Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the best way to eradicate poverty is to cultivate more lands for agriculture.

"If we really want to rise above the poverty line, the way to do that is through agriculture ...There is a need for renewed focus on agriculture and agro processing," AbdulRazaq said on Friday when the board of Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) visited him in Ilorin, the state capital.

"Kwara is located in a part of Nigeria where the land is arable. We hope to make you our partner in progress (to drive agricultural growth). We hope to work with you immediately."

He also called for more enlightenment on the activities of various government initiatives to support agriculture, saying not many people are aware of the opportunities that are available with the ACGSF.

AbdulRazaq also said the state government plans to pursue several developmental initiatives through the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Speaking on the purpose of the visit, chairman of the board, Okokon Udo, said the scheme encourages banks to lend to farmers by providing guarantee for loans for crops and livestock production and processing.

"It mitigates risks associated with banks' lending to agriculture through formal assurance to pay banks 75.0 percent of the net amount in default in accordance with the provisions of the enabling Act," Udo said.

He said while Kwara is the third state with the highest number of loans from the scheme, there is a need to further enlighten the public on the advantages of accessing the facilities to "empower themselves and enhance their agricultural activities and income-earning capacity."


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

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/16/agric-key-to-poverty-eradication-says-kwara-gov/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is a leader whose humility, easy nature and commitment to the people's welfare would take to the greatest height, the Chief Imam of Shonga Jibril Abubakar said on Thursday.

"The Governor did not only quietly come in without disrupting the ongoing activities, he even came to sit with the scholars to greet them. I am really surprised at Your Excellency's humility," Abubakar said in Shonga town of Edu local government at a modest Islamic wedding for three daughters of Mallam Shuaib Abdullahi Yaman, a top chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

"We pray to the Almighty Allah to make your tenure a successful one and we pray Allah to take you to the highest level. Our People need humble and committed leaders like you."

AbdulRazaq arrived the venue of the wedding in company of a few aides and security details, praying Allah to bless the couples and their parents.

He later visited the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahya Ndanusa, in his palace -- followed by a brief private meeting that lasted about 30 minutes.

Yaman, a former Governorship aspirant, is now a commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC).

The three daughters who wedded are Ramatu Hajja Abdullahi Yaman; Ramatu Hamamah Abdullahi Yaman; and Fatimah Jibril. While Ramatu Hajja is married to Idris Abdullahi, Ramatu Hamamah wedded Ahmed Gana, while Fatimah married Said Kasshimu.

AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, had a brief stop at Tsaragi where the youths urged him to look into their clamour for basic amenities such as equipping their schools and cottage hospital.

The governor said their concerns will be looked into in the next fiscal year.

L-R: Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yahaya Oloriegbe; representative of Kwara State Governor and Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Adisa Logun; Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional rulers council, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari; and Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, during Sallah Homage to the Emir at Emir's Palace, Ilorin, the state capital, on Sunday.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday said the country’s internal security partly depends on the premium placed on effective fire service delivery, pledging to make such service a priority of his government.

“Everybody has a responsibility to prevent fire disasters in view of its ugly consequences. Equally, fire service delivery is a vital component of internal security. The issue of safety of life and property is therefore occupying a major place in the programmes of our government,” AbdulRazaq said at the 10th National Council Conference on Fire in Ilorin, the state capital according to a statement released by Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.


“Our government takes fire prevention and fire fighting seriously. This is because we are quite aware of the devastating result of fire disasters, which, in most cases, destroy properties and wreck lives.

“As part of this administration’s commitment toward saving lives and properties from avoidable lost, the Kwara State Government has set machineries in motion to reposition and strengthen the Kwara State Fire Service for effective service delivery. I am glad to inform you that we have commenced rehabilitation work on the Unity Fire Station, Ilorin, to give Fire men a befitting office accommodation and this is just a tip of the ice berg. Other challenges of the State Fire Services shall be tackled one after the other in due course.”

He said fortunes and lives have been lost to fire incidents which could have been prevented if proactive measures had been taken, calling for strategic planning and action to halt the trend of fire disasters in the country.

“I want to remind residents of the State that when fire incident occurs and once fire gets out of control, it has no respect for class or creed. It becomes man's worst enemy. It takes no hostages. Its heat alone can kill, maim and destroy. It is therefore our collective responsibility to guide against it at all cost,” he added.

He commended the Federal Fire Service and the delegates for the conference which theme —Technology: An Imperative for Effective Service Delivery in the Fire Sector — AbdulRazaq said was very apt as every sector that is not driven by technology will be living in the past.

The Governor had earlier announced that he would allocate land for the establishment of the proposed Federal Fire Training School and the north-central regional office of the service in Ilorin.

He also said additional fire service stations would be established in the northern senatorial district of the state to complement the ones in Ilorin, in the central, and those in Omu Aran and Offa in Kwara south.

Speaking earlier at the event, the Federal Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Georgina Ekoma, commended the Governor for showing commitment to effective fire service delivery in the state.

The event was also attended by the Federal Fire Service Comptroller General, Liman Ibrahim; Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Mamman Saba Jubril; Chief of State Aminu Adisa Logun; the Kwara State Head of Service Mrs Oluwole Susan; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works Yusuf Majo; and delegates from across Nigeria to the National Council on Fire.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/08/quality-fire-service-key-to-internal-security-says-kwara-gov/

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq paid a surprise visit to the Civil Service Clinic, Ilorin as part of his ongoing personal assessment of various sectors, facilities and service delivery framework in the state.

The governor who was welcomed to the clinic by the surprised staff and visitors went straight to interacting with all staff and was given a breakdown of their activities over the years.

While briefing the governor on their operations, the Doctor on duty, Dr. Ayinla told the Governor that they average over 100 births with less than 10 beds in the hospital. Dr. Ayinla continued that as much as they would have loved to be more effective in discharging their duties, they are faced with different levels of challenges owing to neglect by government over the years.

