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Tag: Kwara State

  • Offa robbery: Ahmed promises to build up security

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Tuesday vowed not leave any stone upturned to strengthen security of lives and property across the state.

    The governor said this in Ilorin, the state capital when he received delegation from Omu-Aran, Irepodun local government area of the state.

    The delegation was led by the National President of Omu-Aran Development Association, Chief Bisi Adeyemi.

    He explained that his government would put necessary logistics in place to beef up security in the state.

    He further stressed that Kwara under his watch would be made conducive for investors by putting necessary logistics in place to address any threat to security.

    The governor also spoke of his government’s resolve to accord necessary respect to traditional institutions in the state not only as a custodian of culture and traditions but as stabilizer of peace and understanding.

    Read Also: Ahmed’s aide resigns, stays in APC

    He also congratulated the community on the peaceful nomination of a new Olomu, explaining that the peaceful process of nomination further confirmed the spirit of inclusiveness in the community.

    He explained that his government is committed to even deployment of infrastructures across the state without discrimination against anyone.

    Chief Bisi Adeyemi had earlier in his remarks told the Governor that they were in the Government House to appreciate him for his support during the demise of the late Olomu.

    He also urged the governor to improve the state government’s presence in the community by improving road network in the ancient town.

     

  • We are behind Saraki, says Kwara community

    Disowns son on comments against Saraki

     

    Leaders of Ajikobi/Agbaji ward in Ilorin, Kwara state on Saturday said they are solidly behind Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Saraki hails from Agbaji, Ilorin West local government area of the state.

    The people added that Saraki’s leadership of the state had brought phenomenal development to the area.

    The leaders dismissed claims by one of their sons that the community had purportedly rejected Senator Saraki.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin,  the community leaders said not only do they recognise and accept Saraki’s leadership they are also in support of his presidential aspiration.

    A member of the community and an avid critic of Saraki, Alhaji Omar Ayelabegan, had reportedly claimed that the community was no longer comfortable with Saraki, alleging that his leadership had not brought tangible development to his community.

    Spokesman for the Ajikobi/Agbaji ward, Alhaji Tayo Moyosore said Omar Ayelabegan was not a significant voice in the politics of the area but was merely being used by those who have been trying in vain to remove Saraki as Senate President.

    The community leader said contrary to the picture painted by Ayelabegan, the Senate President had instituted developmental projects that have very positive effects on the socio- economic development of the state  as well being of the people of the state.

    Said he: “To start with, Omar Yusuf Ayelabegan is not a force to be reckoned with, either as a politician or community leader in Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward of Ilorin West local government area in Kwara Central senatorial district. Therefore, he lacks the pedigree to speak for or on behalf of the learned and well respected people of Agbaji/Ajikobi ward. He was at best doing the bidding of his paymasters who have tried in vain to unseat the best Senate President Nigeria had ever produced.

    “While we, the authentic representatives of Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward want to put a lie to all the claims of Ayelabegan in his statement. We make bold to say that Saraki’s leadership of our the state had brought relief to the greatest number of the people of Kwara state.

    “We want to unequivocally declare that the entire people of Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward are solidly behind our great son, the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON and we shall never cease supporting him. We are indeed very proud of Dr Bukola Saraki’s achievements both as a former governor of Kwara state and as the President of the performing 8th Senate.

    “We also received the news of his declaration to run for the presidential election next year with great excitement. We have no doubt in our minds that given the chance to rule Nigeria, Saraki will deliver the good because he has all it takes to provide good leadership for the country at the presidency level.

    “We, therefore, urge Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnic and political affiliations to support our son, Saraki, to clinch the presidency come February next year so that we can achieve the country of our dream. Our experience in the past three years had shown that Nigeria really need a brilliant, energetic and youthful political leader like Saraki to move the nation forward.

    Read Also: PDP holds solidarity rally for Saraki in Kwara

    “Saraki’s records of achievements as two- term governor of the state are too physical on the ground even for a blind to see or feel.  And as the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, as a true son of the soil and purposeful leader, has used his good offices to attract monumental infrastructure projects to the state.

    “The ongoing construction of the Federal Medical Centre at Foma/Okoolowo axis of Ilorin suffice here as a good example. Not only this, our God sent leader has also executed numerous constituency projects in education and health sector as well road construction and erosion control. He has also used his vintage position to secure federal job opportunities for numerous youths in the state.

