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Tag: AbdulFatah Ahmed

  • Emir of Ilorin urges Muslim to be accommodating of other religions

     APC felicitates with Muslims

     

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari on Friday urged Muslims in the country to accommodate and tolerate their Christian brothers.

    The Emir said this after the conduct of the two rakah prayer to mark the end of Ramadan at Ilorin Eid praying ground.

    The conduct of the prayer was peaceful and orderly while the praying ground was filled to capacity.

    The state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed led other members of the state executive council to the praying ground.

    The traditional ruler also cautioned both the Muslim and Christian clerics against preaching hatred in order to allow peace reign supreme across the country.

    He sought Allah’s guidance for Nigerian leaders across board.

    In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Salihu urged Muslims to allow the lessons of the just concluded prayer reflect in their daily endeavors.

    He admonished Muslims to continue to live peacefully with adherents of other religions.

    Read Also: Union mourns Ilorin’s high chief

    Sheikh Bashir who acknowledged the efforts of the state government at making life comfortable for the people of the state, urged them to continue in that vein.

    He reminded Nigerian leaders across board to always remember that their holding their offices in public trust, urging them to strive at all times to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people who elected them into office.

    A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state led by Bashir Bolarinwa also felicitated with Muslim faithful in the state for successful completion of Ramadan fast this year.

    In a statement, Hon Bolarinwa thanked the Almighty Allah for preserving the lives of all faithful to see Ramadan to a joyful end.

    Bolarinwa reminded every patriotic citizen of the state to continue to pray for “our dear state as activities of unscrupulous characters in the state are on the increase.

    “It is disheartening that while we are struggling to get out of the gruesome and sensless killing in Offa during the most organized armed robbery incident in the state, a director in the employ of the state government was assassinated few days ago.

    “We need to do more of prayers and the scholars must equally do more in their sermons to instill the fear of Allah in the minds of young people.”

    The party chairman prayed Almighty Allah to peacefully response all souls lost in those ugly incidents and fortitude for their families at this trying period.

  • Eschew hate speeches, Ahmed cautions politicians

    As Nigeria approaches another election year, Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged politicians to abhor hate speeches and incitement of the people against constituted authorities.

    He also elicited the support of all Nigerians in nurturing the nation’s fragile democracy to a vibrant, strong and prosperous one.

    In his Democracy Day message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, Governor Ahmed said “all advanced democracies of the world had passed through turbulent times but survived through dialogue and citizens’ commitment to democratic norms”.

    The governor who admitted that the state was challenged because of the fall in federally allocated revenue, explained that the ingenuity of his government in reforming the revenue generation platforms had launched the state among few viable states in the country with self-sustaining capacity.

    Read Also: Ahmed appoints new aides

    Governor Ahmed said his government had invested heavily in human capital development with the setting up of International Vocational, Technical and Entrepreneurial College, Ajase-Ipo, injection of over N2bn to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other incentives to support the informal sector.

    Ahmed assured Kwarans that all the ongoing developmental projects would be taken to completion levels in a bid to bridge infrastructural deficit and guarantee sustainable  economic growth in the state.

    The governor also promised even development of the state, saying that no section of the state would be left out in the provision of amenities

  • Let’s nurture our democracy – Gov. Ahmed

     Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has solicited the support of all Nigerians in nurturing the nation’s fragile democracy to one that is  vibrant, strong and prosperous.

    The governor made the call in his Democracy Day message issued on Tuesday in Ilorin by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba.

    “All advanced democracies of the world had passed through turbulent times, but survived through dialogue and citizens’ commitment to democratic norms,” Ahmed said.

    As Nigeria approaches another election year, Ahmed called on politicians to abhor hate speeches and incitement of the people against constituted authorities.

    Read Also: Ahmed appoints new aides

    Ahmed, who said the state was facing challenges because of the fall in federal allocation, explained that the ingenuity of his government in reforming the revenue generation platforms had launched Kwara  among the few viable states  with self-sustaining capacity.

    He also said his government had invested heavily in human capital development with the setting up of  the International Vocational, Technical and Entrepreneurial College, Ajase-Ipo.