Dr. Ayinla told the Governor about the clinic's needed expansion and the inability to discharge their work at an optimum level due to the inability to access basic equipment needed to help them, crave the indulgence of the AbdulRazaq led government to assist in that regard. He said the provision of an ultra-modern surgical room will optimize the level of their work.

He further explained that the Clinic was naturally meant to be a Primary Health Care center, but they now offer both secondary and tertiary services which has made the job more tedious.

Dr. Ayinla also complained that they are short of expertise and the piled up challenges of years not attended to by previous administrations has further made it really impossible to work effectively. Part of the challenges listed include but not limited to; poor electricity supply, lack of adequate security, outnumbered wards and offices.

Governor AbdulRazaq promised to look into the challenges with the aim of solving them promptly as improving basic health care with the hope of reducing maternal death and ensuring every Kwaran get easy access to health facilities for various treatment remains dear to his administration. He lauded the staff of the clinic and charged them to continue in that stride as their welfare will be adequately looked into in order to keep them morally stable and motivated to deliver at best.

AbdulRazaq reiterated that the health of Kwara populace is one of his utmost priorities and must be treated as such. The governor also raised concern over the poor medical record keeping of government owned hospitals in Kwara at a time the world is digitalizing but stated that his administration can't afford to leave Kwara state in such an unspeakable condition he inherited from the previous administrations.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/08/health-of-kwarans-my-utmost-priority-says-gov-abdulrazaq/

The Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been commended for his giant strides in the area of infrastructural development by the Controller-General of Federal Fire Service, Dr Liman Ibrahim.

The commendation came when the CG, Dr Liman Ibrahim in company of top officials of the Kwara state ministry of Works and Transportation led by the Permanent Secretary Dr Yusuf Garba paid the governor a courtesy visit at the state house.

Dr Liman lauded the governor on his recovery plans saying it is evident in his approach to governance that he has the best interest of the people of Kwara state at heart. He expressed delight over Gov AbdulRazaq's administration renovation of the Kwara state Fire Service office along Unity road which was in a state never to behold but yet abandoned by the last administration despite the important role men of the service play in securing live and properties in the state over the years.

The team which comprises of the Director Civil Engineer Kwara state Ministry of Works and Transport, Engr. Biliaminu Folorunsho; DG Azogu; Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Works and Transport, Dr. Yusuf Garba Manjo; Controller-General of Federal Fire Service, Dr I.A Liman; Controller V.O. Gbaruko and Director Fire service Kwara State, Waheed Yakubu took turn to acknowledge the governor’s vision and visible workable plans emphasizing that Governor Abdulrazaq has done incredibly well within his short time in office. They also thanked the governor for allocating land for the establishment of the proposed Federal Fire Training School and regional office for the north central to be sighted in Ilorin, the state capital a decision they will forever appreciate.

While appreciating them, AbdulRazaq promised not to relent on his drive to see that Kwara state progresses and keeps moving higher. He continued that his adminstration will fine-tune modalities that will further motivate men of the Kwara state Fire Services as the safety of lives and properties of everyone within the state remains his government topmost priority.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/07/gov-abdulrazaq-has-done-incredibly-well-within-his-short-time-in-office-dr-liman/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has agreed to allocate land for the establishment of the proposed Federal Fire Training School and regional office for the north central to be sighted in Ilorin, the state capital.

AbdulRazaq also said additional fire service stations would be established in the northern senatorial district to complement the ones in Ilorin, in the central, and those in Omu Aran and Offa in the south.

The Governor announced these on Tuesday when the Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service Dr Liman Ibrahim paid a courtesy visit on him as part of the ongoing 10th national council on fire hosted by the Kwara State Government.

AbdulRazaq said the government would also embark on capacity building for officers of the state fire service as a corollary to the ongoing renovation of the Fire Service Station on Unity Road in Ilorin being done by his administration.

Ibrahim, for his part, thanked the governor for hosting the national council on fire as well as the ongoing renovation of the fire station.

He had earlier urged the Governor to establish new fire stations in other senatorial districts of the state to curtail any fire outbreak in the state.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
7 August 2019

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/07/kwara-donates-land-for-federal-fire-service-school-north-central-regional-office/

The Ilorin Central Jumaat Mosque Management committee paid a courtesy visit to the executive Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to discuss how the governor can intervene in the maintenance and management of the mosque.

The committee in their discussion with the governor talked on how the Central Mosque which have been playing mother role will be appropriately and adequately maintained as they solicited for the support of the state government in actualising it.

Gov AbdulRazaq reiterated his believe that religion and government are like couple who sometimes have a hard time living together but simply cannot live apart. He said religious institutions and government both need their independence in order to flourish, but history has shown that a complete divorce is healthy for neither. Although they travel differently but not on parallel tracks as they are most successful and most effective when they protect and encourage one another.

AbdulRazaq said his administration is a preacher and advocate of paradigm shift and reorientation of the perspective of the youths in Kwara towards positive engagement but is also conscious of the essential role religious institutions can play in achieving this and as such will protect and maintain healthy religious freedom in the state. He urged all religious leaders to imbibe the culture of teachings that will keep fostering peaceful coexistence, harmony, hospitality and peace now enjoyed in the state as a result of his government's new approach.

The governor assured the committee of his readiness to support and collaborate with all religious institutions in the state. He assured the committee of his commitment to help in actualising adequate and appropriate maintenance of the mosque and also ready to extend same to others in line with his government believe in the significant roles they will play in nation building.

The committee members that visited the Governor include; Engr. Sayi Moshood; Arc. Sefullah Agege; Imam Gambari; Alh. Shey AbdulGafar; Alh. Mustapha Aluko; Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alh. Bayero Sulyman and Alfa Sakaiama.

Gov AbdulRazaq appreciated the visit of the committee and also commended them on their effort in making the birth of a new and better state hitch free and also ensuring Kwara works for all this time after several years of working only for a few.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/07/ilorin-central-mosque-management-visit-governor-abdulrazaq-seeks-support-for-maintenance/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said his administration would institutionalise the Ilorin Durbar as a tourist attraction in the state.

