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Tag: Kwara State

  • Kwara APC, Belgore mourn Bamigboye

    The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a governorship aspirant under the platform of the party, Mohammed Belgore, have mourned the death of the first military governor of the state, Brig-General David Bamigboye (rtd).

    APC described Bamigboye’s death as the closure of a book entitled ‘a man of many firsts’. APC in a statement by its party’s chairman, Hon. Bashir Bolarinwa,

    said, the late military governor of Kwara State had a vision for a great Kwara State when he laid the  foundation for many enduring legacies.

    The statement reads: “Late General Bamigboye had a great vision for our dear state when he laid foundation for larger Kwara State through a robust civil service. He was concerned about intellectual development of the state when he established Kwara Tech (now Kwara

    State Polytechnic) and many government secondary schools. He built Kwara State Government House, Kwara State first secretariat, many general hospitals and rural health centres.

    “He also established the Kwara Furniture Company, Kwara Water Corporation, Kwara Hotels, Herald newspaper and provided scholarships for Kwara indigenes in higher institutions, among other outstanding legacies he left behind.”

    General Bamigboye during his reign as the longest serving military governor (1967 – 1975) built and sustained unity amongst all indigenes of the state which culminated in the production of outstanding scholars, civil servants, jurists, professionals, entrepreneurs and other great Kwarans in various fields of human endeavour.”

    Bolarinwa said that the first military governor will be missed at the inauguration of a new progressive government in 2019. “It is a great concern to us that the first military governor of our dear state will not be in attendance when our government will be inaugurated next year.

    “A Brigadier-General of the Nigerian Army, the elder statesman contributed his fair quota to national development and he would be sorely missed.

    “I commiserate with his family, our people of Omu-Aran and of Kwara as a whole. I pray the Almighty God to rest his soul and comfort the family.”

  • Saraki mourns first military governor of Kwara State

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday expressed sadness over the death of the first Military Governor of Kwara State, Brigadier General David Bamigboye (rtd).

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late Bamigboye as a torch-bearer who laid a solid foundation for the development of Kwara State.

    He stated that the late Bamigboye was an officer and gentleman who lived an impactful life and left his footprints on the sands of time.

    Saraki stated: “Brigadier General Femi David Bamigboye, led Kwara State through its formative years as the first military governor.  His great work and commitment to the development of our State cannot be over-emphasized. He was a true son of Kwara State.

    Read Also: Presidency tackles Saraki for disparaging Buhari

    “His passage represents a colossal loss to the Government and people of Kwara State in particular and Nigeria in general. I join all Kwarans, and indeed, all Nigerians in celebrating the life and accomplishments of the late General. He will be dearly missed,” he stated.

    The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and all Kwarans over the irreparable loss.

    He prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • 2019: Group to mobilize thousands of Kwara youths for APC

    The All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF), the youth wing of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state is set to mobilize thousands of youths across the state to ensure APC emerges victorious in the presidential, governorship elections and all other positions across the state in the 2019 elections.

    The group added that “That this is the time to liberate the people of the state from the grip of tyrannical leadership.”

    State Coordinator of APYF Tunde Salau added that the forum is “looking forward to organizing an interactive forum with the aspirants; wherein the governorship aspirants will have a face-to-face discussion with the youths on issues or challenges affecting the youth and how they (the aspirants) plan to tackle such challenges if they eventually occupy the number one seat in the state.

    Comrade Salau hailed Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the state APC chair Hon. Bashir Bolarinwa, for organizing a successful parley for all APC governorship aspirants in the state.

    Read Also: Kwara teachers protest unpaid salary

    APC on Wednesday this week organized a parley with all the 12 governorship aspirants in the state.

    Salau said members of the forum were impressed with the success of the programme being the first of its kind in the history of not only in Kwara, but in Nigerian politics.

    “We believe that there was no place in the history of Nigerian politics where aspirants of the same political party were given an opportunity to present their manifestos to the electorates in an organised setting.

    He added that “This singular act demonstrates the uncommon leadership charisma of the minister and the party chairman Bashir Bolarinwa for encouraging transparency, accountability and unity in the party and among the aspirants who saw themselves as brothers and partners in progress during the programme.”

