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  • Ahmed’s wife helps 400 women

    Ahmed’s wife helps 400 women

    Widows and other less-privileged persons have been the most beneficiaries of the LEAH Foundation jobs plan in Kwara State.

    In the wee hours of 2014, no fewer than 400 women smiled home with jobs tools, thanks to the non-governmental organisation founded by wife of the state governor, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed.

    The items distributed during the empowerment programme included 250 grinding machines, 80 sewing machines, 73 deep freezers with 73 generating plants. Others are hair dryers and coolers.

    Besides, 200 women received cash to boost their trade, while scores of women from the South-South and South-Eastern parts of the country resident in the state received a start-up capital of N250,000 each.

    In all, the Founder of LEAH Foundation, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed said that no fewer than 200,000 widow and less privileged had benefited from the NGO.

    Speaking during the programme in Ilorin, the state capital, Deaconess Ahmed said “today, 400 women selected from different walks of life are benefiting from items that will soon be distributed. Every beneficiary of these equipment got the exact thing that they needed in accordance with a needs assessment which has earlier been conducted all over the state by our field workers.

    “Our sisters from the South-South and South-East zones of the country who have found a home in Kwara will also receive financial support for their businesses.”

    She added that LEAH Foundation has established 29 basic breast and cervical cancer screening centres in government hospitals across the state.

    She added that “954 primary school pupils have been enrolled on the ‘adapt a child programme; 1,038,000 people across the state have been attended to on sundry medical issues by the clinic on wheels initiative.

    “An ultra modern breast and cervical cancer diagnostic centre has been established in Ilorin. It has the full complement of a laboratory. As at date, a total of 8886 women have presented themselves for screening at the centres.

    “On our empowerment drive, over 3,500 women have been empowered at various times with different tools of trade.”

    She said that “our sole desire for this programme which we are rounding up today is to ensure the welfare of all our children as an important requirement for the wellbeing of our families.”

    Her words: “The significant thing about the exercise is that the equipment were not randomly given. Every beneficiary of these equipment got the exact thing that they needed in accordance with a needs assessment which has earlier been conducted all over the state by our field workers.

    “Let me reiterate that our soul desire for this programme is to ensure the welfare of all our women as an important requirement for the wellbeing of our families.

    “I therefore want to enjoin all beneficiaries of this programme to make judicious use of the items that have been given to them. It is only by doing that it would bring benefit to the family and our communities as we anticipate. It is also the only way to encourage us and other people and see that more people can benefit from this gesture in the near future.

    “To all and sundry, it is time for all of us to sincerely collaborate to plant new seeds of care and kindness, most especially in forlon groups- women, widows and physically challenged persons. Someday, the harvest will be different. We would have frustration replaced with hope, the seed of despair will go into extinction and the paradise we ever hoped for will be handed over to us.”

    In a remark at the event, Governor Ahmed hailed the foundation for touching the lives of the widows and less privileged in the society.

     

  • Rep drums up support for Buhari, Ahmed

    Rep drums up support for Buhari, Ahmed

    A member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, has urged Kwara residents to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari in next month’s general elections.

    Mustapha, who is representing Asa/Ilorin West in the National Assembly, also urged the people to ensure the return of Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed to the Ilorin Government House by voting massively for APC during the elections.

    Mustapha noted that Gen. Buhari, being a disciplined person, had the wherewithal to tackle the nation’s hydra-headed problems.

    The lawmaker spoke this in Ilorin, the state capital, when he distributed food items to residents of his constituency.

    The beneficiaries included the handicapped, non-indigenes, especially the Igbo community.

    Mustapha said Gen. Buhari would not condone indiscipline and corruption from any quarters , adding that he would use the nation’s resources judiciously.

    The lawmaker urged Kwara residents to re-elect  Ahmed because he had implemented people-oriented programmes and policies in the past three and a half year.

    He said the governor had completed all the projects he inherited from his predecessor and initiated new ones.

  • Saraki, Ahmed, Imoke preach hope

    Saraki, Ahmed, Imoke preach hope

    Chairman of Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Cross River State counterpart, Senator Liyel Imoke, have urged Nigerians to look forward with hope in the new year.

    Saraki, in a statement in Abuja, said there was no doubt that last year was challenging for Nigerians socially, economically and politically

    He, however, urged Nigerians to know that the new year has presented an opportunity to alter the course of the nation.

