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  • PDP, Kwara govt bicker on N9.2b expended over health care

    PDP, Kwara govt bicker on N9.2b expended over health care

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State and the state government are trading words over the condition of health care delivery in the state since 2019.

    PDP said it was appalled at the Federal Government’s recent rating of the state as one of the worst performing in primary health care delivery in Nigeria.

    It added that the report had uncovered “five years of putrid lies, propaganda and deception used in milking the people by those who hold our trust and mandate.”

    Read Also:Abducted Kwara farmer regains freedom

    In a statement, PDP’s spokesperson Olusegun Adewara said: “Federal Ministry of Health in her 2022 ratings under the Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) programme adjudged Kwara to be at the bottom of other states in terms of health care delivery at the grassroots.” 

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, however, described PDP’s position on PHCUOR as a gaffe. 

    He said: The rating of Kwara is not necessarily connected to the quality of service delivery. States were ranked based on the level of implementation of the PHCUOR policy. What the PHCUOR policy is meant to achieve is improved health indices, which we are already achieving.” 

  • Abducted Kwara farmer regains freedom

    Abducted Kwara farmer regains freedom

    Kwara farmer abducted four days ago, Kayode Ajayi has regained his freedom after payment of N2 million ransom.

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Monday this week allegedly kidnapped the about 60-year-old farmer in Laduba village, .Asa Local Government Area.

    The abductors initially allegedly demanded a sum of N7 million ransom from the abductee’s family.

    Kayode and his daughter were kidnapped while returning from their farm last Monday.

    Read Also: UNGA 2023: Access to quality education urgent, says Kwara Gov

    The abductors later released the daughter.

    Kayode is currently recuperating in an undisclosed hospital in Ilorin metropolis.

    Initial calls to his phone were unsuccessful until Thursday evening this week call to his phone was successful.

    One of his neighbours said that “during the call to his phone number which he later picked, the victim told him that, the abductors demanded the sum of N7m or else he would be killed.”

  • Gunmen abduct farmer in Kwara

    Gunmen abduct farmer in Kwara

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Kayode Ajayi on his farm located at Laluba village, Asa Local Government of Kwara State.

    The abductee is said to be in his 50s.

    It was gathered that Mr. Ajayi was abducted on Monday evening while returning from his farm by the gunmen together with his daughter.

    It was later learnt that the daughter has been rescued.

    Sources close to the family of the victim said that “Mr. Kayode Ajayi and his daughter were returning from their farm at Laluba around 7.00  pm when they were kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

    “When the duo were kidnapped by the gunmen, they were later moved far away from the farm but the daughter was later let off the hook, while the father was taken away by the gunmen.

    “The daughter of Mr. Ajayi later called his mother that his father has been kidnapped and taken away by gunmen.

    Read Also: PHOTOS: President Tinubu joins world leaders at #UNGA78 opening

    “It was at this point that the wife of Mr. Ajayi raised the alarm over the kidnap of his husband which led the people and well wishers to  know and later inform the security agencies especially police command towards rescuing the victim”.

    “I want to tell you that, we have been calling his number since Monday but repeatedly saying not available. We have resorted to prayers and hope that Mr. Ajayi will be rescued”.

    Already, men of the anti-kidnap unit of the state police command have been deployed to the village while local hunters and vigilantes are complementing the efforts to rescue the victim.

    Spokesperson of the state police Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the development saying that, “the daughter of the victim has been rescued”.

    He, however, said that “efforts are rigorously in progress to get Mr Kayode Ajayi rescued, please.

    “We have deployed our anti-kidnap unit of the State Police command in search of Mr. Kayode Ajayi and by the God’s grace, he will be rescued in due course”.

  • Kwara female farmers reject rice palliatives, demand land, farm inputs

    Kwara female farmers reject rice palliatives, demand land, farm inputs

    Small Holder Women Farmers in Kwara state have rejected rice palliative to cushion the pains of fuel subsidy removal.

    They instead urged the state government to make available parcels of land and farm inputs to their agricultural practice to enhance food production in the state.

    The women said this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the 2024 agriculture sector budget.

    The farmers said that smallholder farmers feed the nation with their produce, while the large-scale farmers only export and distribute to corporate organizations.

     The leader of the group, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Abosede Anifowose said this in Ilorin during the stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the Kwara state 2024 agriculture budget.

