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  • Kwara Gov flags off distribution of Dangote Foundation’s rice, commends gesture

    Kwara Gov flags off distribution of Dangote Foundation’s rice, commends gesture

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of 25,000 bags of 10kg rice to indigent people across the 16 local government areas of the State.

    The rice was donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

    Abdulrazaq said the gesture demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in lifting people out of hardship.

    “This gesture not only complements the ongoing efforts of the Kwara State Government to support vulnerable communities, but it also demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in lifting our people out of hardship,” AbdulRazaq said at the flag-off ceremony in Ilorin.  

    Represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, the Governor commended the Foundation for its kind and selfless contribution.  

    “The rice, which will be distributed to indigent families across the state, comes at a crucial time, as our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the sacred month of Ramadan and our Christian brothers and sisters are in the season of Lent. It is an act of compassion that will provide much-needed relief to those who are fasting and in need,” AbdulRazaq added. 

    The Governor also thanked other Foundations and private sector players who continue to support and partner with the state government to better serve the people and encourage other individuals and corporations to follow in the footsteps of the Dangote Foundation and similar bodies. 

    “We remain deeply grateful for the Dangote Foundation’s continued support for indigent people across the country. This generosity serves as a reminder of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the critical role philanthropists play in addressing poverty and hardship.”

    At the event were Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development Abdullahi Bata; Commissioner for Transport Aliyu Sabi Kora; ALGON Chairman and Chairman Kaiama Local Government Area and the State Coordinator AA Eagle Network Hon Paul Zhiri.

    Abolore Alabi said the gesture is in line with the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration’s commitment to touching the lives of the needy.

    Principal Private Secretary to the Governor Hon Lateef Oloyin appreciated God for giving the Aliko Dangote Foundation the inspiration to extend such gesture to the vulnerable in Kwara and other parts of the country. 

    The Leader of the Aliko Dangote Foundation delegation and Group General Manager (Human Resources) of Dangote Cement Plc Lagos, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, said the Foundation is distributing 1m bags of 10kg rice across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja this year. 

    “A total of 25,000 bags of 10kg rice have been allocated to Kwara State for distribution to the less privileged across the 16 local government areas of the state, and people living with disabilities, among others,” he said.

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    “Last year, the distribution was done through some non-governmental organisations. However, the Aliko Dangote Foundation decided to partner with respective state governments for the distribution this year.”

    Mallam Gobir, who was a former commissioner in the state between 1997 and 1999, commended the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the progressive work it is doing in the state. 

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the State Chairman Joint National Association of People with disabilities Adeniyi Gbadamosi applauded the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Kwara State Government for the partnership, saying the gesture will lessen hunger among his people.

    “We are not surprised by this gesture today because the Kwara State Government has been supporting people with disabilities in the state. We are very grateful for this gesture which is coming through the Dangote Foundation,” he added.

  • Kwara Gov announces N100m support for Kaiama boat mishap victims

    Kwara Gov announces N100m support for Kaiama boat mishap victims

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has announced a N100m support for victims of the recent boat mishap involving up to 200 people from Kaiama local government area.

    The Governor announced the support on Thursday during a visit to the Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Omar Mu’azu (Kiyaru IV). 

    Governor AbdulRazaq commiserated with the Emir and the people of Kaiama, saying the incident again underscored the reason for more institutional checks on water travel. 

    He also conveyed the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the monarch and the people of Kaiama, saying a delegation of the President could not proceed to Kwara on Thursday because of the bad weather that prevented them from flying. 

    “We have come to again register our condolences over the sad incident. May Allaah forgive our compatriots who died in the mishap,” he told the Emir.

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    “The government is supporting the people affected with the sums of N100m. We feel very sad. It is also important that no one who is embarking or disembarking from boat in Kwara is allowed to do so without a life jacket. Anyone who does so will have to face penalties. We also call on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to, as a matter of oversight, ensure that people who board boats must use life jackets.”

    The Emir commended the Governor for the visit and for sending a powerful delegation to the affected community, Gwajibo, led by Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu. 

    The Emir said while the incident was an act of God, as no soul can die without His knowledge, it was important for people to respect safety rules such as using life jackets and avoiding overloading and night journey. 

    He thanked the Governor for the donation and his constant support for the people, including efforts to hire teachers from the grassroots. 

  • Kwara Gov prays for peace, progress in colourful Eid-el-Kabir

    Kwara Gov prays for peace, progress in colourful Eid-el-Kabir

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has prayed to Allaah to make peace, unity, and progress permanent features of the state and Nigeria, urging citizens to unite and work for a better country.

    In a short interview after observing the Eid prayers, the Governor said: “Yesterday, the Amirul Hajj for Kwara, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, reached out to me from the Holy land and asked for my prayer points. I said my prayer for Nigeria is unity, peace, and progress. 

    “Today, my message is same: unity, peace, and progress. For those of us who have seen today, we say AlhamduliLlaah. For those who have departed, we say may Allaah grant them Al-jannah Firdaus.”

