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Tag: Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed

  • Alleged N3b diversion: EFCC rearraigns ex-Kwara Governor Ahmed, other

    Alleged N3b diversion: EFCC rearraigns ex-Kwara Governor Ahmed, other

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his erstwhile Finance Commissioner Demola Banu at a Kwara State High Court for allegedly diverting N3 billion meant for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for other purposes.

    Earlier in the year, the anti-graft agency had arraigned the duo at a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, over the same allegation.

    Ahmed and Banu are facing a-15 count charge.

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    A count in the charge reads: “That you, Abdulfatah Ahmed (while being the governor of Kwara State) and Ademola Banu (while being the Commissioner of Finance of Kwara State), on or about January 14, 2015 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did illegally spend N1,000,000,000.00 to pay the salaries of civil servants in Kwara State, which sum was originally domiciled in the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Matching Grant account and which sum formed part of the funds allocated for the execution of the projects stated in the action plan for the year 2013 and approved by the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.”

    When the case was called yesterday, the duo pleaded not guilty.

    In his ruling, Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar granted the accused persons N100 million bail each and fixed December 3 for the commencement of the trial.

  • UBEC funds: Ahmed criminally neglected schools, says AbdulRazaq

    Kwara State Government has accused former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration of criminal neglect of schools through its alleged diversion of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq revealed that UBEC blacklisted the state because Ahmed’s administration mismanaged the N1.5 billion grant meant to upgrade schools in Kwara in 2013.

    Ahmed refuted claims that his administration mismanaged UBEC counterpart funds.

    A statement issued by his spokesman, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, absolved his administration of any wrongdoing regarding the management of UBEC funds.

    He maintained that the federal agency cancelled a N2 billion grant to the state when the government borrowed from the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) its 50 per cent counterpart fund of N1.5 billion for the payment of salaries at the height of the 2015 economic recession, which prevented most states from meeting salary obligations to workers.

    But, AbdulRazaq’s administration described the former governor’s response to the allegations as misplaced.

    In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye, said: “The last administration cannot be forgiven for the criminal neglect of the schools because the consequences are there for all to see.”

    The statement added that Ahmed’s response to the outrage greeting the diversion of N1.5 billion UBEC funds has raised more questions on the sordid neglect of public schools under him.

    Read Also: Kwara gets N4.2bn federal allocation for June

    Ajakaye added that the former governor’s statement that claims that funds weren’t diverted or mismanaged hold no water in the face of revelations from UBEC and the decrepit state of schools.

    The government said the mismanagement was apparent in Kwara ranking 37th – or the lowest – on the list of UBEC Matching Grant Disbursement Performance as at April 30, 2019.

    The government said Ahmed’s claim that his government used the N1.5 billion to pay workers’ salary was untenable and fishy for an administration that received N22 billion Paris Club refund and additional N3.4 billion bailout funds that were meant to help states pay workers when federal allocation dropped.

    “As at April 30, 2019, Kwara has the worst rating under the UBEC Matching Grant Disbursement Performance! This is a written record. This is the legacy of the former governor and the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) administration in Kwara State,” the statement said.

    It added: “The former governor claimed he was unaware that Kwara was blacklisted. This is false. The diversion of the N1.5 billion UBEC funds and the decision of the agency to bar the state from further dealings until diverted sums were paid is nothing but official blacklisting of Kwara State.

    “UBEC officials made it clear that they investigated Kwara’s claim that it used the funds to pay workers and found the same to be false. The investigations, they said, showed that the money was diverted. The UBEC position is further corroborated by the fact that at least 49 school projects captured under the fund were either abandoned or not started at all.”

  • Kwara 2019: APC and the search for a running mate

    To every discerning observer of the politics of Kwara state, the beautiful bride today is Ifelodun Local Government Area. Not only because of its huge voting population among its peers in the state, but also due to the disdain which the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has meted out to the people of the area. After almost eight years in the saddle as the Chief Executive of the state, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, a citizen of Ifelodun LGA, was not deemed important enough by the PDP to be given a ticket to the Senate.

    It is instructive to note that Governor Ahmed enjoyed an overwhelming support from his people when he contested in 2011 and was re-elected in 2015. Available and verifiable records showed that the voting population of Ifelodun Local Government is equivalent to that of three other Local Government Areas put together in Kwara South Senatorial District.

