The Elites Watch, 330, AbdulAzeez Attah Road, Sawmill, Ilorin (2026)

13/12/2025

Kwara APC Youth Ambassador, Afolabi Saliu bags Asiwaju of Jamtas title in Lagos

THE ELITES WATCH ONLINE NEWSPAPER| December 12, 2025

Renowned Youth Ambassador under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Amb. Saliu Afolabi Ahmed, has been conferred with the title of Asiwaju of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey, the highest honour within a popular Lagos-based Islamic Organisation in Nigeria.

During a well-attended event on Sunday in Lagos, Ambassador Afolabi was awarded the Asiwaju of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey title, in appreciation and recognition of his inestimable role in the upliftment and development of humanity and Islam, in general.

According to the Islamic organisation's founder, Mukadam Abdul-Hakeem Salam Cissey, stated that the title was in recognition of Afolabi’s steadfast moral, spiritual, and financial support of Islam, particularly as a key advocate for the organisation in the state.

“Today, we are celebrating Ambassador Afolabi, a complete gentleman and humanitarian with the highest title of Asiwaju of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey. Our newest Asiwaju has over the time supported this organisation immensely within his capacity. We are overjoyed to reward him for his steadfast moral, spiritual, and financial support towards the upliftment of our organisation and Islam, in general.”

Mukadam Abdul-Hakeem Salam Cissey, who is also the Nurul-li-faedot of Ogijo land, described Ambassador Afolabi as a dedicated supporter of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey, adding that the Asiwaju title is meant to further inspire his humanitarian gestures towards development of the Islamic organisation.

The Nurul-li-faedot of Ogijo land also recounted the several financial supports facilitated by Ambassador Afolabi, praying to Allah for his longer reign as the title holder of Asiwaju of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey.

In his remarks, Ambassador Afolabi thanked the entire congregation for the recognition, reassuring his unwavering commitment towards the upliftment and development of the Islamic organisation and Islam in general.

“When I received my invite as a nominee for the Asiwaju of Jamtas title, I was reluctant to accept, but today’s event gladdens my heart and serves as a motivation for me to continue to do more within my capacity for Islam across the board. As the Asiwaju of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey, I remain committed to initiatives that would further strengthen and benefit the Islamic organisation, Insha ALlah,” the Asiwaju of Jamtas remarked.

Ambassador Afolabi was joyfully turbaned as the Asiwaju of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey in the presence of the entire congregation, and dignitaries.

He was also presented with a certificate of honour, by the Mukadam Abdul-Hakeem Salam Cissey.

Family members, friends, and associates of the new Asiwaju of Jamtas Tawakalitu Cissey who were present at the colorful ceremony, celebrated Ambassador Afolabi over his new role, praying to Allah for continued blessings and longevity of life in service to Islam and humanity in general.

24/11/2025

Senators Ashiru, Saliu Mustapha, Bashir Bolarinwa pour in tributes, goodwill messages as Kwara Progressives Legacy Group hosts special prayer in honour of late Otunba ‘Ganzy’ in Ilorin

… late Ganiyu Zuabir was a dedicated, committed young politician, says Prince Sunday Fagbemi

THE ELITES WATCH ONLINE NEWSPAPER | November 24, 2025.

Eminent personalities including the deputy senate leader Senator Lola Ashiru and senator representing Kwara Central at the national assembly, Senator Saliu Mustapha, gathered on Sunday, in Ilorin, to offer tributes and goodwill messages during a special prayer session organised in honour of late Kwara-born politician and Member Governing Council for Federal Polytechnic Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Zubairu popularly known as ‘Ganzy’, who passed away on November 14, 2025 in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer session was organised by Kwara Progressives Legacy Group, a frontline political forum under the leadership of former Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as part of the political forum activities to bid the young politician farewell.

At the prayer session, the Missioner of Al-Fathiu-l-Qarib Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Alfulani led the council of Ulamah to recite the complete Holy Qur’an and offered prayers for Allah to grant the repose of late Ganiyu Zubairu soul.

In his goodwill message, the Senate deputy leader and senator representing Kwara South at the national assembly, Sen. Lola Ashiru described late Otunba Ganiyu Zubair as “a trustworthy young man during his lifetime.

“Life itself is vanity. I am currently 70 and all that I’ve achieved since cradle made me understand that life itself is vanity upon vanity. I never knew Ganzy for being a double-faced politician. He never spoke wrong of anyone to me during his lifetime. Despite our political differences at a time, he was always loyal to his camp and maintained a cordial relationship that existed between us. One of his unfulfilled dreams was to clinch the House of Reps ticket to represent his people and I assured him in one of our meetings with Aare Adeoti that I will pull my strengths behind his ambition. I urge this gathering to offer prayers for the repose of his soul. May Allah forgive his trespasses and admit him into Aljanatil Firdaus,” the emotional Ashiru expressed.

The representative of the Senator representing Kwara central at the national assembly, Mallam Lukman Bolaji Shiru said the people of Oke-ero community has lost an illustrious son with the passing of Otunba Ganiyu Zubair, stressing that the late Oke-ero born politician was a kind-hearted family man and prayerful muslim.

