Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said at the weekend that he has earmarked about N600 million as his government’s strategic effort to boost power generation.
He was addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s first stakeholders meeting at the secretariat in Ilorin.
He said this would ensure constant electricity supply.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged politicians not to use youths to foment trouble in actualising their ambitions.
The governor spoke at the weekend in Ilorin, the state capital, at the maiden security summit, organised by Ilorin Emirate Descendants Union (IEDPU).
He said youths needed jobs and not guns. “Our youths need jobs and a secure future. What they do not need are guns and machetes, whose only outcome is to blight their lives and abridge their future.
‘Security agencies should form a greater synergy and avoid needless rivalry. Only through working together can we surmount the security threats confronting our state. It does not matter who offers the best protection and security. What counts is that our lives are safe,” the governor said.
Ahmed urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
National President of IEDPU Alhaji AbdulHamid Adi said the summit was designed to create a roadmap to check crime and criminalities in Ilorin.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged Muslims to ensure that the lessons of kindness, fear of God, spirit of helping the needy imbibed during Ramadan continue.
Speaking to Muslims in his Eid-el-Fitri message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, Governor Ahmed said beyond festivity, they should pray for the restoration of peace in the country.
The governor noted that if Muslims do not imbibe the lessons as a life-long experience, the exercise would have be a futile one.
“As Muslims,we must sustain our devotion to Allah, uphold the teachings of the Quran and Prophet Muhammed.
‘’It is also important that those in authority translate the culture of piety, devotion and submission to the will of Allah into ensuring a society free of want, poverty and hunger”, he said.
Governor Ahmed also advised Muslims to shun vices, especially violence, which could hinder harmonious existence with people of other faith.
“It is not a mistake that God made people of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds to co-exist in the country; it is for a purpose.
The Kwara State branch of the Association of Laboratory Technicians and Assistants of Nigeria (AMELTAN) have praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration for the renovating and remodelling five General Hospitals in Ilorin, Omu-Aran, Offa, Share and Kaiama.
The general hospitals cover the three senatorial districts of the state.
AMELTAN appealed to the state government to start paying call-duty allowance for their member’s working day and night in the state.
AMELTAN also wants its members especially those working with the Community Health Insurance Scheme placed on permanent appointment.
The state chair of AMELTAN, Elder Bandipo Olusanyan made the demand in Ilorin, the state capital at the association’s 3-days conference
He equally sought for the recruitment and posting of “our members to local government health facilities in the state.
Said he: “Apart from this, the state of art medical equipment purchase, improved staff welfare including prompt payment of salaries, payment of consolidated health salary structure, release of promotion and extension of community health insurance have endeared the governor to our heart.
“The same gesture also extended to smaller health centres, Iwo Cottage Hospital, Omupo Cottage Hospital and Edidi Health Centre are part of good work executed to serve our people.
“We also appreciate the state governor for the sustainable peace and harmony that provides the platform for us all to operate in Kwara state. The massive infrastructural provision and pace of development has helped our association to live up to expectation.”
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday said his administration has provided jobs for 10,200 youths.
He promised to employ no less than 3,000 more before December.
The governor spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the launch of 5,200 jobs under the administration’s Quickwin Empowerment and Employment Scheme.
Ahmed urged the private sector to take a cue in creating employment for youths.
His words: “Government alone cannot provide all the needed jobs. Indeed, the private sector has the largest capacity to ameliorate youth unemployment.
“Today, we formally employ the single largest number of youths; I can state that we have significantly fulfilled our pledge in this regard.
“With the flag-off of Quickwin and the engagement of 5,200 youths, this administration has employed 10,200 youths since inception and will engage an additional 3,000 by December.
“Yet many more youths remain cut off from jobs not because they are unwilling or incapable but because the opportunities are limited.
“Therefore, as our democracy enters its 15th year, as we silence the drums of celebration in tune with the national mood, this intervention is perhaps the best way to commemorate our return to representative governance.
“Indeed, the challenges that confront us today may tempt us to become pessimistic.
“But let me make it very clear: We have covered considerable ground and given hope for a better tomorrow.