    Expectedly, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in its wisdom is looking in the direction of Ifelodun Local Government Area to pick a running mate for its governorship candidate, Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq. Many analysts have described this as a good move. But many have also said it will work only if the party pick a grassroots mobiliser as its deputy governorship candidate from Ifelodun. So, there are many things to consider in arriving at that choice.

    The need to put this in perspective became more important following the unfortunate media exchanges among the supporters of two chieftains of the party who are among those being touted for the top job. That the supporters Of Kayode Alabi and Kayode Abogunrin see the principals as fit for the job is not a bad thing, but they all must do proper checks to see if either of these two will deliver the most votes for APC in 2019 if chosen.

    Apart from Alabi and Abogunrin, there are other APC chieftains being named as fit and proper for the position. One of such is another Kayode (note that both Alabi and Abogunrin also bear Kayode as first names). Kayode Oyin-Zubair, a young, ebullient and loyal foundation member of the APC in Kwara state is largely seen as the choice of the youths, not just of the APC, but also of Ifelodun as a whole. Like his two elders, Alabi and Abogunrin, Oyin-Zubair is eminently qualified.

    Last Tuesday, the local chapter of the party rose from an enlarged meeting where it resolved that internal squabbles should be down played, so that the chance to produce a running mate will not be lost. Speakers took turn to express disappointment over what was described as lack of cohesion among the political class which has robbed the area of many things, including the creation of more LGAs.

    “Ifelodun LGA was created in 1976 with Irepodun which today has given birth to 3 LGAs. We must be united now, than ever. This chance must not be kicked away again,  on the pedestal that, if it is not me, it can be anyone again. ” One of the speakers admonished.

    However, persons interested in becoming the running mate to APC governorship candidate from Ifelodun LGA are not leaving anything to chance including strategic public relations efforts and media pushes.  As we hear, high level lobbying is now the order of the day. In all these, we beg those involves to put the interest oft he people of the area first and consider the very important need for APC to win the forthcoming election.

    Watching from the sideline, the choice of a running mate is essentially a prerogative of the governorship candidate. The fact that Ifelodun LGA is the largest voting bloc in Kwara South Senatorial District does not really mean anyone from the area will enjoy the support of the majority of this voting population except he is widely acceptable to the people of Ifelodun.

    Undoubtedly, Kwara APC is today a blend of the old APC stock and old PDP stock. The old APC members have variously been referred as foundation members. One can confidently say that the old PDP has had it so good and rosy since they joined the party in August 2018. According to records, they have the governorship candidate, 3 senatorial candidates, 5 House of Representatives slots and more than 20 House of Assembly candidates in their kitty already.

    As a progressive party that thrives on fairness and justice, the APC and particularly its Governorship candidate, should without delay concede the running mate slot to the old APC/foundation members. This will not only cement the budding relationship in the party but also build trust amongst the amalgams. It will further help the party to garner more votes if a tested hand with extensive grassroots appeal is picked.

    Such a personality must understand the local politics. A consistent progressive mind would be required at this time to pair Alhaji Abdulraham Abdulrasaq in his economic recovery drive for Kwara State. Without equivocation, Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq needs a young, energetic and vibrant personality to assist him deliver his recovery policy thrust for the state. So, both Alabi and Abogunrin should urge their supporters to stop the face-offs and join in the search for this young man.

    My appeal to the candidate is to take the bull by horn. The soft spot for Ifelodun LGA to run with him is the best consideration and the winning streak at this material time. What is left now is for him to get it right in the person to be chosen. The issue is beyond whether substitution can be done or not. The issue is largely about ensuring that the very right man is offered the chance to give Abdulrahman the needed support, especially in Ifelodun and Kwara south.

    • Dr. Olayioye writes from Ilorin

  • 2019: PDP will sweep polls in Kwara – Gov. Ahmed

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has expressed confidence that Peoples Democratic party (PDP) will sweep the polls in the state in 2019 with the calibre of members of the State Working Committee of the party.

    Ahmed said this at Government House, Ilorin, on Monday when he received members of the newly inaugurated committee in his office.

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    “With the timber and calibre of the people that make up the party executive, the victory of the party is guaranteed in 2019 elections.”