He said preparations for it and other such festivals would be captured in subsequent budgets instead of ad-hoc arrangements for such events.

“Ilorin Durbar has come to stay. Our administration will treat it as a tourist attraction for the state. We will institutionalise it. From next year, preparations for it would be captured in the budget and organisers and the affected ministry will have to go through the traditional budget defence at the House of Assembly,” AbdulRazaq said late Tuesday when the Ilorin Durbar Committee visited him in his office.

The Governor said the Durbar would also be placed on the global map of tourist attractions like the Esie Museum, Pategi Regatta, and Gani festival, the three in Kwara State, assuring the committee of his full support for this year’s event, including releasing the horses within the Government House for the colourful event according to statement released by Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

The Ilorin Durbar is celebrated on the second day of Eid-ul-Kabir, drawing dignitaries and nobles mostly from across the Ilorin Emirate who mount the horseback often in their full traditional and royal regalia.

Engineer Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa, Chairman of the Durbar Committee, said they had come to brief the Governor on the activities of the committee.

“As a son of the soil and the son of Mutawallin Ilorin (AGF Abdul Razaq SAN), we want you to drive the process so that we can put the Ilorin Durbar on the global map,” Alapansapa said.

He urged the Governor to also invite his friends from within and outside of the state to attend the the event.

Alapansapa, who was accompanied by other members of the committee and top Muslim clerics, said Kwarans are happy at the style and attitude of AbdulRazaq to governance as he moves to let institutions perform their roles, rather than individuals running institutions with their whims.

The committee later presented the Governor with gifts from the Durbar archive, praying the Almighty God to guide him through the mandate given to him by Kwarans.


.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/07/well-institutionalise-ilorin-durbar-festival-says-gov-abdulrazaq/

~Flags off state response to outbreak

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday said it was a shame that the state recorded 50% of the new polio cases in Nigeria, saying he would deploy necessary resources to fight the virus.

"It is a shame that Kwara has 50 percent of the new outbreak. We shouldn't be dealing with fresh polio in this state now. But we will give the necessary supports to put an end to that," AbdulRazaq said in Ilorin, the state capital, as he flagged off the polio outbreak response activities, exactly five years after the state government last supported routine polio immunisation programme.

The governor, who commended various global agencies for their support, urged parents and other stakeholders to key into the vaccination of under-five children to halt the spread of the deadly virus.

"I call on Kwarans to join hands with our partners to interrupt the transmission of the Polio virus in Kwara State and Nigeria at large," he said.

"I am appealing to all mothers, caregivers, heads of households, religious bodies, markets and schools to as a matter of necessity make all children under 5years of age available for the vaccination exercise, irrespective of their previous vaccination status as the campaign will be conducted as many times as possible.

"It is highly unacceptable and inexcusable for any Parent, Care Giver or Government to watch our future generation being paralysed from a vaccine-preventable disease like Polio."

Dr Usman Adamu, Incident Manager of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, hailed AbdulRazaq for helping to revive the immunisation programme in Kwara after five years.

Adamu said Kwara recorded 50% of the new polio cases because the state did not pay the necessary counterpart funds to immunise the children against the disease.

Adamu also commended AbdulRazaq for establishing various task forces to monitor Kwara's response to the polio emergencies.

Jumoke Bamigboye, wife of former Governor Theophilus Bamigboye, commended AbdulRazaq for his prompt response to prinary healthcare issues, especially the polio vaccination programme.

He said the governor's response has shown him to be a responsive leader who cares for the children and the future of the state.

Dr Abimbola Folorunsho, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, also praised the Governor for his support for primary healthcare which she said has reflected in world bodies now willing to support the state on all fronts, especially polio.

The event was attended by former military administrator of Osun State, Theophilus Bamigboye; Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Raphael Adetiba; Secretary to the Kwara State Goverment, Dr Mamman Saba Jubril; representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO); Rotary International; United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); and several other donor agencies.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/06/gov-abdulrazaq-flags-off-state-response-to-outbreak-says-over-50-new-polio-cases-shameful/

Kwara State Government on Friday queried the top civil servant linked to the N150m property forfeited to the Federal government.

"In line with the civil service rules and procedure and the anti-corruption posture of the new administration, the Head of Service (HOS), Mrs OLUWOLE Susan, on Friday ordered that the affected officer be issued a query immediately," according to a statement signed by Alhaji Iliyasu Idris, permanent secretary of Service Welfare in the HOS office.

"And as part of the measures, a new Controller, Finance and Account has now been posted to the Kwara State Government House."

The statement said the top civil servant has been asked to hand over to the new officer while government concludes its internal probe.

The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Thursday secured the final forfeiture of “Asmau Plaza” which the anti-graft body linked to the civil servant and said was a proceed of crime.

The order of final forfeiture of the plaza, located at University Road, Tanke Area, Ilorin, was given by Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, on August 1, 2019 following an application brought before the court by the EFCC seeking its forfeiture.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/02/kwara-govt-queries-official-after-n150m-property-forteiture/

The Kwara State Government is understudying the TraderMoni programme of the Federal Government to extend soft loans to traders and reduce mass poverty in the state.

"On Friday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited the Abuja headquarters of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the implementers of the TraderMoni initiative, with a view to replicate same in Kwara," spokesman Rafiu Ajakaye said in a statement.

GEEP, which is supervised by the Bank of Industry, is one of the four sub-programmes of the National Social Investment Office (NSIO).

The statement said the visit was for AbdulRazaq to discuss partnership with GEEP handlers on how Kwarans can further access the micro loans and lift thousands of people out of poverty.

Accompanied by Mrs Uwais, former Special Adviser to the president on Social Investments, the governor listened to details of the initiative, including the challenge of implementing it in Kwara and how it could help fight poverty, the statement added.

"After learning the back-end processes involved, we are looking at the possibility of starting the Kwara version of Trader-Moni later this year after appropriate legislations and budgetary provisions," according to the statement.