    The meeting was put together by the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE) and its partner organizations under the Scaling Up of Public Investment in Agriculture (SUPIA) Project Budget

    Read Also: Kingmakers install RCCG Pastor Olaoye as Soun of Ogbomoso

    She added that women farmers were not afforded due recognition by the state government, urging the government to provide training and retraining programmes, and agriculture input to help ensure adequate food security.

    Anifowose, who doubles as the State Coordinator of Smallscale Women Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON), added that the rice and beans palliative were temporary, noting that the availability of land and supply of farm implements by the government would assist women farmers in increasing agriculture produce.

    This according to her would go a long way in reducing food insufficiency and scarcity in the state.

    He said:: “We don’t want to use crude farm implements like holes and cutlasses again. The government should assist women farmers across the 16 local governments of the state with gender-friendly machines like planters and tractors. If we have all these implements there will be a boost in agricultural produce from our farmers. We don’t want to be given rice as palliative to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal, we want acres of land from the government apart from the farm inputs.”

    The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, and her counterpart in Planning and Economic Development, represented by Mr. Ajayi Matthew attended the meeting.

  • Kwara Gov names Prince Mahe new SSG, inaugurates cabinet

    Kwara Gov names Prince Mahe new SSG, inaugurates cabinet

    Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday inaugurated members of the state executive council — along with five new permanent secretaries and a member of the Civil Service Commission. 

    The cabinet contains some 50 percent of each gender, boasting, as of today, the highest number of female commissioners in the country. 

    The inauguration came with another first for the Governor as he swore in two Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) as Permanent Secretaries — yet another marked show of his inclusive policy that is meant to mobilise every segment of the society for collective growth. 

    The inauguration came a few minutes after the Governor announced Abdulkadir Mahe Aliyu, a prince of Ilorin Emirate and former Permanent Secretary, as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Mahe, as is popularly known, was sworn in along with the Commissioners.

    The Governor also swore in Jamila Bake, a former commissioner, as a permanent member of the Kwara State Civil Service Commission. She represents Kwara North at the statutory body.

    Mahe, from Ilorin South, holds a Master of Business Administration, a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration, Higher National Diploma in Marketing, and Ordinary National Diploma. 

    He was variously educated at LGEA Bode Sa’adu Primary School in Bode Sa’adu; Government High School Ilorin; Kaduna Polytechnic; Kwara State Polytechnic; and University of Calabar. 

    He is an accomplished bureaucrat who retired as a permanent secretary. He was a Clerk of the Kwara State House of Assembly and a part-time lecturer at Federal Training Centre Ilorin. 

    Mahe is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, British Institute of Sales and Marketing Management, and a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Business Managers and Administrators. 

    The Governor, who later had a brief inaugural meeting with the new SSG and commissioners, charged them to work as a team and be responsive and mindful of public good in their duties.

    At the brief meeting, he asked cabinet members to pore over the different projects and assignments in their ministries and advise the government on areas that need improvement, adding specifically that government will change how road projects are designed in the state for better quality.

    “We have to review our rates to reflect the current realities, attract Grade-A contractors, and greatly improve the quality of project delivery and value for money. For example, we have to start designing and building road with stone base to allow for better durability. This will of course affect the cost of our road projects, going forward,” he said.

    Earlier at the inauguration, the Governor said: “The last four years have seen us stabilising and repositioning different sectors of our society. Our achievements are boldly written in education, urban renewal projects, rural development, healthcare delivery, provision of potable water, gender mainstreaming and youth empowerment, and general welfare of the people especially through the safety net programmes and other interventions. The Kwara socio economic climate has proven resilient against all odds.”

    AbdulRazaq said their choice as cabinet members and public servants is a product of wide consultations, merit, and careful consideration for public good.

    He congratulated them for being part of his new team who are entrusted to work for the public good.

    “With prudence and blockage of wastes, we have grown internally generated revenue to a height never seen before. Similarly, several projects of huge socioeconomic impacts have been initiated to bridge existing infrastructural gaps and make Kwara the go-to place in Nigeria amid improved access to basic amenities and better welfare for the public workforce,” he said.

    “But we are now faced with a new set of challenges. With fuel subsidies gone and the government mobilising resources to stabilise the system amid rising cost of living, we are committed to helping the people cope through empathy and creative solutions. 