“Apart from our youth empowerment schemes, we have boosted entrepreneurship with the provision of N640million in revolving credit to 41, 000 SMEs and structured skill acquisition centres for the benefit of our youths.
“In the health sector, we have enhanced access to quality health care with an expanded Community Health Insurance Scheme, the supply of drugs and equipment to hospitals and the remodeling and expansion of Ilorin, Offa, Share, Kaiama and Omu-Aran Hospitals.
“Today, with the launching of QuickWin, my assurance becomes even stronger that entrepreneurship and vocational skill acquisition remain the most viable pathways for sustainable empowerment.”
Good times are here for commercial drivers in Kwara State. They have a revolving loan of N150 million from the government which also launched 100 taxi cabs procured at N50 million.
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said during the launch: “In the coming months, we intend to extend the empowerment to other operators in the dynamic transport sector.”
He added: “This N50 million intervention brings to a cumulative N674m the amount of revolving credit disbursed to beneficiaries under the Kwara State Entrepreneurship scheme from 2012 to date.
“Let me therefore congratulate the beneficiaries of these taxicabs for joining the growing list of those empowered by this administration under the scheme.
“Indeed, the choice of taxi drivers is due their importance to efficient intra and inter-city transport services. As we all know, taxi drivers are crucial to mobility of people and their goods as well as to enhanced socio-economic activities across the length and breadth of Kwara state.
“Let me however state that the revolving loan scheme for taxi drivers is not part of government largesse. I therefore call on the beneficiaries to work hard and repay the loans promptly so that others can benefit. Indeed, this is why funds for the purchase of these taxis were disbursed to the transporters through micro finance banks.”
The governor added that previous revolving loan schemes have recorded more than 70 per cent repayment rate.”
Said he: “An added benefit of disbursing funds through micro finance banks is that it has improved banking inclusion by bringing more people into the system as those who were previously unable to access the services now enjoy the service.
“You will agree with me that one of the challenges of our transport system in Nigeria is lack of maintenance. This negative attitude often puts the lives of innocent road users in needless jeopardy and contributes to early deterioration of road infrastructure.
“I therefore urge you to maintain your vehicles regularly, obey traffic regulations, and cooperate fully with security agencies to make our roads accident free and safe in the interest of your successful business.
“At this point, I wish to acknowledge the rapport and cooperation existing among the different transport Unions in Kwara State. I therefore implore you to sustain this relationship for the good of all. Specifically, I admonish you to shun the rancour and acrimony that often lead to crises.
“I hope I can continue to count on your cooperation and support for a more progressive and prosperous future for you as individuals and for the state as a whole.”
In a remark, the state Commerce and Cooperatives Commissioner, Alhaji Suleiman Alege said the scheme is aimed at boosting public-private partnership in the state.
Alege said: “The procurement and allocation of these taxi cabs to private operators, is one of the windows of opportunities that the state government is using to grow the public-private partnership transformation model, in its continuing efforts to empower the citizenry for self-employment, poverty alleviation, employment generation and the enhancement of the socio-economic wellbeing of our people.
“The desire of the state government to take the state’s economy to new heights and indeed improve the people’s living standard in the state has been a major impetus for growing the state’s micro-credit intervention scheme.
“I therefore use this occasion to appeal to the various artisan groups, to register their members under the various ministries so that the government can generate a database that will enable it to properly plan for their needs.
“Those who have the privilege of acquiring the taxi cabs today, should see themselves as ambassadors of the state by conducting themselves in accordance with international standards so as not to compromise Ilorin, the state capital as an emerging commercial hub in the West African sub-region.
Also speaking, chairman of Kwara state chapter RTEAN, Alhaji Yisa Ore, appreciated the state government gesture, and promised to redeem the pledge made on repayment.
The transporters’ boss also confirmed on consultation with government on the choice of vehicle procured, adding that the vehicles are rugged and durable, particularly with large membership number in the transport unions.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State will be fair to all.
Ahmed said this after he was registered with his wife, Omolewa, by the Chairman, APC registration committee, Dr Hassan Lawal, in Share Ward One, Share, Ifelodun Local Government.