     

  • Offa robbery: IGP directs service of summons on Saraki

    *Court fixes Oct 3 for report of service

     

    The Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Ibrahim Idris has directed that court summons and other processes issued by a court in Abuja in relation to a criminal complaint brought against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki be served on him.

    To this end, the IGP has detailed a unit within the Nigeria Police Force’s Legal Department, Force headquarters, Abuja to ensure the prompt delivery of the court processes on Saraki before the next date, October 3 this year.

    A lawyer, E. S. Marcus, disclosed this development on Monday at the resumed proceedings in a criminal complaint made against Saraki by an Abuja-based lawyer and rights activist, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, in relation to the ongoing investigation by the police into the April 5, 2018 bank robbery incident in Offa, Kwara State.

    In the complaint marked: CR/196/2018, filed under Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Ojaomo argued that Saraki’s alleged refusal to honour an invitation allegedly sent to him by the police, in relation to the Offa robbery investigation, amounted to the offences of “obstructing a criminal investigation and disobeying a public officer carrying out a lawful responsibility.”

    The judge handling the case at the Grade 1 Area Court, Aco Estate, Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Justice Abdullahi Garuba Ogbede had, on September 10 this year, ordered the issuance of summons on the IGP following Saraki’s absence in court when the case, in which he (Saraki) is listed as the sole defendant, was called.

    The judge had summoned the IGP to attend court on September 17 to show cause why Saraki was absent in court and what efforts he had made to ensure his appearance.

    On Monday, Marcus, who is Ojaomo’s lawyer, told the court that although the IGP and Saraki were absent in court, he was informed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, identified as Mahmoud that the IGP has directed a unit to ensure the delivery of all processes in relation to the case on Saraki.

    He said: “The defendant is not in court. At the last date, the court issued a witness summons on the IGP to come and show cause why the police failed to effect service of the criminal summons, warrant of arrest and other processes on the defendant.

    “The witness summons was served on the Nigeria Police Force by the court’s registry.

    “However, we received a call from DSP Mahmoud of the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, that the matter has been assigned by the IGP to a particular unit of the NPF to effect the service of the summons on the defendant and arrest him.”

    Marcus urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable the police effect service of the processes on the defendant.

    Justice Ogbede acceded to Marcus’ request and adjourned the case to October 3.

    The criminal complaint by Ojaomo reads: “Criminal complaint brought pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Please, cause a summons for a direct criminal complaint on the defendant on the following terms:

    “That you, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on or about the 24th day of July 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did refuse to honour the invitation of the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force to report at the police headquarters in FCT, Abuja to answer to an allegation involving the investigation of some criminal suspects involved in a case which the Nigeria Police Force is currently investigating, thereby obstructing a criminal investigation and disobeying a public officer carrying out a lawful responsibility .

    “You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 136 and 149 of the Penal Code Law. Whereas, the complainant is praying the court to charge the defendant accordingly.”

    Ordinarily, the service of the processes on Saraki ought to be effected by the complainant, but Marcus explained that when his client could not serve the defendant as ordered by the court, he applied, under Section 122 of the ACJA, to the IGP to help effect service on the defendant.

    He said the IGP was required, under the law, to either produce the defendant in court or attend court to explain why the defendant was absent, a position that informed the court’s September 10 order on the IGP.

  • 980,425 PVCs collected in Kwara

    262, 823 not yet collected

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said that between 2015 and 2018, 980,425 permanent voter cards (PVCs) have been collected in Kwara state.

    INEC added that many Nigerians are not aware of the enormous powers embedded in the voting facility.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mallam Garba Attahiru Madami said this in Ilorin, the state capital while playing host to the state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its Chairman, Comrade Umar Abdulwahab.

    Madami said that a total of 264,823 PVCs were yet to be claimed by their owners in the state, adding that only 50,571 voters collected the card between 2017/2018.

    He decried voter registration apathy in the state and pointed out that Kwara was at the bottom in the just concluded exercise when compared to other states.

