…Governor thanks President for swift military response, says operation will calm troubled communities
…Tinubu orders troops to “clean up” area, restore peace
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has disclosed that the first commander of Operation Savannah Shield has reported in Ilorin, the state capital, and has begun work immediately, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to crush terrorists and other criminal elements threatening parts of the North-Central state.
AbdulRazaq made the disclosure on Thursday after meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, where he briefed the President on the deadly attack in Kaiama Local Government Area on Tuesday.
The attack, described as a gruesome massacre, reportedly claimed more than 160 lives after terrorist jihadists stormed affected communities, sparking national outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Kwara and neighbouring states.
Speaking after the meeting, the governor said he came to update the President and also express appreciation for the speed with which the Federal Government responded by establishing a new military operation for the area.
“Yes, I came to brief Mr. President about what happened in Kaiama by the local government of Kwara State and also to thank him for the prompt action taken by establishing Operation Savannah Shield,” AbdulRazaq said.
He expressed optimism that the special operation would bring calm and deter further attacks.
“That will go a long way in deterring and bringing calm to the region in Kwara State,” he added.
Responding to questions on the assurances he was taking back to the people of the state, the governor said he was confident because the military command was already being activated on the ground.
“Well, after meeting the President, I’m confident because as I speak to you, the first Commander for Operation Savannah Shield has reported in Kwara State, Ilorin, today and he’s hitting the ground running and we rely on the military to do what they do best,” he said.
President Tinubu had earlier ordered the deployment of an army battalion to the scene of the attack, directing that the new military command should spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to crush the terrorists and restore stability.
According to AbdulRazaq, the President has now issued clear instructions to security forces to reclaim the affected areas and ensure peace returns.
“Mr. President has directed the armed forces to move in and to clean up the place and make sure peace and calm are restored,” the governor stated.
Operation Savannah Shield is expected to confront not only terrorist elements but also bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups that have, in recent times, extended their operations across parts of Kwara State and other North-Central states.
…hails his people-centred governance, security partnership, KwaraLEARN reforms
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on his birthday, commending his record of people-centred governance, investments in human capital development and readiness to work with the Federal Government to tackle security threats in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described AbdulRazaq as a “polymath and highly accomplished professional,” noting his years of entrepreneurship and leadership in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Tinubu said the governor’s private-sector experience has continued to reflect in his stewardship in Kwara, particularly in governance delivery and development priorities.
The President praised AbdulRazaq for his “concern for the security of the people,” and lauded his collaboration with the Federal Government in confronting what he described as recent terrorist threats in the state.
Tinubu also applauded the governor’s investments in education and human capital development, singling out the KwaraLEARN programme, which he described as transformative.
According to the President, the initiative has helped to strengthen basic education in the state and empower teachers through reforms targeted at improving learning outcomes.
He further acknowledged what he called “visible, credible infrastructure development” across the state and urged the governor to sustain the pace of delivery.
The President encouraged AbdulRazaq to continue providing dividends of good governance to the people of Kwara, while wishing him good health, strength and wisdom as he continues to serve the state and the nation.
AbdulRazaq, a two-term governor and prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has in recent months been at the centre of several state-federal engagements, particularly on security, education reform and development coordination.
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has directed the state emergency management agency to mobilise support for victims of the Tuesday’s night terror attacks in Woro, Kaiama Local Government Area.
The Governor made the directive around 2 am on Thursday following his visit to the community where he commiserated with the victims, the Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar and people of Kaiama Emirate over the attack.
The Governor first arrived Kaiama on Wednesday night in company of Speaker Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, security commanders and senior government officials.
The Head of Woro, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, and his chiefs also joined the Emir to receive the Governor.
At least 75 people of the Muslim majority village died with properties lost to the incident that occurred on Tuesday, the Governor told reporters shortly after receiving briefings from security forces and community leaders.
The Governor, who prayed for the repose of the deceased, announced the immediate deployment of soldiers to the area by the President under Operation Savannah Shield.