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    The Governor arrived the Ilorin Eid praying ground with brother the Mutawali of Ilorin Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, closely followed by Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central); House of Representatives members Ahmad Yinka Aluko and Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya; House Leader Oba Magaji; House of Assembly members; Chief of Staff Prince Abdulkadir Mahe; and many other cabinet members. 

    The prayer got underway around 10:30 a.m. after the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari entered the praying ground alongside the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Mohammad Bashir Soliu.

    In what underlined the peaceful atmosphere that the state enjoys under the Governor, the Eid prayer was attended by a rainbow of senior citizens, statesmen,  and title holders from across the Emirate.

    The Emir prayed for continuous peace and prosperity for the state and Nigeria, urging unity among sons and daughters of the Emirate.

  • Kwara Gov inaugurates multi-sectoral committee on food security

    Kwara Gov inaugurates multi-sectoral committee on food security

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated a multi-sectoral state working committee on food security, charging them to work with all stakeholders to ensure that people have access to affordable food.

    The committee comprises the Governor as the chairman; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Oluwatoyosi Adebayo Thomas; Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs; state coordinator of the federal ministry of agriculture; NAGS-AP State Focal Person; representative of the River Basin Development Authority (RBDA); representative of the State ADPs; representative of ICT Providers servicing the state; representatives of relevant commodity associations — AFAN, Maize Cassava, Soybean, rice; bank of agriculture; Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc); and representative of the state traditional council and Etsu Tsaragi Alhaji Aliyu Kpotwa Abdullahi.

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    The committee is to develop strategies, policies and initiatives to address food security challenges and promote sustainable agricultural practices, among other things.

    Inaugurating the committee on Monday morning, the Governor said its members are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that every citizen in the state has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.

    “As we embark on this journey, we must acknowledge the challenges ahead. Climate change, population growth, and economic instability threaten to disrupt food production and access. Yet we must remain steadfast in our commitment to overcoming these obstacles. We’ll focus on supporting smallholder farmers, empowering rural communities, and leveraging innovation and technology,” he said.

    “I urge each committee member to approach their role with dedication and compassion. Our success will be measured not so much by the policies we formulate but by the tangible impact we have on the lives of our fellow citizens.

    “Let us work together, drawing upon our collective expertise, network, and experience to develop solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity in our state.”

    Adebayo-Thomas, for her part, said the committee has its work cut out for it and would work round the clock to achieve the objective of making Kwara self-sufficient in food.

    Managing Director of Lower Niger RBDA Dr. Adeniyi Saheed Aremu said it is important for Nigeria to feed itself, asking the committee to remain committed to its terms of reference.

    The Etsu Tsaragi also commended the Governor for setting up the committee, calling for effective collaboration with all the commodities’ associations in the important task.

  • Pay my 21 years’ salary arrears, 101-year-old monarch appeals to Kwara gov

    Pay my 21 years’ salary arrears, 101-year-old monarch appeals to Kwara gov

    The traditional ruler of Jebba community, in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Abdulkadir. A. Adebara yesterday urged Governor AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq to pay his 21 years of unpaid personal emoluments and other allowances.

    Speaking with reporters in Jebba, Oba Adebara, who is 101- year-old, urged the governor to obey court judgment ordering the restoration of his third-class status stool.

    “I am begging the government to do the needful by giving me my needed position on the throne. I beg him to do the right thing for me by paying my 21 years’ unpaid salaries,” the monarch said.

    Aligning with the monarch, the Eesa of Jebbaland, Chief Jaiyeola Omotosho, demanded the upgrading of the stool from third class status to first class as was the case of his other colleagues in parts of the state. Omotosho recalled that a Kwara State High sitting in Ilorin on January 29, 2014, upheld Oba Adebara’s appointment and grading as 3rd class monarch, describing it as legal, valid, and subsisting.

    He added that past governments in the state made unsuccessful attempts to appeal the judgment.

    “Ever since the judgment, several letters have been written to both past and present governments for the implementation of the court judgment, starting with the payment of all withheld salaries, allowances, and other personal emoluments, all to no avail.

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    “The last straw that broke the camel’s back is the Oba of Jebba’s letter of appeal to Governor AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq dated August 31st, 2023 requesting the payment of his emoluments and the implementation of the court judgment.

    “We have strong reasons to believe that some officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs working in cohorts with one or two traditional rulers are out to frustrate the payment of the accumulated salaries and allowances of our monarch.

    “These traditional rulers had vowed that as long as they lived, the Oba of Jebba would not earn any salary. That perhaps, is their second worst option having failed to dethrone the Oba through malicious criminal charges.

    “We, therefore, request that Governor Abdulrazaq direct his searchlight on the state ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs over the alleged removal from circulation of the relevant subject file on Oba of Jebba’s request.”

    He called on the state governor to “immediately constitute a separate traditional council for Moro Local Government and an immediate upgrading of the stool of Jebba to first-class status in line with his contemporaries of 1983.”