    “This is aside from his scholarship schemes for students across secondary and tertiary education levels as well as training of the youths in skills acquisition. Currently 700 Kwara youths are undergoing training programme on installation and maintenance of solar energy at the instance of the Senate President. He has also promised to equip the training after the completion of their training.

    “We, therefore, want to use this forum to urge members of the public to disregard the incoherent rantings of Omar Yusuf Ayelabegan. He’s not the spokesman of our community and nobody mandated him to speak on behalf of the Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward.

    Also speaking at the event, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leader, Ajikobi Ward, Alhaji  Yunus  Abolakale,  equally dismissed the claims by Ayelabegan saying on the contrary  youths and other groups in the community have accepted the leadership of Saraki and would continue to back him.

    He enumerated several projects undertaken by Saraki at Agbaji /Ajikobi ward saying the Senate President remains a true and committed indigenes of the community.

  • ‘Saraki’s ambition will expose his years as governor’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state has said that the decision of the Senate President Bukola Saraki to run for the highest office of the land will allow a peep into his tenure as the governor of the state between 2003 and 2011.

    In a statement, the state Caretaker Committee Chair, Bashir Bolarinwa said “it is also an inalienable right of the people of the state he once governed to bring the past before him.

    “Dr. Saraki is a Nigerian, and one of his rights is to vote and be voted for. However, he had, had an opportunity in the past to be elected as the Chief Executive of Kwara State, whose sojourn attracted more stunted growth, unproductive ventures and large scale fraud to the good people of the State.

    “Shonga farm was an initiative of Dr. Saraki which repatriated Zimbabwean white farmers here, who were hitherto sent away from their former settlement at the expense of the original land owners. As we speak, young, energetic and promising farmers who knew nothing than planting of rice are currently in Ilorin riding Okada after they were forcefully ejected from their natural homes and places of usefulness.

    “That the Shonga farm venture is a fraud is an understatement because until now no traces of the farm produce can be found in our local market. Last time we had a trace of the dairy farm -everyone who consumed it ran uncontrollable stool.

    “We have seen the rice that came out of Lagos/Kebbi joint venture called Lake rice, we have seen Coscharis rice venture in Anambra and Abakaliki rice from Ebonyi among other credible and profitable ventures.

    “If a man has so much defrauded a state by using state assets to secure bank facility for ejected white farmers from other places in Africa at the expense of young, energetic and promising farmers and he now profess to seek to represent such youths; he must be living in the utopian world.

    Read Also: Saraki’s ambition almost destroyed APC — Oshiomhole

    “We will ask him too, what has become of the the Ilorin airport cargo terminal which he so much hyped as a means of lifting agricultural produce from the state?”

    Bolarinwa said the new bid of Dr. Saraki will rather be an exposee that will bring out, rot perpetuated and coordinated by Dr. Saraki’s rule in our dear state than the exploits he seeks through the unrealistic and wild dream of becoming Nigerian President.

    “Every sector in Kwara State today is laying flat -education is under threat with massive infrastructural deficits and lack of motivation for teachers. There is no policy on rural integration, not to talk of accessible roads. There is a total neglect and lack of capacity for urban renewal. Life expectancy has reduced and our people wallowing in untold hardship occasioned by inhuman tax regime.

    “Those are the legacies of Saraki’s eight year rule in Kwara State and carried to the next level by his godson, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, whose government is running on “legacy continues”.

    “These are some of the profound legacies of Dr. Saraki in Kwara State and he feels Nigerians will need a taste of it, even at the national level. God forbid!” Bolarinwa asserted.

     

  • We ‘re tired of Saraki dynasty— Ilorin clan

    The people of Ajikobi Ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State said yesterday that they are  tired of the Saraki dynasty and have resolved to reject the family head ,Senate President Bukola Saraki,  or anyone  he puts forward for election in the area.

    A leader of the community , Alhaji Omar Aiyelabegan, told reporters in Ilorin,the state capital,that  nobody would succumb to Saraki’s dictates  again.

    “We have our independent mind, even my children have a right to belong to where it will benefit them.We are tired of Bukola Saraki,” Aiyelabegan  said.

