in developmental ratings. I urge our religious and traditional leaders to support this project by giving their consent and creating awareness on the importance of these campaigns and its far-reaching effects on improving the health indices of the State. Let me make it clear that these interventions for eliminating malaria is “FREE FOR ALL”.

No fewer than 2,500 patients, meanwhile, have benefitted from a three-day Intensive Medical Intervention programme, organised by the US-based Kwara State Association of Nigerians (KSANG) and Sakinah Medical Outreach in conjunction with the Kwara State Government.
The free healthcare services, which cut across the three senatorial districts of the state, came up between 28th and 30th August at three different locations — Ajase Ipo, Tsaragi and Okelele primary healthcare centres.

KSANG President Dr. Yusuf Adanlawo said the gesture was aimed at complementing the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-government's good intention to responding to the medical needs of Kwarans.

"Shortly after the elections, the Governor came to US and we listened to his passionate agenda about improving the people's access to healthcare services. We assured him of doing whatever we can to support his government. That is why we raised fund within ourselves and put up this programme,” Adelanwo said in Ilorin at one of the outreach centres.

He expressed satisfaction about the turn-out of patients suffering from different ailments such as malaria, diabetes, hypertension, cataract and sickle cell in all the selected locations, adding that the project gulped about N20million for medications only while the government provided the facilities to carry out the surgical aspect and other logistics.

The surgical operation for at least 150 patients would be carried out at the General Hospital, Ilorin, and Sobi Specialist Hospital in the next two weeks’ time, Adelanwo said.

He praised the government for appointing one of them, Professor Wale Suleiman, as Special Adviser on Health Matters. Adelanwo also acknowledged the government's sincere commitment to engendering a healthy citizenry.

Alhaja Taiye Ahmed, a beneficiary of the outreach who checked her blood pressure, gave government a pass mark for providing such a platform, lamenting that a lot of patients had died because of certain ailments that could have been treated if they enjoyed timely medical care.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/30/abdulrazaq-launches-free-malaria-treatments-in-kwara/

The payment of the State Universal Basic Education Board employees salary which falls under the monthly financial obligations of the local government which is the third tier of government commenced today.

The AbdulRazaq-led administration which was unanimously voted with one of the aims targeted at solving the age long percentage payment of salaries experienced which has in the past made life difficult for all workers in Kwara. But, immidiately the governor was sworn in he put in place mechanism to facilitate the implementation of 100% salary for all workers in the state. A situation which the last administration made seemingly impossible.

The government through the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye has continuously enlightened citizens of the state on the administration's compliance with Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) directive that commenced on June 1, 2019 which allows the local governments to function as an independent tier of government and has taken away financial responsibilities such as payment of their workers salary which include SUBEB workers away from the state government because they now receive their allocations without interference. The CPS who is aware that the new directive is new to workers in the state has not left any choice words unused in educating all on why the state government should be exonerated from any delay experienced in paying the local government employees' salaries.

Despite the local government autonomy, the governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been working relentlessly to ensure the SUBEB staffs are adequately catered for by charging the local governments to key into his model of prompt payment of 100% salaries which has yielded result has seen in the commencement of the salary payment today by the local governments.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the appointment of US-based renowned professor of neurosurgery and neurosciences Wale Sulaiman as Special Adviser on Health Matters.

“As part of his clear-eyed efforts to revamp every sector of the state, Governor AbdulRazaq is glad to bring Professor Sulaiman on board as a leading member of his team. He is confident that the famous Professor will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the delivery of affordable, innovative and qualitative healthcare to the people of Kwara,” according to a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“The appointment is based on the excellent report of his vast experience in health matters both locally and internationally, and dedication to the noble ideals of this administration.”

The statement said Prof. Sulaiman, until his appointment the CEO and Chairman of a healthcare development company RNZ Global Ltd., is an expert in transformational changes in the design, delivery, access, safety and quality of healthcare utilising modern technology.

The appointee is also a Professor of Neurosurgery at Tulane University and up until January 2019 was System Chairman of Neurosurgery and Co-Medical Director of a Neuroscience Institute with Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, USA. He is a Pioneer Neurosurgeon in minimally invasive spine surgery under the RNZ Back and Spine Center of Africa. He was also reputed to have performed the first minimally invasive spine surgery in Sub-Sahara Africa.

A member of several neurosurgery bodies and a visiting Professor to many universities in the United States, Canada and Nigeria, among others, Prof. Sulaiman is also known for his commitment to give back to his home country Nigeria and Sub-Saharan African countries.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/26/kwara-gov-names-a-list-neurosurgeon-sa-on-health-matters/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered immediate reversal to the use of the national coat of arms in the state, effectively dropping the one adopted in 2012 by the previous administration.

“With immediate effect, the administration has dropped the Kwara State Coat of Arms and has reverted to the use of the Federal Coat of Arms,” according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

The statement said the Secretary to the State Government has been mandated to implement the development.

Kwara adopted a distinct coat of arms in 2012.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/23/kwara-reverts-to-national-coat-of-arms/

The Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited and inspected the long abandoned Juvenile Remand Home, Oko Erin which is in an obsolescence state not different from several other government owned facilities across the state inherited from the previous adminstration.

The Officer-In-Charge of the Juvenile Remand Home took the governor round the dilapidated facilities and explained the difficulties they have been facing in managing the inmates sent by the court ranging from lack of security to non availability of quality water.

A staff at the Juvenile Home lamented the lack of security for safety of lives and properties within the home. He furthered that only local security men are presently employed.

The staff explained to the governor that, they have always complained bitterly to the previous administration and the court in particular that the facilities at the Juvenile Remand Home is not well at all to accommodate any inmates if the aim is to rehabilitate them but the response they always get from the court is that the Juvenile Remand Home along Oko-Erin is the only recognized Juvenile Home in Kwara State and as such they were forced to receive the inmates regardless.

