Naijatrusts

12/08/2022

Kwapreneur 2.0 in commemoraration of International Youth Day 2022

11/08/2022

18/05/2022

*Kwara on path of good, steady recovery under AbdulRazaq: Tinubu*

• Says Gov is exceptional
• We can't forget Asiwaju's role in Otoge struggle
•Hails aspirant's strides as Lagos Gov

All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has excelled and put the state on the path of good and steady recovery just within three years of the Otoge administration.

"We have seen it now that AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has excelled and put your state on the path of good recovery. You have seen it yourself. You are receiving your salaries as and when due. I have heard testimonies from market women and others about his good work. A governor that cannot afford to pay salaries is not worthy to lead any group," Tinubu told Kwara APC delegates at the state's banquet hall in Ilorin.

"We are going to continue to work together. Never will Kwara State slide (back) to the hands of the termites. Never again."

Asiwaju had earlier received a thundering applause, a standing ovation, and voice endorsements of his bid, after the Governor spoke extensively about his outstanding roles in the Otoge campaign and then introduced him to the delegates ahead of the presidential primaries.

Speaking to the AbdulRazaq's strides in basic education, health and rural-urban development, Asiwaju applauded AbdulRazaq for committing himself to the course of humanity.

"For a governor who three years ago was his own person, what we have seen is enough testimony of his good job. He committed himself to humanity and public good," he said.

The presidential aspirant said he is better prepared to chart the path of success and prosperity for Nigerians, promising to use education and social welfare as effective weapons against poverty in the country.

"We are coming up with a lot of programmes, just make me your president. I know better how to do it. I can chart the path to success. I can navigate the road to prosperity. I can make the way for your education. I can mentor the children for successful future. I believe in it because education is the greatest weapon against poverty. I am standing before you because of good education," he said, his speech interspersed by applause from the audience.

"I thank you for this uproar and smooth endorsement. I thank you. May God not put you to shame."

The former Lagos governor said AbdulRazaq has earned the right to win another term in office and would be fully supported for the bid.

Asiwaju said whatever grievances among some party chieftains would be resolved, adding that disagreements are a key element of party politics and can always be managed.

"I will intervene, those who are aggrieved should reunite with the party. We will calm the fraying nerves. They should remain with the party and work with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for a second term. For the coming election, we are re-electing Governor AbdulRazaq. So, we will settle the differences," he said.

Asiwaju was accompanied on the campaign trail by an army of battle-tested politicians, serving and former parliamentarians, technocrats, and his media top guns, including former Borno Governor Kashim Shettima and former TETFUND chief Prof Sulaiman Bogoro.

Governor AbdulRazaq had earlier led a powerful delegation of the state government and APC generals in the state to welcome the APC leader from the airport -- after which their long motorcade meandered through the highway lined by seas of admirers to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, where they paid royal homage, and then to the banquet hall where they were greeted to a carnevalesque atmosphere.

"First of all, let me thank Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. He has not been to Kwara since our election. The last time he was in Kwara was during the 2019 campaign. This is the first time since then and I believe we haven't thanked him enough for his roles in helping us take power in this state," AbdulRazaq said, his speech punctuated by cheers from the large support base.

"They say one good turn deserves another. What did he do? It wasn't about money. It was about logistics and strategy with night meetings in Abuja in his guest house, and elsewhere, to make sure we succeed in our task...Asiwaju, we thank you once again. We are very grateful.

"When we took over it was something else we saw. I know some people that are parading themselves as presidential aspirants today in another party. They left a big mess in this state throughout all the sectors. Is it education? I will repeat this so they understand where we are coming from. Since 2013, the state was banned from accessing UBEC funds because of mismanagement of funds by previous administration. That means before we came in for seven years they could not access UBEC funding and there was no significant investment in the education sector."

He said the administration has breathed life back to the education, water and health sectors with significant improvements already recorded, citing how Kwara will now represent Nigeria at the Netherlands later this year and the improved health indices in the state.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
May 18, 2022

15/05/2022

Kwara State First Lady Host Kwara APC Female Aspirants

• Seeks Elective positions for Kwara Women

The First Lady of Kwara State, Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq hosted the coalition of Kwara Female aspirants to her office, Kwara State Government House, Ilorin on Tuesday, 10th May, 2022.