    The former Kwara State governor insisted that it was time Nigerians see the elections holding in February as a turning-point and also see themselves “as history-makers and change agents, as we work to bring about a new Nigeria for all Nigerians.”

    The statement also reads: “We have witnessed our nation struggling through tough times due to our security challenges; in our homes, we have struggled through the economic realities that have become so pervasive; in the media, we have seen our great nation skewered internationally for the failed policies of this current administration.

    “Yet, despite all of this, my fellow Nigerians, you must know: with your help, things are about to get better.

    “As we come into 2015, we come into a year of endless possibilities. We must view the faults of the past as foregone days of lessons that we have learned from, and see the future as a chance to attain greatness.

    “In this new year, we must set ourselves to the task of moving forward with the goal of creating a new Nigeria that our sons and daughters can be proud of; a Nigeria that works for the betterment of the many, as opposed to working for the greed and excesses of the few.

    But Ahmed said: “Every new year always brings hope and greater opportunities. However, we have more work to do to.

    “As we enter 2015, let us remain united by a shared desire for a better Kwara State. Let us pray for peace as we enter a defining year in our democracy. Let our youths be agents of change rather than instruments of violence during the elections.

    “While thanking you for standing with us in the last four years, I solicit your continued support in 2015 so that we can sustain the good work of making your lives much better.

    “Collectively, we can make our state a better place to live in, now and in the future.”

    Imoke assured the people of the state that all ongoing projects undertaken by his administration would be completed before the May 29 handover date.

    The governor, who gave the assurance in a New Year message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, said no projects would be left uncompleted, adding that “all ongoing projects such as the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), the 18-Hole international Golf Course, the Ogoja township stadium,  among others will be completed and ready for use before May 29, 2015.”

  • I ’ll floor Ajibola in Kwara, says Ahmed

    KWARA State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed has argued that the emergence of Senator Simeon Ajibola as the governorship candidate of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not a challenge for his re-election bid.

    The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said: “I don’t see him as a threat. Indeed in the last election, I was part of the team who pleaded with the people of Kwara South to re-elect him into the Senate.”

    Ahmed promised to continue to upscale his programmes since the people were ready to make their choice in good governance, development, peace and youth empowerment as he had demonstrated in the last three years.

    He said the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, would end corruption and insecaurity in Nigeria, if elected next year.

    He said the emergence of Buhari was a reflection and confidence of Nigerians that the former head of state has capacity to tackle the nation’s corruption and insecurity.

    The statement added that the retired general had the antecedents Nigerians could look back to, adding that he had done it before and would do it again.

    He said the conduct of APC presidential primaries saw democracy and sportsmanship in action, emphasizing that it was a reflection of what Nigerians should be looking forward to from next year.

    He urged other political parties to learn from APC’s inclusiveness, sportsmanship and allowing one man, one vote concept to be their watchwords in any democratic selective process.

  • Ahmed launches road reconstruction

    Ahmed launches road reconstruction

    A mid fanfare, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has kicked off the rehabilitation of the 64km-long Kaiama Road. The contract sum of this long-abandoned federal government road has been put at a princely sum of N7.9 billion.

    That day the governor also commissioned the remodelled Kaiama General Hospital and distributed some transformers.

    Before being honoured with a chieftaincy title of ‘Jarman Kaiama,’ Alhaji Ahmed held a town hall meeting with residents of the community. Unusual crowd thronged, the Kaiama local government area secretariat, venue of the interactive session.

    Said Ahmed: “I am fulfilled because having pledged to rehabilitate this Federal Road since last year and connect more communities to the national grid, we are fulfilling that pledge with these interventions. Today, we once again demonstrate that whatever we pledge to the people we deliver to the people.

    “As you are all no doubt aware, Kaiama–Kishi Road had been on the drawing board for quite some time. It is a project that has received priority for obvious reasons. First, the rehabilitation of this road will eliminate the hardship experienced by motorists and commuters on this route.

    “Secondly, this road will boost the socio-economic life of this area and its people, especially those engaged in farming, when completed.  In doing these, we are also demonstrating to the people of Kaiama and indeed of Kwara State that we are an administration that matches its words with action.

    “Although this is a federal road, we are driven by the socio-economic factors and the need to promote the welfare of our people to intervene on this and other federal roads in the state. As a resourceful administration, we have secured necessary funding for jump-starting and successfully completing the project.

