The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abdulrazaq

  • AbdulRazaq joins Kwara Maulid celebration

    AbdulRazaq joins Kwara Maulid celebration

    For the third time in a row, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday joined the 2023 public commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in Ilorin, the state capital. 

    Seated to the right of Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and dozens of his chiefs and prominent religious leaders, the Governor attended the event in company of cabinet members and loyalists. 

    Thousands of Muslims, men and women, attended the Maulid as AbdulRazaq called on the faithful to imbibe “his time-tested values for sincerity of purpose, fairness, compassion to all, constant remembrance of God, and a strong sense of community built on the fear of God and collective good”.

    “I join the entire Muslim community and people of Kwara State as a whole to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. May the peace and blessings of Allah be on the Prophet, his households, his companions, and all of us,” the Governor said.

    “There is no limitation to how far we can go if we always act as a community of people united by common humanity and interdependence. I urge us to work together as one people joined by one destiny and exemplary values. 

    “Esteemed brothers and sisters, and our leaders, I assure you that our administration will continue to do its best within available resources to serve you in fairness. We will always act in good faith. 

    “Once again, I congratulate the Muslim community on the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet.”

    “We thank His Excellency for his generosity and humility and for always standing by us. We pray Allah to bless and honour you,” chairman of the Kwara State Muslim Council retired Grand Kadi Justice Soliu Mohammed said,  congratulating the entire community on the occasion of Maulid.

    Read Also: PEPC judgment: A triumph of truth, says AbdulRazaq 

    The Grand Kadi Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, who keynoted the event, said the Maulid offers a ground for introspection for the Muslims, especially the people of Ilorin. 

    “Let us be complete Muslims, in action and utterances, and not follow the path of Satan. The recent event in Ilorin is a lesson to all and a call for us to look inward,” the Justice said. 

    The Grand Kadi called for patience and understanding as the country matches through a new economic phase with the removal of fuel subsidy. 

    He called on the people to live within their means, and be patient. 

    Hon. Moshood Mustapha, the chairman of the event who commended the Governor for his commitment to the community and the state, urged the Muslims to adhere to the dictates of the religion and admonition of the prophet.

    He urged people to avoid spreading rumour and propaganda against others. 

    Sheikh Abdulmumin Hanafi Ayara, one of the two lecturers at the event, urged the people to support and pray for the government. He expressed concerns about Federal Government promoting “gambling”, urging a review of it in the interest of all. 

    Sheikh Ayara said the Muslims are grateful to the Governor for his many pro-people policies and dispositions, including the declaration of Hijrah Holiday in the state. 

    Dr AbdulKadir Sambaki, the second lecturer who stood in for Sheikh Habeebullah Adam el-Ilory, called on the government to hire more teachers for religious studies in public schools.

    He also called on citizens to park to forgive one another, and to assist one another to do good. 

    The event wrapped with the Governor standing in honour of the children from dozens of Islamic and Arabic schools for their match past. 

  • AbdulRazaq’s KwaraLEARN initiative spotlighted at UNGA78

    AbdulRazaq’s KwaraLEARN initiative spotlighted at UNGA78

    • KwaraLEARN is solution blueprint for educational poverty crisis in low- and middle-income countries.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s KwaraLEARN initiative has been spotlighted at “Transforming Education” an event, co-hosted by Devex and NewGlobe on the occasion of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, to explore initiatives designed to improve the quality and learning outcomes of education in low- and middle-income countries. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s KwaraLEARN is one such initiative which the Governor discussed on the world stage shedding light on the giant strides of this current program and the urgency of the education crisis for Africa and for the world.

    Speaking during the event, Governor AbdulRazaq stated that “Education is the urgency of now” he further explained that to localize solutions, multi-lateral organizations should look at track records and work towards building on existing success to address the challenge of education in Africa.

    Read Also: Global forum features KwaraLEARN’s Transformative Approach 

    The fireside chat event tagged “Addressing Africa’s learning crisis and preparing for a young future: Finding solutions” had Richard Jones, Editorial Director Devex interviewing H.E. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State and Shannon May, Co-founder, NewGlobe.

