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Tag: kwara

  • Kwara bans night grazing

    The Kwara State government has banned night grazing as part of efforts to ensure peace between farmers and herdsmen.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed stated this during the Expanded State Security Committee meeting in Ilorin.

    The governor said the move was adopted to minimise conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, and make it easier to identify, apprehend and prosecute those suspected of destroying cattle or farms.

    He said the meeting was to review the current security situation, especially as regards farmers and herdsmen clashes, as well as strengthen the existing security in the state.

    The governor reiterated the need to improve on security to avoid experiences in other state in regards to farmers and herdsmen clashes which, according to him, have security and economic implications beyond the state and even the country.

    Ahmed’s media aide, Muyideen Akorede, said the meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, chairpersons of the 16 councils, first class traditional rulers, and representatives of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Association of Famers of Nigeria.

    He urged the council chairmen to replicate the meeting in their areas to ensure the message is disseminated to all citizens and residents.

    Akorede added that security agencies were enjoined to approach fraction between suspected herdsmen and farmers as an issue of the law without criminalising any group.

    The meeting also advocated the adoption of community policing to ensure vigilance and information sharing by residents to forestall crime.

  • Ahmed advocates greater media freedom

    Kwara Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has described media as strong instrument of change in attitude, perception and governance, saying they had moved beyond just information dissemination.

    He, therefore, called for strengthening of freedom of the press in the country to enable it to continue to play the reform role at all times and unhindered.

    Ahmed made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin, when he received members of the International Press Institute ( IPI ) led by a former Director-General of Nigeria Television Authority ( NTA ), Dr Tony Iredia, visited him.

    He said that the media were very critical to development and should be factored into processes of governance in the country.

    He advised that any government that wanted to impact on the people must allow for freedom of press.

    According to the governor, the moment information was not allowed to flow freely the populace will be cut-off from government.

    He pointed out that it would be difficult for positive changes to take place without free-flow of information.

    “I feel that the role Nigeria press is playing, it requires to be strengthened as it is more needed now than ever.

    Read Also: Ahmed to support IPI congress 2018

    “Information dissemination is critical to stability and that is why anything that has to do with information dissemination must be taken seriously,” Ahmed added.

    He urged the IPI members to use the instrumentality of information dissemination to ensure good governance and stability in the country.

    The governor also charged the media to showcase achievements in Nigeria and its people to the international community.

    Earlier, Iredia had said that the delegation was in Kwara to sensitise government and the people to the forthcoming conference of the Institute.

    He announced that the conference would hold in June in Abuja and expressed hope that it would change the perception of foreigners about Nigeria.

    Iredia emphasised the importance of free press in the country and called for an attitudinal change towards the media by allowing them access to information.

    He also called for good remuneration for journalists, saying that would enable them to perform their duties effectively.

    Iredia commended the governor for the infrastructure development in the state, especially the ongoing Diamond under-pass project at Geri-Alimi area.

    NAN

  • NSCDC uncovers shrine in Kwara, arrest two

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps ( NSCDC ), Kwara command on Monday, said it had uncovered a shrine used by some suspected fraudsters to dupe residents of the state.

    The Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mr Adeyinka Ayinla, made the disclosure in an interview with our correspondent in Ilorin on Monday.

    Ayinla, who led our correspondent to the shrine located at Aleyo village, near Afon in Asa Local Government Area of the state, said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the case.

    The commandant said that the suspects had confessed that they were using the shrine for criminal activities.

    He said the arrest of the suspects followed complaint received from a contractor, Mumini Abdul Rahman, that he was defrauded by them.

    Ayinla quoted Abdul Rahman as saying that the suspects collected N5.5 million in tranches and another 1,500 dollars from him (Abdul Rahma) with the assurance of turning him (Abdul Rahma) to a billionaire.

    He said the suspects also collected the money to facilitate more contracts for Abdul Rahman through occultic means.

