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Tag: kwara

  • Kwara to build boundary link road with Osun

    Kwara to build boundary link road with Osun

    The Kwara State government will link the Aran-Orin Township road in Irepodun Local government Area to the Osun State boundary.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed spoke on Wednesday at Aran-Orin, when he inspected ongoing projects in Irepodun and Ekiti Local Government Areas.

    According to him, his government had built 3.6kilometres of the 6kilometres road in Aran-Orin, saying the remaining 2.4 kilometres will be built to link Ila in the neighbouring Osun State.

    Ahmed, who also inspected Oke-Opin Township road in Ekiti council and Ipetu-Rore-Arandun road in Irepodun, said the quality of work was in consonance with funds released for the projects.

    He also directed the immediate rehabilitation of Oke Opin/Epe Opin community bridge to control erosion.

  • Saraki to Houses of Assembly: emulate Kwara on pension to ex-officeholders

    Saraki to Houses of Assembly: emulate Kwara on pension to ex-officeholders

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki has urged Houses of Assembly in other states to emulate the Kwara State House of Assembly by passing bills to stop the bleeding of public treasuries in the guise of pension payments to former political office holders.

    The bill stopping the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in Kwara State was passed by the House of Assembly last Tuesday, ending controversies that the Senate President was earning salaries from two sources.

    In a statement, Saraki hailed the Speaker of the Assembly, Ali Ahmad, for working to ensure the expeditious passage of the bill.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is expected to sign the Bill into law.

    When signed into law, former governors and former deputies would no longer earn salaries from the state government whenever they are holding political and public offices.

    The statement by Saraki reads: “I am pleased that following my conversation with Kwara Speaker, Ali Ahmad, two months ago, the bill to suspend the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies when they hold a political or public office was passed by the Kwara House of Assembly.”

    Saraki, who was governor between 2003 and 2011, has since been serving as a senator representing Kwara Central.

    The payment of salaries for life to some former governors after leaving office drew flaks from a cross-section of Nigerians.

    It is expected that other former governors now holding public offices, especially those in the National Assembly, would take steps to have their salaries put on the hold by their various states.

    Some serving senators once served as former governors and deputy governors of their states.

    The onetime governors are: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Jonah Jang (Plateau).

    Others are: Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto); Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi) and George Akume (Benue).

    The former deputy governors are: senators Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti), Enyinaya Abaribe (Abia) and Danladi Abubakar Sani, who once served as the acting governor of Taraba.

    Others who serve as ministers are: Labour & Productivity Minister Chris Ngige (Anambra); Minister of Mines & Steel Development Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Power, Works & Housing Babatunde Fashola (Lagos).

    The pension law in Akwa Ibom State provides monthly pensions for former governor governors and former deputies salaries that are equivalent to their successors.

    In many of the states, former governors are entitled to official accommodation in the state capitals, official cars, free overseas’ medical treatments for them and members of their families as well as security details and personal staff.

     

  • Saraki to Houses of Assembly: emulate Kwara on pension to ex-officeholders

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki has urged Houses of Assembly in other states to emulate the Kwara State House of Assembly by passing bills to stop the bleeding of public treasuries in the guise of pension payments to former political office holders.

    The bill stopping the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in Kwara State was passed by the House of Assembly last Tuesday, ending controversies that the Senate President was earning salaries from two sources.

    In a statement, Saraki hailed the Speaker of the Assembly, Ali Ahmad, for working to ensure the expeditious passage of the bill.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is expected to sign the Bill into law.

    When signed into law, former governors and former deputies would no longer earn salaries from the state government whenever they are holding political and public offices.

    The statement by Saraki reads: “I am pleased that following my conversation with Kwara Speaker, Ali Ahmad, two months ago, the bill to suspend the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies when they hold a political or public office was passed by the Kwara House of Assembly.”

    Saraki, who was governor between 2003 and 2011, has since been serving as a senator representing Kwara Central.

    The payment of salaries for life to some former governors after leaving office drew flaks from a cross-section of Nigerians.

    It is expected that other former governors now holding public offices, especially those in the National Assembly, would take steps to have their salaries put on the hold by their various states.

    Some serving senators once served as former governors and deputy governors of their states.

    The onetime governors are: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Jonah Jang (Plateau).

    Others are: Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto); Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi) and George Akume (Benue).

    The former deputy governors are: senators Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti), Enyinaya Abaribe (Abia) and Danladi Abubakar Sani, who once served as the acting governor of Taraba.

    Others who serve as ministers are: Labour & Productivity Minister Chris Ngige (Anambra); Minister of Mines & Steel Development Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Power, Works & Housing Babatunde Fashola (Lagos).