    From Left: Richard Jones, Editorial Director Devex, Shannon May, Co-founder, NewGlobe and Gov. AbdulRazaq

    The event addressed the education crisis in low- and middle-income countries which is at a critical level, with over half of children unable to read and comprehend a simple story by the end of their primary education. The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have further exacerbated this dire situation, necessitating a transformative overhaul of the education sector. A return to the pre-pandemic state is insufficient; instead, ambitious efforts for learning recovery and acceleration are imperative to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4, focusing on inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030.It will also shine a light on what’s needed to equip everyone from teachers to education ministries with the data tools needed to drive improved learning outcomes for all.

    In response to the fact that the world is significantly off track from meeting the SDG 4, and what needs to be done to get back on track and accelerate towards achieving SDG 4 by 2030 Shannon May said “Those in development finance institutions should pay attention to programs that are working in states that have had the courage to implement them and double down” programs such as KwaraLEARN in states such as Kwara State. She further stated that ”Kwara is outperforming the education levels that its GDP per capita would normally predict, if you invest in education now, you can leapfrog to economic prosperity”.

    The conclusion of the session was that to address this crisis in low- and middle-income countries, a collaborative and concerted effort, acknowledging the pressing need for data-driven education reforms and investments, fostering a collective commitment to quality education will pave the way for a brighter future.

  • Kwara gov hails Tinubu over appointment of Jamila as minister of youth

    Kwara gov hails Tinubu over appointment of Jamila as minister of youth

    Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commended President Bola Tinubu for giving an additional ministerial slot to the state.

    The governor sees this move as a positive step towards acknowledging the state’s rightful position due to the loyalty of Kwarans to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    AbdulRazaq extends his congratulations to Jamila Bio Ibrahim, his former senior special assistant on SDGs, on her nomination as the minister for youth.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youths

    The governor added that Jamila’s nomination satisfies two major developmental milestones of youth empowerment and gender inclusion in the decision-making process in Nigeria.

    He said: “We consider this additional nomination a great honour to our state, especially the rank and file of our party and its youth and women wings. Given her energy and impressive network among the youth constituency, we believe she is a good fit for the role,” the governor said in a statement on Sunday.

    “The governor wishes the ministerial nominee all the best in her new assignment, urging her to be a great ambassador of the state, Kwara APC, and of the youth constituency that she now leads nationwide and requesting all stakeholders to support her in the new role as another representative of Kwara at the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

  • AbdulRazaq’s legacy of inclusion in Kwara

    AbdulRazaq’s legacy of inclusion in Kwara

    • By, Rafiu Ajakaye 

    Kwara made a very significant history on Monday, September 4, but it got buried in the deluge of media reportage that expectedly attended the swearing in of the cabinet members. Not many people paid attention to the swearing of two persons living with disabilities (PLWD) — Ayanwale Peter Kayode and Abdullahi Wahab Kayode — as Permanent Secretaries by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. 

    It was another first in the state, according to recent institutional memories. Also, on that day, the Governor consolidated the place of Kwara as the state with the most gender-diverse government in Nigeria —a trophy it first won in 2019. Nine in the 18 cabinet members are women, representing 50% of the pick. He had earlier initiated and signed a legislation that requires at least 35% gender balance in government appointments.

    The Governor is also known for his socially responsible policies with huge impacts on the community he governs. He recently approved for female civil servants to have optional six-month maternity leave, which is designed to encourage exclusive breastfeeding. Kwara is about the third state in Nigeria to have this policy. The UNICEF has identified six-month exclusive breastfeeding as a major incentive for raising healthy children, improved mother-child bonding, and better prospects for a stronger economy and happier society. 

    The policy on exclusive breastfeeding ranks in the same category as other programmes, pronouncements, and appointments that intentionally support disadvantaged people such as the aged, poor, children, women, and persons living with disabilities.

    The significance of these developments is not necessarily in the number of persons covered, appointed or the portfolios they hold. The significance is in their far-reaching consequences for human capital development, power relations, social mobility of the affected demographics, and cohesion and harmony in the society. 

    Among other things that people hold it to, government has a duty to give hope (of security and better tomorrow) to every member of the community it governs — be they powerful, weak, rich, poor, or underserved. Author of the Policy Paradox, Rebecca Stone, put this role of the government in a stronger perspective in the following words: “When Thomas Jefferson (third US President) declared that ‘all men are created equal’, he meant morally equal, not physically, mentally, or financially equal. A well-designed government should counteract these nonmoral differences in order to render moral equality real to enable every person to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Democratic theories differ, of course, in what they identify as the weak and strong interests and in the means they assign to government for protecting the weak. But they share these two key assumptions: that some important, good interests are too weak to flourish on their own, and that one important function of government is to foster these types of interests.”

