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  • Kwara gives Igbaja CBT centre 250 computers

    Kwara gives Igbaja CBT centre 250 computers

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday presented 250 sets of desktop computers to Igbaja Computer Based Testing (CBT) centre in Ifelodun local government to support Igbaja community and ease the sitting of JAMB and other CBT exams  for their school children.

    At the commissioning of the CBT Centre built by Major General Adelokun Eyitayo as part of a special intervention project of the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General T. A. Lagbaja in June, the Governor pledged that the government will support the Centre with computers to make it fully functional and compliant with JAMB standard. 

    Presenting the gadgets on Thursday in Igbaja, the Governor said the step was to reduce the challenges faced by students of the district during the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.

    The Governor was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr Mary Arinde, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Mrs Sabitiyu Grillo.and other management staff of the Ministry.

    Read Also:Gunmen kill 43-year-old hotelier in Kwara

    “When we came here last June for the commissioning, we saw this building structure already built by Major General Eyitayo. It was very exciting. So, we promised to equip the building with computers so that the students can do their CBT exams here,” the Governor said.

    “This intervention is focused on alleviating the challenges faced by students in this region in sitting for the JAMB examination.

    “Education is the heartbeat of our administration because it is a cornerstone for every human development. That is why we are ensuring that our policies and programmes on education are taken with all seriousness.”

    The Elese of Igbajaland, HRM Oba Ahmed Awuni Arepo, appreciated the Governor’s gesture which he said will go a long way to encouraging school children to become the knowledgeable in the use of computer, among other benefits.

    The monarch prayed to God to continue to guide the Governor and to grant him success in office. 

    A community leader, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the facility will be of great benefit to over 20 secondary schools in Igbajaland and its environs, praising Governor AbdulRazaq for the intervention.

    “This is a laudable initiative by the Governor. We have more than 25 secondary schools around here. Our students usually travel to Ilorin and even Lagos to sit for computer based examinations. Now, they don’t need to travel anywhere with the establishment of this CBT centre; they can easily access it and get the exams done. So, it is an advantage to us and we appreciate it,” he said.

    “In fact, we are very happy for this laudable initiative, and I don’t have enough words to qualify how happy we are.”

    Oyinloye Ayomide Divine, Yusuf Oyinlola Amirah, and other students who spoke on the sideline of the event, appreciated the Governor for his commitment to educational development.

    The establishment of the centre in Igbaja community will reduce the burden of transportation and other expenses usually incurred by their parents for travelling outside the community for external CBT exams, they said.

  • Kwara First Lady glows at 57

    Kwara First Lady glows at 57

    With an embodiment of poise, allure, aura, finesse, and sartorial elegance, Kwara State First Lady, Ambassador Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq fits well into all the descriptions.

    The delectable, smooth-talking, and cerebral First Lady is regarded as one of the prettiest first ladies in the country as her ravishing beauty cannot be ignored. She is indeed a classy woman who loves elegant style with sophisticated looks.

    She pays attention to her skin and beauty routine – more reason she still maintains her beauty and looks more like a 25-year-old damsel.

    Despite her current status, the former Head of the Consular Education and Welfare Section, Nigeria High Commission, London, is soft at heart as she is passionate about development and growth.

    This led to the creation and establishment of her Ajike People Support Center, an NGO established to contribute her quota to the uplifting of humanity and help the needy.

    Read Also: Four die after eating amala in Kwara

    Over the years, she has always been a strong campaigner for raising the consciousness of women, youth, and children, by tackling issues threatening their progress, safety, and development.

    She has also used the platform to facilitate the provision of shelter to victims of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and rape, who have no access to support and counselling. Through collaborations with mental and women’s health professionals, she assists victims through medical and therapy sessions to enable them to cope with their traumas.

    On the 2nd of August, the mother of three celebrated her 57th birthday with not much fanfare due to the current situation but she was hosted by people who have enjoyed her milk of kindness.

    She was hosted with plenty of birthday cards and cakes by the staff of the governor’s office, sources said she also used the occasion of her birthday to touch the lives of the needy by giving out valuables in a celebration mood after which she had a private dinner with her hubby, children and a close circle of friends.

  • Four die after eating amala in Kwara

    Four die after eating amala in Kwara

    The Kwara State Government has confirmed the death of four persons in Eruda community in Olorun West Local Government Area after eating amala, a popular local delicacy.

    The  Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, who made this known at a news conference yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital said another person also died of gastroenteritis.