He said the massive turnout of members on the first day of the party’s membership registration was an indication that the party has mass appeal in the state.
Ahmed said: “The APC is better positioned to offer the change Nigerians earnestly yearn for.
“The party will benefit immensely from the virile political culture in the state.”
The governor said major harmonisation of all shades of interests of APC in the state had been carried out in order to make the party stronger and united.
kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised a N200 million soft loan to artisans this year.
He spoke at the first anniversary of the establishment of state Joint Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders in Ilorin.
The governor assured members of the association that they would benefit from the revolving loan to be enjoyed by all small-business owners.
“Today, as we celebrate the first anniversary of the Kwara State Joint Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders, I am pleased to note s wrong,’’ he said.
He said reports reaching him indicated that there were fewer accidents involving commercial motorcyclists.
The governor also noted that the association’s vigilance and enforcement had reduced the level of crimes involving motorcycle riders in the state.
“These accomplishments are traceable to the leadership of the association and members’ determination and willingness to sanitise your trade and ensure a safer society.
“More importantly, you have demonstrated that given the right incentives and conditions, we, Nigerians, are capable of achieving success in everything we do,” Ahmed added.
He said the state government gave out N100 million in soft loan to members of Kwara Artisans Congress, and had so far disbursed N520 million to tradesmen and women in the state.
“In our determined effort to create prosperity for all, no part of our population will be left out,’’ the governor promised.
“We will ensure that everyone benefits directly and indirectly from the new empowerment programmes that my administration will make available from next year.’’
He appealed to members of the association and the people of the state to remain vigilant and resist any attempt by anyone or group to incite them to violence.
“We all have a responsibility to keep our streets safe, our neighborhoods crime-free, and our communities harmonious,” he added.
The governor urged them to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons to the police.
He urged the leadership of the association to ensure that the association remains law-abiding at all times
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced move aimed at unseating five of its former governors, who recently decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
It has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking among others, an order directing the Houses of Assembly in the governors’ states to commence impeachment process against them.
The affected governors are – Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).
Joined in the suit along with the five governors is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party cited Sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution as the basis for which the court could declare the governors ineligible to remain in office as governor having defected to APC.
The PDP presented five questions for the court’s determination and prayed for six reliefs.
The reliefs include an order mandating or directing the State Houses of Assembly of Adamawa, Rivers, Sokoto, Kano and Kwara States to commence impeachment proceedings against the 2nd – 6th defendants (the governors) forthwith.
Other reliefs are listed as follows:
* A declaration that by the combined provisions of section 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the platform of the plaintiff cannot continue to enjoy the mandate given to the plaintiff by the people / electorate of the respective states as the 2nd – 6th defendants have defected to the APC.
* A declaration that in the absence of any division known and recognized by law in the Plaintiff, the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the plaintiff’s platform have vacated or forfeited their seats forthwith upon their defection to APC.
* A declaration that having combined provisions of section 87 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), section 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 2nd – 6th Defendants defection from the Plaintiff the APC, the offices of the 2nd – 6th defendants have reverted to the plaintiff.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged community associations and the private sector to collaborate with the three tiers of government to promote youth empowerment in the country.
Ahmed made the call in a message to a summit organised by a socio-cultural group, the Omo Ibile Igbomina, at Ganmo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by Alhaji Abdulmajid Ayinla, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Finance, the governor said such coordinated efforts at youths empowerment would help end restiveness and other vices among the youth.
A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Dr Muideen Akorede, noted that the present high level of youth unemployment was a big social malaise requiring aggressive joint efforts to address.
He challenged leaders in the country to implement programmes that would absolve more youths into functional ventures, and open up access to professional and political skills to prepare them for effective leadership in future.
“We cannot claim that youths lack the experience for effective leadership without providing them the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate such capacity in our public and private lives”, he added.
The governor stated that the administration had evolved an entrepreneurship programme to empower the youth through small businesses.
He said the International Vocational Centre at Ajasse-Ipo and 60 other skill acquisition centres and 23 master trainers, were some of the platforms initiated by the government to promote youth empowerment in the state.