Also in his goodwill message, the Kwara APC party chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi said the late Otunba Ganzy was a dedicated and committed young man. “He has been my boy since years back in Kwara politics. I introduced him to politics. During the death of my in-law in Kaduna, Ganiyu and I were in Abuja and despite his late awareness of the incident, he volunteered to drive my wife and I from Abuja to Kaduna the same day. He was not only with us from the beginning, he equally participated actively in the burial rites of my deceased in-law till we concluded the program and returned to Abuja. He will be sorely missed.”

In his tribute to the late Oke-ero born politician, former Kwara APC Chairman and Governing Board Chairman for National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa said the late Ganzy was a free-spirited young man during his lifetime. “Otunba AbdulGaniyu Zubair was one of us in the Kwara Progressives Legacy group; we both belong to the same political family under the leadership of Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He was a committed and free spirited young man. I saw the heavy presence of sympthasers in Abuja during his burial rites, despite being away from home, and I was confident that his Creator would be pleased with his return. His passing has left a void in our ranks and I pray to Allah to forgive him of his sins and grant him eternal rest.”

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic of Offa, Engr. Kamoru Kadiri Oluwatoyin in his goodwill message solicited for adequate support for the family of late Otunba Ganiyu Zubair, stressing that his children require support to sustain their education abroad.

“I crossed paths with Otunba Ganiyu at the Governing Council level in Offa federal polytechnic and we became close together with Hon. Saheed Popoola. There were just three of us. I am from Osun state and I am aware he left three children and a wife, I appeal to this gathering to stand by the family he left behind. His children study abroad and the commitment in this regard is huge. I therefore use this medium to solicit for adequate support from the eminent political figures here present. At the Federal polytechnic of Offa level, we will also do our best to support AbdulGaniyu family, especially his children,” Dr. Kamoru who was evidently emotional during his goodwill message urged for support.

The congregation, meanwhile, prayed for the repose of the soul of late Ganiyu Zubair, as he bid farewell to the mother’s earth.

23/11/2025

ONGOING:

Rector Federal Polytechnic Offa, Engr. Dr. Kamoru Kadiri Oluwatoyin, led Governing Council members to the venue of the special prayer for late Member Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Olalekan Zubairu (Ganzy), who passed away on November 14, 2025, in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer organized by a frontline political forum, Kwara Progressives Legacy Group under the leadership of former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is currently ongoing at Mubo Phase II Mosque, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Follow this page for more updates.

23/11/2025

ONGOING:

The representative of the Senator representing Kwara Central at the National Assembly, Mallam Lukman Bolaji Shiru, arrives at the venue of the special prayer for late Member Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Olalekan Zubairu (Ganzy), who passed away on November 14, 2025, in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer organized by a frontline political forum, Kwara Progressives Legacy Group under the leadership of former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is currently ongoing at Mubo Phase II Mosque, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Follow this page for more updates.

23/11/2025

ONGOING:

The Kwara APC chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, arrives at the venue of the special prayer for late Member Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Olalekan Zubairu (Ganzy), who passed away on November 14, 2025, in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer organized by a frontline political forum, Kwara Progressives Legacy Group under the leadership of former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is currently ongoing at Mubo Phase II Mosque, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Follow this page for more updates.

23/11/2025

ONGOING:

Deputy Senate Leader and Senator representing Kwara South at the National Assembly, Sen. Lola Ashiru, arrives at the venue of the special prayer for late Member Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Olalekan Zubairu (Ganzy), who passed away on November 14, 2025, in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer organized by a frontline political forum, Kwara Progressives Legacy Group under the leadership of former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is currently ongoing at Mubo Phase II Mosque, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Follow this page for more updates.

23/11/2025

ONGOING:

Former Governing Board Chairman of National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, arrives at the venue of the special prayer for late Member Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Olalekan Zubairu (Ganzy), who passed away on November 14, 2025, in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer organized by a frontline political forum, Kwara Progressives Legacy Group under the leadership of former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is currently ongoing at Mubo Phase II Mosque, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Follow this page for more updates.

23/11/2025

ONGOING:

The Council of Ulamah led by Missioner of Al-fatihul-Qarib Society of Nigeria, Ilorin Branch, Sheikh Alfulani, reciting the complete Holy Qur'an for the repose of the soul of late Member Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Olalekan Zubairu (Ganzy), who passed away on November 14, 2025, in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer organized by a frontline political forum, Kwara Progressives Legacy Group under the leadership of former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is currently ongoing at Mubo Phase II Mosque, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Follow this page for more updates.

23/11/2025

NOW LIVE:

Dear Esteemed Viewer,

We are currently live at the Special Fidau prayer for late Member Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Otunba AbdulGaniyu Olalekan Zubairu (Ganzy), who passed away on November 14, 2025, in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The special prayer organized by a frontline political forum, Kwara Progressives Legacy Group under the leadership of former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is currently ongoing at Mubo Phase II Mosque, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Follow for more updates.

