By Titilope T. Anifowoshe

I had just completed my vacation abroad when the invitation to attend the Annual Titilope Anifowoshe Freshers Moots Competition at Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin arrived. Seeing it as an opportunity to settle my table-tennis challenge with Buhari Saddiq, a former Commissioner of Communications in Kwara, I gladly accepted.

Beyond leisure, I seized the chance to engage with my acquaintances who are public officials, visiting their offices to discuss Kwara Youths' concerns, those of the entire Kwara South, and to explore government opportunities for Igbonla (my hometown).

Upon landing in Kwara, my first visit, just two hours later, was to the office of Commissioner for Water Resources, Yunusa Lade. His profound knowledge of Kwara State's water trajectory left me in awe. I couldn't help but inquire if he had a background in engineering or geology, as I knew he hadn't majored in either.

Throughout my visit, I met with eleven other dedicated public servants, including House Majority Leader Hon. Oba Magaji, the pride of Owode Onire Constituency Rukayyat Shittu, Hon. Segun Ogunniyi of Offa/Ijomu, Hon. Sola Odetundun from my Irepodun LGA Constituency, the remarkable Dr. Amina El-Imam of the Ministry of Health, the vibrant 26-year-old Nafisat from the Ministry of Youths, my longtime tech brother Ishola Kayode, SA to the Governor on Digital Technology, Officer Mikhail, SA to the Governor on Drug Abuse and Prevention, my reliable mother figure Dr. Ouwatoyin Opawoye, The Talba of Ilorin Prof. Shuaib Oba and my teacher and street-credible marshal of KWASSIP, Dr. Tedijini.

I heaved a sigh of relief, not because Kwara's development is scored an A at 70%, but because Kwara is undoubtedly better than the past. Each interaction was marked by passion and vigor to elevate Kwara to the next level.

Some of these public servants are individuals I knew as passionate Kwarans years ago, individuals with whom I enjoyed discussing Kwara and national issues. What changed? Was it the party, the structure, the system, or the leadership?

Proudly, I can say that the current crop of Commissioners, legislators, and appointees are individuals whose understanding of the genuine needs and aspirations of Kwarans cannot be underestimated. The era where the movers of Kwara politics were selected in a hollow hall in GRA white house is over. Now, sons and daughters of nobody occupy those aspirational chairs, determined to shape Kwara's destiny. They won't want to let us down because they are from the street, and only the street knows the code of the street.

I am delighted to witness the inspiration for the girls and boys of Kwara to build lives of vocation, academic excellence, and strong professional capacity before aspiring to be politicians. The era where the male version holy trinity ruled over Kwara is gone.

This is a historic era for youth participation in Kwara politics, unlike any opportunity we have seen since 1999. The onus is on you to dispel doubts and elevate Kwara with your innovation, vigor, and youthful excellence. Collaborate rather than compete, ensuring each day of service is purposeful. Recognize that you are now a shaper of the future you once envisioned, sitting on the throne you criticized in the past. The time to build your name and legacy has begun, and time waits for no one.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has played his part by massively including youths in his government. Failing to live up to this responsibility is not just a letdown for Kwara Youths but for Nigerian youths, as Kwara stands as a model for youth inclusion in Nigeria and Africa.

Dear young political enthusiast, as you aspire to be a legislator in your 20s like Rukayyat or commissioner like Nafisat, choose your role models or mentors wisely. Not everything that glitters is gold, and engaging in political thuggery, whether online or offline, won't lead to quick prominence. Prioritize knowledge and opportunities over immediate benefits.

My trip ended with an encounter with Professor Oba Shuaib, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and an academic sage at the Nnamdi Azikwe airport. Initially, my goal was to advance my proposal for establishing a university in Kwara South to Prof, who currently leads the Committee on Study, Planning, and Implementation of the proposed Kwara State University of Education. However, Prof took the time to share a crucial lesson, emphasizing that my focus should be on the standardization and quality of the institution rather than sectional advocacy.

While acknowledging there's still more to be done, Kwara is not at its final destination. Yet, it's pure bliss to see merit take over mediocrity. The future is green. May Kwara be Great again.