    The commandant said the suspects were in the custody of the command, adding that they would be charged to court as soon as the command concludes investigations.

    Ayinla, therefore, advised residents of the state to be wary of individuals who hid under the guise of religion to perpetrate crime.

    NAN

  • Why Kwara has not made progress, by aspirant

    Former Commissioner for Health in Kwara State Dr. Tajudeen Olaosebikan is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke with ADEKUNLE JIMOH in Ilorin, the state capital, on why he wants to suceed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.  

    What informed your decision to delve into Kwara politics?

    My participation in Kwara politics did not just start today. I have been involved for many years. I have been playing positive roles in building character, setting good examples and being a good ambassador of Kwara State anywhere I am. I believe that Kwara is a great state and Kwara State has played a great role in the old North where we were very educated and we produced many great civil servants, judges, doctors, engineers, industrialists, great religious people and clerics, artists of great repute. However, Kwara has not developed as it should. People don’t have water to drink in Kwara State. The roads are bad. The schools are not functioning properly. The health sector requires transformation and workers’ salaries are not paid on time.

    Kwara has challenges and needs a new approach to governance and these issues are what motivated me to delve into politics now to provide leadership to address these challenges and promote unity in Kwara state.

    We are one Kwara and one Nigeria and we can achieve a lot because we have the human capital. We are the bridging state between the North and the South and we have great potentials that we can mobilise to make Kwara a more developed state. I believe that my sojourn over the years in many states in Nigeria has prepared me for the task ahead and Iwill be of tremendous benefits to my state.

    On which platform do you intend to realise your aspirations sir?

    The people will decide the platform through which I will realise my aspiration. I am consulting and meeting people across Kwara State. I will go where my people are going; that is responsive leadership.

    For now, I am building a new movement, the ‘One Kwara Movement’ for new thinking and new ways of doing things for total development of Kwara State. The old method has not worked and it has not satisfied the needs of people of Kwara State. We must find an end to poverty in Kwara State and gross underdevelopment. Like Emerson said: ” you can get new result doing things the same way.” I am a different politician. If they say politics is dirty, I will wash it clean in Kwara State and we shall be a model for Nigeria. So, within the next few weeks, I will announce the platform through which I intend to contest. We are mobilising and regrouping first and we are doing this in all the 16 local government areas in Kwara State. We want to promote integrity in government and we are also working in line with INEC guidelines and timetable for 2019 elections.

    You are relatively unknown in Kwara politics. How do you think this aspiration can be achieved?

    I am know in Kwara State. I was born in Kwara State and I schooled in Kwara State, my primary school at St Marks school Offa, my secondary at Oro Grammar School, Oro and my higher studies at Kwara College of Technology, Ilorin. I also did my housemanship at the General Hospital, Ilorin in 1981. The foundation is what matters in a building.

    Throughout my formative years, I grew up in Kwara, not in England. So, I am known in Kwara. I have also participated in party politics and contested for senatorial election  twice in Kwara State in 2003 and 2011. I have served in government as Commissioner for Health in Kwara State during the first term of Dr Bukola Saraki administration. I was the first Commissioner for Health during that era from 2003 to 2005. And those in Kwara at that time knew that the time I served as Commissioner for Health was the golden era for health in the state. When I am elected governor of Kwara State by the grace of God, we shall have the best health system in Nigeria. Mother and children will have excellent primary health care, maternal health care, children health care, and there will be massive transformation of all general hospitals in the 16 local government areas of Kwara State. I have also served in Kwara as Commissioner for Environment and Tourism and I have worked with many political stakeholders in Kwara and the people know me and they have also heard of the good works I have been doing in various places in Nigeria. I have rich experience in private sector and economic development and I am always bringing light to where ever I am and my return will usher in a glorious light in Kwara State and massive empowerment and economic transformation. What is important is the philosophy of the government. Is it for the people or for few elites? I will run a government that will totally serve the people.

    Do you have the support of your people?