    Aiyelabegan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara said the Senate President was never chosen by the people as their  leader.

    He claimed that  the people chose to be silent at the self-imposed leadership of the Saraki family adding that the Senate President has done little or nothing for the development of the area.

    His words:“the people of Kwara have never had it right from the time the Saraki family decided not only to be king makers but as king in addition.

    “Since then up-to-date  we, at the grassroots, have become the prisoners of the family – like chickens or sheep ready for roasting or for pepper soup at any time election is approaching.

    “It is only when election is approaching that they dangle carrots as empowerment for the long forgotten electorate, to woo them.

    “Kwara people are never given the chance to make representations ?on matters that concern them in government, either at the executive or legislative levels

    Aiyelabegan did not spare Governor  Abdulfatah Ahmed who he said has also failed the people of the state.

    “These deceptions are enough! No road, poor educational system, poor health system, no water; agriculture is nil, no salaries for some categories of workers for months,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted him as saying.

    “Pensioners are denied of their entitlements. Nothing is working in Kwara.”

  • Saraki associates resign appointments in Kwara APC

    Ten members of the dissolved Ishola Balogun – Fulani led executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state, Thursday have resigned their appointments.

    The dissolved executive members  have been laying claim to their positions.

    Read Also:Aisha Buhari charges APC women on unity, dialogue

    The National Working Committee of the APC had dissolved the state executives led by Ishola Balogun-Fulani shortly after the gale of defection of APC members to PDP in the state. The NWC thereafter set up a caretaker committee headed by Hon Bashir Bolarinwa.

    However, a Kwara state High Court ruled that the Ishola Balogun-Fulani led executive is the one recognised by law.

    Leading the pack of those who resigned are the former state women leader, Ramat Oganija and the state the publicity secretary, Buhari Sulyman who resigned.

    Other APC officers that have resigned their appointments include Mohammed Halliru (Asst. Welfare Secretary) ,Isiaka oniwa (North senatorial chairman), Jimoh Adesina (Central Senatorial Chairman), Katum mohammed (Organizing Secretary), Ramat Ibrahim (Financial Secretary),Jinatu ibrahim (North Women Leader),Atiku Abdurahman (North Senatorial Chairman) and  Sunkanmi Ereoye (South Senatorial Youth Leader).

    In his letter of resignation, Alhaji Buhari said his resignation was occasioned by the national leadership of APC who he accused of causing crises in the state chapter.

    He added that there was also lack of reward system in the party” we toiled to build from the scratch.”

    The letter reads: I wish to notify you of my resignation from the position of the publicity secretary of the APC in Kwara state. I have also resigned my membership of the party with immediate effect.

    “My resignation is based on litany of issues, chief among the issues is that the national leadership of the APC, through its actions, has continued to directly fuel crises in the state chapter of the party at the detriment of those of us who toiled day and night for years to ensure the ultimate victory of the APC at the polls.”

  • Group recommends death sentence for rapists

    No fewer than 3,000 youths have staged a walk campaigning against rape, gender based violence and other social vices in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The walk against rape and gender based violence took off from the Kwara State Stadium complex through major streets of Ilorin metropolis and terminated at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat along Offa road on Saturday last week.

    The campaign was put together by a non-governmental organization (NGO), SAAB Foundation. Founder of the NGO, Miss Saadat Bibire, said the campaign was motivated by the need to create awareness in the public to kick against the menace of rape and gender based intimidation.

    Miss Bibire described rape as a criminal offence that should be meted with commensurate punishment which is death.

    In the alternative, she recommended the castration of anybody found to culpable of raping.

    Said she: “We need to make somebody a scapegoat. I always make reference to Saudi Arabia. In that country if you rape somebody it is a death sentence. That is why they don’t indulge in rape over there, but in Nigeria rape is a bailable offence. Rape equals murder. A murderer knows he will be killed, so rapists should be killed. If there is a scapegoat, there will be a reduction in the level of rape cases in the country. In the alternative to death sentence for rapist, the rapist can be castrated to serve as deterrent to others.