Titilope Anifowoshe writes from FCT
titilopeanny@gmail.com

I can see Muhammed Anifowoshe’s Smart Drone

A brief of the activities of the Ministry of Transport and NRC by Minister of State for Transportation, Sen Gbemi Saraki


https://twitter.com/leagle_t/status/1184118800456781824?s=21

This time last year, I joined thousands other happy and eager corps member for the traditional NYSC Passing out Parade.
I was very happy that day. Yes I was extremely delighted. I danced so much, hugged everyone I could, shook hands with numerous people and delightedly posted my happy pictures on the gram.


It’s Passing out Day for you. As my sister says “Now Your Struggle Continues”. What’s up with the labor market?
It is HARSH and FIERCE! Your honesty, intelligence or even good grace may not be adequate currency for you to survive!
Even if you wear bow, the most beautiful suit with the best result in your suitcase to the interview, you still may not get the job!
If you ever get the job; BE AT ALERT! The office environment is filled with sharks and beefers. Don’t get too comfortable with the love around to tell your colleagues your life story. Don’t be too eager to showcase yourself. Love your boss, but ensure to make your smooth relationship low key.
I have seen people suffer and lose greatly because they are the best and most loved.

Entrepreneurship nko? You can thrive despite the stifled and unfair business environment. You can turn things around and make it work. It’s hard tho! That having to be your own CEO, Manager, Delivery man, production manager et all isn’t easy, but you have a chance cos you are the driver of the wheel!

What am I even saying like I have gotten my own life right! ��‍♀️
Truth is, it’s just one year after my own NYSC; I have good job but I still rant and cry to God all the time. Well I’m thankful too. But errm my dear life is hard!
Back to our gist ..

Let me tell you a mistake I made and would love to turn back the hands of time to change. My Family Business!!
I followed those Instagram motivational passion and didn’t stay back at home to learn the art my father toiled so hard to build. So yeah, I’m far away from home doing things I will NEVER do in my own father’s land. It’s a two way thing, you know. Success is subjective. But if I stayed back to learn our family art, I will have more to contribute to the growth, more to improve my own self and get ultimately better financially.

Dear Nigerian Youth,
Nigeria is ours.This country hasn’t been fair to us. But we move!
No retreat, No surrender.

Happy POP!

The Minister of State for Transportation has offered fifteen students of Federal University, Otuoke scholarship.

Speaking on Saturday during the maiden convocation ceremony of the university, GRS said that education has a more important value than money.
The two time reps member and senator urged students to take advantage of the numerous technologies at their disposal for their personal development and for nation building.

She said the youths were the future of the country and urged Nigerian students to aim for excellence and be good ambassadors of their alma maters.

Gbemi Saraki said “You are the ones who will bring solutions to environmental concerns global warming, conservation of natural resources, and development of alternative energy sources, the issues that my generation is only now identifying. You are also the ones that will bring solutions to societal inequalities, being the true keepers of your brothers and sisters and finding ways of redistributing wealth, ensuring no man is left by the wayside. Again, you are the ones that will correct the gender inequalities that women like your mothers and sisters have had to endure and fight against in the past, for you recognize that the enormous wealth women contribute within society goes far beyond just giving birth.”

The scholarship according to GRS is meant for seven (7) male and eight ( female students who have difficulties paying their fees. She hopes that the scholarship will help the students concentrate on their academics rather than worrying about finances.

Distinguished Sen. Gbemisola was appointed Pro-Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke in 2016.

nobilie:
Honest and upright? Do you know what you are saying?
There's nothing honest/upright about the beneficiaries of societe general banks loot or the looting of kwara state.

Link her to the Societe Generale fraud and we will talk frankly

SKhanmi:


I assume you are a unilorite? Have you ever visited the hinterlands of Kwara? I've met many Ilorin indigenes that don't even know some places exist in their state. Try & tour around the state,go as far as the border towns. See why kwara is one of the most backward states in nigeria despite its huge resources. Charity begins at home miss. She's not in that position to change anything, like most.

By the way,that 20k would send a lot of kids to primary school in some of your poorer LG's, that's if they have a functioning school to begin with in the first place.