23/11/2025

Over 350 indigenes benefit from SIEF cash empowerment, 500 pupils get writing materials, as Foundation inaugurates Ilorin West local chapter excos

… Shun divisiveness, propagate gospel of Gov. AbdulRazaq’s laudable community initiatives: Hon. Idowu urges new excos

THE ELITES WATCH ONLINE NEWSPAPER | November 23, 2025.

An indigenous Non-governmental organisation in Kwara State, the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate Foundation (SIEF), has empowered over 350 indigenes with cash empowerment and distributed at least 500 writing materials to school pupils during a multipurpose programme organised by the foundation yesterday in the state capital.

The multipurpose event, which was held on Saturday, featured the inauguration of the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate Foundation local executives for the Ilorin West Local Government chapter in Kwara State.

Speaking at the event, Director General for Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate Foundation (SIEF), Hon. Ibrahim AbdulRasaq highlighted the several community-based empowerment initiatives executed by the foundation, including the facilitation of over forty and additional twenty federal and state employment opportunities for the people of Kwara central indigenes.

He disclosed that the foundation has also supported several individuals for their eye surgical operations and also provided hundreds of WAEC and JAMB forms for secondary school students, as they proceed with their educational journey.

The Director General, in his address, said the cash empowerments initiatives was in categories, stressing that no fewer than twenty beneficiaries have received the sum of N100, 000 each; while another set of fifty beneficiaries gets N50,000 each; also one hundred and fifty individuals gets N20,000 each; and additional one hundred and fifty individuals receieved N10,000 each, to support their small and medium scale businesses across the fifty-two political wards in Kwara state.

Hon. Ibrahim, meanwhile, explained that the foundation was named in honour of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as the title holder of Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, as part of efforts to consolidate on his several community-impact projects and human capacity-building achievements under his administration.

Also speaking, the Ilorin West APC party chairman, Hon. Sulyman Tejidini, who was a special guest at the event, urged for more support for the Kwara State Governor, adding that the government needs its citizenry's support to overcome the emerging security threats in the state.

He, meanwhile, urged the throngs of beneficiaries and stakeholders in attendance to promote the strides of the governor across various sectors in Infrastructure, Education, and Health, among others.

While addressing the newly inaugurated executives, Director General for Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate Foundation (SIEF), Hon. Ibrahim AbdulRasaq, advised the executives to shun any forms of divisiveness that may jeopardise the foundation's ideals, urging them to instead propagate the achievements of the Kwara state governor to their various communities.

He said by doing so, the people in the community would become more aware of the governor's achievements and, in turn, pull needed support from the citizenry across the state.

The highlight of the event was the symbolic presentation of Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate Foundation cash empowerment and education materials by the Executive Chairman of Ilorin West LGA, Hon. AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan, signifying the council boss's commitment to non-governmental organisation support for the people at the grassroots.

Several dignitaries at the event include, Executive Chairman of Ilorin West LGA, Hon. AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan; the Chairman of Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), Dr. AbdulWasiu Tejidini; Chairman Kwara SUBEB, Prof. AbdulRaheem Adaramaja; SSA Political (Kwara Central) Prince Sulyman SaiKai; SSA Women Mobilization, Hon. Monsurat Lawal.

Others include, Ilorin West APC Chairman, Hon. Sulyman Tejidini; former SA Political, Alhaji Hassan Gegele; APC Women and Youth Stakeholders across twelve Political wards in Ilorin West LGA, among others.

22/11/2025

VIDEO: Director General of Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate Foundation (SIEF), Hon. Ibrahim Idowu AbdulRasaq, addressing the beneficiaries and attendees at the ongoing multipurpose empowerment program featuring cash empowerment, educational materials distribution, and inauguration of SIEF executives across twelve political wards in Ilorin West LGA, Kwara State.

According to the Director General, over 350 beneficiaries will benefit from the cash empowerment initiative.

He highlighted the breakdown as follows: N100,000 will be distributed to 20 beneficiaries, while 100 beneficiaries will get N50,000 each; 150 beneficiaries will get N20,000, and another 150 beneficiaries will get N10,000 each.

More details later.

22/11/2025

VIDEO:

Faces of high-powered dignitaries and attendees at the multipurpose empowerment program featuring the presentation of Cash Empowerment, Distribution of Educational Materials, and the inauguration of Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate Foundation (SIEF) executives across the twelve (12) political wards in Ilorin West LGA, Kwara State.

Among the notable dignitaries includes, the Executive Chairman of Ilorin West LGA, Hon. AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan; the Chairman of Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), Dr. AbdulWasiu Tejidini; Chairman Kwara SUBEB, Prof. AbdulRaheem Adaramaja; SSA Political (Kwara Central) Prince Sulyman SaiKai; SSA Women Mobilization, Hon. Monsurat Lawal.

Others include, Ilorin West APC Chairman, Hon. Sulyman Tejidini; former SA Political, Alhaji Hassan Gegele; APC Women and Youth Stakeholders across twelve Political wards in Ilorin West LGA, among others.

Stay tuned.

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