    I have the support of my people, the people of Kwara State. Everywhere that I have been to inform Kwarans of my intention, they are very happy and they have promised to support me to build a modern Kwara, to revive the greatness of Kwara State, to transform the state for the benefits of all. We have one Kwara and we must build it. This generation of Kwarans and the coming generation deserve a Kwara that is working, that have developed institutions and that are inclusive and egalitarian. The youths are expecting this new development and the economy of Kwara will be transformed and Kwarans in the Diaspora are also happy and are coming home. I shall also be bring multi-billion dollar investment to Kwara from Asia when am elected as the governor and the great people, the great achievers, the great talents of Kwara people would be recognised. I will create an agency for innovations, talents and creativity. The Chinese build China. So, it is our people that will build Kwara State. You can’t suppress the people and expect development. This is my message and Kwarans are supporting me. I will release the great potentials of Kwara people and

    I want all those great Kwarans abroad to return home to join me to develop a modern Kwara. Kwara can become the Dubai of North Central Zone. Most people in politics and in government now in Kwara or in Abuja know me and my capacity. The present generation of politicians in Kwara, we came in the same year in 2003. But, I left in 2005 and now I am back. The Kwara electorate know me and they also trust me because when I was Commissioner for Health, I stood for one Kwara, growth and the development of Kwara State. I promise the people of the state transparency and accountability. Kwara’s wealth will be used for Kwara State.

    Do you have the political structure and financial muscle to achieve this?

    Structure in politics is not like building. So, when people talk about structure in politics, you are talking about people. Yes, I have political structure in Kwara State. Right from my secondary school days in Oro Grammar school, I have always been a leader and up to my university days and also within my professional association, the Nigerian Medical Association, I have always played leadership and political roles. As far back as 1992, during the SDP and the NRC days ,I have been coming to Kwara  to support political development and I promoted democracy during June 12 in 1993. I became an active politician from 2002 when I first contested to be a senator. I know Kwara state and Kwarans know me. There are 16 local governments in Kwara State, three senatorial districts and 183 wards.

    I started politics in Kwara in 2003 to be a senator when Dr Saraki was contesting for governor. It is interesting that I also served later in his campaign organisation that year as the director of organization in 2003.  I am one of those who worked very hard politically for him to win the party ticket that year and also to win the election against an incumbent that year.

    I also served as member of the inauguration committee of the governor-elect in 2003 before I was also appointed commissioner

    It is also interesting that after eight years, when I contested again for the Senate in 2011, Dr. Bukola Saraki who was concluding his second term, also contested that year to become a senator and he was represented at the party screening before the primary by somebody. I remember that I was screened that day with Alhaji Shaaba Lafiagi and Senator Simon Ajibola. They all went to the Senate. So, you can see that I belong to the first eleven in Kwara politics. I hope that now that the former governors are now senators, they would support me to be the governor too, as we exchange seats in the service of our people. I have also served in the Kwara State Executive Council with the incumbent governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

    How do you think you can ‘demolish’ the solid structure of Saraki dynasty?

    I am not in politics to destroy anybody or any dynasty. I am a builder and I am in politics to build, to develop and to serve the people. I am in politics to empower the people of Kwara and to transform Kwara’s state economy so that the people of kwara state will enjoiy better life, so that they will have food to eat at the right time,good and regular water to drink, good roads, better education, good health care and timely payment of workers’ salaries and to bring modern investments to kwara state. I have travelled to more than 30states in Nigeria in the last 30years. I have worked in many states and in some state. I am a cosmopolitan aspirant. I have served as Consultant to state government. So, I am a builder and technocrat, I am not a demolisher. I will build on what I meet and I will make development and progress the cardinal objective of our administration. I know  Oloye Saraki. I was like his son and I know Dr Bukola I worked with him. So, I am not contesting to destroy any dynasty or anybody. I do not believe in politics with bitterness. I am contesting to serve all kwarans. I am for one Kwara and one Nigeria and I have the exposure and the intellectual capacity to tackle the issues of poverty and underdevelopment in Kwara State. I am creative and only creative people can do the job.