    Consequent upon the incident, El-Imam said the government had placed health care  on Outbreak Response Mode.

    She said the entire health team of the ministry had visited the community after a report of the family that lost some members after consuming of the yam flour.

    “On getting there, the claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where a 70-year-old woman fell ill and died after consuming amala.

    “Unfortunately, her son and grandchildren also consumed the same food, fell ill and died.

    “They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where they passed away,” she said.

    El-Imam stated that the amala with ‘lafun’ could have been responsible for the deaths.

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    She further stated that those who consumed yam flour without lafun were fine.

    “However, those who consumed the mixture of both lafun and amala mixture fell ill and some of them eventually died,” she said.

    The commissioner said the survivors were receiving treatment in the hospitals.

    “Some are doing well and hopefully, following intensive medical treatment, they should be able to recover fully.

    “It was observed that they are residing in a place where personal and environmental hygiene is not really optimal,” she said.

  • Kwara denies allegation of discriminatory tax policies against Igbo traders

    Kwara denies allegation of discriminatory tax policies against Igbo traders

    Kwara State Government has refuted allegation of discriminatory tax policies against Igbo traders.

    An online news medium recently accused Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) of discriminatory tax policies against Igbo traders.

    In reaction, Head, Corporate Affairs, KWIRS, Funmilola Oguntunbi, described the allegation as malicious and mischievous.

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    She alleged that the publication had imprimatur of the Kwara State Igbo Traders Association (KWAITA).

    Oguntunbi said: “The attention of the service has been drawn to a false, malicious and inciting publication on July 31, 2024 by one online publication against the personality of the governor and Kwara State Internal Revenue Service.

    “We are tempted to believe this false narrative was at the instance of some members KWAITA, which recently instituted a legal action against the service on July 12, on the same subject matter before the Kwara State High Court.

  • Kwara govt receives license to establish varsity of education

    Kwara govt receives license to establish varsity of education

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued a letter of recognition for the establishment of Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, Kwara State. 

    The license was received by the Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Kayode Afolabi on behalf of the Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki noted that with the approval for the establishment of the new University of Education, Nigeria now has a total of 274 universities comprising 64 state-owned and 148 private universities.

    The formal presentation of the letter of recognition for the new University, to the Governor was done after the delegation submitted the three required strategic documents for establishment of a new University, including the law establishing the institution, which was passed by the Kwara State House of Assembly. 

    Other documents presented by the Kwara government are the Academic Brief and Physical Master Plan.

    Maiyaki tasked the Governor on ensuring sustainable funding of the new University and other state-owned tertiary institutions, noting that funding has remained a major issue in university education in Nigeria.

    He said: “Funding is not negotiable. The Governor must give the universities political support. Let the Universities stand the test of time by giving them high level support.”

    The governor said he was delighted with the recognition of the University, which was established to expand access to quality University education in the state.

    AbdulRazaq expressed commitment of the government to improved funding of tertiary institutions in the state. 

    He assured that his administration would give priority to education at all levels.

    According to him, the University has had a lot of infrastructure already on ground since it was upgraded from a College of Education to University status.

  • NBS applauds Kwara for joining ‘structured States’

    NBS applauds Kwara for joining ‘structured States’

    Kwara State has joined the structured States in Nigeria with its investments in the GDP compilation from 2013 to 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics has said.

    “Kwara State is now joining the structured states in Nigeria. I will say congratulations to Kwara State for joining that league. So many states have compiled their GDPs from 2015 to 2022,” Team Lead of the NBS delegation to Kwara Ibrahim Yakubu Tanko said during a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin.

    “We are representatives of the Statistician General of the Federation Prince Adeyemi Adeniran. He is also sending his best regards to Kwara.

    “The National Bureau of Statistics is a collaborative agency. The keyword for the National Bureau of Statistics in 2024 is collaboration. Our doors are open to the states and national agencies as far as statistics is concerned.”

    Tanko assured Kwara that the NBS would deploy human resources and other mechanisms for effective collaboration to ensure the success of the exercise.

    “We are very much open at the National Bureau of Statistics to providing human resources and collaborating with states statistical agencies. Over the years, we have opened hands and allowed states statistical agencies to own this mechanism for the compilation of GDP. Kwara State Bureau of Statistics should know the companies that operate in the state, be in direct contact with them, and own the exercise. With that, the human capital in the State Bureau of Statistics will be built upon. Moving forward, we shall work with the agency,” he added.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Senior Advisor and Counsellor, Sa’adu Salau, acknowledged the roles of the NBS in data gathering and management for effective planning and national development.

