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Voice Of The People, Ilorin (2025)

29/10/2025

Kwara State Rises to 3rd Position in National Fiscal Performance Ranking by BudgIT

Kwara State has recorded yet another milestone in fiscal governance, emerging as the 3rd best-performing state in Nigeria in the 2025 State of States Fiscal Performance Ranking released by BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organization renowned for its independent assessment of subnational fiscal sustainability across the federation.

The new ranking marks a consistent upward trajectory for Kwara State, which moved from 10th position in 2023 to 4th position in 2024 and now holds 3rd position in 2025 — underscoring the state’s steady progress in transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management.

This remarkable improvement reflects the administration’s commitment, under the leadership of His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to strengthening governance structures, improving revenue efficiency, and ensuring value for money in public spending.

Reacting to the latest ranking, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, described the achievement as “a testament to the Governor’s unwavering reforms in fiscal discipline, data-driven planning, and accountability that continue to position Kwara as a model for sustainable governance in Nigeria.”

Kwara State remains committed to deepening ongoing reforms that promote fiscal transparency, strengthen public finance systems, and create a resilient foundation for inclusive growth and development..

Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed
Press Secretary Ministry of Finance

29/10/2025

Kwara State Rises to 3rd Position in National Fiscal Performance Ranking by BudgIT

Kwara State has recorded yet another milestone in fiscal governance, emerging as the 3rd best-performing state in Nigeria in the 2025 State of States Fiscal Performance Ranking released by BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organization renowned for its independent assessment of subnational fiscal sustainability across the federation.

The new ranking marks a consistent upward trajectory for Kwara State, which moved from 10th position in 2023 to 4th position in 2024 and now holds 3rd position in 2025 — underscoring the state’s steady progress in transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management.

This remarkable improvement reflects the administration’s commitment, under the leadership of His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to strengthening governance structures, improving revenue efficiency, and ensuring value for money in public spending.

Reacting to the latest ranking, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, described the achievement as “a testament to the Governor’s unwavering reforms in fiscal discipline, data-driven planning, and accountability that continue to position Kwara as a model for sustainable governance in Nigeria.”

Kwara State remains committed to deepening ongoing reforms that promote fiscal transparency, strengthen public finance systems, and create a resilient foundation for inclusive growth and development..

Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed
Press Secretary Ministry of Finance

29/10/2025

AbdulRazaq receives award for inclusive governance, infrastructural growth, integrity

▪︎ Gov dedicates award to Kwarans, thanks President Tinubu

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has won the Integrity Governor of the Year Award of the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ).

Presenting the Award on Tuesday in Ilorin, President of the Association, Dr Charles Okhai, said AbdulRazaq merited the recognition on account of his impressive achievements across many sectors.

Okhai said the Governor emerged top in the ranking process involving four other states.

Dr Okhai said the Governor scored higher in sectors like education, road infrastructure, healthcare, youth empowerment, and transparency.

He said the Association was thrilled by AbdulRazaq’s commitment to the welfare of the civil servants and teachers, as seen in regular promotion and prompt payment of salary, and how his government transparently recruited at least 8,601 qualified teachers to fill manpower gaps across public schools.

He said NACJ is a body of Christian media personnel, which pursues strictly national development.

“When we nominated you, we didn't look at you from a religious perspective but on account of your sterling performance," he said.

He was accompanied on the visit by Mr Nasir Lawal.

AbdulRazaq thanked the Association for the honour, which he dedicated to the people of the state for their support and trust in his administration.

“We take this award as an acknowledgement of our modest efforts to improve the conditions of our people and deliver political goods to the largest majority,” the Governor said.

“Beyond the routine adherence to the bureaucratic due processes and transparency, our state has often come out in good standing in peer-review indices for transparency and good governance, including at the level of programmes conducted by the World Bank and other global bodies.

“We have made significant progress in every sector. We are clearly leaving the state better networked in road and other socioeconomic indices. And we are not resting.

"No government since 1999 has delivered as many projects in road connectivity, education, health, sports or tech infrastructure as we have done in the last six years."