    “It is important to emphasise as we flag off this road that the federal government is yet to refund the N4b outstanding balance for the rehabilitation of Ilesha Baruba-Chikanda Road more than five years after the road was completed.

    I once again call on the federal government to pay all monies owed the state as a result of our intervention on key roads in the state. Despite these setbacks, our administration will continue to intervene on federal and indeed other road projects in the state to reduce the discomfort caused by these roads. We also remain committed to ensuring that every community in our state no matter how remote will be connected to the national electricity grid through transformer installation.

    “Perhaps it is imperative to use this forum to inform all Kwarans that it is not only Kaiama-Kishi Road that is being earmarked for reconstruction in the state.

    “In the next few days, we shall also flag-off the construction of Ilesha-Baruba–Gwanara Road in Baruten Local Government Area, Maigida-Arobadi Road in Moro Local Government Area, Mission Road, Lafiagi, in Edu local government area and the bye-pass from Asa Dam Road to Egbejila and Airport in Ilorin West local government Area.  I assure you all that we shall deliver these roads at record time for the benefit of the people.”

    At the town meeting, the governor told the gathering that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has come to stay in Kwara and Nigeria.

    He added that the change going on throughout the country does not exempt Kwara State and “most importantly we have been able to demonstrate that we have a leader.

    “That leadership is that political structure where people who ordinarily wouldn’t have been anything have become something. Many of them that left us for other parties had benefited from that structure.”

    Promising to always carry the people along in the scheme of things, maigidan Kwara as he is fondly referred to said “we will let know what is available and what that can do. Our monthly allocation has greatly shrunk when we went to the bank to borrow money, the federal government went to the same bank to block from getting the loan.”

    Overwhelmed with happiness, the House of Representatives committee chairman on media and publicity, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed said the state government is making the community proud.

    Mohammed who is representing Kaiama/Baruten federal constituency berated successive governments in the country for abandoning the road.

    Said he: “A journey that should ordinarily take between 40 minutes and one hour is taking close to five hours due to the bad state of the road is very unpleasant indeed.

    That the state government is taking the responsibility to rehabilitate the road is a thing of joy for us in this state.

    “Our prayer is that, in spite of the lean resources of the state government, the governor wants to make us proud so that we the political representatives of the people will have a place. People have been enduring this nightmare. It is nightmarish. Imagine that a woman is under labour and she would have to be moved to the hospital.

    “I am confident that the state government will do it, but also know that the federal government that will have today will definitely not do a refund for so many obvious reasons. We thank the governor for his foresight and commitment to the project and we thank our leader too, Senator Bukola Saraki for facilitating this. For us at the Baruten/Kaiama constituency we will be grateful for the development and it will enhance the economic development of the area.”

    Commenting on the development, an indigene of the sleepy and predominantly agrarian community, Usman Mora conveyed the people’s heavy load of gratitude to the state government for the kind gesture.

    Alhaji Mora who is the state Environment Commissioner said “I feel highly happy because since the creation of the state we have been agitating for the construction of this road. To God be the glory it is happening today. We thank God that this thing is also happening during our generation; which means it is a struggle that our forefathers had left for us that we are actualizing today.

    “We thank God and the governor for listening to our cry. Today is a very historic day. We have three memorable days in the life of the council. They are the day the local government was created to us; the day our first class status was given back to us and today when the governor will launch the rehabilitation of the road. We thank the governor; our history will never forget him

    “We are quite aware that this road is a federal government road but for God sake, with this it has shown us that there is no need for federal ministry of works. Since federal government can’t do our road. Federal government is in the position of authority, it has money and everything but nothing has come from them.”

  • Ahmed empowers 500 artisans

    Ahmed empowers 500 artisans

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has disbursed N50 million to 35 artisan groups comprising of 500 members.

    The governor also distributed tools and various equipment to the artisans.

    The action, he said, was to ensure financial autonomy for the residents.

    Ahmed spoke at the weekend when he distributed the tools at the maiden anniversary of the State Artisans Congress.

    The governor said the initiative was to empower artisans and ensure that their potential as major players in the economy was enhanced.

    He said the N50 million was the government’s financial intervention to the people, besides the N100 million it disbursed to the congress when it was formed last year.

  • Day Ahmed declared for second term

    Day Ahmed declared for second term

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has declared his bid for a second term at a carnival-like rally in Ilorin, the state capital, witnessed top leaders of the All Progressives Congress(APC), prominent monarchs, clerics and other stakeholders. Correspondent  ADEKUNLE JIMOH examines the battle for the Kwara Government House and the governor’s chances at the poll.