The visit came two days after AbdulRazaq visited the headquarters of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to seek partnership on how to revive the state's comatose health sector.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/08/02/kwara-gov-understudies-trader-moni-to-fight-poverty/

The executive governor of Kwara state AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at a meeting held on Monday, July 29th 2019 with Ebrima Faal the Senior Director of African Development Bank Nigeria Country Office as well as other top officials of the AFDB to discuss collaborations on how to achieve Kwara state's objectives for development.

Speaking on their areas of interest in which they would like the bank to aid them in, Governor AbdulRazaq spoke about recent steps taken in Education, Health, Infrastructure and Agriculture sectors. He highlighted on the funds that has already been approved to access funds which will be injected into many projects such as the rebuilding of school buildings, reconstruction of roads, re-equipping and improving the health sector among others. He noted that a lot was still left to be done about the development of the state but expressed his desire to see to that. He however expressed hope in the AFDB to aid the state in its set targets and objectives.

Ebrima Faal expressed his enthusiasm to help Kwara State especially through their visionary leader as AbdulRazaq has established a different perspective to governance. He unveiled their plans to help Kwara state in areas that were priorities such as; the development of a rural transformation strategy around agriculture with skills development and
entrepreneurship, infrastructure: road from Kwara to Kogi and the $50million facility to support SMEs and women owned enterprises and also highlighted some project which the AfDB were embarking on in Nigeria into which Kwara state could key into and benefit from. These projects were on Energy, Agriculture, Water and Sanitation.

Faal elucidated steps that would follow the meeting to ensure the discussions materializes into visible impact for the state. These include the visit of a team of experts from AfDB who will come to Kwara state anytime from September to identify areas of prioritizes, support in recruitment of consultants, among other ways to ensure that Kwara state is a fore beneficiary of the Bank's support to Nigeria.

AbdulRazaq thanked AFDB and reiterated that there is no better time to help Kwara achieve her true growth than now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0liAHshlbo/?igshid=4uhrhxwdhc1j

Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the second phase of the ongoing road rehabilitation , approved the construction of Ita-amo - Madi - Oke Foma bridge within Ilorin West local government area of the state.

Hitherto, is the Okefomo bridge pulled down by the previous government, is part of the numerous abandoned projects inherited by the AbdulRazaq's led administration. The dilapidated bridge brought untold hardship on motorists and other road users, thereby affecting economic activities in that area. The governor has intensified efforts towards opening up the entire socio-economic activities of the state which is yielding positive results based on the attention that the state is now getting from prospective investors . The bridge ought to serve as a connecting link but could not fulfil such purpose due to its damage and was left to remain that way by the last administration.
Members of the community who cried out to Gov AbdulRazaq reiterated that the state at which it was left by the previous government have been causing disruption in the flow of activities of both road users and people living in the community.

To God be the glory, Gov Abdulrazaq has graciously approved the immediate construction of the bridge as appropriated for in the 2019 budget and is being handled by Kwara Road Maintenance Agency in order to revive socio-economic activities within the area.

It will be recalled that the Governor has approved the commencement of the second phase road rehabilitation across the state.

Abdulrazaq who has been on tour in order to access the situation of things across the state is closely watching the situation of each sector and he is ready to salvage the situation. He has continued to bring reliefs, succour and ease to the people of the state through numerous interventions since he assumed office barely two months since assuming the governorship saddle.


https://www.instagram.com/p/B0VwlJmhN9a/?igshid=j2fy6dxhc0y5

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has charged the state's contingent to the holy pilgrimage to pray for the progress of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

"I have come to see you off. I have come to bid you farewell to the Holy Land. Don't forget Kwara when you get there. Don't forget Nigeria. Pray for us. Pray for the progress of our state," AbdulRazaq told the pilgrims in the early hours of Wednesday as the state's last batch was set to fly to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.

The Governor prayed to God to accept the Hajj rites of the intending pilgrims who he urged to be good ambassadors of the state.

The head of the state's contingent, Alhaji L'Azizi Jimoh, thanked AbdulRazaq for the visit which he described as the first of such by any Governor of the state.

"This is the first time a Governor will come here to personally bid farewell to the pilgrims. We are grateful," according to Jimoh, a renowned historian and community leader.

A total of 2,026 persons are performing the holy pilgrimage from Kwara in 2019.

Wednesday's flight -- involving 365 pilgrims -- was the last from the state as the world prepares for the annual religious rites.


Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
24 July, 2019


https://www.instagram.com/p/B0TcGuKBBk1/?igshid=myeawp8jbg41

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has charged the state's contingent to the holy pilgrimage to pray for the progress of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

"I have come to see you off. I have come to bid you farewell to the Holy Land. Don't forget Kwara when you get there. Don't forget Nigeria. Pray for us. Pray for the progress of our state," AbdulRazaq told the pilgrims in the early hours of Wednesday as the state's last batch was set to fly to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.

The Governor prayed to God to accept the Hajj rites of the intending pilgrims who he urged to be good ambassadors of the state.

The head of the state's contingent, Alhaji L'Azizi Jimoh, thanked AbdulRazaq for the visit which he described as the first of such by any Governor of the state.

"This is the first time a Governor will come here to personally bid farewell to the pilgrims. We are grateful," according to Jimoh, a renowned historian and community leader.

A total of 2,026 persons are performing the holy pilgrimage from Kwara in 2019.

Wednesday's flight -- involving 365 pilgrims -- was the last from the state as the world prepares for the annual religious rites.


Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
24 July, 2019


https://www.instagram.com/p/B0TcGuKBBk1/?igshid=myeawp8jbg41

~says budget must reflect people's need

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday directed top civil servants to meet him at the state's school of special needs for their budget review meeting.

In what was a first in the state's history, AbdulRazaq said he purposely scheduled the meeting for the school to let the top bureaucrats and government functionaries appreciate the need to allocate resources in manners that directly benefit the downtrodden in the society.

The governor had earlier visited the school a few weeks ago to listen to the teachers and inspect the facilities there, apologising to the children and promising to quickly attend to their needs.