    “Violence should also be taken more seriously. Kudos to Lagos and Kwara state governments for trying to make sure rape cases are not so rampant in their domains. In as much as that some bad eggs still exists to dwarf their efforts. There should be a strict law that actually scares people away from committing rape in the society.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari ‘ll win, says campaign group

    “Sadly, the society makes it difficult for victims to speak up because if you speak up, they stigmatise you. It is the stigmatization that is making the victims to speak up. Which is very bad, it is not their fault. This is why we have very low reportage in rape cases. They ask you questions like what were you wearing? Or where were you going to?

    I am a citizen of Nigeria I can go anywhere I like. I have my freedom of movement etc.

    “Therefore, I calling of the Federal Government to review and strengthen the rape cases law. Personally, they reviewed the violence against women law recently, but they still have done the needful.

    There is a line that says that to prove rape, there must be an eyewitness. That is totally wrong. That line should be expunged.

    “The 3rd annual rally and seminar is to campaign against gender based violence, such as rape, domestic violence, child abuse and mutilation.

    We are also standing to fight for the right of women in the society.”

    She added that her foundation plans to provide healing and support for victims of rape and further engage teens and youths in preventive and anti-rape programs and ensuring that adequate punishment is meted out against perpetrators.

  • Diezani ‘bribe’: INEC chiefs seek case transfer

    A former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State Mr Christian Nwosu on Thursday said Justice Mohammed Idris lacks the jurisdiction to try him.

    He said the judge ought to transfer the case to another judge having been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Nwosu at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly accepting gratification from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (“still at large”).

    He was re-arraigned along with Tijani Bashir before Justice Idris.

    They were charged with another INEC official Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Nwosu had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results, but he changed his plea to not guilty.

    EFCC said they allegedly conspired to directly take possession of N264,880.000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.

    They also allegedly made cash payment of N70,050,000 to Adedoyin, which exceeds the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.

    Read Also: Court forfeits N325.4m land linked with Diezani

    Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification.

    Bashir was also charged with indirectly retaining and concealing N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.

    The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    EFCC had earlier closed its case before the charge was amended.

    Rather than open their defence, Nwosu and Bashir made no-case submissions, urging the court to discharge and acquit them.

    But Justice Idris dismissed the no-case submissions.

    Yesterday, the defendants, through their lawyers Victor Opara (for Nwosu) and Nelson Umoh, prayed that the case be re-assigned to another judge.

    They argued that there was no provision in the Constitution that empowers the judge, upon his appointment and confirmation as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, to double as a judge of the Federal High Court.

    “A Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria cannot deliver, make pronouncement, recommendation, decision and or judgement on matters pending before the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

    “The constitutional elevation of my lord cannot be circumscribed by Section 396 (7) of ACJA”, Opara said.

    But Oyedepo emphasised that the prosecution had already closed its case before the judge’s elevation.

    He said the judge is eminently qualified to continue with the “part-heard” case as defined in Section 494 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    “Section 396 (7) of ACJA gives my lord ‘special dispensation’ to hear and determine part-heard cases which is applicable in this circumstance.

    “There is nothing in the Constitution that specifically restricts or prohibits the granting of ‘special dispensation’ to hear and conclude a part-heard criminal matter by an elevated judge.

    “The provision of Section 396 (7) of ACJA is merely complementary to the Constitution and is not inconsistent with it,” Oyedepo said.

    Justice Idris adjourned until August 27 for ruling.

     

  • Community urges Lai Mohammed to take rightful position

    The Sanmora community, near Omuaran, in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara has enjoined the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to take his rightful political leadership position in the state.

    Oba Mathew Ajiboye, the Eleju of Ejuland, Sanmora made the appeal on behalf of his community at a Chieftancy installation ceremony in Sanmora.

    Mohammed was in the community to grace the installation of a popular film marketer, Abdulmaroof Afolayan as the Oloba of Ejuland, Sanmora.

    Oba Ajiboye who spoke in Yoruba language said: “it is time to return home and take charge of the political sphere of Kwara.

    “I am ready to support you and the Sanmora people are also behind you.

    “This time around, I will personally follow you from home to home being the political head we are looking onto at the national level”.

    The monarch said the community has decided to give the Minister the Chieftancy title of “Oluomo” of Ejuland, Sanmora and the installation ceremony would hold before the end of the year.

    Read Also: Lai Mohammed: Kwarans ready to wrest power from Saraki

    The minister thanked the King and the entire community for the recognition and honour bestowed on him.