    According to him, his government has also injected over N2 billion into Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other incentives to support the informal sector.

    He assured the people of the state that all the ongoing developmental projects would be completed in a bid to bridge infrastructural deficit and guarantee sustainable economic growth in the state.

    The governor also promised even development of the state, saying no section would be left out in the provision of amenities.

    NAN

  • Ahmed swears-in 19 commissioners in Kwara

    Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Wednesday swore-in 19 new commissioners in the state.

    Performing their swearing-in ceremony, Governor Ahmed said the commissioners were “coming on board at a time of serious financial challenges and increasing demands on the government by the populace but also immense opportunity to make a difference.”

    The commoners and their portfolios are Ahaji Saidu A. Habeeb – Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Mallam Ishak Mohammed Sabi- Ministry of Information and Communications, Mallam Ahmed Alhassan- Ministry of Industry and Solid Minerals, Mr. Amos Sayo Justus- Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Alhaji Wasiu Odewale- Ministry of Planning and Economic development and Alhaji Aro Yahaya-Ministry of Works and Transport

    Read Also: Kwara shuts 40 illegal schools

    Others are Suajudeen Akanbi- Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaja Bilikis Oniyangi-Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mr. Yusuf Abdulqodir-Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Eleja Taiwo Banu- Ministry of Energy, Ajibade Kamaldeen Adeyemi (SAN)-Ministry of Justice, Ademola Nurudeen Baanu-Ministry of Finance, Mr. Agboola Julius Babatunde-Ministry of Commerce and Cooperatives, Dr Ahmed Susa’ade Aminat- Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Abdullahi Alikinla-Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Alhaja Taibat Ayinde Ahmed- Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji-Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Muyideen O. Alalade-Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and Alhaji Usman Kolo Rifun-Ministry of Health.

    Said Ahmed: “This is a call to higher service, not an opportunity for self-promotion, a time to perform rather than stagnate and to focus on results rather than obstacles.

    “This appointment is a chance for every one of you to demonstrate you can overcome obstacles to achieve set targets.

    “As we strive to take the State to even greater heights in the limited time available, I expect you to hit the ground running and upscale government business because our people expect and deserve the best you can offer.”

  • Kwara Assembly flays IGP over transfer of cultists

    The Kwara State House of Assembly on Thursday said that the sudden transfer of six suspected cult members earlier paraded by the state police command was an after thought.

    The House added that it was an attempt to manipulate the criminal justice system to implicate the Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

    The legislature added that several other cultists have their matters pending before the judiciary

    The assembly therefore urged well meaning Nigerians to impress it on the Inspector General of Police, not to destroy the institution of the Police Force in Country.

    A member representing Ilorin North West Constituency, Abdul Rafiu Abdul Rahman said this in a motion entitled IGP versus  KWSG: A dangerous attempt to undermine the fight against crimes, especially cultism in Kwara state.

    Reading the resolutions of the House, the Speaker Dr Ali Ahmad, explained that the call, became expedient to prevent unnecessary disharmony between the state Ministry of Justice as prosecuting agents, the Police and other investigative authorities which, according to House,will affect the fight against crime and cultism in the state and the general maintenance of law and order.

    The House also called on National Assembly to formally alert the United Nations Human Rights Commission on the dangers of misusing the criminal Justice system in targeting independent voices in a democratic system of governance.

    Abdul Rahman said that since the state had demonstrated zero tolerance for crimes in general and cultism in particular by enacting 3 laws in 2004, 2013 and 2016.

    He noted that the state had a turning point in the fight against cultism, during the tenure of then Govrrnor Bukola Saraki, when he assented the first and toughest anti – cultism law, set up and funded anti-cultism Squad led by a late ASP popularly known as Ogidan, to ensure effective implementation of the anti-cultism laws.

    The Law maker disclosed that in furtherance of the zero tolerance for cultism, the state House of Assembly on 15th May, 2018, organised security Summit with the personal attendance of the state commissioner of police, other security agencies and traditional rulers with far reaching recommendations on the containment of the criminal activities, in which  Governor Ahmed immediately gave his commitment to implement the Summit recommendations.
    Other members who spoke on the Motion said, that the alleged offences were triable in the state, but the action of the IGP according to them were aimed at carrying out smear campaign against the Senate President and the state governor.