"Work has started, in line with our Iseya mantra. I'm sorry to drag you here; it is symbolic. This is necessary for you to understand that there are other people who have needs that we should meet. I want (the budget) to be more inclusive going forward," he told the civil servants at the mid year budget review session in Apata Yakuba suburb of Ilorin, the state capital.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole; Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS); permanent secretaries; directors and heads of various government departments and parastatals.

AbdulRazaq told the bureaucrats that bringing them to the school was to ensure that budgets are made to reflect the condition of the people, and not a show of executive powers.

"I've been here before and I know they have needs. The pupils here don't have access to very basic needs. They don't have light. They can't read. This is a trend across the state. Our schools are in bad states. This is why we emphasise the need to get basic things running first," he said.

"The budget should be realistic. We should bring things back to standard. So, bringing you here is to encourage you to feel the situation here. It is not impunity. It is for us to understand the terrible state of things. It is to make you appreciate the situation here. I want you to appreciate the environment in which you work.

"We want to put basic things in place first before we move into big budget (projects). We will eventually embark on those (big) things but we want to put basic things in place first."

He urged the top civil servants and wealthy members of the society to help the needy such as the special needs children and other disadvantaged members of the society.

The meeting was the second time the governor would pull top civil servants to the hinterland to have a feel of the condition of the people.

In June, the governor summoned permanent secretaries and other officials to Patigi, in Kwara North, following his visit to some schools and hospitals whose conditions he said were unacceptable to him.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
23 July 2019

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=414231839194240&id=356106001673491

In a bid to eradicate polio completely, officials of the World Health Organization (WHO) paid a visit to the governor of Kwara State.

The delegates led by Dr Fiona Braka met with Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, raising concerns over the past administration's refusal to collaborate with WHO despite cases of polio within the state. They took time to run analysis of areas within Ilorin metropolis where the Polio virus were identified due to poor environmental hygienes.

Dr Fiona lamented that throughout 2018, the immediate past government had failed to release financial support, and the years they had given support, manipulations in several areas of implementation had rendered the exercise fruitless. She, however, appreciated the governor for the counterpart funding released to the Ministry of Health in order to key into several federal government health initiatives, one of which WHO saw as a pointer of Kwara having a new mindset.

Governor AbdulRazaq, while reacting to several issues raised, assured them that Kwara state was ready to support WHO because his administration lives in the consciousness of having a healthy state and, helping children live a healthy life which will make them compete favorably with their contemporaries is in line with his campaign promises.

The governor thanked the delegate for their visit and also reiterated that Kwara is a secure state open to investors and international partnerships that will put the state at a place rightly hers.

AbdulRazaq also promised to attend to the issue of improper disposal of refuse as proper sanitation policy which will birth a clean and healthy Kwara will be implemented soon.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=413803939237030&id=356106001673491

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Sunday called for calm following the unfortunate abduction of some Turkish nationals in Edu local government area of the state.

"The Governor is working closely with the security agencies to ensure prompt rescue of the expatriates. The Governor urges the people to go about their normal and lawful businesses and not to entertain any fear, as doing so may embolden the criminals behind the development," according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/21/abduction-kwara-gov-calls-for-calm/

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq on Friday inaugurated the Secretary to the State Government, Mamman Jibril Saba, and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Aminu Loogun, tasking the duo to follow due process and be committed to public good at all time.


At a brief ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Ilorin, AbdulRazaq urged the appointees to work with due diligence and refrain from activities that can dent the image of the administration.

He urged them to deploy their sterling qualities and wealth of experiences in the public service and see their appointments as a public trust.

"The choice of today's appointees is based on knowledge of their vast experiences and I hope that they will bring to bear their sterling qualities in public service," according to the Governor.


In her introductory remarks at the event, the Head of Service, Mrs Modupe Oluwole, commended the governor for carefully selecting trusted and competent personnel to run the affairs of the state with him.

Mrs Oluwole said the swearing-in would set the stage for the smooth running of the government.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Mamman Jibril Saba thanked AbdulRazaq for counting them worthy to serve Kwara and promised to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Saba said they were aware of the enormous tasks ahead of the present government and expressed readiness to contribute their quota in turning around the fortunes of the state.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/19/gov-abdulrazaq-tasks-appointees-on-due-process-public-trust/

The Kwara State Government will create a viable inland trade and Export Processing Zone along Kwara-Benin Republic border, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said on Thursday.

AbdulRazaq said this would be done in collaboration with the Federal Government to boost economic activities at the corridor.

"Our administration is ready to partner with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant bodies to strengthen security in the state, particularly in the western borders with Benin Republic," AbdulRazaq said during a meeting the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Kwara State Command, Mrs Edith Onyemenam, at the Government House, in Ilorin.


He promised to provide critical infrastructure in Kwara North Senatorial District and other parts of the state with a view to promoting business activities and improving the living standard of the people of the area.

He sought the support of the Nigeria Immigration Service and other sister security agencies to tackle the challenge of porous borders and strengthen security in the state.

AbdulRazaq thanked officers of the Service for their selfless service to the country, promising to support them in carrying out their mandates in the state.

Speaking earlier, Onyemenam said the visit was to pay homage to the governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

She commended AbdulRazaq for bringing dynamism to governance in the state, assuring him that the Service would contribute to strengthening security in Kwara State through policing of the borders.


Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
18/07/2019

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday pledged adequate support for the growth of small and medium scale enterprises, saying their success is key for socioeconomic development of the state.

AbdulRazaq said his government will begin immediate intervention in the SMEs to boost youth empowerment and employment in a statement signed by  the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governo

The Governor disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after he visited Bawbaw Fishery located at Pampo, off Ogele-Afon Road in Asa Local Government Area of the state.

"I'm very impressed with what I have seen and the government will intervene in supporting agric-business in the state through the Anchor Borrower Scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)," he said.