    In spite of the challenges, the REC expressed confidence the 2019 general elections would be the best in the country, saying the commission was duty bound to conduct free, fair and credible polls.

    Madami said INEC had put in place measures to address the challenges, declaring that “I want the state to be rated best”.

    He, however, urged the media to be wary of fake news, crosscheck facts and figures and refer to the commission when need arises so as not to mislead the public.

    “Our duty is to conduct free, fair and credible election. That we will do. 2019 election will be the best in the country I want to assure you.

    INEC has put in place many things to address the challenges, we have mapped out strategies. I’m confident it would be the best.

    Read Also: 463,186 PVCs uncollected

    “Our doors are opened for any information. But let me quickly add that voter registration in Kwara is very poor. Kwara is at the bottom in the voter registration when compared to other states. Less than one million people obtained PVC in Kwara, only 50,000 added to this between 2017 and 2018.

    “Another thing is that many voters don’t know the power of PVC. We will start with that.

    I want to therefore urge the media to check fake news. We are going to give you maximum cooperation to make your job easier. We are in Kwara to conduct free and fair election in Kwara. I want the state to be rated best”, Madami said.

    In his remarks, the state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Umar Abdulwahab, said the union had enjoyed cordial relationship with the electoral umpire and added that it should be sustained especially now that the elections are around the corner.

    He, however, stressed the need to make available right information at the appropriate time if the era of fake news must be ended.

    The NUJ chairman urged the commission to allow the union handle accreditation of journalists that would be assigned to cover the forthcoming general elections in the state as exemplified in the Ekiti governorship poll held few weeks ago.

  • Ex-sport minister joins Kwara PDP governorship race

    Vows to end youth restiveness

     

    Former Sports Minister Mallam Bolaji Abudllahi on Wednesday joined the Kwara state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship race. Abdullahi, who is also an ex-spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made the declaration in Ilorin, the state capital at a well-attended event by PDP bigwigs and top government functionaries in the state.

    He urged Kwarans to support his aspiration, describing himself as son of a tailor “who became somebody through God and Bukola Saraki.”

    The former minister decried the rate of youth’s disillusionment in the state, adding that “if we don’t solve the problems of the youths, the youths will consume us.”

    He said that youths are the greatest asset as well as the challenge the state has over the years, been grappling with.

    In his manifesto dubbed “Kwara 2019: Agenda for youth empowerment and investment in people,” the governorship hopeful described Senate President Bukola Saraki’s tenure as governor as mandate one, current Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as mandate two and his own mandate three.

    Mallam Abdullahi said “Mandate three will be defined by its commitment to youth development as well as its focus on health, education and social protection, especially for the poor and the vulnerable.

    Read Also: Kwara governor picks Senate nomination form

    “Government’s priority will reflect the principle that the bulk of our resources should be invested in the bulk of the population—the children and the youths. Government will pursue an economic and social agenda that prioritizes youth empowerment through skills and capacity development, job creation and entrepreneurship.

    “Kwara state has an estimated population of 3.2 million, occupying 36,000 square kilometres of landmass. This population is believed to increase at the rate of 3.49 percent each year, which is above the national average of 2.6 percent per year. If the current increase rate is maintained, the state’s population would be close to five million by 2029.

    “Current demographic patterns indicate that 61 percent of the state’s population is of the age of 0-19. this severe population bulge of children and young adults makes the present and future challenges grimly clear.

    “Analysis of the state’s demography also indicates that about 30 percent of the population is in the 20-49 age category. As those in the upper end of the 0-19 join this category, the youth unemployment challenge would get even bigger and government would face even more severe pressure to provide jobs for close to a million of its population.”

  • Kwara PDP alleges illegal PVC’s collection

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State on Monday raised the alarm over illegal collect of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s permanent voters cards (PVC).

    The party added that the PVCs were being allegedly collected from house-to-house by some staff of a radio station.

    In a statement, PDP spokesperson in the state, Mr Tunde Ashaolu alleged that staff of the said radio station have been moving round houses in Ilorin, luring people to release their PVCs in exchange for loans.