    “We are all aware of immense benefits of the National Bureau of Statistics and its critical roles in measurement of indicators of the Nigerian economy. No matter what you talk about, as policy makers, as governments and as leaders, you must make sure that decisions and policies are informed by accurate data. This is what this exercise will do for us,” he said.

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    “It is a common saying that he who fails to plan plans to fail. So, there is no way you can talk of proper planning without accurate data. To have accurate data, you must invest because data is not cheap to come by. It is capital intensive. You must follow the due process to ensure diligence. Once one of the processes is compromised, stakeholders will not rely on the data. Governments at all levels and private sector rely on data from the National Bureau of Statistics for planning for development.”

    AbdulRazaq noted that the administration has put in place measures to ensure that its programmes and policies are data-driven.

    “I have no doubt that the present federal and state governments follow your data in various policies. It is on record that the present administration’s programmes and policies are data-driven. We have put in place a lot of measures to ensure that our policies are informed by data. That is why we are investing in measures to generate accurate data to drive policies in the state.

    “Before this administration came into power in 2019, many industries had disappeared. But, the administration has taken a number of measures to ensure that poverty is addressed. This led to the establishment of Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to address different dimensions of poverty for market women/traders, entrepreneurs, and the aged etc. A lot of young entrepreneurs have benefitted from the scheme to address unemployment.”

  • Kwara rebuilds Patigi Regatta motel amid renewed tourism drive

    Kwara rebuilds Patigi Regatta motel amid renewed tourism drive

    Kwara State Government has commenced reconstruction works on the long abandoned Patigi Regatta Motel in Patigi town, opening a new frontier in the state’s aggressive tourism drive.

    The reconstruction work will span eight months and will include shopping areas and expansive parking space, according to the Honourable Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology (BIT) Damilola Yusuf.

    The Motel features standard rooms, VIP suites, conference hall, restaurants, and courtyards, among others.

    “We have already handed over the site to the  contractor,” she added.

    Read Also: Kwara renovates, expands Cottage hospital

    The Patigi Regatta Motel is located along Kpada Road (Federal Road) and 1500m from Kusogi Park in Patigi town of Kwara State.

    The government embarks on the total overhaul and remodelling of the existing structures to expand the tourism potentials of the state, generate jobs, and improve the current revenue generation drive of the state.

    The Commissioner said the facility would come handy once the Annual Patigi Regatta and fishing festival is revived for recreational purposes in that axis of the state.

  • Kwara renovates, expands Cottage hospital

    Kwara renovates, expands Cottage hospital

    The Kwara State Government has announced the commencement of the expansion of Adewole Cottage Hospital, Ilorin as part of efforts to strengthen the primary health care facilities.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-lmam, stated this while interacting with the media crew of the Ministry.

    According to her, Adewole Cottage Hospital is one of the health care centres approved for renovation by the State Government, pointing out that the construction works are going on with slight disruptions to service delivery and calling for understanding. 

    “One of the disruptions is that we are unable to admit male patients at this time because the ongoing works include removing of the roof in the male section of the hospital,” the statement said.

    She urged the general public to patronise the hospital, assuring them of quality health care delivery service from the health care workers.

    Read Also: Kwara targets 600,000 beneficiaries

    She added that the works at the Adewole Cottage Hospital come amid other ongoing renovation or related works in some other secondary facilities in other parts of the state. 

    “General Hospital Patigi is 95% renovated, while we have completed the extensive work on General Hospital in Oro. Cottage Hospital Lade is also 100% renovated. Patigi and Lade were also given solar inverters for 24-hour power supply,” the statement added.

    “We also have activated plans for renovation works at Cottage Hospital Tsaragi and Gbale. In the South, we have our eyes on General Hospital Offa, General Hospital Erin-Ile, General Hospital Omu Aran, General Hospital Oro-Ago, and a few others.”

  • Kwara targets 600,000 beneficiaries in fresh NG-CARES interventions

    Kwara targets 600,000 beneficiaries in fresh NG-CARES interventions

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday launched the distribution of the fourth phase of agricultural and infrastructural assets under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, targeting over 600,000 beneficiaries across different categories in the 16 local government areas.

    “The State Government is today taking another giant step forward towards supporting farmers and vulnerable agro-entrepreneurs with high-value assets such as fishing  and passenger boats, hand tillers, grinding machines, and so on. 