"Our focal point is enterprise and we'll get more youth involved. It is a win-win situation. We will support them so that they can also pay taxes to the government."

The governor, who assured private sector of enabling environment, promised to support them in expanding their businesses.

He urged youth in the state to be enterprising in order to improve the economy.

While conducting the governor round the seven-hectare farm, its Chief Executive Officer, Musbau Alasinrin, described fishery as very lucrative in Nigeria.

Alasinrin explained that the farm embarked on earth systems due to its capacity to accommodate large quantity of fishes, saying that the farm supplies markets in Benue State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/18/smes-growth-key-to-our-development-agenda-says-gov-abdulrazaq/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend promised to partner with the Thomas Adewunmi International College (TAICO) in the area of entrepreneurship.

AbdulRazaq said this when he attended the school’s 2019 graduation ceremony during which he also toured the school’s expansive plantation.

“I promised in my manifesto to promote enterprise. This is a good example of it. I had been depressed by what I had been seeing during my inspection of government institutions but my visit to this place, along with what I have seen, has lifted my spirit,” he said.

AbdulRazaq lauded the communal spirit of the school’s founder, Dr Thomas Adewumi, saying: “You are building a huge community here. But you are not just doing this for Oko community, you are attracting investments from other institutions”.

“You are a serious entrepreneur and we shall partner with you.”

The Governor was the special guest of honour at the graduation programme of the top-rated school. He later inspected the new Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, in Irepodun Local government area of the state.

Abdulrazak bemoaned the state of education in Kwara, promising to effect positive change in the sector.

“Kwara used to be number one in northern Nigeria; now Kaduna has overtaken us. Long term planning is essential and that is what we are doing,” he said.

The Governor commended the entrepreneurial accomplishments of Dr. Adewumi, the Asiwaju of Oko Irese and Founder of TAICO and TAUO, whose vision AbdulRazaq said matches that of his administration.

Dr Adewunmi, on his part, thanked the Governor for the visit which he described as a first in the school’s history.

“It is a new dawn of leadership in Kwara. You are the first Kwara governor to come here. We are highly honoured, we are praying for you so that the story of Kwara will be rewritten for good,” Adewunmi said.

He told the governor about the exploits of TAICO students and the international standard of its teaching staff.

“This school is raising leaders. It has international staff members and the students are known for excellence,” he said.

He praised the government’s pledge to create enabling environment for enterprise, saying the policy would improve internally generated revenue for the state.

Dignitaries at the TAICO programme included the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore; royal fathers led by the Olomu of Omu Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti; and top All Progressives Congress chieftains like Senator Simeon Ajibola; Hon. Abdulraheem Olawuyi (Ajuloopin); Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo; Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin; Alh. Yinka Aluko; Alh. Mohammed Abioye; Dr. Bashir Ibrahim; Mr. Sina Ogundele; and Hon. David Aremu.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/15/kwara-gov-to-partner-college-in-entrepreneurship/

Many sectors in Kwara state have for a long time not been working as they should. To get first hand information of how bad things are, the Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has taken it upon himself to pay unannounced visits to major sectors across the state.

His Excellency, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in company of Yinka Aluko and a member of the House of Representative in the state Hon. Raheem Olawuyi Ajuloopin representing
Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-ero Federal Constituency visited the Omu-Aran General Hospital unannounced for facilities inspection.

The doctors, nurses and other staff who were stunned to see the governor visit them on a saturday could not hold their excitement as they have never received that kind of gesture. The doctor in-charge briefed the governor about the condition of the hospital and how it has affected the health sector as a whole. He lamented on the dire need of many major facilities and equipment to aide them in their work.

Furthermore, the staff took turn to echo lack of incentives and shortage of staff to corroborate the doctor in-charge.

The resident doctor also craved the indulgence of the governor to assist them by providing major equipment to make them more effective.

In his words, AbdulRazaq promised to give credence and utmost importance to the health sector to make it run effectively and reiterated is interest in telemedicine for the state. He said he is more determined than ever after seeing how damaged the state owned facilities are and he is working relentlessly to make sure the sectors can work effectively within the shortest possible time.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/14/abdulrazaq-once-again-proves-his-determination-to-make-kwara-work/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend approved immediate rehabilitation of three major works across the state's senatorial districts.

"The three are the Lafiagi Waterworks (Kwara North); Igbaja Waterworks (Kwara South); and Asa Dam Waterworks (Kwara Central)," according to a statement on Saturday by Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

The statement said the three water works are either in bad condition or not working at optimal capacity, and have been recommended for rehabilitation by the Ministry of Water Resources in line with the administration's commitment to tackle water scarcity in the state.

"Consequently, the Governor has approved the release of N48,548,720 for their rehabilitation," the statement added.

The Lafiagi Waterworks is currently running skeletal services owing to the damage to four of its five boreholes, the intake and transfer pumps, the statement said.

It said the facilities in Igbaja had since broken down as a result of poor electricity supply and the lack of proper rehabilitation..

The statement said the Asa Dam, which services the entire Ilorin, works at half its design capacity, adding that the intervention would boost its working capacity.

"The Governor remains committed to his desire to have water running in the state. This has started happening in certain areas, thanks to his interventions, but the idea is that every part of the state should have access to potable water," it said.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/13/kwara-to-rehabilitate-three-major-water-works/

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday apologised to 'special needs' children in the state over the decrepit condition of their school and the lack of facilities there.

"Now that I have seen things for myself, I know the depth of the problem we have in this sector and we'll be responsible in allocating scarce resources. We'll come back here to ensure that basic standards are met. The truth is that basic needs are not met and it is a shame," AbdulRazaq said during a visit to Kwara State School of Special Needs, Apata Yakuba, Ilorin.

"As a government, we want to apologise to them for living in this kind of condition and we will make sure that minimum standards are met."

AbdulRazaq toured the school facilities along with some government officials and administrators of the school.

In what seems a deliberate move to give them a sense of belonging, AbdulRazaq took turns to shake hands with the children and the teachers of the school whom he commended for their resilience and commitment.