“We are very sad. We are here today to commiserate with your Royal Highness over the death of 75 of your subjects. May Allaah grant them Al-jannah Firdaus,” the Governor said at the Emir’s Palace on Wednesday.
“Your Emirate is versatile and from the information we have been getting, these victims were massacred, because they refused to succumb to a strange Islamic doctrine.
“This is different from what we used to see, where subjects were being kidnapped for ransom. This was a pure massacre. We commiserate with you.”
AbdulRazaq commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving an immediate deployment of a battalion of soldiers under ‘Operation Savannah Shield’.
“At the moment, the state emergency services will be going to carry out the enumeration and look for how to take care of the members of the family,” Governor AbdulRazaq said.
“We thank the security agencies for doing a yeoman’s job, swinging from one part of the state to the other. As such, the issues in Kwara South have been subdued largely.
“This is a major challenge to tackle now, because it goes beyond Kwara and goes (also) to the Kainji Park in Niger state. They have murdered sleep and I can assure you that within the next one month, the whole place will be flooded with soldiers. And the results will be positive, God willing.”
Muazu told the Governor that the attackers were followers of Mahmuda who preached strange ideology and attacked those who rejected their doctrine.
He appreciated the Governor for his swift action and support.
He said: “We, the people of Kaiama, are highly moved by Your Excellency’s presence to commiserate with us, bearing in mind that you just returned from a trip. What happened at Woro yesterday was very unfortunate…We lost a large number of people. We only pray for the repose of their souls,” the Emir said.
“We appreciate Your Excellency and the security team for this visit. This has given me further assurance that we are part of the whole system.”
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has recorded measurable and visible achievements in the health sector and other areas, Commissioner for Health Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam said on Monday.
In a statement in Ilorin, El-Imam said any contrary ratings are mere political posturing.
Citing examples, she said the administration has just procured a state-of-the-art 160-slice CT scan and a modern 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, which will soon be commissioned for public use by all Kwarans.
“In addition, modern abdominal ultrasound machines have been procured and distributed to various health facilities across the state to further strengthen diagnostic capacity,” she added.
“The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), not previously available or functional in any state facility, has also been completed and fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including C-Arm machine, to enhance the care of critically ill patients and support complex medical and surgical procedures. There are a lot more.”
Reacting to a recent commentary published in a newspaper questioning the availability of MRI services and the broader state of healthcare delivery in the state, El-Imam said it was important that discussions around healthcare services are guided by facts and an objective assessment of ongoing reforms.
“At the inception of the present administration, a comprehensive assessment revealed that most inherited health infrastructure and medical equipment were either dilapidated, obsolete, or non-functional. This situation cut across primary and secondary health facilities in the state. The report of the transition committee was as clear as were the several poor indices the administration inherited at the time,” she said.
“Specifically, the MRI machine previously installed at the Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre (HADC) is a low field of 0.35 Tesla, which no longer met current diagnostic standards even then. Such low-Tesla machines are inadequate for modern diagnosis of neurological, oncological, spinal, and complex medico-surgical conditions.”
Dr El-Imam said the administration acknowledged that the shortage of health personnel, particularly doctors, is a national and global challenge which has impacted negatively on the sector nationwide.
“Beyond infrastructure and equipment, the administration recognises that healthcare delivery is important and driven by human resources. It is widely acknowledged that the shortage of health personnel, particularly doctors is a national and global challenge, largely driven by the “Japa” syndrome, a trend that has become more pronounced in recent years. This has resulted in inadequate deployment of the requisite health workforce to many rural and hard-to-reach communities across the country,” Dr El-Imam maintained.
On medical and health workers salary structures, the Commissioner noted that Kwara State currently pays the revised CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures, in line with what obtains at the federal level, across all cadres of its health workforce.
“In response, massive recruitment of healthcare workers across all cadres—medical officers, specialists, nurses, pharmacists, and house officers was conducted while the recently approved recruitment of 150 nurses – is ongoing,” she said.