AbdulRazaq commended President Bola Tinubu for his support to the state over the years.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
October 29, 2025

29/10/2025

AbdulRazaq hailed for largest sports investment in Kwara history•32 sports, 1 complex – no equal across Nigeria, says Sports Commission ChairKwara State Government has committed a huge investment to sports facilities over the last six years just as over ₦2 billion was spent to renovate Pa Gabriel Ladipo indoor sports hall alone. "This indoor sports hall alone has gulped over N2bn. Government has also invested in the football field, tennis court, squash court, etc. Not many sectors have enjoyed much support like sports from His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the last six years," Executive Chairman of State Sports Commission Coach Bola Magaji said during a media tour of facilities at the George Innih Stadium Ilorin by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council. "If he's not leaving any legacy but for what he has done here, it's a legacy that anybody who wants to beat it will have to work hard. Just like his predecessor Major George Innih. They were the one who built this place. I don't think there can be any government in Nigeria that can put this type of edifice again because of the cost. "His Excellency has done a lot for us here. Right from the road, the field, the buildings and the paintings. He did not only do that, a lot of our athletes have been sponsored to travel outside this country. There was a six year old boy from Offa who has done wonderfully well. You can imagine a six year old boy went to play Scrabble in Nigeria and he won among 180 other athletes. That's not going to be possible if not what the governor has done. "We have among us as well that has gone to represent Nigeria in Cairo in squash. We have among us that has represented Nigeria in Olympics and won Olympic medal. It has not been so very easy before. That is the first medal in badminton in the whole Africa is coming from this state," the Chairman explained. Magaji noted that the state stadium stands out nationally and surpassed other stadiums in Lagos and Abuja stadia in scope and functionality. "The entire sports complex now supports at least 32 different sports, all housed within a single facility except golf. No stadium in Nigeria has all these in a single location. "I've been doing sports representing Kwara State as far back as 1965. There's no stadium I have not been to. You can't compare it to Lagos Stadium. You can't compare it to Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan or national stadium in Abuja. "Abuja has package A and package B. The package A and package B does not even have what we have here. Our own is concentrated on a spot. You can do all the sports here apart from golf that you have to go out," he said. Magaji noted that the government is extending investments beyond the city-centre with ongoing reconstruction of Offa and Lafiagi stadia in the southern and northern senatorial districts in order to create a more inclusive sports ecosystem. On the impact of the government's investment in sports sector, Magaji insisted that the investments have translated into dramatic improvements in national competition rankings and performance of the state athletes, saying the state has moved from 23rd to 5th place in the National Sports Festival standings over recent years, marking an unprecedented rise. "The Governor has given us all the necessary encouragement, financially, morally and that why we are doing this. So once again I thank His Excellency for considering this. Some of our athletes who have left the state before are now eager to return to Kwara because the Governor has changed the face of sports in the state. The Governor’s policy to reward athletes with ₦1 million for gold, ₦500,000 for silver, and ₦300,000 for bronze medals has motivated better performance. Coaches and team officials also received bonuses and brand new cars were gifted to top athletes, including those with disabilities. These incentives have encouraged athletes who previously left the state to return," Magaji added. On Kwara Football Academy, Coach Magaji praised AbdulRazaq for the renovation of the academy's hostel, dinning and clinic to meet the needs of the students. Students of the academy, Abdullahi Hassan, Saad Ahmad from Kano and Adnan Muhammad-Akanbi Students expressed delight over the school's structured daily schedule which they said balances academics and physical training for holistic growth.They said the recent renovation of facilities at the Academy has the made the school environment more conducive for learning. Hassan: "I love football. I have started playing football from the age of seven and I chose KFA because it is one of the best academies in Nigeria. That is why I am here.Ahmad: "KFA is one of the best in West Africa. This is my sixth year here and they take good care of us. They have good staff. Good rooms. We have good water system, electricity and medicals."

29/10/2025

AbdulRazaq hailed for largest sports investment in Kwara history

•32 sports, 1 complex – no equal across Nigeria, says Sports Commission Chair

Kwara State Government has committed a huge investment to sports facilities over the last six years just as over ₦2 billion was spent to renovate Pa Gabriel Ladipo indoor sports hall alone.

"This indoor sports hall alone has gulped over N2bn. Government has also invested in the football field, tennis court, squash court, etc. Not many sectors have enjoyed much support like sports from His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the last six years," Executive Chairman of State Sports Commission Coach Bola Magaji said during a media tour of facilities at the George Innih Stadium Ilorin by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.

"If he's not leaving any legacy but for what he has done here, it's a legacy that anybody who wants to beat it will have to work hard. Just like his predecessor Major George Innih. They were the one who built this place. I don't think there can be any government in Nigeria that can put this type of edifice again because of the cost.