He directed the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Mariam Garuba, to urgently submit a recommendation to the government on what the school needs to give the children a good head start in life.

Aroyehun Faoziyah, principal of the special needs school, said they lack basic amenities to take care of the children even as the classrooms are totally dilapidated.

She said the school lacks toilets while its clinic is without basic drugs to treat malaria and other common ailments.

AbdulRazaq had earlier visited the office of the Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi to assess the facilities that are mostly damaged.

He also visited the Kwara Hotel to assess its facilities.

West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday officially confirmed that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq sat its secondary school leaving examination in 1976 at the Government College Kaduna.

The council also confirmed that he had sat the exams using Razaq A.R. as contained in the credentials the Governor repeatedly submitted to the INEC when contesting for elections.

The confirmation was contained in the certified true copy of the results of the Governor and other candidates of the same set that the examination body forwarded to the tribunal.

The document, which is the statement of result and numbered exhibit P3B, was presented by Olorunsola Victor O., a senior examination officer with the Ilorin office of the regional body.

The witness, during cross examination, also confirmed to the tribunal that at least 31 other candidates had their names abbreviated, putting to rest claims by the PDP that the WAEC did not allow abbreviations during that time.

Asked if it would be a horrible lie for anyone to claim that AbdulRazaq did not write the exam, the witness said "yes".

The CTC of the result was signed by Oshindehinde HSA, WAEC deputy registrar, School Examinations Department on behalf of Head of national Office of the body, Olu I. Adenipekun.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/11/breaking-kwara-govs-result-is-authentic-waec/

The Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on his bid to end state owned institutions strike met with the Committee of Unions in Tertiary Institutions, Kwara state and their Provosts. The meeting featured discussions on how to end the indefinite strike embarked on by the state-owned Colleges of Education, how to get rid of the deplorable state of the institutions of learning among other salient issues bothering colleges of education in the state.

According to the Chairman of the Union of Tertiary Institutions in Kwara state, Mr Abdulkadri Imam, during an interview on Royal Fm, the strike was embarked on as an agitation for the payment of the staff's salaries and against the delay in the release of their subventions. They claimed that the previous administration had been owing salaries of staff leading up to 750m Naira since December of 2018, several efforts made to get the previous administration to pay were to no avail. Therefore, the strike action commenced on 4th of April, 2019 was in place until their demands are met.

They expressed their disappointment with the previous administration and appealed to the AbdulRazaq led administration not to continue in the footsteps of refusing to pay their salaries promptly as it was with previous administrations, thus allowing it to accumulate and uneasy for them to best paid after several months.

Mr Imam further expressed his joy and the joy of the members of the union when they learned that governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was putting efforts together to pay their salaries promptly and those in arrears. He said that no other governor had given them this kind of attention until now. He further stated that the present Kwara state government has devised a model to pay the salaries owed by previous administration to the worker, stating that they will be paid their monthly salaries with one month owed to them until the debt has been completed.

It should be recalled that
AbdulRazaq approved payment of N250m to pay at least two months of their outstanding salary. AbdulRazaq also assured the schools of subsequent prompt payment of their salaries along with gradual offset of the arrears inherited from the previous administrations under which the schools embarked on the strike.

"The total amount the Governor released for salary payment is 250,774, 328.34. This covers salary for the months of May and June," Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesman for the Governor, said in a statement on Friday.

On the state of the deterioration of the facilities in schools as well as the inability of the colleges to get accredited, Mr. Imam comments that the colleges of education facilities were in sickening situations and students and staff were exposed to unsafe and unsuitable learning conditions. Furthermore, all the colleges of education have not been accredited in 8 to 10 years. Colleges have even received several warnings of imminent seizure of their licences and shutting down of their colleges. All previous complaints had fallen on deaf ears of the previous administrations.

The affected colleges are Kwara State College of Education, Oro; Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin; Kwara State College of Education (Technical) Lafiagi; Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), Ilorin; Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin and Kwara State College of Nursing, Oke Ode.

However, the administration headed by Governor AbdulRazaq has promised to begin work as a matter of urgency on the facilities needed. According to Rafiu Ajakaiye, the Governor also approved additional N25m for the College of Education, Lafiagi for immediate re-accreditation and N24.8m for CAILS for re-accreditation.

Ajakaiye further noted that this, along with similar steps over the last month, represents a bold step by the Governor to match words with action on his commitment to education, workers' welfare and socio-economic growth of the state. "It is the intention of this administration to stabilise Kwara for growth. Greater things are coming but the Governor is working round the clock to first restore normalcy across all sectors," he said.

In his appreciation to governor AbdulRazaq for his good works so far, Abdulkadri Imam stated that the governor is a man who has particular interest in the education and welfare of students and staff in Kwara state. He also expressed that he sees the governor's "sincerity of purpose" and called him the "champion of Kwara's liberation".

Abdulkadir Imam assured Kwarans that within the next 48hours the strike action would be called off and all state owned Colleges of Education would be reopened for academic activities.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/09/abdulrazaq-set-to-end-state-owned-institutions-strike-within-the-next-48-hours/

Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has given the local debt profile his administration inherited from the past government at N59.6 billion (N59,585,637,336.62).

The governor added the indebtedness was at May 29th, 2019, his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye told our correspondent exclusively in Ilorin, the state capital.

Ajakaye added as at December 2018, the new administration

inherited a sum of N48.6 million (N48,599,040.43) as foreign loan also bequeathed by the past administration.

AbdulRazaq had earlier revealed that Universal Basic Education

Commission (UBEC) blacklisted the state because immediate Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed government mismanaged the N1.5 billion grant meant to upgrade schools in Kwara in 2013.

This, according to the government, necessitated the ban placed on Kwara state by UBEC in accessing grant from the commission.

But the former governor Ahmed refuted claims his

administration mismanaged UBEC counterpart funds.

Ahmed’s spokesman, Dr Muyideen Akorede, absolved former Governor Ahmed’s administration of any wrongdoing regarding the management of UBEC funds.