    The crowd was huge. The people were singing, dancing and waving brooms, the symbol of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was at Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State where Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed declared his intention to seek re-election.

    Aspirants for parliamentary elections were accompanied by their supporters to the venue of the rally. They were competing for the attention of visiting national leaders, who were in one accord.

    But, the governor had no rival. Having been endorsed as the consensus candidate, he exuded confidence and optimism.

    “I have lived up to expectation. I have fulfilled my campaign promises for the first term. I am asking for the renewal of my mandate to serve you,” he said, as he unfolded his agenda for the second term.

    As early as 8 am, many indigenes had stormed the Metropolitan Square, venue of the event.  The rally was witnessed by top party leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former military Head of State and APC presidential aspirant General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his Imo, Rivers, Kano, Rivers, and Edo counterparts;  Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Chibuike Amaechi, and Adams Oshiohmole.

    Other dignitaries included House of Representative Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, former Kwara and Ekiti state governors;  Alhaji Shaaba Lafiagi and Dr Kayode Fayemi, APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, party trustee Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Razak Atunwa

    The host was the party leader and former governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was hailed by party leaders for his leadership skills and commitment to the progress of Kwara.

    Ahmed thanked the political machinery that thew him up as the governor. He also expressed gratitude to the people that voted for him three and half years ago. He  promised to accelerate the development of the state, if re-elected.

    The governor said: “ I humbly and formally declare my intention to run for a second term in office so that I can do more for our state and its people. By the grace of God and with your mandate, we intend to accelerate the development of our state, if re-elected for a second term in office.”

    Ahmed added: “I will boost the local economy through the establishment of an independent power projects (IPP) that will power industrial clusters, stimulate jobs and improve power supply to our communities.

    “By the grace of God, we will upscale our education reforms, with the complete overhauling and modernisation of 120 secondary schools as we start the process of benchmarking our schools against global best practice.”

    The governor promised to fight the infrastructure battle through road construction and rehabilitation. He said his administration will even construct federal roads that have been neglected.

    He said: “By the first quarter of next year, we will take another bold step towards providing our youth with functional skills when the City and Guilds-affiliated International Vocational Center, Ajasse Ipo takes in its first set of students. This school will connect with our Quickwin initiative, under which a new crop of youth entrepreneurs is currently receiving vocational and entrepreneurship training, to fill middle level manpower gaps.

    “In sports, we intend to completely overhaul and modernize the indoor sports hall of the Ilorin Township Stadium in line with high standards of Main Bowl and in order to promote sports development, especially among our youths.”

    The governor reiterated his commitment to the Saraki political dynasty. He said: “I reaffirm my belief in our political structure. A structure that has given hope to the hopeless; that has made governance inclusive in Kwara State. This structure gives hope that you can be anything you want subject only to the limit of your abilities.

    “It is only this structure that could have enabled Abdulfatah Ahmed, the son of a middle-level policeman, to become governor.”

    Saraki, who represents Kwara Central in the Senate, said Kwarans will vote for continuity in next year’s election. He described Ahmed as a loyal politician who has worked with commitment and dedication to the welfare of the people.

    Saraki added: “Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has attended to some of our problems and I want you to give him four more years. The people of Kwara should come out during elections and vote for the APC. This is the party for you; the other parties are only there for themselves. You don’t see them. When you go and see them they only say ‘thank you,’ can thank you help you?

    “This election is for all of us. They say they are coming with Abuja power; tell them that you have people’s power.”

    Baraje, who said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no place in Kwara, urged the people to girds their loins against rigging.  He said: “Contrary to the belief of the opposition, their lies, and fabrications, the APC is on ground in Kwara State. The second thing that this crowd is telling you is that, in 2011, when the state put forward that young, experienced and versatile young man to be the governor of the state, little did we know that we were voting for efficiency; performance of the highest order.

    “Kwarans are telling you that they have seen your handiwork. It is not a lie; it is something that is visible. It is what everybody can see. This crowd is telling you to continue in office for another four years. I therefore, join them that you should continue and come forward to accept our endorsement.”

    The venue was electrified with Tinubu’s arrival. The APC national leader, who initially addressed the audience in Yoruba language abridged all protocols, saying the electorates are far more important than lengthy protocol.