The coalition which was led by the Former Commissioner for Education, Hajia Saadatu Modibo Kawu consisted of all Female Aspirants vying for different political positions under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) across the State.

The Former Commissioner for Education, Hajia Modibbo Kawu who is also an aspirant who spoke on behalf of the group Modibbo Kawu disclosed that the visit was a familiarisation visit and to seek the First Lady’s assistance in their quest to elective office in the State.

Hajia Moddibo Kawu further appreciated the Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for being a He-For-She champion and the First Lady of the State for the opportunity given to the women in the state to participate actively in the decision-making process; hence giving them the courage to becoming political aspirants in this current political dispensation.

Ambassador Abdulrazaq during her remarks while wishing them the best of luck in their various ambition also commended their courage in breaking the barrier for showing in interest contesting in their various constituencies in the forthcoming general elections.

"I am happy for the large turnout of the female aspirants in the State this time around unlike what we had in the 2019 elections. This feat wouldn't have been possible without the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq's support for the women folks in the State"

The First Lady further urged the aspirants to make their campaigns and consultations grassroots-based while also involving the women and youth in all their activities as it is very key to achieving success in the electioneering process.

The Former Commissioner for Enterprise, Hajia Arinola Lawal who also doubles as an Aspirant in her vote of thanks appreciated the First Lady for her word of advice, encouragement, and prayers in the pursuit of their political aspirations.

The meeting had in attendance Hajia Saadatu Moddibo Kawu (Ilorin South), Hajia Lawal Arinola (Ilorin East), Rukayat Motunrayo Sh*ttu (Owode/Onire), Hajia Basheerat Abdulrazaq (Ajikobi/Alanamu) Hajia Tundu Alanamu (Ajikobi/Alanamu), Hajia Mariam Imam (Edu), Hajia Mariam Yusuf (Ilorin West/Asa) Hajia Mariam (Afon), Hajia Bolajoko Bello (Ilorin South), and Hajia Monsurat (Moro).

11/05/2022

Students of the University of Ilorin on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest to express their disappointment over the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, vowing that they would not have anything to do with the 2023 general election if the government allowed the strike to linger.

UNILORIN students, during the protest, said they planned to take their protest to major places like the Government House, roads linking Ilorin Airport, state House of Assembly, Federal Secretariat, police headquarters, and the Department of State Services, among other places, if the meeting between ASUU and the Federal Government did not resolve the lingering crisis this week.

The protesting students lamented their continued stay at home due to the strike and called on the Federal Government to meet ASUU’s demands to enable them to complete their academic activities.

Speaking with journalists, the Students Union President, Taofik Waliu, said the protest was aimed at creating awareness among stakeholders and members of the public according to punch.

Waliu said, “We want to graduate. The Federal Government should meet ASUU’s demands. We don’t plan to move around town today. We hope that soon, the ASUU strike will be a thing of the past whereby about-to-be graduates can graduate and 300 Level students can move up, and so on.

However, if nothing fruitful comes out after the Federal Government’s meeting with ASUU this week, we will move en masse continuously with other students of 10 educational institutions in the state to block roads to various places in the state capital to register our displeasure over the lingering strike.

“This is just to send a message to the government that we are tired and they should meet ASUU’s demands.”

The state chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Salman Yisa, called on state governors to intervene, adding that the issue is beyond the Federal Government

10/05/2022

University of Lagos students protesting on the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in front of UNILAG gate in Lagos... on Monday. Photo: Olukayode Jaiyeola

STUDENTS from various tertiary institutions in Edo State on Monday barricaded the gate of the Benin Airport, along Airport Road, in protest against the three-month extension to the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The resulting gridlock forced motorists to divert into the Government Reserved Area in search of alternative routes.

ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, had in a statement, after a meeting of its National Executive Council at the University of Abuja on Monday, announced the extension of the strike for another 12 weeks with a view to giving the Federal Government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues between them.

While the Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, stated that the government would resume talks with the lecturers this week, the union insisted that it was yet to get any official communication as regards the meeting.

The protesting students from the University of Benin; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, were also at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, to register their grievances.