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq gives 1,000 life jackets to monarch

    In a world clearly skewed in favour of men, a policy instrument that bolsters equitable representation for either gender is necessary. This is what the Governor has done with a legal instrument and personal examples of his government. The decision to elevate a visually impaired civil servant and another one confined to the wheelchair by fate is a loud testament to how AbdulRazaq has given voice to people living with disabilities (PLWDs) — a critical segment of the underserved population. 

    This does more than just fostering inclusion and a sense of fulfilment in the affected persons. Beyond that, it gives practical hope to thousands of little children or persons who have been dealt a painful blow by fate of accidents or diseases. It shows them how to never give up on their dreams and that, like these new Permanent Secretaries, they can get to the height of their career if they work hard, work smart, and tick other boxes of ethical practices.

    The same holds true for the legislation that concretises the Governor’s gender inclusion policy. It serves to encourage little girls that the only barrier to the attainment of their lofty dreams is no longer an unfavourable political environment. If that is a legacy the Governor bequeathes to this community, it is significant enough for writers of history to note.

    • Ajakaye is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

  • AbdulRazaq gives 1,000 life jackets to monarch

    AbdulRazaq gives 1,000 life jackets to monarch

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday gave 1,000 life jackets to the Etsu of Patigi, Alhaji Umar Bologi II, for distribution to his subjects.

    The aim is to prevent drowning and death in the event of a boat accident during water travel.

    Boat accident had in June this year claimed over 126 lives at Patigi in Patigi Local Government.

    AbdulRazaq handed the life jackets to the monarch after a meeting the governor had with first-class monarchs, who had come to brief him on some issues of security and general well-being of the people. 

    The governor said a similar gesture would be extended to Edu Local Government and other riverine areas, to promote safe water travel.

    “This is only a phase of donation of life jackets to the people of Patigi Local Government. We will also move to Edu Local Government to make sure we have adequate life-saving equipment for our people along the banks of River Niger and within the riverine communities. It is a continuous process, and health and safety issues are being addressed,” he said.

    Read Also: Umahi promises durable roads across Nigeria

    Etsu Bologi II thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for taking “wonderful steps” to protect his subjects.

    He said this would avert recurrence of boat accidents.

    “On behalf of the people of Patigi Emirate Council, I thank His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for this wonderful donation of life jackets to our people at riverine areas, who are mostly farmers and fishermen,

    “Thank you very much, Your Excellency. We pray Almighty Allah to guide and protect you and continue to uplift your government and see you succeed,” he added.

    The state government recently sent a team to the Lagos Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as part of its ongoing efforts to boost water travel and safety. 

  • No issues over AbdulRazaq’s certificate, says INEC

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday dismissed reports that it has been asked to produce the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate of the Kwara State Governor-elect, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    Counsel to INEC Rowland Otaru (SAN) told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that at no time did the state governorship tribunal order the commission to produce a document that is clearly a public record.

    “The tribunal did not at any time order INEC to produce the WAEC certificate of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    “The governor-elect has pleaded his certificate, which is very genuine. There is nothing like falsification of result or whatever. They are there. They are public records. It is not something to be hidden. The documents the governor-elect tendered met the requirements of the law,” Otaru said.

    Earlier at the tribunal’s pre-hearing session, the commission tendered two documents (Forms ECAD and ECAE), which contained the results of the elections across the 16 local government areas and declaration of results for the office of the governor.

    INEC added that the documents affirmed that AbdulRazaq was the winner of the election.

    Otaru told the tribunal that “those are the documents we have now at this pre-hearing session. Every other document will come in during the real trial”.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Abdulrazak Atunwa are challenging the genuineness or otherwise of AbdulRazaq’s WAEC certificate at the tribunal.

    Counsel to PDP and its governorship candidate, Kingsley Odey, did not object to the tendering of the document.

    Odey told the court that he intends to call five witnesses, adding that one would be a document expert. The other will be subpoenaed from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) office.