“Regarding specialist training, 41 resident doctors are presently undergoing training in various specialties, supported by the state government through the regular payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF). Notably, Kwara State was the first state in Nigeria to commence payment of the MRTF in 2025, underscoring its leadership in health workforce development.”
The Commissioner said the Kwara State Government initiated a statewide free medico-surgical outreach programme to deliver specialised healthcare services.
“These services include medical consultations and treatments, provision of free drugs, eye and general surgeries, and the free distribution of eyeglasses to indigent Kwarans and residents of hard-to-reach communities across all 16 Local Government Areas of the state,” she said.
“This intervention is designed to complement existing healthcare services while ensuring equitable access to care for all Kwarans. In 2025 alone, 10,374 Kwarans benefitted from the outreach programme.
“This effort is further reinforced by the aggressive enrollment of residents into the KwaraCare (Health Insurance) programme, which continues to expand access to affordable healthcare. reflecting the administration’s commitment to universal health coverage.”
Kwara State Government has suspended the Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, over Tuesday’s protest by the students
The government announced a three-person panel to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the protest.
The committee is headed by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Sulyman. Other members are Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge and Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Dr. Mrs Mercy Shittu.
The committee has two weeks to submit its report to the governor, while their terms of reference are: (1) to look at the remote and immediate causes of the protest and handling of same; (2) recommend ways to prevent such things in future; (3) make further recommendations on the growth of the school.
Tertiary Education Commissioner Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu signed the statement.
The state had earlier shut the polytechnic over protest by some students of the institution.
It was gathered that scores of students of the polytechnic protested over disagreement with the school authorities on continued use of the school for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp.
The state government had in the wake of insecurity in parts of the state temporarily relocated the NYSC Orientation Camp from Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area to the institution.
The school had granted students a three-week break effective Monday, January 19, 2026 to facilitate successful conduct of the NYSC orientation camp.
The aim is to manage the situation and prevent any breach of law and order.
But, the directive did not go down well, on the grounds that they have just resumed from Christmas/New year break.
The development resulted in tension that necessitated police intervention.
The police were initially asked to disperse the crowd at the polytechnic’s main gate, it was gathered.
Unfortunately, some officers went beyond their mandate by throwing tear gas canisters into the polytechnic premises, including student hostels.
This action adversely affected several students and workers, including the polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer who sustained injury.
A statement by the acting registrar of the school, AbdulHafis Amin, recalled that the state government had earlier designated Kwarapoly as the temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) due to prevailing security challenges in the state.
“During the first camp exercise, students were on break, and during the second, students had not fully resumed. However, for the current exercise, students are fully in session.
“To manage the situation and prevent any breach of law and order, the management granted students a three-week break effective Monday, 19th January, 2026 to facilitate the successful conduct of the NYSC orientation camp.
“Regrettably, some students reacted negatively to this directive, on the grounds that they have just resumed from Christmas/New year break.
“This resulted in tension that necessitated police intervention. The police were initially tasked with dispersing the crowd at the polytechnic’s main gate.
“Unfortunately, some officers went beyond their mandate by throwing tear gas canisters into the polytechnic premises, including student hostels.
“This action adversely affected several students and staff, including Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer who sustained injury.
“Consequently, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the State, Mall. Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq has directed the closure of the Polytechnic to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the entire Polytechnic community.
“The management, therefore, calls on all students, staff, and stakeholders to remain calm and cooperative as we continue to engage with the relevant authorities to resolve this matter amicably and swiftly,” the statement added.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the best party to govern Nigeria.
He described APC as an exclusive political club that ranks as the biggest in Africa.
The governor spoke during the inauguration of the state APC’s stakeholders’ engagement and commencement of e-registration and membership validation.
AbdulRazaq, who was documented as the first registrant of the party in the state, said the exercise was designed to strengthen the party and ensure accurate membership tally for planning.