    The pension law in Akwa Ibom State provides monthly pensions for former governor governors and former deputies salaries that are equivalent to their successors.

    In many of the states, former governors are entitled to official accommodation in the state capitals, official cars, free overseas’ medical treatments for them and members of their families as well as security details and personal staff.

     

  • ‘Baruten must remain in Kwara’

    ‘Baruten must remain in Kwara’

    A governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, has called for a development initiative in Baruten council to give the people a sense of belonging.

    Olaosebikan spoke against calls by some indigenes that they be allowed to join Benin Republic.

    The convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, accused politicians of abandoning the electorate.

    He regretted that since the state was created, no meaningful project has been implemented in the council.

    Hamzat said: “I am from Baruten Local Government in Gwanara district specifically. We call ourselves citizens of Benin Republic because we are not sure if we are part of Kwara State.

    “From Gwanara, we travel to Saki in Oyo State to access medical treatment, and some even die on the way there. Others go to the Benin Republic because we lack everything at Baruten, especially Gwanara district.”

    But Olaosebikan, in a statement by his spokesman Dele Aberuagba, urged them not to lose hope.

    He said: “We have one Kwara State, and so whatever affects any part affects the whole state. We should desist from saying it is a problem for Kwara North, Kwara Central or Kwara South. In modern global thinking, a problem somewhere can become problem everywhere.

    “So the Baruten issue is a Kwara issue, and it is time to take the matter up seriously. We must show empathy and not display ethnicity.”

  • Gov. Ahmed approves free bus ride for school children, pregnant women, others

    Gov. Ahmed approves free bus ride for school children, pregnant women, others

    Gov. Abdufatah Ahmed of Kwara has approved free bus ride for school children in uniform, pregnant women and physically challenged persons under the Maigida Soludero Mass Transit.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the state’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprise ( MSME ) Bureau, Mr Segun Soewu, made this known at a news conference in Ilorin on Tuesday.

    Soewu said pregnant women and physically challenged would be entitled to the free bus ride throughout the day, while school children could enjoy the free service only in the afternoon when they close.

    He explained that Gov. Ahmed gave the directive as part of efforts to bring succour to families and the less privileged.

    The MSME Bureau boss added that the mass transit scheme had been offering subsidised intra and inter-city transport service to students and the public since it was launched in June 2017.

    NAN

  • Kwara communities settle differences

    Kwara communities settle differences

    Feuding Offa and Ijagbo communities, in Offa and Oyun local government areas of Kwara State, have settled their differences at a meeting in Ilorin, the capital.

    The communities last week engaged in bloody brawls over land.

    One person was feared dead; many were injured.

    President of Offa Descendants Union (ODU) Najeem Yasin, and President of Ijagbo Descendants Union (IDU) Tunde Agboola Oyawoye, addressed reporters after the meeting.

    Oyawoye spoke through Chairman of the Ilorin branch of IDU, Samuel Ebun Akinola.

    They announced a 14-man committee to ensure implementation of decisions reached at the meeting.

    They directed the re-opening of schools, which were shut following the mayhem.

  • One feared dead in Kwara communal clash

    One feared dead in Kwara communal clash

    One person is feared dead in the communal clash between Offa and Ijagbo in Kwara State. Many, including two policemen and a naval rating, were injured.

    The communities are allegedly fighting over land. Investigations showed that the tussle is between the Balogun family in Offa and another in Ijagbo.

    It was gathered that local hunters from neighbouring Ajase-Ipo fought on both sides.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the development, said: “Reports reaching the Area Commander in Offa said a land dispute between Ijagbo and Offa communities was becoming violent, hence a peace meeting was organised by the Chairman of Oyun council, with the area commander and other stakeholders in attendance.

    “Violence however erupted while the meeting was still on, and sounds of gun fire rented the air. The hoodlums shot at the security agents deployed to maintain peace.

    “Two policemen and a Naval rating were injured, and rushed to the hospital.

    “No civilian casualty was recorded, and more policemen have been drafted to the area to maintain peace. Some suspects have been arrested and are helping with investigation.”

    He added that normalcy had returned to the scene, with the deployment of policemen, Navy and Army officials.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised to deal with perpetrators of the clash.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, expressed concern about the unwarranted and avoidable act.

    He wondered why some individuals would take the law into their hands.

    The governor, therefore, directed security agents to arrest and bring the culprits to justice.

    “The government will not allow any breach of peace, harmony and tranquillity under any guise,” the statement said.

    Governor Ahmed assured Kwarans that his administration would continue to prioritise security of life and property for economic growth and development.

    The  House of Assembly has passed a bill prohibiting the manufacturing, sales and consumption of liquor in some parts of Ilorin, the capital.