The President of UNIBEN’s Students Union Government, Foster Amadin, said at the NUJ secretariat, “We are appealing to whosoever is concerned to help resolve this issue. We have also come to the NUJ secretariat as wise students who know the importance of the media to express our displeasure over the lingering ASUU strike.”

Also, students of the University of Lagos, Akoka, staged a protest against the ongoing ASUU strike.

The students displayed placards, and banners, calling on the Federal Government to wade into the crisis.

07/05/2022

*We’ll support you for second term, Kwara monarchs tell Abdulrazaq*

• _Gov restates commitment to inclusive growth_

First class monarchs from North and South of Kwara State have said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq deserves to have another term in office based on his hard work, impacts on every region in the state, and his humility in relating with all segments of the state.

The monarchs spoke on Friday during separate sallah homage paid to the Governor in Ilorin — 48 hours after the chairman of Kwara State Council of Chiefs and Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari called on Abdulrazaq to run for another of four years on the merits of his achievements, his hands-on approach to his duties, and his good judgments on various issues.

The monarchs from South and North attributed their support to the Governor’s glaring impacts in their domains and his humility.

"Your Excellency, you have touched lives all around our communities. We have seen dividends of democracy all around our communities. We are proud to be associated with you and we pray that you will be the person to pilot the affairs of the state in the next four years," Etsu Patigi and Vice Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II said when he led other traditional rulers from Kwara North to pay sallah homage to the Governor.

"We are here this afternoon to pay you sallah homage. We also want to use this medium to appreciate you for all you have been doing for our people across Kwara North and Kwara State in general.

"Your Excellency, it is our prayer that Almighty Allaah will continue to give you the foresight to pilot the affairs of Kwara State. Your Excellency, on behalf of the traditional rulers here, we are using this medium to categorically say we support your administration.
We pray for you and we shall continue to pray for the success of your administration.”

Other traditional rulers from Kwara North in attendance were the Emir of Lafiagi Ahaji Mohammed-Kudu Kawu; Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar; Emir of Shonga Dr. Halidu Yahaya; Etsu Tsaragi Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Nda Kpoto; Emir of Okuta Alhaji Abubakar Idris; Emir of Ilesha Baruba Professor Halidu Abubakar; and Emir of Yashikra Alhaji Umar Usman Sariki.

Monarchs from Kwara South echoed the same sentiments, with the Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II saying the administration of AbdulRazaq has touched virtually every region and sector of the state in a good way.

"Without mincing words, you have been a great revelation to Kwara State and your disposition at the helm underscores the astoundingly fine qualities you exhibit as the Chief Executive Officer of our dear state,” he said.

"Therefore, it has been a sojourn of hope under your leadership, and hopefully, we can make it a journey of more fulfillment with more delivery of dividends of democracy to the common man.

"We are asking Your Excellency to run for second term, because we want you to continue the good work you have been doing in the last three years.

"It may interest you that having put heads together with all the first class traditional rulers from Kwara south, if we have the resources, we would have been the ones to obtain your form. We believe that, even without us, some people would do so and you will consider our plea to contest for second term. Most of governors (first term) have declared for second term; we are still wondering why you have not made your interest known. Even some governors who do not perform so well like you did have declared. So, we are asking you to please declare.”

Other Kwara South first class monarchs in attendance were the Olomu of Ajase-Ipo Oba Ismail Alebiosu; Olomu of Omu-Aran Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti; Olosi of Osi Oba Saliu Adasofegbe; Olupako of Share Oba Haruna Olawale Sulaiman; Alofa of Iloffa Oba Samuel Dada; and representatives of Elerin of Erin-Ile and the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin.

AbdulRazaq, for his part, said his administration remain committed to peace, unity, inclusive growth, and general well-being of the largest majority of the people.

"I commend Your Royal Highnesses for the roles you play in mobilising our people for peace, unity and development,” he said.

“This administration has tremendous regard for our traditional institutions. We are committed to peace, unity, inclusive growth, and general well-being of the largest majority of our people.

"Our commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development is evident across all sectors. Health indices have improved; we have upgraded facilities across the state. We have taken roads and other developmental projects to the remotest corners of our state; and we have standardized basic education. Today, unlike before, Kwara is one of the bright spots in the country in government's responsiveness."

AbdulRazaq appealed to the monarchs to continue to support various initiatives of his administration to secure Kwara State.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
May 6, 2022