Gov AbdulRazaq haven seen the facilities at the Juvenile Remand Home promised that actions will be taken to revive the Remand Home and ensure that inmates are appropriately confined and rehabilitated to become purposeful citizens.

AbdulRazaq also proceeded to visit the Children Reception Centre, along Pipeline, Ilorin. The governor was conducted round the facilities by the Officer-In-Charge, Mrs. Yemisi Adetutu Bello. The governor assessed thoroughly, the facilities housing the children at the centre with the aim of giving it the lacking owner's touch which was visible from the decrepit state he met it.

Mrs. Yemisi said the little improvement of the centre and contributions they get are from NGOs and some independent donors. She complained about the high degree of abandonment experienced during the past administrations.

The governor who was accompanied by Arch. Kale Belgore to the two places he visited promised that his administration will immediately swift into action to ensure adequate and proper attention are given to the Juvenile Remand Home and the Children Reception Centre in the spirit and consciousness of a new and better Kwara that will continue to put smiles on all faces in the state.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has forwarded to the state Assembly a bill to institutionalise his various initiatives to drive economic growth, counter poverty, and ensure equitable distribution of resources in the state.

The bill, when passed, will establish the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWSSIP) which would be charged with the responsibility of tackling poverty, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and economic growth.

“Mr Governor’s plan is to ensure that his various interventions to tackle poverty and make living a lot more meaningful for our people are formalised and institutionalised. It is a social security plan that benefits everyone, regardless of their affiliations,” Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the Governor, said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said such programmes would outlive the administration and guide against people, especially the aged, falling into destitution or depending on any individual politicians to access whatever support the state can offer them.

Modelled after the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programmes, the statement said KWSSIP would comprise Kwara State Conditional Cash Transfer (KWCCIT) to support those within the lowest poverty bracket by improving nutrition and increasing household consumption; Kwara State
Poverty Reduction Programme (KWSPRP) to assist Kwarans to acquire and develop lifelong skills; Kwara State Government Entrepreneur and Empowerment Programme (KWSGEEP) which shall lend money to petty traders, artisans, farmers, enterprising youths, men and women; and HomeGrown School Feeding Programme (HGSF).

“The HGSF will ensure school feeding of schoolchildren in order to increase school enrolment, reduce malnutrition, empower community women, and support small farmers in the state,” the statement said.

This comes a few days after AbdulRazaq visited the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) at Jamba-Oja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state where he said the thrust of his administration is to lift the people from poverty line using heavy investment in agriculture and human capital development.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/22/abdulrazaq-sends-anti-poverty-bill-to-kwara-assembly/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday told the state civil servants that late coming to work is unhelpful for government business in the 21st century.

"The Governor is not happy that he got to the Government Secretariat at about 7:55a.m. on Monday and for over one hour only a few workers were at work. Most offices were still locked as at 9a.m. He feels very unhappy about such an attitude and calls for change," Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesman for the Governor, said in a statement following the unscheduled visit.

"Late coming and poor attitude to work certainly will not be tolerated. The civil service should be business-like and efficient in service delivery. As we try to support the civil service to deliver on its mandate, we expect a drastic shift from old practices that have taken our state nowhere."

Hundreds of workers -- who came late to work -- were still locked outside the main gate by the time AbdulRazaq left the secretariat a few minutes before 10a.m.

AbdulRazaq also commended the staff of the Children's Hospital at
Centre Igboro for their dedication to work.

"The Governor wishes to specially commend the staff of the Children's Hospital for their exemplary service beyond the call of duty. He appreciates them and urges them to continue that way," the statement added.

The commendation followed AbdulRazaq's impromptu visit to the hospital on Sunday to check the state of their facilities

The governor, while touring various offices in the old secretariat, asked the few workers present about their routines and what they needed to render better services to the public.

AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, directed the Kwara State Scholarship Board to present a memo detailing the state of student bursary and scholarship.

He gave the directive during the tour of the secretariat, adding that the board should direct all students to open accounts. He also asked the board to henceforth adopt e-payment for the disbursement of bursary.



https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/19/late-coming-and-poor-attitude-to-work-will-not-be-tolerated-kwara-gov-tells-civil-servants/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday said recommendations of the committee on sales of public assets may be tested in the court in a bid to get justice for the people of the state.

AbdulRazaq was speaking in Ilorin, the state capital, when the Committee on the Review of the Sales/Disposal of Government Properties submitted its final report to the Governor.

"I thank you for your time and the efforts put into the work. I went through the interim report and I'm sure this final report would be an improvement on it," he said.

"We would not discard the report because that would be a waste of your time and resources. We will definitely look at it. And we will find judicial solutions for the good of the state and Nigeria. In the interim report that you recently submitted, we saw some abnormalities which we will not allow to stand."

The Governor also said the committee might be called upon to make clarifications as government leafs through the report.

Senator Suleiman Ajadi, chairman of the committee, told the Governor that several frauds and mismanagement of public funds and properties were discovered, especially in the handling of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises funds, Harmony Holdings, and others.

He urged the administration not to let the report end in the bin as that might mean the loss of at least N5bn allegedly mismanaged through the SMEs funds.

"The committee observed unconscionable and immoral use of public funds to buy luxury cars, which flies in the face of the poverty being faced by our people, especially because of the several months of unpaid salaries," Ajadi said.

"It was considered reckless and against all common decency for those in authority to award these properties kept in their care to themselves in whatever guise."


Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
16 August, 2019.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/16/kwara-judicial-solution-likely-as-sen-ajadi-led-committee-on-sales-of-public-assets-submits-report/