"His Excellency has done a lot for us here. Right from the road, the field, the buildings and the paintings. He did not only do that, a lot of our athletes have been sponsored to travel outside this country. There was a six year old boy from Offa who has done wonderfully well. You can imagine a six year old boy went to play Scrabble in Nigeria and he won among 180 other athletes. That's not going to be possible if not what the governor has done.

"We have among us as well that has gone to represent Nigeria in Cairo in squash. We have among us that has represented Nigeria in Olympics and won Olympic medal. It has not been so very easy before. That is the first medal in badminton in the whole Africa is coming from this state," the Chairman explained.

Magaji noted that the state stadium stands out nationally and surpassed other stadiums in Lagos and Abuja stadia in scope and functionality.

"The entire sports complex now supports at least 32 different sports, all housed within a single facility except golf. No stadium in Nigeria has all these in a single location.

"I've been doing sports representing Kwara State as far back as 1965. There's no stadium I have not been to. You can't compare it to Lagos Stadium. You can't compare it to Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan or national stadium in Abuja.

"Abuja has package A and package B. The package A and package B does not even have what we have here. Our own is concentrated on a spot. You can do all the sports here apart from golf that you have to go out," he said.

Magaji noted that the government is extending investments beyond the city-centre with ongoing reconstruction of Offa and Lafiagi stadia in the southern and northern senatorial districts in order to create a more inclusive sports ecosystem.

On the impact of the government's investment in sports sector, Magaji insisted that the investments have translated into dramatic improvements in national competition rankings and performance of the state athletes, saying the state has moved from 23rd to 5th place in the National Sports Festival standings over recent years, marking an unprecedented rise.

"The Governor has given us all the necessary encouragement, financially, morally and that why we are doing this. So once again I thank His Excellency for considering this. Some of our athletes who have left the state before are now eager to return to Kwara because the Governor has changed the face of sports in the state.

The Governor’s policy to reward athletes with ₦1 million for gold, ₦500,000 for silver, and ₦300,000 for bronze medals has motivated better performance. Coaches and team officials also received bonuses and brand new cars were gifted to top athletes, including those with disabilities. These incentives have encouraged athletes who previously left the state to return," Magaji added.

On Kwara Football Academy, Coach Magaji praised AbdulRazaq for the renovation of the academy's hostel, dinning and clinic to meet the needs of the students.

Students of the academy, Abdullahi Hassan, Saad Ahmad from Kano and Adnan Muhammad-Akanbi Students expressed delight over the school's structured daily schedule which they said balances academics and physical training for holistic growth.

They said the recent renovation of facilities at the Academy has the made the school environment more conducive for learning.

Hassan: "I love football. I have started playing football from the age of seven and I chose KFA because it is one of the best academies in Nigeria. That is why I am here.

Ahmad: "KFA is one of the best in West Africa. This is my sixth year here and they take good care of us. They have good staff. Good rooms. We have good water system, electricity and medicals."

28/10/2025

Nigeria’s stock exchange market cap has more than tripled over the years all thanks to the various reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Unprecedented.

28/10/2025

IT IS EITHER CRIMINALS LEAVE KWARA OR THEY DIE HERE

We thank God that you were all freed following the pressure from the security forces. We also thank the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his support and the Nigerian Army and other security agencies working together to achieve this success.

We are glad to see 23 victims freed and presented today. We thank the Army and the Medical Centre here for looking after them since they were rescued.

We’ve known their plights, and I assure that the government will support them in rehabilitation. The challenges we are going through, I can assure you, are temporary. Like the GoC has said, it is either they (criminals) leave Kwara or they die here. This is a state of harmony.

The GoC has been on the ground for the past two weeks, and since he came, we have seen the turnaround of the event. And we have seen the criminals leaving, with many of them arrested or terminated. Peace is now being restored to Kwara.

We will deploy forest guards immediately the Army finishes the clean-up operation in the affected areas to maintain peace and pave the way for the return of farming activities.

HE AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON
Governor, Kwara State.

28/10/2025

Gov AbdulRazaq receives 23 freed abductees, says kidnappers have 'no place in Kwara'

•Commends Tinubu's support, thanks security forces

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday received 23 abductees who were recently freed by the Nigerian Army, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies for their support.

The Governor congratulated the victims on their freedom and promised continuous efforts to rid the state of criminal elements who were behind their abductions.

“We thank God that you were all freed following the pressure from the security forces. We also thank the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his support and the Nigerian Army and other security agencies working together to achieve this success,” the Governor said at the 22 Armored Brigade HQ during the brief ceremony for official handover of the victims

“We are glad to see 23 victims freed and presented today. We thank the Army and the Medical Centre here for looking after them since they were rescued.