    Tinubu fired salvos at the Federal Government, chiding President Goodluck Jonathan for his failure to restore security as the Commander-In-Chief.The former governor of Lagos State asked the President to resign.

    Tinubu said: “I saw the sea of refuges caused by Boko Haram insurgents and the lies coming from the Jonathan Administration. They have exhibited failure, lack of capacity, vision, creativity; the lie of yesterday is what they repeat today and it is what they will repeat tomorrow. They are lying to you.

    “They are lying about the security; toying about the security of this country. I don’t have time to explain the logic of their lies.

    “But, if you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of Federal Republic of Nigeria, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day. In any civilised country Jonathan should resigned. But, if he will not resign, he should wait for our broom. We will sweep them. I will come back.

    “This is just the endorsement of Governor Ahmed; that he will be re-elected by the grace of God, with the support of you people here and those outside there. The unemployment situation will be conquered by the APC administration. We have the vision for the security of the lives of our children.

    “The thieves that daily steal your money have not given you any job; they cannot create jobs and they are starving states of funds to pay workers salaries. The best thing to do is to sweep them away through broom revolution. APC is a party of the masses.

    “It now behooves you to begin a house to house campaign that this is a party of the masses.

    “You had not seen Bukola and myself mounting the same podium campaigning for the same party before this time. This is a new beginning. This is a time of good things and tidings from us. We have brought good luck and commonsense revolution.

    “Now, it is time to apply commonsense revolution and it is about your lives. It is about your education, your jobs and about the security of this country. We stay together since independence and we will remain together. Any affecting any section of this country affects all of us.

    “Be ready to vote for change at the centre. The race has started again. We have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term in office as he has performed creditably like his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki.”

    In a remark, Tambuwal said the APC would engender prosperity and eradicate poverty. He said: “By voting the APC at the centre, you will be voting for prosperity and the eradication of poverty. What we are witnessing today in Nigeria is not governance, but misgovernance. We are witnessing a system that does not have the interest of the people of this country at heart.  It is also incumbent on us as a people to vote out Goodluck Ebele Jonathan come 2015. That will bring peace, progress and development of Nigeria.

    “In Kwara State, your political history is very rich. You have had the foundation of the political struggle of this state laid by our late leader, Dr Olusola Saraki. This structure that is being sustained by God Almighty has always delivered Kwara to the right place. I believe that this time around there will not be anything different. With the support of the people of the state APC shall form 100 percent the government in the state from the local council to state Assembly and to the government house. Eventually and ultimately, the state has always been providing leadership in the politics of this country.

    “When it comes to presidential elections, I am sure that the state will provide such leadership to the extent that we shall deliver this country to the government at the centre to APC.”

    Amaechi said: “I am very impressed with the number of persons that I have seen here today. What you must do is to stop the PDP from rigging us. You must go out that day to stop them from rigging us. When you vote, do not go home at all. They will bring soldiers and police, remain there. If they want to kill us, let them kill us. If you go home, you will hear a different result.  Stay there and make sure that nobody rigs you out.

    “They have soldiers and police, they do not have God. God is in the APC. That is the problem they have and once God is in APC, and we work with God, we shall defeat them.You know your governor will do better if you have an APC presidential candidate who wins the next election. The reason is that currently, they are stealing money.  The money we should use in building ore schools, more hospitals, more transport and other amenities, they are putting it in their pocket. They are taking the money to South Africa.

    “We thank God we saw small, you do not know the ones we are not seeing. So, let’s vote them out so that we can vote in a better president from APC and our money will remain here. Can’t we manufacture our own guns? Why can’t we? Mubi has been over-ran by 30 to 40 young boys, who are not trained as soldiers? It simply shows that we are not funding our military. It is time to fund our military because our military has the capacity to chase away these boys. But we need treat our military with respect and with necessary support and we will win them.

    “This is the time to say the truth. The problem with the other party is that they do not know the truth and they do not say the truth at all. If a man does well, what do you tell him? You tell him ‘thank you’, is that not? And that is what we are here to do to tell your governor thank you.

    “The way to tell him thank you is to get up on the day of election and vote for him and vote for APC. If you tell him ‘thank you’ and you vote him back in, he will work well and better for you He had already worked. You are not testing him because you have already tested him and you know how well he has done.”

    Kwankwaso said: “We are removing the incompetent government in Abuja. By voting for the APC, we are bringing in employment for our young men and women. We are voting for peaceand development in Kwara and Nigeria.”