  • PDP expresses concern over alleged plot against Saraki

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expresses concerned over claims by the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki alleging plots by the Police to frame him up.

    Saraki had, during Wednesday’s plenary, informed his colleagues that the police authorities had perfected plans to use suspected cultists, who have been in detention, to implicate him and the Governor of Kwara state, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

    In a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the PDP, as a party, has taken judicious note of assertions by the Senate President that the said plot is allegedly being hatched by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim.

    According to the President of the Senate, the IGP was out to settle scores with him over the Senate recent declaration that the police boss was not fit to hold public office.

    The statement said, “The PDP is alarmed by the trend of brazen assaults on the institutions of democracy, particularly the National Assembly and the judiciary, in addition to unrelenting attacks on dissenting voices, especially as we approach the 2019 general elections.

    “Nigerians will recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of plots to arrest, harass, detain dissenting voices and opposition members on trumped-up charges, as well as intimidate institutions of democracy and pave the way for a one-party state in our country.

    Read Also: Saraki to meet Buhari over ‘IGP’s plot to implicate him’

    “Nigerians will further recall the invasion of the Senate chambers by thugs, who disrupted proceedings and carted away the mace. Only last Friday, hoodlums violently attacked a High Court in Rivers state with guns, in a bid to stop the judiciary from making pronouncements on an electoral matter.

    “The PDP therefore charges the National Assembly to defend the nation’s democracy by sparing no energy in pursuing its resolution of engaging President Muhammadu Buhari on these assaults, in addition to putting in motion, all legislative instruments available to it, to curtail all excesses in government before the situation finally gets out of hand”.

  • Ahmed sends commissioner-nominees to Kwara Assembly

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has sent the list of 19 nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners.

    The Deputy Speaker, Chief Matthew Okedare, said this in Ilorin, the state capital while reading the governor’s message dated May 8th addressed to the speaker, Dr.  Ali Ahmad at the floor of the House.

    The Commissioner- nominees, according to the deputy speaker who presided over the Tuesday’s sitting, were Ademola Banu Irepodun local government, Eleja Taiwo Banu, Ilorin West,  Ahmed Alhassan, Edu,  Uhman Kolo Rifun Patigi,  Amos Sayo Justus, Ekiti, Sabi Baba Isiak  Baruteen,  Bamidele Adegoke Olamide, Oke Ero, Olaniyi Muideen Alalade. Oyun and Kamadeen Ajibade (SAN), Ilorin West.

    Others are Aro Yahaya, Ifelodun, Surajudeen Akanbi, Ilorin East. Hajia Taiba Ayinde Ahmed Offa and Alhaji Saidu A. Habeeb, Asa local government area, Agboola Julius Babatunde, Isin, Dr.  Ahmed Susa’ade Aminat  Kaiama, Abdullah Alikinla (Moro),  Wasiu Odewale Ifelodun and Yusuf Abdulqodir, Ilorin West local government area.

    The governor said he had taken congnisance of the provisions of the nation’s constitution.

    Governor Ahmed called for speedy confirmation of the nominees to fast track implementation of policies and programmes of his government.

    The Deputy Speaker then directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Katsina Mohammed to ensure that all nominees completed necessary documentation for their screening and confirmation on Tuesday next week.

  • Kwara shares N4bn loan to offset teachers, LG workers’ salary arrears

    The Kwara State Government has shared  N4 billion credit facility  between  the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) and the local government councils  to offset part of the salary arrears owed their workers.

    The state Joint Account Allocation Committee ( JAAC ) shared the loan between SUBEB and local government councils late on Monday.

    The newsmen reports that the 16 local government councils in the state received N1.150 billion.

    Also, the State Universal Basic Education ( SUBEB ), responsible for primary and junior secondary school workers, got N2.150 billion.

    Mr Joshua Omokanye told newsmen that the state government obtained the loan following an agreement among the executives of the 16 local government areas.

    The newsmen reports that Omokanye is the current Chairman of the State’s Association of Local Governments of Nigeria ( ALGON ).