“We’ve known their plights, and I assure that the government will support them in rehabilitation. The challenges we are going through, I can assure you, are temporary. Like the GoC has said, it is either they (criminals) leave Kwara or they die here. This is a state of harmony."

AbdulRazaq appreciated the Army and the new Brigade Commander for the deployment of troops to the state to get rid of the hostile non-state actors, pledging sustainable support to the Armed Forces.

“The GoC has been on the ground for the past two weeks, and since he came, we have seen the turnaround of the event. And we have seen the criminals leaving, with many of them arrested or terminated. Peace is now being restored to Kwara,” he said.

He said the government will deploy forest guards immediately the Army finishes the clean-up operation in the affected areas to maintain peace and pave the way for the return of farming activities.

The Governor was received by the Brigade Commander 22 Armoured Brigade Sobi, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume.

On the Governor's entourage were the Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, and the Senior Special Assistant on Security Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu.

Brigadier General Rume, for his part, acknowledged the support the troops have been receiving from the state government, and pledged to continue to mount pressure on the criminals until they were rid of the whole of Kwara state.

"Your Excellency, I thank you very much once again and we do really appreciate your efforts because without that, a lot of operations that have been going on would not have been possible,” he said.

"We promise you that we will continue to do our best until these miscreants leave this area. Let me quote what the General Officer Commanding said when I arrived. His order is explicit. 'It is either the bandits leave Kwara State or they die'. That is the only mandate I have, and I will continue to do my best with my officers to achieve that.”

Pastor Obafemi, a victim who recounted his ordeal, said it was a very traumatic experience to be held against their wishes by the criminals.

He thanked the government and the security agencies for saving their lives.

"I thank the Governor and the troops for the efforts which led to our rescue. God will give you enablement to press forward in this and overcome the people around us that are tormenting us,” Obafemi said.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
October 28, 2025

28/10/2025

DEVELOPING: Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) this morning visited the 22 Armoured Brigade HQ Sobi Barrack to formally receive the 23 abductees who recently regained their freedom. The victims were given immediate medical care and psychological support following the sad incident. The Governor restated the efforts of the government to rout the hostile non-state actors and kidnappers behind their abduction. He commended the security forces, including the army, for their efforts to keep the people safe.

28/10/2025

*Kwara Govt Delivers 84 Road Projects in 6 Months, Accelerates Statewide Infrastructure, Economic Growth*

•384Km of road projects completed, ongoing

The Kwara State Government, has intensified its infrastructure development efforts by delivering 84 road and related projects between April and September 2025. This milestone marks a significant stride in the administration’s ongoing Urban Renewal Agenda.

The Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, disclosed this during the third-quarter inter- ministerial press briefing held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room on Wednesday.

According to Olododo, the projects span both urban and rural areas, covering a total of 76.5 kilometers in just six months. These include road construction, rehabilitation, and interlocking, with the goal of improving connectivity, reducing travel time, enhancing road safety, and reshaping communities across the State.

“This achievements reflect our commitment to modernizing infrastructure in line with the Governor’s vision for a more connected and economically vibrant Kwara,” the commissioner stated.

In addition to the completed roads, 48 kilometers of roads are currently under construction, while nearly 52 kilometers have been recently approved, signaling continued progress in the coming months.

The commissioner further noted that infrastructural renewal under Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration extends beyond roads. The Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency (KWARMA) has intensified palliative works to keep existing roads motorable, ensuring safety and accessibility for all road users.

Meanwhile, the State Fire Service has received new tools, improved communication systems, and advanced training programme to enhance emergency response and safeguard lives and property, saving billions of naira's worth of assets during the period under review.

The government’s commitment to rural development was also highlighted through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). The initiative is improving rural road networks and upgrading major agricultural markets across all senatorial districts, thereby stimulating economic activity and enhancing rural livelihoods. These efforts have garnered national recognition.

Engr. Olododo emphasized that these infrastructural strides are not just about physical development but are a cornerstone of Governor AbdulRazaq’s broader agenda for social progress, inclusive growth, and economic resilience.

“With over 384 kilometers of road projects completed or ongoing since the inception of this administration, Kwara is steadily transforming into a more connected, business-friendly, and resilient State,” he concluded.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq remains resolute in his commitment to building a stronger Kwara where infrastructure drives inclusive development and every community feels the impact of governance.

Abdulquadri Kayode Ahmed
Assistant Press Secretary
Ministry of Works, Kwara State

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