He said those who wish to register as members of the party should be accommodated, cautioning against excluding anyone from the exercise.
AbdulRazaq announced that all aspirants to political offices in 2027 would be given a level-playing field.
The governor, who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), advised all aspirants to elective offices in the state to canvass for members and new members.
“It is important that we know how many of us are members of this exclusive club (APC), which is arguably the biggest party in Africa. This is the only party to develop Nigeria and all the states in Nigeria, including all the local governments,” he said.
Party chieftains from across the state attended the stakeholders’ engagement and commencement of the e-registration and revalidation exercise.
The programme was organised by the Kwar State chapter of the APC.
“We want to know how many we are so that we can use that to enumerate, canvass, and protect ourselves properly, empower ourselves properly, not leaving anyone behind,” he said.
“Now, for those who have been tasked with this exercise: don’t exclude anyone. We need all the members we can get. So, make sure you register, not just our members; you should go out and canvass for new members.
“This is an opportunity to canvass for new members. You have seen all the work that has been done from the federal level to the state and local government levels. Use that to market the party, to make sure that we expand from where we used to be.”
The governor said his administration had executed projects across all sectors, which have made Kwara State more developed and viable than it ever was.
“The facts speak for themselves across every sector. We have posted sterling performances that everyone can see in every part of the state,” he added.
AbdulRazaq said everyone needed the National Identity Number (NIN) to be on board as members of the party.
The state APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, said the sterling performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had endeared him to many a Nigerian, adding that this informed the current gale of defections to the party by major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and chieftains.
“We are having 30 governors now and more are still coming. If we look at this, it is a smooth sail for the President in 2027.
“Our state should be our concern. The form of progressive development in the state should be our campaign weapon. We must leverage the transformational progress that has taken place in the state to ensure that the baton is handed over to another APC government in 2027. There is the need to admonish ourselves that one of us is better than all of us. Leaders are enjoined to mobilise your followers for the exercise.
“Let the registration agents know that you are all Nigerians. Make available your NIN. We don’t want a situation whereby non-Nigerians will take over what we are doing here.
“I enjoin you in the name of the national chairman of APC, in the name of the President of the country and in the name of our amiable, simple and project-minded governor of the state that we should register. This is because through the census, we will be able to know the membership of the party. It will now snowball into the congress that we want to do.
“The e-registration will enable us give real figures. In the last elections, members of the APC were said to be 40 million. When the elections came, we got 19 million. Somebody must be deceiving himself.
“This is why Mr. President is so serious about the e-registration. As at now, if you have ambition, you want the progress of the party and you want good things for the state go and register. Be part of the change. Have a voice in the selection of the people that will represent us at all levels.”
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday flagged off the e-registration and revalidation of membership for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Governor, who was documented as the first registrant of the party in the state, said the exercise is designed to strengthen the party and ensure accurate membership tally for planning.
He said everyone who wishes to register as members of the party should be accommodated, cautioning against excluding anyone from the exercise.
“It is important that we know how many of us are members of this exclusive club (APC), which is arguably the biggest party in Africa.
” This is the only party to develop Nigeria and all the states in Nigeria, including all the local governments,” he told party stalwarts in Ilorin at the APC Stakeholders’ Engagement and Commencement of E-registration and Revalidation Exercise.
The programme was organised by Kwara APC led by the Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi.
“We want to know how many we are, so that we can use that to enumerate, canvass, and protect ourselves properly, empower ourselves properly, not leaving anyone behind,” he said.
“Now, for those who have been tasked with this exercise: don’t exclude anyone. We need all the members we can get. So, make sure you register, not just our members, you should go out and canvass for new members.
“This is an opportunity to canvass new members. You’ve seen all the work that’s been done from the federal level to the state and local government level. Use that to market the party, to make sure that we expand from where we used to be.”
The Governor said his administration has executed projects across sectors which have made Kwara State more developed and viable than it ever was.