1. Was she governor of Kwara? NO
2. She was senator for 4 years and reps member for 8 years. Today no female legislator has sponsored as much bill as she did 12 years after her tenure as a legislator.
3. Today no politician in kwara has given out as much scholarship as she has given in kwara state.
4. I will be very glad if you are open minded with your assertion.

5. By the way, the 20k isn’t up to what I personally give out to the less privileged. You can learn about Eagles Foundation For Humanity

Thirteen years after its concession, Calabar Port Complex has received its maiden Marguisa Shipping Line’s container vessel. The port has not enjoyed patronage of container liners due to draft limitations on the channel. Currently, Calabar channel has a draft of 6.4 meters at high tide, but requires Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to complete the dredging to the advertised draft of 9.4 meters to attract regular and bigger tonnage. But the berthing of the MV Boreas in Calabar signifies a milestone achieved through the strategic marketing of Ecomarine Terminals Limited, a terminal concessionaire in Calabar port.


The vessel has length of 116.23 meters, gross tonnage of 6569 and net tonnage of 2874. Built in 2007, the vessel working for a Spain based Marguisa, came with both laden and empty containers and securely anchored at ECM Terminals at about 13.27 HRS on Monday 23 September.

The general manager, ECM, Diran Akorede, who confirmed this said: “The berthing of the container vessel at our facility on Monday was the crowning moment of the several marketing efforts to attract a liner service to Calabar over the years.

“In October last year, we had preliminary discussion with Marguisa representative on possibility of commencing calls to Calabar. To make the call viable to Marguisa, we made several concessions on rates and co-opted other stakeholders into the efforts followed with road shows to sensitise potential clients. The maiden call of the vessel was the outcome of such efforts spearheaded by Ecomarine in conjunction with Marguisa.”

Akorede said, in preparation for receipt of container vessel, the terminal has invested massively on container handling equipment from inception of the concession most of which have been idle ever since.

“We are ISO certified and have well documented processes to ensure transparency and efficiency in our service delivery,” he said. “Our systems are fully automated and the facility is fully ISPS compliant. We also have paved stacking area that has remained unutilised over the years. For us, we have been prepared from the inception and therefore handled the discharge operations in the best professional manner.

“As a port, our pact with Marguisa is to provide and ensure efficient service delivery, quick turnaround for their vessel and incentive scheme to support their voyage profitability.

For us, the pact remains as long as the vessel continue to call our terminal.”

Akorede said ECM terminal is ready to receive more container vessels with its ultra-modern cargo handling equipment. Calabar Port has been plagued by the challenge of low draft due to the failure of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to dredge the channel to the advertised draft of 9.4m and since shipping has evolved to bigger tonnages requiring deeper draft, the port has been seriously constrained.

The ECM manager therefore urged NPA to urgently complete the dredging of the channel to the advertised draft of 9.4m to ease the difficulty in attracting container vessel to the terminal.

He also enjoined the ports authority to introduce a more effective incentive scheme such as the 30 per cent rebate hitherto in place before the concession.

To further facilitate patronage and easy evacuation of cargoes, he said the government should ensure quick completion of the road contract from Odukpani Junction through Ikot Ekpene to Aba, already awarded to Julius Berger.


However, he acknowledged the purposeful partnership they have enjoyed with NPA over the years, especially the commitment of the managing director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman who from inception of her tenure has given priority attention to resolving some of the key challenges that have bedevilled the port while emphasising the need for her to ensure the completion of the dredging.


‪#nextLevel Agenda is REAL!‬
‪We move...‬
‪God bless Nigeria.‬
‪ ‬

Your idea of standard is very low and blurred

Kpoikpoi:
I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I still believe that your idea and standard of a beautiful woman is very low and blurred.
Please raise your standards.

This one is a different crop. Go make your findings about her. And come collect N20,000 from me if I’m wrong.
Deal?

SKhanmi:
How much did they pay you again? Politician & honest never really go together esp in naija

She is fierce and bold
Beautiful and smart
‬Honest and upright
Intelligent and humble ‬ ‪
She is an embodiment of virtue and honor.‬
‪She is Nigeria’s Minister of State for Transportation, Distinguished Sen. Gbemi Saraki.