  • Ahmed: I’ll return mission schools, if…

    Ahmed: I’ll return mission schools, if…

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday gave a condition for returning mission schools to their original owners.

    He said the schools would be returned as soon as the state’s Education Law, 2006, which recommends the granting of aid to the schools, is repealed or replaced by the House of Assembly.

    Earlier, members of various Christian denominations peacefully protested in Ilorin, the state capital, demanding the return of the schools.

    As early as 7am, the protesters converged on St James Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary schools, owned by the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C.), on Yidi road. They sang Christian songs and prayed for the return of their schools.

    Some carried placards reading: “We want our schools back”; “We are taking back our schools because they belong to us”; “Government should stop grant-aiding our schools, we can run them on our own”; “Enough of oppression and injustice, we are taking back our schools, they belong to us”; “Mission schools belong to us and we want government to stop grant-aiding them”.

    Speaking with reporters, Ahmed said: “There are basically two types of schools in Kwara State. They are government-owned and privately-owned. Some of them receive grants from the government. The grant-aided ones have entered into an agreement with the government, under the state’s Education Law, on how the schools are to be run.

    “That gives the proprietors and government limited powers. This is how schools have been run so far. However, with the current exigency, firstly, we know how Herculean it is for the government to pay the salary of primary school teachers because the number of teachers is increasing as pupils are increasing.

    “Unfortunately, the allocation from the Federal Government, where they are paid from, has not been increasing commensurately. It is putting a lot of pressure on local governments. Ordinarily, if anybody says he wants to relieve the government of this pressure, the government will be very happy.

    “The government is willing to return the schools. However, the enabling laws that make them run under the current grant-aiding process have to be repealed by the House of Assembly or replaced with a new law that will enable the government return the schools.

    “The law has been sent to the House of Assembly for repeal. Very soon, they would call for a public hearing, so I don’t understand what the grouse is all about. Wait for the law to be finished and I’ll sign it into law. We will gladly return the schools as soon as the laws are either repealed or replaced. The schools are a burden on us too.”

    Spokesman of C.A.C.-owned schools Pastor Peter Ogunwale said: “We want our schools back. We are not selling them. We own the schools and they are duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja by us. We have the papers. We are not fighting them, but they have destroyed our schools. They destroy them everyday, even till this morning. If you go in there, you will be surprised by the level of destruction. So we want to have them back. We don’t want the government to grant-aid us again, because that is why they are claiming ownership of the schools

    “We are also aware of the plan to build mosques inside our schools; we won’t allow that. We want our children to be taught in the ways of the Lord so that when they grow older, they won’t depart from them.”

  • Ahmed: I’ll return mission schools, if…

    Ahmed: I’ll return mission schools, if…

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday gave a condition for returning mission schools to their original owners.

    He said the schools would be returned as soon as the state’s Education Law, 2006, which recommends the granting of aid to the schools, is repealed or replaced by the House of Assembly.

    Earlier, members of various Christian denominations peacefully protested in Ilorin, the state capital, demanding the return of the schools.

    As early as 7am, the protesters converged on St James Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary schools, owned by the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C.), on Yidi road. They sang Christian songs and prayed for the return of their schools.

    Some carried placards reading: “We want our schools back”; “We are taking back our schools because they belong to us”; “Government should stop grant-aiding our schools, we can run them on our own”; “Enough of oppression and injustice, we are taking back our schools, they belong to us”; “Mission schools belong to us and we want government to stop grant-aiding them”.

    Speaking with reporters, Ahmed said: “There are basically two types of schools in Kwara State. They are government-owned and privately-owned. Some of them receive grants from the government. The grant-aided ones have entered into an agreement with the government, under the state’s Education Law, on how the schools are to be run.

    “That gives the proprietors and government limited powers. This is how schools have been run so far. However, with the current exigency, firstly, we know how Herculean it is for the government to pay the salary of primary school teachers because the number of teachers is increasing as pupils are increasing.

    “Unfortunately, the allocation from the Federal Government, where they are paid from, has not been increasing commensurately. It is putting a lot of pressure on local governments. Ordinarily, if anybody says he wants to relieve the government of this pressure, the government will be very happy.

    “The government is willing to return the schools. However, the enabling laws that make them run under the current grant-aiding process have to be repealed by the House of Assembly or replaced with a new law that will enable the government return the schools.