    Omokanye, also the Chairman of Oyun Local Government Area, said that N400 million from the loan was earmarked to pay local government pensioners.

    He added that N300 million would go into the payment of allowances owed former political office holders at the council level.

    Read Also: Kwara monarchs get N49m arrears

    According to him, the part payment of salary arrears will ameliorate the sufferings of the staff of the two government units.

    The meeting was attended by the chairmen of 16 local government councils in the state and their treasurers.

    Also, the permanent secretaries in the state Ministries of Finance and that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs attended the meeting.

    Others that also attended include: the chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission and leaders of labour unions among others.

    The newsmen reports that the Kwara House of Assembly approved the request from Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed to obtain the loan two weeks ago.

    NAN

  • Saraki, Ahmed urge Nigerians to pray for peace

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed have urged churches and their leadership to keep for Nigeria’s peace and sustainable development at all times.

    They said that Nigeria is currently going through socio-economic, political and security challenges.

    Speaking at the second session of the 15th synod of Anglican Diocese of Kwara state at St. Barnabas Cathedral, Ilorin, Senator Saraki said that all Nigerians have a role to play in nation building and good governance.

    “As a spiritual body, I will further urge you not to relent in your prayers and intercession for our nation as we all do not have any other place to call our own. The National Assembly, the Senate in particular, we seek your support and the need to work together as our doors are opened for your advice and consultation. It is high time we embraced our unity in diversity, respect for one another, eschew that tenets that will divide us”, he said.

    Represented by his deputy chief of staff, Gbenga Makanjuola, the Senate president also said that there is a light at the end of the tunnel if all Nigerians could work together.

    “Let our message from this synod be a message of hope, love and unity. Let us celebrate that which binds us together as people and as a nation and Nigeria will be better place for all of us and generations yet to come.

    “Over the years, the Christian community in Kwara state has played a vital role in sustaining the peace, unity and coexistence of our great state, hence this has helped us as inhabitants to live and relate harmoniously even in the face if socioeconomic and political challenges. Several times, our peace and unity has been tested but to the Glory of God, we are still standing tall”, he said.

    Also speaking, Governor Ahmed said that current challenges facing the country were huge.

    He added that, “but with divine prayers, our collective will and determination, we shall definitely overcome them and make our country great”.

    The governor charged religious leaders to continue to uphold virtues of love, unity, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness, saying that they should encourage their followers to do same.

    He said: “We should always advise them to shun acts capable of causing disunity and religious intolerance. Without doubt, our diversity remains of one of the things that make us unique as a nation, and we must do everything within our power to promote religious and ethnic harmony, tolerance and understanding.”

    In his charge at the synod, themed, Finishing Strong”, Bishop of the diocese of Kwara, Most Rev Olusegun Adeyemi admission the federal government to find amicable and long lasting solutions to, “unnecessary bloodletting confrontation in Benue state among the state government, farmers and herdsmen.

    “This country belongs to all of us. The law of the land should be obeyed by all. If peace is to be long lasting, every sector of the community should be disarmed.”

     

  • NYSC sanctions eight corps members in Kwara with service extension

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), in Kwara, has sanctioned eight corps members serving in the state for various offences they committed during the service year. 

    NYSC State Coordinator,  Mr Amafuele Remigius, made this known on Thursday in Ilorin during the Passing Out parade ( POP ) of the 2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 of the scheme at the Metropolitan Square. 

    He said a total of 1, 790 corps members passed out after a year national service to the nation, adding that eight corps members would serve an extension for various offences.

    The coordinator said three corps members received the prestigious ‘NYSC State Honors Award.’

    “On a sad note, we lost one of the outgoing corps members while on national service,” the coordinator said.

    The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, speaking at the passing out parade, enjoined the outgoing corps members to make use of the skill they had acquired during the service year.

    The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, commended the corps members for the successful completion of the compulsory national service. 

    Ahmed advised the corps members to look inward and bring to use all the various skills they were taught with the aim of becoming employers of labour, rather than seeking white collar jobs that were not available.

    He wished them success in their future endeavours and extended the appreciation of the host communities where they did their primary assignments.

    The governor’s representative later presented awards to the three corps members nominated for NYSC State Award.

    NAN