    Counsel to AbdulrRazaq, H.O Afolabi, promised to call seven witnesses, adding that the tribunal has the powers to streamline and limit the number of witnesses to call.

    He urged the tribunal “to be kind enough to let us work within the timeframe allocated. That is my supplication. This is the best approach through which I can ventilate the defence of my clients”.

    The INEC counsel agreed with him, saying: “This is the best way to manage and save time. I promise to cross-examine all the PDP witnesses in one day.”

    Counsel to APC Chief Yomi Aliyu said he intends to call two witnesses during real trial.

    Pre-hearing conference continues tomorrow for the streamlining of trial timetable.

  • Experts urge AbdulRazaq to focus on  agric 

    Agricultural experts at the weekend said Kwara State can become Nigeria’s agriculture hub if the new administration invests in infrastructure, irrigation and proper harnessing of the agricultural value-chain.

    Speaking at the opening of a two-day focused workshop organised by the Kwara Transition Committee, which was set up by the Governor-elect AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the experts said the state has the potential to be food and nutrition-secure, if it puts the right measures in place.

    The workshop, themed: “Realising the agricultural potentials of Kwara State -the value chain approach, drew experts from across the country who hailed AbdulRazaq for seeking practical answers to how the state can harness its agric potentials, generate employment and generate funds for growth.

    “Kwara has good volume of surface and underground water. But the irrigation facilities are just not there. Once the rain ceases, there is a problem. No country in the world develops from rain-fed agriculture. Kwara must invest in irrigation to allow for all-year-round farming,” said Kingley Olurinde, an agricultural economist from the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State.

    Olurinde said the new government must also invest in rural roads, schools, healthcare centres, and micro-credit scheme to stimulate interest in farming and make the people truly productive.

    An agricultural expert from the University of Ilorin Dr. Sam Okunade said the workshop is a practical demonstration of AbdulRazaq’s interest in truly harnessing the state’s agricultural potentials.

    Okunade urged the new government to study how the regional governments of Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Michael Okpara developed their regions with strict development of the agricultural value chains.

    He urged the government to establish a scheme with a focus to train, fund and empower young graduates to farm as a deliberate way of tackling unemployment.

    He also called for law reforms, such as the land tenure system, to make access to land easy for prospective commercial farmers.

    In an address welcoming participants to the workshop, the Transition Committee Chairman Aminu Adisa Logun said the initiative was meant to “bring experts from across Nigeria to add more value to the work we have done in the past four weeks”.

    He said the workshop focused on agriculture and women and youth empowerment after the committee identified them as key drivers of sustainable growth.

    Logun said the committee has gathered and processed a lot of quality information and data, which he hopes would help the new administration to hit the ground running after the inauguration on May 29.

    He said the topics treated at the workshop represented the core areas of the economy that could help the new administration to transform the state.

  • Abdulrazaq reclaims his glory in Kwara (Part 1)

    On March 29, the body of benchers honoured One hundred and thirty-two outstanding lawyers in Abuja. The Body of Benchers is a statutory body established by the Legal Practitioner Act of 1962 responsible for the call to the bar of persons seeking to be legal practitioneers.as well as discipline of the erring lawyers. Among those honoured by the body was Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Folorunsho Abdulrazaq (91).