    Are you aspiring under the structure?

    I am aspiring to be the next governor of Kwara State by the grace of God, to contest and to win the election under the people’s platform. Those who have contested and won don’t have two heads. I am aspiring on the people’s platform. My platform will be known soon. We are still within the INEC guidelines and timetable.  I want to be the candidate of all Kwarans, workers, farmers, students, market men and women, Muslims, Christians, traditional rulers, kings, chiefs, youths, pensioners, professionals. I am the most experienced, most prepared and most equipped of all the aspirants for the office. I am also the only aspirant with a national honour and I am going to contest with the best platform in Kwara State and the people will use their PVCs and smart card readers to vote for me. I am sure I will win like George Weah because of my programmes, because of my services to my state, my reputation, my selflessness and my love for the masses. I am a humanitarian to the core and Kwarans will enjoy my administration. I will run an open government with a caring heart. I believe that, as we go on in this process, many political groups, associations and tendencies will come together and adopt me as the best candidate. I am the candidate with the richest ideas.

  • INEC uncovers illegal registration centre in Kwara

    INEC Administrative Secretary Secretary in Kwara, Mr Paul Atser, made this known in a statement in Ilorin on Friday.

    “It has come to the notice of Independent National Electoral Commission, Kwara State that some unscrupulous persons are carrying out illegal registration of voters in Offa Local Government area,” Atser said.

    According to him, the perpetrators of the illegal registration were using Corel Draw application to change the particulars in a scanned INEC PVC.

    The INEC official said one suspect was arrested and undergoing interrogation by the police.

    “The general public is advised to be watchful and ensure that they go to only INEC designated registration centers to be captured for the PVC,” Atser added.

    He said a list of all designated centers were available at the INEC State office as well as INEC offices in the 16 local government councils in Kwara.

  • Asset Declaration: S/Court adjourns Saraki, FG appeals indefinitely

    The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned indefinitely, hearing in the appeal filed by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, challenging the continuation of his trial on alleged false assets declaration.

    Justice Mohammed Dattijo adjourned the matter on the grounds that all processes had not been filed and served.

    Dattijo said the registrar of the court would transmit hearing date to parties as soon as the processes were filed and exchanged.

    Saraki is challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which in December 2017 nullified 15 out of 18 count-charge filed against him at Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ).

    The panel, led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson, ordered Saraki to answer count 4, 5 and 6 of the charges.

    The outstanding three charges bordered on alleged false declaration of property on 17A/17B, McDonald St., Ikoyi, Lagos and incoherent asset declaration after Saraki’s tenure as governor of Kwara.

    Read also: CCT trial: Saraki closes case after calling witness

    The senate president is asking the apex court to set aside the decision of the lower court and uphold that of the CCT which acquitted him.

    However, in a cross appeal the respondent asked the court to discountenance the appellant’s prayer and allow him to stand justice.

    NAN

  • NULGE decries slow action on Autonomy Bill

    …knocks Imo Assembly for voting against Bill

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has lampooned House of Assemblies in the Southeast zone over their indifference in handling the Local Government Autonomy Bill.

    He noted that while other states like Kwara, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross River, Bayelsa and Ogun states have voted for Local Government autonomy, the states in the Southeast are yet to conduct public hearing.

    The Union also knocked the Imo State Assembly for voting against the Bill, describing the decision by the lawmakers as unfortunate.

    NULGE also lampooned the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha for not “equally putting his best to ensure the passage of the Bill”.

    Addressing newsmen at the NULGE Secretariat in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the National Auditor of the Union, Comrade Ayuba Shamdung Jepla, said that four states in the Southeast zone were just preparing to conduct public hearing on the bill.

    He accused the lawmakers of being insensitive to the plight of the people at the grassroots, who he said are the direct beneficiaries of the Local Government Autonomous Bill.