    Ahmed, who saluted the maturity displayed in handling the harmonisation process, tasked the new executive to work hard in ensuring the entrenchment of good governance in the state.

    He added that peaceful atmosphere that greeted the harmonisation process further confirmed the politics of all-inclusiveness the party structure was known for.

    The governor allayed the fears of all members over that no one would be marginalized.

    He also enjoined all members to close ranks and cooperate in ensuring that the PDP won the next election in the state.

    Earlier, in his remarks, the party Chairman, Chief Kola Shittu, told the governor that the purpose of the visit was to familiarize themselves with the governor as the party leader in the state.

    He explained that the new executive had continued to work assiduously in the harmonisation of members since its inauguration, saying that all groups were duly carried along.

    Shittu used the opportunity to urge other members yet to join the party to come forward, assuring them that no one would be marginalised.

  • Detained Kwara Gov’s aide files contempt suit against IGP

    Detained Personal Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on political matters, Olalekan Alabi has sought contempt of court against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    Alabi has been in police custody in Abuja since May 30, following his arrest over his alleged link with Offa banks robbery suspects.

    Counsel to Alabi, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) filed an application before a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, seeking to commence committal proceedings against IGP for contempt of court.

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    Alabi approached the court to effect the service of Form 49, which is a notice of committal to prison on the IGP for disobeying court order directing his release from police custody.

    The service of Form 49 on the IGP means that he will be summoned by the court to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for having disobeyed the order of court to release Alabi.

    On August 1, 2018, the Kwara State High Court granted him an interim bail after declaring that his continued detention by the police was illegal and unjustifiable.

    While granting him an interim bail in the sum of N20 million with two reliable sureties in like sum, Justice A.I. Yusuf held that the police had failed to justify why they have kept the governor’s aide in detention for over two months.

    But in flagrant disobedience of the court order, the police have refused to release Alabi from their custody despite perfecting his bail conditions.

    This development necessitated the Court to on 14 August, 2018 issue Form 48 to the IGP, which is an initiation of contempt preceding.

    It states that “take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of the High Court of Justice of Kwara State delivered on the 1st of August, 2018, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

    The IGP has, however, failed to respond to the notice, prompting Alabi to approach the court to serve him Form 49.

  • Saraki, others goofed by defecting to PDP, says APC lawmaker

    The only All Progressives Congress (APC) legislator in the Kwara state House of Assembly Prince Saheed Popoola Wednesday said the defection of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and others to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the greatest political mistake of their lives.

    He said this in Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara state when he staged a triumphant entry into the town.

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    Scores of his loyalists, supporters and friends waited patiently for hours at the Ijagbo end of the town, for him.

    Speaking with reporters in the midst of the crowd, Prince Popoola said: “I want you to show the whole world that it is the Offa people that told me not to defect to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). That is what you are seeing today. They told me that we are in All Progressives Congress (APC). They voted for in APC and that I should remain in APC. There is no single person that will do PDP in Offa.

    The entire town is APC. They are for President Muhammadu Buhari, they are for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they are for Lai Mohammed, they are for Aregbesola and they are for Saheed Popoola. We are also for Adams Oshiohmole.”.

    He hailed President Buhari’s administration performance so far in office, adding that “he has been performing well since his assumption of office. It is only that some fifth columnists are out to sabotage his efforts. I want to assure you that APC will do well for this country. We mean well for this country. You can see that the entire Offa people are for APC.

    “I have come today to showcase that as their representative it is what they told me that i have done. I promise Offa people best legislative action. Offa people are going to lead in the struggle to make APC emerge victorious in the 2019 elections.

    “I want to tell you that Kwarans have resolved to change the current political structure in the state. This state will not vote for PDP in the 2019 general elections. It is a mistake of their lives that they have done. APC is the only party that Kwarans will vote for.”

    On the siege of the National Assembly by DSS operatives, the lawmaker said that “what happened at the National Assembly was a conspiracy.

    How can somebody call for a meeting of the principal officers and members were trooping in very early in the morning? I am calling for a full blown probe into the matter.”

  • Gov Ahmed visits victims, promises to settle medical bills

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday promised to offset the medical bills of victims of Thursday’s armed robbery attack in Offa, headquarters of Offa Local Government Area.