    “As cabinet members and senior bureaucrats, you are to join the government to make life a lot better for the people through the design and implementation of various policies and programmes and exemplary conduct in public leadership. Neither waste, abuse, sabotage, nor intentional disregard for public good will be tolerated. Our appetite and public appearance must also reflect the current realities of our country.

    “I therefore congratulate all of you for being part of this important team. Endeavour to be good team players who would collectively and individually earn the trust and respect of the public with exemplary conduct and commitment to the larger interest of our state and country.”

    The ceremony was attended by the Speaker Kwara House of Assembly Rt Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danladi; State Chief Judge Justice Abiodun Adebara; representative of the Grand Kadi Justice Sharafdeen Anafy; Chairman Kwara State Civil Service Commission Hajia Habeebat Anike Yusuf; Permanent Secretaries; State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi and party leaders; Chairman KAM Wire Holdings Dr. Kamaru Yusuf; and some family members of the commissioners.  

    Read Also: Fire razes down church auditorium, offices in Kwara

    Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Training in the office of SSG, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed, in his introductory remarks, said the new commissioners had, upon their appointment, gone through necessary training on good governance.

    He thanked the Governor for equipping the team with adequate expertise and expressed confidence that the administration and the state will be better for it.

    Portfolios of the new commissioners are as follows: Abdulganiy Abdulazeez Kola (Energy); Aliyu Kora Sabi (Planning and Economic Development); Shehu Ndanusa Usman (Environment); Afolashade Opeyemi Kemi (Social Development); Dr. Segun Ogunsola (Housing and Urban Development);  Abdulquawiy Olododo (Solid Minerals); Senior Ibrahim Suleiman (Justice); Hauwa Nuru (Finance); Damilola Yusuf (Business, Innovation and Technology); Oloruntoyosi Adebayo Thomas (Agriculture and Rural Development); and Bola Olukoju (Communications).

    Others are Abubakar Abdullahi Bata (Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Developments); Bello John Olarewaju (Special Duties); Dr. Amina Ahmed el-Imam (Health); Dr. Mary Arinde (Tertiary Education); Olaitan Buraimoh (Women Affairs); and Usman Yunusa (Water Resources). 

  • Fire razes down church auditorium, offices in Kwara

    Fire razes down church auditorium, offices in Kwara

    Rampaging fire on Sunday night gutted a popular Pentecostal church, Work Assembly in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

    The inferno was said to have been caused by a power surge that torched the church auditorium, some offices, and a recording studio.

    The Nation gathered that the fire emanated from the recording studio, burning the studio down completely.

    The incident was said to have occurred some minutes past 5 p.m. when all the church members and pastors had left for their houses.

    Kwara State Fire Service spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle said that a combined team of firemen and other security agencies prevented the total destruction of the church by the raging fire.

    Adekunle added that “various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) and the Federal Fire Service, provided support and assistance.

    He said: “The fire crew promptly responded to the call. Upon arrival at the scene, they found that a devastating inferno had already consumed the auditorium of the church and caused significant damage. However, firemen managed to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading further.

    Read Also: Goat ‘births’ human in Kwara

    “It is worthy of note that the materials used for the building’s construction were not fire-retardant, including aluminum roofing and plywood for the ceiling.

    “These non-fire-resistant materials contributed to the rapid spread of the fire before the fire service’s arrival. As a result, not only the auditorium but also three out of the six offices were affected by the fire. Our investigation revealed that the cause of the outbreak was borne out of a power surge.”

    He reiterated the importance of timely reporting of fire incidents by the general public.”

  • Fear as goat allegedly gives birth to half-human in Kwara

    Fear as goat allegedly gives birth to half-human in Kwara

    A she-goat named nanny has allegedly delivered a half-human-half-goat in Kwara state.

    The incident was said to have happened last week Wednesday at Adigun-Oke community, Ifelodun local government area of the state.

    It was gathered that people have been visiting the area since the incident happened to see the creature.

    Wife of the goat’s owner, Aishat Umar, who spoke in Hausa language, said that the wonder she-goat actually gave birth to two kids.

    She added that one was a complete goat while the other was in human being form, except for the ears and the hands.

    Read Also; Sanwo-Olu kicks off palliative distribution for vulnerable Lagosians

    Also speaking on the incident, one of the community leaders in Adigun-Oke village, Pa James Adeoye, said that people were just seen rushing to see the astounding discovery, adding that one of the creatures had hairs all over the body just like a goat while the second looked exactly like human being, without hair but with teeth like human being.