    Jepla also dismissed the earlier reason given by the Imo State House of Assembly for none passage of the bill, stating that “the defense was a mockery of the well-intended aim and objectives of the National Assembly with regards to Local Government Autonomous Bill”.

    According to him, “the Union unequivocally condemns the none passage of the Local Government Autonomous Bill by the Imo State House of Assembly as it is not only retrogressive, undemocratic but a calculated plan to enthrone abject poverty and misery in the third tier of government”.

    The Union however appreciated the State House of Assemblies that voted in favour of the bill, describing them as “partners in progress”.

  • Herdsmen destroy ex-naval chief 67 hectares of cassava plants in Kwara

    Herdsmen have again allegedly destroyed about 67 hectares of cassava plants belonging to ex-chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Samuel Afolayan in Kwara state.
    January this year, the ex-naval chief accused the herdsmen of destroying about 45 hectares of his farm land located at Obbo-Ile, Ekiti local government area of the state.
    The former naval chief told reporters in Obbo-Ile, describing the action as intentional.
    “After the earlier report, the situation as at now is that seven people are under arrest.  They have caused more damages since after the burning of the first farm that was reported. They have burnt 50 hectares of palm tree carrying bunches. This is after the initial report,” he added.
    Admiral Afolayan said: “They have destroyed 67 hectares of cassava worth N57 million, they have destroyed four hectares of sweet corn ready for harvest valued at N2.5 million. I am still costing the palm trees because many of them may not survive. I am getting experts to quantify it knowing that palm trees can be harvested for 20 years.
    “I am also working on the valuation of the oranges they destroyed. Since after the first report, I have not gotten help from anybody (Federal and Kwara State Government) except the local government chairman that visited the farm and saw the extent of damages and expressed his opinion on what he saw.
    “Seven herdsmen have been arrested and handed over to police”.
    “The action has proved to be that it is a deliberate act now that I can trace their cows to their camps and that is why I conclude that somebody living a distance of between three and six kilometers go inside my farm, I believe it is intentional”.

  • Kwara: Gov. Ahmed signs bill stopping payment of pension to Gov, Deputy

    Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has signed into law an amendment bill stopping payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors in the state.

    The State House of Assembly recently passed by the bill stopping payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors in the state.

    The passage of the bill followed consideration of a report presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Emmanuel Abodunrin.

    With the signing of the amended law by the governor, former governors and their deputies shall no longer be entitled to pension and other benefits whenever they hold a political or public office.

    Similarly, the governor gave his assent to the Ilorin Township (Prohibition Against the Production, Sale and Consumption of Liquor in Certain Areas) Law, 2018, as passed by the Kwara State House of Assembly.

    Under the law, no person will be allowed to produce, sell, store or openly consume alcohol within specified areas in the metropolis.

    The bill stipulates that any person who contravenes the provision of this law shall be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N100, 000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six month or both.

    NAN

  • Kwara vaccinates 197,269 children against measles

    No fewer than 197,269 children have been vaccinated against measles in the first phase of the immunisation programme in Kwara State, it was learnt yesterday.

    The State Communication for Development Consultant, Dr Iyabode Ajibola, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

    The first phase, which began early this month, covered eight local government areas.

    Dr Ajibola listed the benefitting councils as Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, Oyun, Ilorin West and Ifelodun.

    She explained that 404,703 children are targeted in the programme.

    According to her, officials are yet to encounter cases of non-compliance by communities in the first phase of the programme.

    She added that the state government placed a high premium on Primary Health Care and Routine Immunisation, even ensured strategies to reduce the burden of preventable diseases.

    According to her, the immunisation initiative is accessible to all citizens regardless of their economic status.

    The second phase of the immunisation, which started last Thursday, will end tomorrow, she added.

    Irepodun, Moro, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Kaiama, Patigi and Oke-Ero local government areas will benefit.