    ”This is in addition to the donation of various categories of hospital equipment to support vulnerable communities in health delivery and add to the stock of beneficiaries already recorded,” AbdulRazaq said at the launching held at the Government House Ilorin. 

    The Governor was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi.

    “Today’s ceremony, therefore, attests to the commitment of the state government to full implementation of NG-CARES. This is geared towards improving the welfare of the people,” the Governor explained. 

    The two-legged programme also had at least eleven communities that benefited from the distributed hospital equipment support. They included Alanamu, Atiku-Apata,

    Lade, Kajola, Kere, Patigi, Isanlu-isin, Araromi, Igbaja, Omoda; and Baba Dudu communities.

    AbdulRazaq said no less than two million citizens across Kwara State have benefitted from the various programmes and interventions under the NG-CARES, including FADAMA, Social Cash Transfer, labour intensive public workforce, and social development agency. 

    “The State CARES Steering Committee was inaugurated on the 14th of December 2021. NG-CARES, being the first attempt to use the Programme for Result (P for R) approach to deliver goods and services to the most vulnerable in the State, has been very successful as it is making an impact in the lives of the citizens since its take-off.

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq announces minor cabinet reshuffle in Kwara

    “This is made possible by the continuous and constant support of the State Government to ensure that poor and vulnerable individuals and businesses affected by economic crisis are supported through different initiatives.

    “Our gathering this afternoon is another phase in our continuous efforts to bring ease to the people through multifaceted interventions. At every stage of our journey so far, our administration has a record of deploying all available resources to make life easy for the people,” the Governor added. 

    AbdulRazaq urged the beneficiaries of these high-valued assets and equipment to consider these assets as their own and optimize the benefits.

    The ceremony was well attended by some cabinet members and other officials of government, including Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, State Steering Committee for NG-CARES programme, Dr Hauwa Nuru; Commissioner for Communication Hon Bola Olukoju; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye; State Coordinator for NG-CARES, Ibiyinka Olatunde; and dozens of beneficiaries, among others.

    Nuru described the intervention as a beacon of hope that was designed and supported by the World Bank to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and which complements the efforts of Governor AbdulRazaq in making life bearable for all the citizens.

    “The objectives of NG-CARES programmes for results are clear and very impactful. This intervention would expand access to livelihood support and ensure food security and among other benefits,” she said, commending the World Bank and the Governor for the initiative.

    Olatunde appreciated the government for taking the bull by the horn by keying to the programme that he described as laudable and highly beneficial to the people of the state.

    “NG-Care has been delivering goods and services to vulnerable members of our society. And it has always been like this. But this time around, I must sincerely commend the Governor for undertaking it in a new dimension. Because all of us can see some valuable items and equipment here which are going to different communities. This is highly commendable,” he said.

    Beneficiaries, such as Alhaji Ahmed Ganiyu Adebayo from Alanamu community and Alhaji Sambo Magaji of the Lafiagi Emirate,

    who spoke at the event on behalf of others, took turns to eulogize the administration for what they called a kind gesture. 

    “These items (hospital equipment) would go a long way in impacting the lives of our people. The gesture would specifically serve as a model for other states to emulate,” Adebayo said.

    Magaji, who spoke on behalf of FADAMA beneficiaries, said the items provided will assist farmers a lot as they go about their farming activities and thanked the Governor for being passionate about their well-being.

    The highlight of the programme was the presentation of NG-CARES items to beneficiaries by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, who represented the Governor.

  • Kwara College of Education upgraded to varsity

    Kwara College of Education upgraded to varsity

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq has approved the transmutation of the College of Education, Ilorin, into the University of Education.

    The move, according to the governor, is to ease the take-off and other logistic advantages of the new education varsity.

    “The government will continue ongoing efforts to transform the two other colleges and make them more viable in line with current realities’, a statement from the Government House said.

    Read Also; I believe in council autonomy, says Kwara governor

    The decision comes a few days after the governor assented to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (Establishment) and Kwara State University of Education (Establishment) Bills, effectively birthing a teaching hospital and the University of Education.

    The signing held at the Government House in Ilorin, in the presence of Speaker of the House of Assembly Yakubu Salihu; Majority Leader AbdulKadir Magaji; Clerk of the House AbdulKareem Ahmed; and a member of the Committee on the Establishment of the Kwara State University of Education/Special Adviser (Special Duties) Abdulrazaq Jiddah.