“The facts speak for themselves across every sector. We have posted sterling performances that everyone can see in every part of the state,” he added.
The Governor said everyone needs their National Identity Number (NIN) to be onboarded as members of the the party.
The event was attended by top party chieftains, federal and state legislators, cabinet members, board chairmen and members, among others.
Fagbemi, State APC Chairman, said the meeting was called to assure everyone in the APC that there is no hanky-panky, and to create equitable platform for all.
He said arrangements have been put in place to make sure no one is marginalised, adding that intending registrants will be required to meet some pre-conditions.
The Chairman commended the Governor for his pragmatism and achievements across key sectors, including in the education, health, and road infrastructure.
“The reasons for our gathering include but are not limited to the fact that we have to work together as one entity. We must unite and work together and align behind Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is our leader. We have seen the achievements of the Governor and that is strong enough to mobilise the people,” he said.
Deputy Chief of Staff Princess Bukola Babalola said it takes the concerted efforts of the party leaders and stalwarts to make the exercise successful, asking all and sundry to support the exercise.
“This registration exercise is not a one-man’s job. We must participate and see to the success of the registration exercise,” she said.
Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, said the registration exercise offers an opportunity for the state to strengthen membership of the party.
He noted that whatever numbers the party gets at the end of the exercise will translate to votes come 2027, thanking the party leadership for creating an avenue to expand the party membership.
“We are not going to be audio politicians but ones who will bring our votes,” he said.
Mubarak Bello, State Coordinator for membership e-registration, who took the gathering through the guidelines, rules and mode of operation of the exercise, said electronic registration will take place across the three Senatorial Districts, urging all party faithful to participate in the process.
Bello explained that a total of 579 registration agents will be onboarded from across 193 wards, saying this will be preceded by registration of senatorial administrators and local government supervisors.
“Only members (people) with valid National Identification Numbers (NIN) are eligible to be registered. Members with invalid NIN should as a matter of necessity relate with the agent so as to accelerate the means of revalidation of their number,” he said.
Chairman, APC Elders’ Caucus, Hon. Razaq Lawal, called on members of the party to play their roles by mobilising and working for the success of the exercise.
He called Governor AbdulRazaq a God-fearing man and reformer, who he said has continued to develop the state and lead by example, requesting all Kwarans to continue to support him to succeed.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated 83 primary health care centres, newly- revitalised by the administration to improve access to quality health care services.
The project was funded from Kwara State Government, World Bank-supported IMPACT Project, Basic HealthCare Provision Funds and Leadership Challenge Funds won by the state.
The programme was organised by Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KWSPHCDA).
The governor said the delivery of the facilities spoke of his administration’s commitment to giving quality health care to every citizen, regardless of where they lived.
“As I formally unveil these 83 newly-revitalised primary health care facilities today, I do so with the conviction that we are writing a new chapter in the health history of our state,” AbdulRazaq said at Oloje Primary Healthcare Centre, Ilorin, where he performed a symbolic inauguration of the project.
“We are not just fulfilling a campaign promise, as we have done over the past years; we are also laying a foundation for a healthier, more prosperous generation. We inherited a primary health care system that was in a state of extreme disrepair with far-reaching consequences on the people.
“Each of these facilities has been renovated to new standards. Expectant mothers will no longer need to travel long distances to access antenatal care and safe delivery services. Children will receive timely immunisations and treatment for common childhood illnesses. Our youths will have access to reproductive health information and services. Our elderly people will receive care for chronic conditions closer to home.
“The improvement in health outcomes witnessed in the state spurs us to do more through additional recruitment into the health workforce and improved welfare. We are creating a legacy that will outlive our administration and save lives.”
The governor lauded World Bank for its support through the IMPACT Project and National Primary Health Care Development Agency for their coordination and support.
He also hailed the leadership of Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency ‘’for pulling these through.’’
Executive Director, National Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, commended Governor AbdulRazaq for leveraging the IMPACT project (Immunisation- Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transformation) to drive meaningful change in the state.