    He is number 460 in the Nigerian Legal Practitioners list and the first lawyer from northern Nigeria. He was ‘call to bar’ on February 8, 1955 but was enrolled to practice on April 1, 1955. Among his colleagues at that time were Mr. Justice Victor Orereko Ovie-Whiskey, who was number 437 call to bar on August 6, 1954 but was enrolled on December 18, 1954. Chief Michael Adedapo Omisade was number 513 call to bar February 7, 1956 but enrolled on March 23, 1956. Chief Richard Osuolale Abimbola Akinjide was number 509, call to bar on February 7, 1956 but enrolled on March 12, 1956, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya was number 535 call to bar on June 19, 1956 but enrolled on September 15, 1956, Chief Akin Olugbade was number 402, call to bar on November 24, 1953 but enrolled on January 2, 1954, Mr. Justice Francis Ome Nwokedi was number 459, call to bar on November 23, 1954 but enrolled on March 26, 1955. Chief Nabo Bekinbo Graham Douglas (1926-2006), that tall imposing figure from Abonema, was number 493, call to bar on June 28, 1955 but enrolled on December 3, 1955. Chief Graham Douglas was the second Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) after Chief Alade Rotimi Williams (1920-2005) while Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909-1987) was the third SAN. Chief Awolowo was number 168, call to bar on November 18, 1946 and was enrolled December 24, 1946. Justice Sir Louis Nwachukwu Mbanefo (1911-1977), the first lawyer from the old eastern region, was lawyer 127, was call to bar on November 18, 1935 and enrolled on August 13, 1937. Justice O. Shomolu was lawyer number 178, was call to bar on January 27, 1947 and enrolled on March 27, 1947. Justice Godfrey Charles Ubaka Agbakoba was lawyer number 303, was call to bar on June 6 1951 and enrolled on August 7, 1951. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola (1910-1966) was lawyer number 262, was call to bar on January 26, 1950 and enrolled on March 31, 1950. Justice Timothy Akinola Aguda (1923-2001) was number 339, was call to bar on July 1, 1952 and enrolled on July 19, 1952.He was number 339. Chief Olu Akinfosile was lawyer 665, was call to bar on November 26, 1957 but was enrolled on May 12, 1958.

    It was a deserving honour for Alhaji Abdulrazaq, who because of his health was represented by his first son, Dr. Alimi. But equally deserving was the award given to him by the people of Kwara state when they elected his son, Abdulraham Abdulrazaq as their governor on March 9, which was a collective effort involving prominent people of Kwara state, including Alhaji Lai Mohammed (67) from Oro and others. The governor-elect is the Managing Director of first fuels limited and and an ex-student of Government College, Kaduna.

    Nothing will please Alhaji Ganiyu Abdulrazaq as a proud father than for his son Abdulrahman to perform in terms of governance in Kwara state. There is a wall of difference between winning election and governing well. Elections make fundamental contributions to democratic governance. The main purpose of democracy is not only to win elections but good governance. What the people of Kwara state want is not a mere change from Saraki dynasty to Abdulrazaq dynasty but a positive change for the better. The OTOGE movement was a clarion call for good governance. The same forces that drove the Saraki dynasty out of power are still around and more reinforced and alert.  Between 1952 and early 70s, two important figures played prominent roles in the sub-region that we now call Kwara. They are Alhaji Abdulrazaq and Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin who died in 2000 at the age of seventy-five. Chief Olawoyin was an ally of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Asiwaju of Offa. Then came Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the late Waziri of Ilorin. Then came Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo (78) from Okeonigbin in Kwara state, who became a Commissioner in the state, elected Senator in 1979 and elected governor in August 1983. He became a Minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo. Then came Chief Ayo Opadokun, the former Secretary of NADECO and now Alhaji Lai Mohammed. With the gubernatorial election last month, the torch has now been passed to the Abdulrazaq family.

    Public Service runs in the family of Abdulrazaq in Ilorin. Twenty years ago, the first daughter of the family, Khairat Abdulrazaq Gwadabe was elected a Senator in Abuja.

    Abdulrazaq himself entered politics as early as 1952. Between 1957 and 1960, he was a member of Northern house of Assembly. He became the Nigerian Ambassador to Cote Ivoire between 1960 and 1962. Between 1962 and 1964, he was a cabinet Minister of Nigeria Railway Corporation and a Member of Parliament.

    Following the creation of Kwara state in 1967, he was appointed commissioner for Finance and later Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare by Governor Femi David Lasisi Bamigboye (1940-2018). In 1975, General Murtala Mohammed appointed him as a member of the 50-man Constitutional Drafting Committee. He was later made the Chairman of the sub-committee of the Executive and the Legislature. Other members of the sub-committee were Dr. E. Eleazu, Alhaji Sule Ganiyu, Dr. I. Ahmed, Dr. Kole Abayomi, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, Dr. G. A. Odenigwe, Mr. S.G. Ikoku, Alhaji Shehu Malami and Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe.