    It was also gathered that the kid goat, which looked like human, died just after it was delivered and was immediately buried by the owner, Umar, when he returned from his farm, while the nanny was busy taking care of the other kid.

    The community leader, who said that the nanny had produced kids before the incident, added that it had never given birth to such creature and that the people had never witnessed a human being mating with a goat that could lead to such astonishing incident.

    Another resident of the area, Lukman Onaade, said that the incident was surprising to every villager, as well as people from neighbouring communities, who, he said, thronged Adigun-Oke community to witness the incident.

    He said that those, who had never known or visited Adigun-Oke community before now, had come to the village since the incident happened to confirm whether it was true that a goat could give birth to human being.

  • Kwara revokes multi-million naira ICT contract

    Kwara revokes multi-million naira ICT contract

    Kwara State government has revoked the multi-billion naira contract for the construction of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Innovation Hub from the initial contractor.

    The state accordingly re-awarded to another contractor known as MC&T Limited.

    The revocation of the contract from the former contractor might not be unconnected to the slow pace of work.

    The contract was awarded by the state government over two years ago.

    Director of Personnel Finance and Supply in the state Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology Amos Tunde Thompson made the disclosure in Ilorin during the official handing over of the project to the new contractor.

    Read Also:Kwara begins phased distribution of 25,000 bags of rice

    Mr. Thompson said that the project was already at 80 percent completion.

    He charged the new contractor to align with all relevant stakeholders without compromising with the aim of actualizing the vision and mission of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    Amos added that the objective for establishing the Innovation Hub was to expand the structure of ICT in the state, saying that would further enhance and give room to the existing and potential ICT investors to thrive in the state.

    He said that the establishment of the project would create thousands of jobs for both women and youths across the production value chain, increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and also boost the state economy.

  • Man, 43, dies in Kwara fish pond

    Man, 43, dies in Kwara fish pond

    An unidentified 43- year- old man has died in a fish pond in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

    Spokesperson of Fire Service Hassan Adekunle said that the yet-to-be-identified deceased was gathering herbal leaves before the unfortunate incident.

    According to Adekunle: “Kwara State Fire Service responded to an emergency call at Alibarika community in Ogidi, Ilorin South Local Government area, Kwara State, at approximately 6:24am on Saturday.

    “The firefighters conducted a rescue operation and tragically discovered the lifeless body of an unidentified man, approximately 43 years of age, in an abandoned fish pond. 

    “It is believed that the cause of this unfortunate incident was the man accidentally slipped into the pond, which was concealed by overgrown grasses. 

    “He was near the pond, attempting to gather herbal leaves when the accident occurred.

    Read Also: Kwara revokes multi-million ICT contract

    “Following the successful recovery operation, the Kwara Fire Service personnel handed over the deceased to the authorities at Nigeria Police G’ Division in Oloje, Ilorin, for further investigation and necessary procedures.”

    He urged the general public to be more careful in their day-to-day activities.

  • Kwara revokes multi-million ICT contract

    Kwara revokes multi-million ICT contract

    Kwara State Government has revoked the multi-billion the contact for the construction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Innovation Hub from initial contractor.

    It re-awarded the project to another contractor known as MC&T Limited.

    The revocation of the contract from the former contractor might not be unconnected to slow pace of work.

    The contract was awarded by the State Government over two years ago.

    Director Personnel Finance and Supply in the state Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology Amos Tunde Thompson made the disclosure in Ilorin during the official handing over of the project to the new contractor.

    Mr. Thompson said that the project was already at 80 percent completion. 

    He charged the new contractor to align with all relevant stakeholders without compromising with the aim of actualizing the vision and mission of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    Amos added that the objective for establishing the Innovation Hub was to expand the structure of ICT in the state, saying that would further enhance and give room to the existing and potential ICT investors to thrive in the state.

    Read Also: Kwara begins phased distribution of 25,000 bags of rice

    He said that the establishment of the project would create thousands of jobs for both women and youths across the production value chain, increase the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and also boost the state economy

    In his remark, the Director of the Project, Alhaji AbdulSalam thanked the state government for awarding the contract to the company and assured of solid and timely delivery of the project.