Aina, represented by the National Programme Manager for the IMPACT Project, Dr. Amina Abdul-one Muhammed, said over 2500 facilities across 31 states, including FCT, had benefited from the upgrade and revitalisation.
She urged the host communities to take ownership of the facilities and protect them against vandalism.
KWSPHCDA Executive Secretary Prof Nosirat Elelu said Kwara had won the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund Award for three times, thereby according the state a national recognition for outstanding performance in basic health care service delivery.
Kwara APC stakeholders and thought leaders were awestruck on Monday evening as cabinet members took turns to give data, figures, and footages of how far the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has gone in delivering its campaign promises across the state.
Commissioner for Works Abdulquawy Olododo said official records show that the Abdulrazaq administration now has more completed, ongoing, or facilitated (tax credit) road projects than the three previous administrations since 1999 combined.
He said the administration has completed 302.4kms of roads between 2019 and now, has 275.25km ongoing, including the 209.7km under RAAMP, along with the 294km tax credit road — totaling 871.65km of roads.
“Between 1999 and 2019, available records show that a total of 651.2km roads were done by the three administrations of His Excellencies Mohammed Lawal, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and Abdulfatah Ahmed, including the 120km FG-funded Chickanda Road under Senator Saraki. When you juxtapose these records, it is clear that His Excellency AbdulRazaq has surpassed that record today,” Olododo said, backing his presentation with footages of achievements of the administration.
Commissioner for Finance Dr. Hauwa Nuhu said the government has also implemented two minimum wages and paid more counterpart funds than any previous administrations, restating the commitment of the Governor to the wellbeing of Kwarans, including civil servants.
She said the administration has grown the state’s internal revenue from N30.6bn in 2019 to N87.1bn as at Dec 19, 2025 — more than 100 per cent growth in six years.
She mentioned that the administration has cleared all salary and pension arrears the administration inherited — while 100% CONMESS and CONHESS have also been paid and a new 27.5% Teachers Specific Allowance (TSA) has just been approved.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, who detailed the trajectory of school infrastructure and other efforts of the government, said the AbdulRazaq administration has hired 8,912 teachers, constructed more than 2,000 classrooms, and bridged gaps in staff welfare, including fixing promotion arrears since 2016 to date.
A presentation on the urban renewal initiative and the Kwara Smart City added vistas to the event as Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Dr. Segun Ogunsola explained the vision and the steps so far taken, including the construction work on the Kwara State University of Education.
Dignitaries at the event said the achievements of the Governor are unprecedented, phenomenal, visible
to all, and laudable within the context of Kwara’s sociopolitical history.
Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central) said: “With these achievements that we have seen here today, I think it’s a thing of joy that it is in our lifetime that we have a Governor who, in his quiet moment, has been able to achieve this. If anybody has told us that the state has progressed to this level, we will not believe it but we have seen it first hand.
“From today, I am one of those who will carry the flag out there and say come to Kwara and see what the Governor has done. This is a gathering of APC family and it indicates that we were not wrong in the choice of our leader.
“We have seen the human capital development, we have seen the infrastructural development, we have seen the social welfare, what else do you need in a society again? All we need to do is to continue to pray and beg Allah for a peaceful co-existence.
“For me at the end of this programme, Kwarans should go on a celebration galore because in the last 16 years before His Excellency, I don’t think anybody can boast of infrastructural development like this. I want to thank His Excellency, who has led us this far and also to the committed team God has given him.”
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Prince Lateef Fagbemi said the Governor has done very well, calling on critics to be fair in pointing out areas they want improvements on as no system is ever perfect.
“I want to say that the meeting of today is not just to eat. We have been treated to the achievements of the Governor. Believe me, if you bring a blind man to Kwara State, he would know and appreciate that developments are taking place,” he said.
“Don’t let us be sentimental. We are all living witnesses to the good performance of this administration. If we allow this chance to slip away we will all suffer for it. We are bound to disagree but the solution is not in destroying ourselves.