    Ahmed on a visit to the victims at the General Hospital in Ilorin described the incident as unfortunate.

    He commiserated with families who lost loved ones and also prayed God to grant the injured victims quick recovery.

    “We will take care of all their hospital bills. We must begin to watch each other’s back,” he said.

    “The job of policing is everybody’s job. When we see strange people in our communities, we must learn to report to appropriate security agencies.”

    He said the robbery incident must have taken some time to plan.

    The governor also stressed the need for community policing, maintaining that the police would work efficiently if they have information.

    He reiterated his government’s support to strengthen the security agencies in the state, especially in the area of logistics.

    Ahmed, however, noted that there was huge problem of financing in the country, but pledged that his government would work around it because the situation was now becoming precarious.

    He maintained that his government would not allow the lives of the citizens to be on the line again.

    The governor had earlier ordered that the victims be relocated to Ilorin from Offa for adequate treatment.

    He also directed that medical experts be mobilised from other states to Ilorin so as to give the victims prompt treatment and support.

    Ahmed, who went round the wards to meet with the victims,

    The governor also inspected the stadium complex which was damaged.

  • Ahmed scales up education in Kwara

    Ahmed scales up education in Kwara

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration is set to scale up education in the state.

    Late last year the state launched the International Vocational and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC) in Ajase-Ipo. It also started building two other campuses of Kwara State University (KWASU) in Ilesha-Baruba and Osi, Baruten and Ekiti local government areas of the state.

    The governor laid the foundation of the IVTEC in September 2012 in line with his commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development.

    The establishment of Malete main campus and other KWASU campuses is aimed at positioning the institution to produce highly skilled graduates that will become top players in the competitive global economy of the 21st century.

    All these capital projects in spite of the lean resources of the state government are being executed through the state Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK) established in 2016.

    The governor said, “When I inaugurated the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK) in 2016, I made a commitment to initiate and complete new and ongoing infrastructure projects.

    “Our government has since made good on that commitment with the commencement of new projects such as the Geri Alimi Diamond Underpass and a new campus for the Kwara State University at Ilesha Baruba.

    “As we flag off construction of Kwara State University, Ekiti Campus, this project provides an eloquent testimony to the fact that IFK has strengthened our government’s capacity to meet its obligations despite the current economic challenges.

    Also, this event validates our commitment to the three-campus model for KWASU, as enshrined in its blueprint, following the ongoing work at the Ilesha Baruba site of the university.

    “It similarly underlines our determination to expand access to quality higher education while providing cutting edge skills and research for industry.

    “In keeping with current local realities and global trends, the three campuses of KWASU are designed to eventually run on a sustainable platform without subvention from the state government.

    “This means they must run on a model that guarantees efficiency by offering courses that are market relevant and are in demand by the growing number of applicants within and outside the country.

    ”We are building on the legacy of the previous administration, which established the university, and bringing the KWASU multi-campus model to reality, among others, our administration has demonstrated, in concrete terms, the value and importance of continuity in governance.

    “Only a government of continuity like ours could have believed in and up-scaled the vision of the university’s founders.

    Indeed, the quality of infrastructure and programs at the institution, KWASU is at the vanguard of the state government’s resolve to make education functional and economy based.

    In this regard, the Kwara state government designed the curriculum at IVTEC in partnership with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to guarantee that the education received at the center meets the mid-level manpower needs of today’s employers.

    “Similarly, the KWASU campus in Ilesha Baruba is strategically located in the agrarian belt of the state to provide students with the opportunity of hands-on experience and boost the region.

    “In addition, the KWASU School for Business and Governance, Ilorin is poised to provide middle level professionals with access to quality post graduate education that will enhance their leadership and professional skills.

    “On its part, the KWASU Ekiti campus will groom scientists and thinkers that will proffer practical solutions to the various problems that plague the country.”

    Governor Ahmed solicited for closer links between tertiary education and the country’s economic and technological aspirations to ensure that education is more relevant to our national objectives.

    On IVTEC, he said his administration needs a sum of N13 billion in the next five years, to expand the college.

    He added that the state had invested approximately N3.2 billion on campus construction, furniture, fittings, partnerships, basic training equipment and tools here at IVTEC.