    “The law has been sent to the House of Assembly for repeal. Very soon, they would call for a public hearing, so I don’t understand what the grouse is all about. Wait for the law to be finished and I’ll sign it into law. We will gladly return the schools as soon as the laws are either repealed or replaced. The schools are a burden on us too.”

    Spokesman of C.A.C.-owned schools Pastor Peter Ogunwale said: “We want our schools back. We are not selling them. We own the schools and they are duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja by us. We have the papers. We are not fighting them, but they have destroyed our schools. They destroy them everyday, even till this morning. If you go in there, you will be surprised by the level of destruction. So we want to have them back. We don’t want the government to grant-aid us again, because that is why they are claiming ownership of the schools

    “We are also aware of the plan to build mosques inside our schools; we won’t allow that. We want our children to be taught in the ways of the Lord so that when they grow older, they won’t depart from them.”

  • Kwara 2015: Ahmed’s battle for second term

    Kwara 2015: Ahmed’s battle for second term

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has been endorsed for second term by many stakeholders. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the succession battle in the Northcentral state between the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ahead of next year’s general elections, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s second term ambition has been endorsed by no fewer than 15 groups and associations. They include students’ bodies, women groups, the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW), and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Also, musicians, artisans, traditional rulers and influential political leaders from the three senatorial districts are backing him. To many observers, these are core stakeholders who can mobilise for his victory at the poll.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried the gale of endorsements, saying that it will not work. The party said that it will not brighten the chance of the governor in the election.

    Few weeks ago, the Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum, the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS), and the Ilorin Emirate Students Union also promised to support his candidature, if Ahmed emerges as the flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Giving reasons for supporting the governor’s bid, the students said that his people-oriented policies and programmes are worthy of commendation. Their leadern Ajadi Muyideen, lauded what he described as Ahmed’s selfless service to the people. He expressed gratitude to the goverment for the payment of bursary to tertiary students. He said the move wsas a relief to parents.

    “As a body that always fights for students, we want to personally salute the courage of our dear governor for his good works and we assure him of our unalloyed support at all times,” he said.

    Also, the Ilorin Emirate Students Union, in its statement signed by its President, Alaburo Sherifideen, described the governor’s achievements in education as unprecedented. Sherifideen noted that the governor had been sensitive to public yearnings, pointing out that the reduction of tuition fees at the Kwara State University, Malete, by 50 per cent has reduced dropouts rate among tertiary students. He also praised the governor for making primary and post-primary education tuition free. He said the renovation and construction of classrooms had enhanced a conducive atmosphere for learning in schools.

    The Coordinator of Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum, Ibrahim Kutan Muhammed, said Ahmed has success stories to tell in  health, agriculture, energy, works and transport, education and youth development. “In view of his doggedness, the Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum is in full support of the governor for a second term in 2015 so that he can continue the good work,” he added.

    However, despite the gale of endorsements, Ahmed has other hurdles to cross. Kwara Central District, like the South, is agitating for power shift, although the zone had enjoyed the slot for 12 years. There are other calculations. The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) may zone its governorship to the Central, which is more populous and has a history of bloc votes. The propaganda of the opposition party is strong. Ahmed has been painted as the product of Saraki Dynasty at a time some elements are pushing for a shift in political alliance.

    However, the governor may have done his calculations very well, ahead of the electioneering. For three and half years that he has ruled the state, he has not stirred any controversy. Also, no politician has come between him and his political leader, Senator Bukola Saraki. Unlike other states, where crises between predecessors and their successors have reached the peak, there is a cordial relationship between the former governor and Ahmed. His leader and the entire political camp are proud of his achievements. There appears to be an understanding that, since Saraki spent two terms of eight years, that precedent should be followed.

    However, as the succession battle gathers momentum, the second term battle will not be a walkover for the governor. Ahmed has to work harder to secure a second term.

    Following Saraki’s defection to the APC, some calculations were altered. There are new permutations. There is a debate on which senatorial district is likely to guarantee victory for the party, especially when the PDP is working to snatch victory from it. Since last year, some people have said that the defection may cost the governor the second term ticket. Although there is no consensus yet on succession in the APC, some party chieftains believe that Ahmed’s political future hangs in the balance, despite the fact that he has performed. However, those against his ambition allude to political expediency, claiming that since the PDP is likely to pick its flag bearer from Kwara Central, the ruling party should not be indifferent to its implications for the election. This latter group feels that another a stronger aspirant would be a better option.