“When the thing is not going in the way you think, or perceive, and the way you would have loved it to be, the solution is not in destroying the programme. We have seen how the Governor has managed labour issues. We have also seen his achievements in education and healthcare, and others.”
Speaker of the House of House of Assembly Engr. Salihu Yakubu-Danladi said the lawmakers in the state have always been convinced that the Governor is a superlative achiever whose footprints exist everywhere in the state.
His words: “On behalf of my colleagues in the 10th Assembly, I want to state that we have been part and parcel of this government in the last six years. Most of these achievements are what we see in every budget circle, just as we are aware that the Governor has just presented the 2026 budget today.
“The Governor of Kwara State has done wonderfully well in the 24 state constituencies. In all 193 wards, there are projects everywhere. Aside from the physical infrastructure, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has done very well in the areas of stomach infrastructure through social investment programmes.”
Director General, Nigeria Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Issa Lanre Onilu, said with the catalogue of sectoral achievements projected at the event, Governor AbdulRazaq has performed beyond his initial estimation.
He enjoined AbdulRazaq to focus more on how to sustain some of his legacy projects, including the iconic Garment Factory, Innovation Hub, and the Kwara Smart City.
“I have always thanked our Governor and our leader for the wonderful job he is doing. But let me admit that even when I was commending him, I didn’t know this much. So, the commendations I gave to him were based on what I saw. But what I have seen today is far more than what I have ever imagined.
“I want to say clearly that we all have every reason to be proud of what has happened in the last six years. If you are not proud of it, it means you really do not know what is on the ground.
“The people I want to talk to are those in charge of our communication: please do not fall into the trap of exchanging words with the people who set us back for several years. They want you to discuss politics, they want you to discuss the mundane and irrelevant things, but let me tell you clearly that you have a lot to showcase. Focus on what we have done in the last six years, focus on the development in all the local government areas that people can see and feel. As far as governance is concerned, we have done well and Otoge has proven to be a remarkable success for this state.”
Director General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Abdullateef Shittu, commended the Governor’s style of leadership both as NGF Chairman and as Governor of the state.
He described AbdulRazaq as a leader who is calm but firm, consultative but decisive, and one who is grounded in institutional respect.
“This gathering speaks to a deeper leadership instinct: the understanding that political success is sustained when dialogue remains open, when differences are managed with wisdom, and when collective responsibility is placed above individual ambition. These are values that Kwara State has come to be known for under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” he said.
State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi, said no single political ward in the state has not benefitted one form of capital project or the other, adding that the impacts are already being felt.
Amb. Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, Dr. Amina Ahmed and Engr Nurudeen Adeyemi, who spoke for the three Senatorial Districts, commended the Governor’s style of leadership, his political tolerance, and a dedication to rewrite the story of Kwara.
In a short address to party leaders and thought leaders who attended the event, Governor AbdulRazaq said “I am just interested in building a legacy of leaving this state far more than I met it, a legacy of a state that is viable. I am not interested in building a dynasty, and I urge that we work together for a greater state”.
He also spoke extensively on security matters, giving insights into the successes and the challenges and reassuring the people of the government’s commitment to rid the state of kidnappers and terrorists.
He acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu whose economic policies the Governor said has freed up resources with which the government is able to expand infrastructure at various layers.
Governor Abdulrazaq commended everyone for turning up for the event, which he said was a continuation of the parley that held in Abuja a few weeks ago.
Kwara State Sports Commission says the state is blessed with best para-athletes making waves in the global sports arena.
The commission therefore commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his financial and moral support to sports in the state.
The commission restated its support for the growth of para-sports in the state to ensure that Persons with Disabilities(PwDs) are motivated to contribute to the growth and development of the society.
Executive Chairman of the commission Bolakale Adisa Mogaji said this in Ilorin, the state capital at the 2025 International Day of Persons Living with Disabilities organized by the State Ministry of Social Development.