    He said his father hailed from Sanmora and he would ensure that what is due to the community like every other Kwara towns would be delivered to them.

    The minister disclosed that discussion was ongoing on the construction of Ajase-Sanmora-Iludun road because of its importance to the development of the towns and improvement of living standard of the people.

    Mohammed said he accepted the honour of the chieftancy title given to him but the installation should come after ending his service as a federal minister.

    He explained that they were given a caveat by the administration not to take chieftancy title while serving as federal cabinet members

    NAN

  • Sallah: Ahmed orders payment of August salary

    Ahead of this year’s Eid Kabir celebrations Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has directed the state’s Finance Ministry to immediately commence the payment of August salary to workers in the state.

    The Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu made the disclosure on Thursday.

    He said arrangements have subsequently been concluded and a facility secured to ensure workers start receiving their salaries with effect from Thursday.

    He said Governor Ahmed gave the directive to ensure that the workers have an enjoyable Sallah celebration.

    Read Also: Why we returned to the PDP, by Ahmed

    Alhaji Banu added that the directive comes at a time the Federal Accounts Allocation committee is yet to meet for the month, not to talk of disbursing monthly allocation to Federal, State and local governments.

    He said this testifies to the government’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

    Alhaji Banu said Local Government Councils and SUBEB are also expected to pay their workers on Friday.

  • Police, students clash over protest in Kwara

    KWSG releases N125m as subvention

     

    Students of the Kwara state College of Education, Ilorin and a detachment of the state police command yesterday clashed in the metropolis.

    The students staged a peaceful protest against the disruption of their second semester examination by the staff of institution.

    The staff hinged their grievances on the failure of the state government to pay their four month salaries.

    The placard-carrying students started the protest from their campus around Sawmill area through the popular Ibrahim Taiwo road and were heading for the Government House along Ahmadu Bello way.

    On getting to Challenge area, policemen men allegedly shot teargas canisters into the air to disperse the protesting students. Many of whom scampered for safety, it was gathered.

    Speaking on behalf of the students union Ajamiu Mathew said that “we discovered this morning that they were going on strike. As union leaders we have to make some of our consultations, so that we can be able to confront them.”

    Matthew blamed the state government for not meeting the needs of the institution, urging the state government to fund the school adequately.

    Said he: “We are ready to collaborate to make sure we resume back, but what we are just trying to do is to negotiate with the provost, go out and meet the state government so that this will not last long.

    “Let me just be sincere with you I’m a final year student i was delayed in my year one, year two, even I can tell you vividly when I resumed in year three as newly elected executive, we led a protest like this because our lecturers refused to make things available for us, this is going to affect our younger ones if we refuse to help them before leaving the seat.”

    Justifying the workers decision, Kwara state College of Education Staff Union (COESU) Chairman Balikis O Ajoke said the exam would be boycotted until the state government responds to their needs.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill police corporal in Delta

    She added that: “What happens is that we have not been paid our salaries, last year we were owned two month salaries, and the government promised that when they collected all the money from the Federal government they were going to pay us, we waited we were on strike before coming on board of this new provost.

    “We suspended the strike in honour of the new provost, even it looks like betrayal. We have not been paid June, July and this is August, promises upon promises. We have written series of letters, we have had series of meetings but promises and promises to no avail.

    “We felt this is the high time we showed our grievances so that they will hear us, to also let Kwarans know what is happening in Kwara State college of Education Ilorin, we are being owned four and half months, we are not going on strike we are boycotting the exam we are coming tomorrow but we are not going to conduct the exam, we are boycotting the exam totally.

    Reacting, the Kwara state government said it has released the sum of N125million as June 2018 subvention to all the state-owned tertiary institutions.

    In swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Abdullahi Alkinla said that the State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed had approved the release of the funds since last week Wednesday.

    He said that immediately the approval was given, the state Ministry of Finance swung into action to ensure that the institutions get the money before Friday last week.

    He, however, explained that the banks could not process the payment of the money until yesterday morning, adding that the funds had dropped into the accounts of the institutions.

    Alkinla further said that the Provost of the College of Education, Ilorin, Dr. Yusuf Abdulraheem had early this morning confirmed to him the receipt of the institution’s share of the money.

    The commissioner therefore described the students protest as unnecessary as government had made good its pledge to make the money available.