    Kwara Central has the highest number of voters. Therefore, it is the target of the PDP.  The  aspirants in the zone include Dele Belgore (SAN) and Prof. Oba Abdurahaman. But, the zone cannot solely install the governor. Therefore, the opposition party is also mobilising support in the  South, where the governor comes from, and the North, to pull the rug of the feet of the APC.

    In spite of the permutation, the APC is still believed to have an edge over the PDP. The ruling party is popular across the three districts. Not only has it been able to overcome the regression to ethnic division by the PDP, but, unlike the PDP, which lacks an arrowhead, the APC is forging ahead under the leadership of Saraki, ably supported by his lieutenant, Ahmed.

    But, the uneasiness in the APC, which was triggered by the strategic decision of the PDP to pick its candidate from the Central, has not fizzled out. Since the zone is regarded as a huge electoral asset, given the fact that it boasts of the highest number of registered voters, the anxiety in the APC and among the governor’s is not unfounded.

    If the PDP eventually picks its candidate from the zone, as being speculated, the South, where the governor hails from, would be up for grabs. Sources said that the North could go either way. But, the endorsements may altered the conjecture, as the APC and its supporters are not sleeping on guard. In fact, the endorsements are part of the strategies to convince the anti-second term ambition that people are pushing for continuity because Ahmed is popular.

    A strong message was sent to the governor’s critics when he was endorsed by stakeholders from the North District. The Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Kawu Haliru, has thrown his weight behind his second term bid. The endorsement ceremony was witnessed by former Governor Shaaba Lafiagi, who is representing the district in the Senate, House of Representatives member Aman Pategi, many public office holders, community leaders, representatives of professional groups, youths, women, artisans and peasants. Speakers at the event highlighted developmental projects and  empowerment schemes across the districts. Urging the APC to field him in next year’s poll, they maintained that the governor has lived up to expectation.

    Emir Haliru, a highly respected leader, is believed to have spoken the minds of his people. Analysts believe that his blessings also came as a relieve to the governor’s camp, as it meant that the zone’s agitation for power shift, may not affect APC’s chances at the polls.

    The endorsement by stakeholders from the North is also significant for another reason. It may weaken the alleged one term pact between the governor and his leader. In 2011, the feeling was that Ahmed will spend one term and handover to a governor from the North. But, since the endorsement of the governor, there has not been any contrary view.

    Also, the North, like the Central, has the advantage of a bloc vote. Although there are some PDP governorship aspirants from the zone, they are paper weight actors.

    The South, where the governor hails from, is solidly behind the him. Many analysts believe that the endorsement and the mobilisation of indigenes appear to have properly positioned the governor for the final endorsement by the party. In fact, his kinsmen have embarked on an aggressive mobilisation for his ambition. During the voter’s registration, they trooped out for the exercise. Now, the calculation is that the combined forces of Saraki in the Central and Ahmed’s foot soldiers in the South should forge a working alliance with compatriots in the North to ensure the push for continuity next year.

    However, the PDP is of the opinion that the APC’s calculations would hit the rock. According to its leaders, this agenda may not work.  The PDP believes that endorsements do not translate into electoral victory, adding that the royal father who has endorsed Ahmed lacked the mandate of the voting public.

    The PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary, Femi Yusuf, doubted the validity of the endorsements, saying that it is unreliable.  He said the next election would be a battle of supremacy between the APC and the PDP. Faulting the endorsements, he said they were instigated by the government.

    “We see the endorsement as a mere figment of the imagination of the APC. It does not provide the party with any leverage when the election comes.

    “That aside, the traditional ruler is a civil servant, who collects salary from the state government monthly. So, what do you expect? When they are endorsing him for a second term, what would warrant the endorsement? What have they done for the area  for them to say he should continue in office?

    “You can only deserve endorsement, if you have surpassed the previous administrations. But, the past 12 years have shown that the people of the North District have been neglected. Go to Baruten or Kayama, Lafiagi and Patigi to see for yourself.”

    However, the Special Adviser to the governor on Communication Strategy, Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, disagreed with the PDP spokesman. He said:”The governor, through his ‘Shared Prosperity Agenda’, has sustained the impactful developmental momentum of his predecessor and he actually deserves the support of well-meaning people to continue his people-oriented projects.

    “He has successfully consolidated on the projects of the former governor and opened up new ones, which have direct bearing on the people and that simply explains why the people are clamouring for continuity.”