    It was at the Constitutional Drafting Committee that I first met Alhaji Ganiyu Abdulrazaq. He is a very simple individual. A gentleman to the core with high intellect. He lives in a world of ideas.  I met him at the time he was losing grip on Kwara state politics. Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki (1933-2012) alias OLOOYE was emerging as the leader of Kwara state politics. Before 1974, Alhaji Abdulrazaq was the leader especially in Ilorin. In 1976, I wanted to write a book on Alhaji Abdulrazaq. He insisted I should not pleading that “my story is not yet over”. Because of Dr. Saraki’s dominance in NPN at that time, Alhaji Abdulrazaq opted for the GNPP of Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim in 1979. It was at the Constitutional Drafting Committee that he served the nation best.

    He seconded the bill on the Presidential system of Government in the Constituent Assembly. Nothing will please him today than seeing his son, Abdulraham being sworn-in as governor of Kwara state on Wednesday, May 29. The inauguration will no doubt bring back his glory in Kwara State.

     

    • Eric Teniola, a former director at the presidency wrote from Lagos

  • AbdulRazaq to rehabilitate Kwara’s ‘good boys’

    Kwara State Governor-elect AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend said he will use his first 100 days in office to rehabilitate and empower street urchins, otherwise known as “good boys”.

    He promised to assist them in continuing their education and give them vocational training, if they voluntarily renounce their anti-social behaviour.

    The governor-elect also revealed his plan to give amnesty to the youths engaging in illicit activities.

    AbdulRazaq said this in Ilorin, the state capital, at dinner organised by Liberation Movement O2 (Otoge! Otope) to celebrate the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates at the polls.

    Dignitaries at the dinner include Kunle Sulyman, Alhaji LAK Jimoh, Senator Makanjuola Ajadi, Iyiola Oyedepo, Comrade Musbau Esinrogunjo, among others.

    AbdulRazaq, was represented by Abdulrasaq Jida, noted that his administration would not tolerate youth restiveness, cultism and other social vices, saying: “It’s no longer business as usual. You must work to earning a living’.

    The governor-elect stated that bad governance, poverty, poor education system, nepotism and lack of political will for genuine youth development led to youth restiveness.

    He, however, promised to introduce sustainable youth empowerment and development programmes after his swearing-in.

    AbdulRazaq reiterated his commitment to run all-inclusive government, where youths, women and every stratum of the society would play key role.

    Coordinator of Liberation Movement, Alhaji Hassan Owoyale, said the dinner was organised to appreciate stakeholders for their contributions to APC victory during 2019 general elections.

    Owoyale urged the incoming administration to prioritise youth development and give them significant role in government.

    Leader of Kwara North Elders Senator Ahmed Mohammed implored Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq to involve youths in his administration because they contributed immensely to the liberation of the state from old political order.

    A group known as Kwara Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability has described the state’s governor-elect’s transition committee members as “quality nominees”.

    In a statement, the group’s Secretary General, Hassan Omoiya, said: “We are impressed with the quality of the nominees for this crucial assignment and we congratulate the governor-elect for taking this bold step.

    “We are glad that the committee is peopled by men and women of substance and character, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. Even the few politicians, who got nominated, are those with pedigree and histories of being pro-masses.”

    The group noted that the committee has persons from diverse professional backgrounds with which to help the incoming administration to hit the grounds running.

  • Alleged certificate forgery: It’ll be futile exercise against AbdulRazaq, says APC

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Kwarans that the suits claiming that Kwara State Governor-elect, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, presented forged Senior Secondary School Certificate for election will be an exercise in futility.

    Its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement yesterday, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the politically-sponsored and laughable allegation against the AbdulRazaq that he forged the Senior Secondary School Certificate he presented for election.

    “We understand the desperation of the sponsors of this campaign of calumny to get power through the backdoor after the crushing defeat they suffered from the Kwara electorate in the last general elections.

    “While it is the right of the rejected opposition and their proxies to approach the election tribunal relying on their flimsy and false claims, we assure Kwarans that it is an exercise in futility and will surely come to naught.

    Read also: Kwara election panel to lawyers, parties: be wary of fraudulent agents

    “Challenging the popular mandate given to Alhaji AbdulRazaq amounts to mere shadow-boxing. The outcome of the elections in Kwara is an expression of collective resolve of Kwara electorate for a new progressive order that has long eluded the state.

    “Our party affirms its confidence in our governor-elect and equally affirm that all documents he submitted are authentic. We urge our members in Kwara State to exercise no doubt at all. They should rather gear up for the task of setting our dear state on a path to progress under the capable hands of Alhaji AbdulRazaq.”