The Ministry of Transport headed by Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and Sen. Gbemi Saraki celebrates the World Maritime Day in lagos.

The 2019 event which is tagged “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.

While delivering their energetic and intelligent addresses, Distinguished Sen. Gbemi Saraki and Mrs Hadiza advocated for greater women participation and inclusion in the maritime industry and other spheres of life.

Asides the monetary prize awarded to the 10 winners of the NIMASA 2019 essay competition; NIMASA, Distinguished Sen. Gbemi Saraki and Mrs also volunteered to scholarship to the best, 1st, 2nd runner up of the NIMASA essay competition.

The event which took place in Lagos had in attendance men and women in maritime, logistics and transportation.

Inspection

Yes. �

Odunolumide:


is this the same legal eagle ,Unilorin ex-SU VP?

I saw the minister express his displeasure with CCEC for not meeting up with their promise of completing the lagos/ Ibadan railway by October. He gave them an ultimatum of November ending to complete the work.

MoIbrahim:
Amaechi is a disappointment.

After using the launching and free trian ride to campaign for 2019 election, now they admit it's uncompleted and rea sharing pictures of site inspection

2. Encouraging corruption in sales of ticket even in Abuja-Kaduna that is completed by refusing to start online sales. What is there in selling tickets online.
Just see what happened few weeks ago

Dear Amanda,
Kindly send pictures of the poor situation to @official_NRC on twitter.
You can share them here too. Thanks

Amanda4life:


This is just a well furnished one for the minister.

The kind of train I saw this morning, and how human beings hung like filthy rags all around the dirty scrap called train

I was just weeping

I am particularly thrilled at the decisiveness and thoroughness of both ministers during the inspection.
It will amaze you if I told you that the inspection took more than 16 hours as both ministers and their team took the train from lagos to Ibadan and stopped at strategic points to access the progress of the construction.

Nigeria’s Hon. Ministers for Transportation Rt. Hon Amaechi and Sen. Gbemi Saraki conducting inspection at NRC site today.

Beneficiaries of the GRS Foundation full tertiary education scholarship at a thanksgiving ceremony today.

Many thanks to Distinguished Sen Gbemisola Saraki for empowering these young men and women with the best legacy (education).

Bakrabas:



Salux populi supremalex

Vox

The drama which occurred at the National Assembly yesterday morning is uncalled for. Senators should stop these hysteria and having poor sleep at night over "removal of principal officers nightmare". Is it a stolen leadership?

If the principal officers are removed by members, would there be no more Senate or House of Rep? From 1999 to 2015, were there no change of principal officers?

What is the fear of these people about and working up the whole nation?

The whole hysteria yesterday was by members of one political party that could not sleep overnight and also mobilized youths to the National Assembly.

For the progress of the nation, let the National Assembly reconvene to perform their national duties.
Two months recess is too much for those collecting N13.5m allowance every month and even when on holiday. This is why there is so much hysteria...money!

I agree with Professor Sagay and Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai that this current Senate is the worst in Nigeria's history, full of meaningless drama. Many of them do not deserve to be voted back in 2019.

We do not need a market place for noise making. No institution can be different from its leadership. Most of the senators at the National alleging legislative coup yesterday were part of the group that forged the rules which ushered in the NASS leadership and set the podium for the array of atrocities by Saraki. Let there be true democracy and patriotic leadership at the National Assembly with rule of law.

In 2019, we need a professional oriented Senate for Nigeria. God help Nigeria.

ENOUGH NIGHTMARES OVER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

Edited by Moshood Awwal

I remember how I “stole” this book from my friend to read it all through the night. � the wealth of knowledge I got from this book is worth the “theft”.
The good news is that you don’t have to steal the hard copy Cos I’m going to share the softcopy with you here.