    “We therefore seek the partnerships from local, national and internal bodies so that we can upscale IVTEC to the level envisaged as its establishment,”

    Governor Ahmed said that the vision to establish the College was to equip youths with skills for self-reliance, tackle unemployment, and ease access to vocational training of international standard for students from a variety of skills and educational backgrounds.

  • Ahmed urges Nigerians to sustain Adesoye’s legacies

    Ahmed urges Nigerians to sustain Adesoye’s legacies

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said Kwarans and Nigerians must sustain the legacies of the late Asiwaju of Offa, Chief Emmanuel Adesoye.

    The governor spoke when he received the family of the deceased at the Government House in Ilorin.

    Adesoye died on December 3. He was 79.

    According to the governor, the late educationist and philanthropist left an enduring legacy by contributing to the educational and industrial development of Kwara State.

    He said the late Adesoye was a reference point to other successful indigenes, and called for the emulation of his legacies, particularly in education.

    Ahmed pledged his support for Adesoye College, Offa, emphasising that the college is one of the best things to happen to Kwara and Nigeria.

    A member of the House of Assembly, Ayodele Shittu, described the deceased as an industrialist and educationist of repute.

    Adesoye will be interred on Friday in his country home of Offa.

  • Kwara multi-billion centre to be centre of excellence

    Kwara multi-billion centre to be centre of excellence

    The Kwara State-owned Harmony Diagnostic Centre (HADC) is poised to be centre of excellence in the Northcentral in the next two years.

    Established in 2013, the centre began operations in 2014 and since then it has positioned itself as one of the leading diagnostic centres in Kwara, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo Kogi, Benue and Niger states.

    HADC’s mission statement is ‘to ensure the consistent provision of comprehensive diagnostic and allied healthcare services. To remain a centre of excellence for high quality services for all’.

    Acting Managing Director  Dr Bunmi Jetawo-Winters, a trained pharmacist said despite the centre’s sophistication in terms of equipment and personnel, Nigeria still lags behind in that respect.

    She added that “we do not have enough diagnostic centres in Nigeria. We also have few laboratories that carry out expansive tests in the country, considering Nigeria’s population. That is not too good.”

    Dr Jetawo-Winters, who doubles as the Director General, Kwara State Hospitals Management Bureau, said that the centre is not out to carry empirical treatment on patients, but rather it does investigations on patients to get to the proper target of the problems.

    She added that HADC is interfacing with teaching hospitals in the state and neighbouring states, saying that “we have highly sophisticated equipment not readily available in other states of the federation.”

    The diagnostic centre is not without some challenges, she insisted.

    “We have multi-faceted problems. Just like in any other part of the country, power supply is one of the problems. No enough biomedical engineers. There is a big gap in that respect. We need a lot more training for available bio-medical engineers. Universities in the country should be encouraged to identify the gap,” she said.

    Dr Jetawo-Winters said the centre is a work in progress, putting the performance of the four years old centre at 75 percent.

    “We are expanding our services so that we can be centre of excellence in the nation,” she said, noting that “we want to partner with local and international partners.”

    The managing director debunked the claim that Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed have majority shares in the centre.

    She said:”The centre is 100 percent and wholly owned by the Kwara state government, but it is being run like a private concern.”

    She said the centre has imaging and laboratory sections.

    The professional pharmacist hailed the Federal Government for setting aside 22 percent for the health sector in the 2018 budget estimate.

    “It is a major improvement from the past. It is a step in the right direction,” she added, advocating for between 35 and 40 percent for the sector in subsequent budgets.

    She also enjoined government at all levels to encourage and promote the health sector for the wellness and well-being of the society.

    She urged Nigerians to ensure balanced diet as according to her “diet is essential to good health. We need to have a balanced of all food groups.”

    Conducting reporters round the laboratory section, the Laboratory, Manager Chukwukelu Jason said the state government had invested multi-billion naira in the centre.

    Mr. Jason encouraged Nigerians to carry out annual general medical check-up of the system, adding that the lab department also comprises of different section.

    He revealed that their operation is not posing any danger to the environment, saying that “we incinerate waste products at high temperature before disposing them off.”

    His counterpart at the imaging department, Dr Oyinloye Gregory, said most of the equipment in his section are unique and rarely in use in many parts of the country.