    The party said this move was aimed at using the collected PVCs to manipulate the outcome of the 2019 general elections in the State.

    “As a party, we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the general public, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to be aware and stand up against this dubious act orchestrated by opposition elements as it is capable of truncating our democracy,” the statement reads.

    Read Also: Kwara PDP members defect to APC

    The PDP also urged all Kwarans and residents of the State to resist every attempt by political opportunists and their agents to lure them into releasing their PVCs for pecuniary gains.

    It also charged them to see their PVC as a tool to elect representatives of their choice, and should, therefore, not release it to anybody or group.

    The party also warned politicians to stop alleged criminal and unauthorised collection of PVCs from the people, stressing that voters have the inalienable right to vote for candidates of their choice.

  • Kwara suffers from development deficits, says Issa Aremu

    Ahead of today’s governorship primaries of the Labour Party (LP) in Kwara state, governorship aspirant of the party, Comrade Issa Aremu has said that the state suffers from huge development deficits.

    The frontline labour leader said if elected the governor of the state, he would rebuild Kwara state from what he called “Ghetto” of poverty into land of prosperity and common wealth for all.”

    He promised to do that “Through selflessness, statesmanship, entrepreneurship, compassion, managing diversity, equality, inclusiveness, sense of justice and fairness.

    He said his promised stewardship will be a continuation of his selfless and tested struggle within the national, African and global labour movement spanning four decades.”

    Comrade Aremu said this in Ilorin, the state capital when he visited the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari for royal blessing on his ambition

    He promised to draw on the experience of traditional authorities with respect to governance and leadership if elected to office in all the communities that make up Kwara state.

    He vowed to revive old industries in the state, adding that new ones will be created for the benefit of the teeming unemployed youth in the state.

    He said that the manifesto of LP recognizes that traditional rulers are the real custodians of the traditional institutions and cultural values of the Nigerian people and that in this capacity they play a very important leadership role at the grassroots level.

    In a remark, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari described the aspirant as a competent candidate who is fit, by all standards, to be the state governor and even the president of this country.

    Read Also: Torrential rains wreak havoc in Kwara

    The Emir said the LP governorship candidate is a man with a versed knowledge and wealth of experience who according to him has been a mover and shaker of this country and beyond.

    He said that his leadership quality has given him the ample opportunity and recognition to have been nominated at different times to represent Kwara, Nigeria and even Africa in general at different fora.

    Alhaji Sulu Gambari said Comrade Aremu was one of the leading figures at the former National Confab that was set up by the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

    The Emir said Comrade Aremu has every right to contest for any political office of his choice in view of his track record of achievements and prayed God to be with him and guide him in the task

     

  • Torrential rains wreak havoc in Kwara

    Torrential rains that lasted many hours in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital have wreaked havoc causing huge floods in the metropolis.

    In the aftermath of the floods, property worth millions of naira has been lost to the menace.

    It was gathered that the rains, which started around 8:00pm on Thursday, pounded the earth till early hours of on Friday.

    Some of the affected areas include Harmony Estate, Akerebiata, Gerin Alimi, Isale Koko, and Kulende among other parts of the metropolis.

    It was also gathered that the flood swept many vehicles, several meters away, from where they were parked in some areas.

    Among affected victims of the floods were concrete block makers and traders who had outlets along the roads and selling such items as bagged food items, tailoring materials and household items, among other wares.

    It was also gathered that chillers, used in refrigerating drinks by soft drink shop owners, were destroyed by the rain that entered their shops.

    Some residents of the affected areas said that effect of the floods was made worse due to narrow drainages, thus flooding the affected homes and shops.

    The state government has therefore; advised residents of the state living along banks of River Niger to immediately relocate to safer areas to avoid loss of lives and property that could result from impending flooding.

    Read Also: Kwara to secure life, property

    The State Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Mr Amos Justus, said the directive followed the alert of looming flooding issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).

    He, therefore, called on residents of riverine communities in Lafiagi, Patigi, Jebba and other flood-prone areas in the state to immediately relocate to avoid casualties.