He maintained that the federal agency essentially cancelled a N2 billion grant to the state when the government borrowed from UBEB its 50 percent cent counterpart fund of N1.5 billion for the payment of salaries at the height of the 2015 economic recession which prevented most states in Nigeria from meeting salary obligations to workers.

But Governor AbdulRazaq said: ” we regret to say that the last administration cannot be forgiven for the criminal neglect of the schools because the consequences are there for all to see.”

He added that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s response to the outrage greeting the diversion of N1.5 UBEC funds has raised more questions on the sordid neglect of public schools under him.

He said that Ahmed’s statement that claims that funds weren’t diverted or mismanaged hold no water in the face of revelations from UBEC and the decrepit state of the schools.

The government said the mismanagement is apparent in Kwara ranking 37th — or the lowest — on the list of UBEC Matching Grant Disbursement Performance as at April 30, 2019.

The government said Ahmed’s claim that his government used the N1.5 billion to pay workers’ salary was untenable and fishy for an administration that received N22 billion Paris Club refund and additional N3.4b billion bailout funds that were meant to help states pay workers when federal allocation dropped.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/06/i-inherited-n59-6b-local-debt-n48-6-foreign-loans-abdulrazaq/

Ongoing industrial action across Kwara State Colleges of Education may end in the coming days, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approving immediate payment of N250m to pay at least two months of their outstanding salary.

AbdulRazaq also assured the schools of subsequent prompt payment of their salary along with gradual offset of the arrears inherited from the previous administration under which the schools embarked on the strike.

The affected colleges are Kwara State College of Education, Oro; Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin; Kwara State College of Education (Technical) Lafiagi; Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), Ilorin; Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin and Kwara State College of Nursing, Oke Ode.

"The total amount the Governor released for salary payment is 250,774, 328.34. This covers salary for the months of May and June," Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesman for the Governor, said in a statement on Friday.

"Concerned about the status of the schools, the Governor also approved additional N25m for the College of Education Technical Lafiagi for immediate re-accreditation and N24.8m for CAILS for re-accreditation."

Ajakaye said this, along with similar steps over the last month, represents a bold step by the Governor to match words with action on his commitment to education, workers' welfare and socio-economic growth of the state

"It is the intention of this administration to stabilise Kwara for growth. Greater things are coming but the Governor is working round the clock to first restore normalcy across all sectors," he said.

The Colleges of Education had long embarked on strike to protest the non-payment of their salary and other administrative issues, leading to the shutting down of the schools.

The statement said the Governor has also approved immediate payment of N49,786,667 as counterpart funds for FADAMA project.

The sum includes an outstanding of N13,914,667.00 third national FADAMA Development Project Additional financing for 2018 and N35,872,000 already due as 2019 counterpart fund for the same project.

An initiative of the World Bank, FADAMA is a project that seeks to empower local farmers with some funds to boost their production of staple foods like rice, cassava and sorghum in irrigable land area.

The project is financed through a counterpart funding arrangement between the World Bank and the participating states, including Kwara which had so far benefitted up to $4,685,500 since it keyed into the programme.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/05/abdulrazaq-okays-n350m-for-colleges-of-education-fadama/

The Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq pays unannounced late night inspection visit to Kwara state Specialist Hospital, Sobi (Alagbado).

The governor who arrived the premises of the hospital around 11:05pm in company of Prof Wale Suleiman walked into the surprised doctors and nurses who could not hide their joy of having him around to get first hand information on the level of deterioration experienced in the hospital with the hope that the needful will be done soonest.

The visit is coming days after Gov AbdulRazaq approved N232m to revamp the health sector and with this late night inspection visit it seems the governor is not ready to settle for just good when better can be attained and best secured for posterity.

Dr. Yusuf Abass Eletu who conducted the governor and his entourage round the clinic reiterated their readiness to work but the unavailability of basic needs have made them professionally handicapped over the years. He listed lack of drugs, lack of quality water supply, unavailability of electricity as they are currently running on small households power generators which was evident as at the time of the governor's visit as the partial lighting within the premises didn't project the standard of the state owned specialist hospital well.

AbdulRazaq while speaking showed concerned about the poor salaries of the doctors and nurses, appreciated them for choosing not to leave the state despite the unfavourable conditions but promised to look into all necessary factors that will make Telemedicine and Health Insurance work in Kwara.

The governor charged the doctors, nurses and other staffs not to relent as the Kwara they will be proud to serve is already here.


https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/04/abdulrazaq-pays-late-night-visit-to-kwara-specialist-hospital/

- Approves N100m gratuities

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reinstated the payment of salary to workers employed in the twilight of the last administration.

"The Governor has directed that the workers be paid their May and June salary. As a statesman and father to all, His Excellency believes the government should not punish these workers for decisions they didn't take," Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said in a statement on Wednesday.

The workers are popularly known as 'sunset workers', with most governors often disengaging them for fear that they had been engaged to wrong foot the new administration. Former Governor Bukola Saraki sacked all the workers his predecessors had engaged in 2003.

"This Governor dares to be different. He has shown good will and magnanimity to all. It is expected that the affected workers will do their part by serving the state diligently," according to the statement.

AbdulRazaq has also approved the sums of N100m gratuity to demonstrate his commitment to the welfare of retirees, the statement added.

The last administration had in the twilight of its reign recruited hundreds of workers into the civil service, including teachers and ministry workers.

The recruitment triggered allegations that the beneficiaries were mainly members of the People's Democratic Party in the state and that the due process was not followed in engaging them.

"The Governor's action is another practical demonstration of his pledge to never victimise anyone for their perceived affiliations. He has therefore resolved to restore their salary," Ajakaye said.

AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, continued his tour of government facilities in the state on Wednesday, with visits to some markets in the Ilorin metropolis where he pledged to give them basic amenities like water, access roads and solar-powered electricity.

https://www.fidelinfo.com/2019/07/03/breaking-abdulrazaq-reinstates-salary-of-kwara-sunset-workers/