“WHO IS GBEMI SARAKI?”
https://www.facebook.com/notes/gbemisola-ruqayyah-saraki/who-is-gbemi-saraki/10150129925648418/

The 43 beneficiaries of educational scholarship sponsored by former Kwara Central senatorial disrict representative at National Assembly Distinguished Senator Ruqayyah Gbemisola Saraki to Bauchi State College of Education, Kangere, Bauchi will start tomorrow their final examinations which will earn them NCE certificate. The elated Gbemi Saraki popularly known as GRS expressed her happiness via her Facebook post where she wrote…

BEST OF LUCK TO THE GRS KANGERE STUDENTS 

WOW!! How time flies…

And then, there was 43. Three years ago, you started out as 44 strangers, the only common thread was that you were all from Kwara State, from Ilorin Emirate; with one desire – to make something of your lives, if given the opportunity. 

The opportunity came, far away from home, in a different state. Many of you had never left home, and now, you were being offered scholarship to attend the College of Education in Bauchi State. Many could not understand why the scholarship was only to this College. Why not within Kwara State, if not ilorin in particular, you asked.

I had my reasons, which included the need and benefit in interacting with people of different cultures, faith and norms, and the richness this brings into our lives as adults, learning tolerance, patience and respect for one another. 

I know many of you had to convince, plead with your parents to let you go. Back then, three years seemed so far away. 

And look at it now. Three years later, you have become tight friends, brothers and sisters, good ambassadors of your family, of the GRS Foundation and of Kwara State. 

You start your final exams tomorrow, hoping to all become NCE graduates. I know the results will be good, as you have all done so well in all previous exams. I am even sure that some of you will probably be in the top 5 students. 

Know that I am already so proud of you all. May Allah guide you all, protect you all and bless you all. 

So go kill those exams tomorrow, and bring all those wonderful awards and certificates back home!! 

Love you all xoxo
– Distinguished Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki

http://legendlens.com/beneficiaries-of-gbemi-saraki-scholarship-start-final-exams-tomorrow-in-bauchi/

Mankiso:



They are against him because he refused to allow his sister to take over Kwara as a governor after Saraki finished his own tenure. She is a sell- out and should go and sit down.

Sell out kor, sell in. Your comment reeks of ignorance

yemaldo:

No body victimized her, she contested for primary despite knowing that majority of kwara will not vote for a female gov, she should have allowed dele belgore to win d ticket by supporting him but Simon that wasn't popular in kwara won d primary, u need to see jubilation in govt House, they were happy that Simon won d primary because d man wasn't popular. They(sarakis) are trying to play d same trick again

Do not tell me what I know! I tell you AUTHORITATIVELY that the Fight between Gbemi Saraki and bukky is not a fluke. Take a look at this
https://elombah.com/index.php/analysis/kwara-pdp-when-suspicion-becomes-a-strategy-to-disqualify-others-by-bashir-akanbi/

deebsman1:

I have seen many publications where she said it, and she didn't deny of those publications so don't get yourself fooled. However, who is begging her ,makes me rotflmao

Do you have to resort to LIEING to prove your point. What Publication is superior over her own official media pages ? What Publication is superior over her political grassroots wing?
You can tell your lies to someone else not me Cos I’m a KWARAN TO THE CORE AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT GBEMI SARAKI IS AN EXCELLENT WOMAN.

worlexy:
One thousand likes for your comment. The sarakis are just playing a smart one on us, they don't want to put all their eggs in one basket, it's a win/win for them

No mr YOU ARE VERY WRONG! kwara politics is beyond what you read on Twitter and nairaland. Kwara politics is beyond that.
The Two Sarakis are not on the same lane. BUKOLA IS GBEMI’s BIGGEST ENEMY.
Have you ever spotted them together before?
Not even at Bukky’s daighter’s Wedding.
Bukola rejects and vilifies ANYONE that’s from his sister. He does everything within his capacity to ruin his sister.
Go and ask those who KNOW kwara and Kwara politics

Shampoo77:
If I can remember well the last time she left her brother to contest on her own what happened to to her? Hmmm she lost woefully. She is just a shaft with any substance. She is irrelevant and immaterial.

Shaft kor .. shift ni. Sit in your house andbecalking people irrelevant!come to kwara and northern nigeria to see how big Gbemi Saraki is. Even Bukola Saraki is scared of her. Gbemi is not just a social media drama king like Bukola she is a GRASSROOTS MOBILIZER, a very big one at that