    The commissioner assured that his ministry would ensure strict compliance, and also urged residents of the state to shun indiscriminate dumping of refuse in water ways.

    NiHSA on Wednesday warned of possible flooding in seven states of the federation including Kwara. Other vulnerable states identified by the agency are Niger, Kebbi, Kogi, Delta, Anambra and Bayelsa.

    The agency disclosed that both Kainji and Jebba dams were already spilling water downstream while the level of water in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital has exceeded the corresponding value in 2012.

  • Saraki’s Presidential aspiration a huge joke – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Wednesday that Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki lacked the capacity to become the President of Nigeria, describing his aspirations as a huge joke.

    The party challenged the Senate President to showcase his achievement in his eight years in office as governor of Kwara State that qualifies him for the office of the President, pointing out that a presidential candidate aspirant who is promising to create jobs and infrastructures should have evidence of his past achievement in that area.

    Read Also:Saraki heads 85-member PDP’s Osun campaign council

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that as Senate President, Saraki used the position to superintend over budget padding, sabotage the executive by frustrating confirmation of presidential nominees among others.

    The statement reads: “At last, the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has declared his intention to run for the Presidency of Nigeria. While the All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomes him to the race as it is his right to do so as a Nigerian Citizen, there are however many issues that border on his integrity, antecedents, competence and capability to preside over the affairs of the country.

    “Meanwhile, we are not unaware of reports that Saraki’s presidential declaration is his tactic to deflect attention from the deluge of issues he deals with particularly ahead of the 2019 General Elections i.e. pressure to reconvene the National Assembly, a fast shifting political order in Kwara State, among others.

    “Saraki in his declaration speech stated among others:
    •       I have decided to heed the call of teeming youths who have asked me to run for the Presidency.
    •       I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria.
    •       I will address our infrastructural deficiency through aggressive financial initiatives.
    •       Our fight against corruption will be on deterrence.
    •       I offer leadership driven by empathy.

    “On these few points, we are mindful of the popular axiom: “By their fruits, we shall know them”. By virtue of Saraki’s antecedents, he is an abysmal failure and is totally incompetent to offer himself as a candidate for leadership of Nigeria.

    “As Kwara State Governor, was his Shonga Agricultural Programme not a white elephant project in which hundreds of millions of State funds was sunk into? “The infrastructure, particularly roads network in Kwara State in which the present administration remains under his tight grip and political machinations long after leaving office, remains deplorable while state resources is mismanaged through corrupt enrichment.

    “A Presidential aspirant, who promises to create jobs and turn around the economy at the national level, must have done so in a state he served as Governor for eight years. We challenge Saraki to give the nation his scorecard as a Kwara State.

    “As Senate President, how Saraki used the position to superintend over budget padding, sabotage of the executive by frustrating confirmation of presidential nominees, stalling legislative approvals for election budgets and his recent shadow boxing on the Electoral Act, among other treacherous actions against the APC (which he was then a member) in pursuit of his selfish political interests has been well reported.

    “Was Saraki’s Senate Presidency not a journey of shame and disgrace? – moving from one Court or Tribunal to another over charges of forgery of Senate Rules, false declaration of assets, and being linked with armed robbers who brutally killed and maimed innocent residents in Offa recently.

    “Saraki says he is heeding the call of Nigerian youths to contest the Presidency. We are not aware of any meeting of Nigerian youths held during which they decided that. For the record, the #NotTooYoungToRun group berated Saraki for selfishly using their forum to make his presidential declaration.

    “We are not surprised by Saraki’s selfish actions as it has come to define his politics and persona. Saraki says he will offer leadership driven by empathy. Coming from an incredibly selfish and self-opinionated politician this is indeed an irony.

    “Saraki’s Presidential aspiration is a huge joke and should not be taken seriously. He has repeatedly displayed his character as extremely selfish, deceitful, untrustworthy and unreliable. His only goal is to get to the top, stay at the top, ruin or wreck whatever he finds there or in the event of failure, collapse the system or process.

    “Nigerians have had enough of Dr. Bukola Saraki’s retrogressive and disruptive style of politics and deserve no more.”