    The bill was sponsored by Segilola Abdulkadir, (APC – Ilorin Central)

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during a public hearing on the bill, stakeholders were supported the enactment of the bill.

    The motion for the third reading and passage was moved by the leader, Hassan Oyeleke.

    The Speaker, Ali Ahmad directed the Clerk, Mohammed Katsina, to forward a clean copy to Governor Ahmed for his assent.

  • Kwara police parade six suspected kidnappers

    Kwara police parade six suspected kidnappers

    The Kwara state police command on Friday paraded a gang of kidnapers and cattle rustlers in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The six suspects were said bolted away from Kwara state with over 200 cows.

    Parading the suspects in Ilorin, the state commissioner of police Lawan Ado said they were arrested in Niger state where they had escaped to.

    Ado explained that the police from the Niger state command were able to arrest the suspects after his command shared with the Mokwa police station in Niger state, intelligence about the movement of the suspects.

    He said that in the proccess of arresting the suspects, a police corporal, Machi Yusuf who is an operative of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), lost his life.

    Ado said that the policeman died in an excgange of gun fire with the kingpin of the kidnap gang, Adamu Abacha.

    He said Abacha, after the clash, escaped to the bush and that while the SARS operatives were combing the bush for him, they found his dead body on the ground and also recovered there, his AK 47 riffle he buried in the ground.

    The police commissioner said 233 cows were recovered from the gang and that six live ammunitions were retrieved along side the riffle recovered from their dead boss.

    He said six of the gang members who were arrested would be charged to court as soon as investigation is conducted.

    The police boss also disclosed that two poeple among four suspected to have kidnapped a man, Hassan Taiye, in his mosque in Chikanda in Baruten local government area of the state had been arrested.

    He said four men two of whom were in Army uniform kidnapped the victim and took him to an unkown destination after injuring his vigilante guard with a gunshot.

    Ado further disclosed recovery of 10 motorcycles from a gang of armed robbers specialising in theft of motorcycles in Ilorin.

  • Kwara LG boss donates to Special Needs School

    Kwara LG boss donates to Special Needs School

    Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, Chairman, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara has advised Nigerians to imbibe the habit of being their brother’s keeper, especially to the less-privileged in the society.

    Oladipo gave the advice in Omu-Aran on Wednesday while handing over an undisclosed amount of money to the management of St. Paul’s School for Special Needs, Omu-Aran, Kwara.

    He said that the gesture was targeted at bringing succour to pupils, teachers and management to assist in the smooth running of the school.

    He said the donation was also in line with the state government policy of making qualitative and quantitative education affordable and accessible to all categories of the populace.

    “It is part of our desire and mandate as elected officers of the council to ensure that all categories of students in the council are adequately impacted in their academic pursuit.

    Read Also: Providing a stable economic platform for Kwara

    “Notwithstanding the lean purse and resources of the council occasioned by the dwindling allocation from the Federation Account, we will not relent in the discharge of our civic responsibilities.

    “We are at the same time optimistic that this little cash incentive will assist the management in the smooth administration of the school, particularly in the area of logistics.”

    Oladipo also pledged to liaise with the council’s health department to make quality healthcare services accessible to the pupils.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Headmaster, Mr Raphael Olaoye, described the visit as the first of its kind in the school’s history by any elected government official or philanthropist, since its establishment.

    He listed some of the challenges confronting the school as inadequate funding, logistics and insufficient teaching and learning materials.

    “We will forever be grateful to this administration for identifying with our school and promise the judicious use of this kind gesture,” Olaoye added.

    The Newsmen reports that the visit was part of the administration’s familiarisation tour of facilities and institutions within the council, following its inauguration a few months ago.

    Among the pupils of the school are those with Down’s Syndrome, the crippled, the deaf and dumb.

    NAN

     

  • PDP members defect to APC in Kwara

    Over 100 members and supporters of the  opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

    They were received at Agbonda, Ajase Ward II of Irepodun Local Government Area.

    The defectors attributed their decision to pitch tent with the ruling party to alleged neglect and lack of focus by their former party.

    The Secretary of the APC, Mr Olabode Adekanye, received the defectors at the empowerment programme he organised for residents of Ajase Ward II, tagged: “ABS Ajase II Empowerment Scheme”.

    Materials distributed at the event included 45 knapsack sprayers, six sewing machines, six grinding machines and six multi-functional fans.

    Adekanye said the defection of the former PDP members  was a sign that the APC was swelling in rank.

    He enjoined the defectors not to entertain any fear, adding that they would be treated equally with other members.

    The APC chieftain advised  the defectors to be faithful with the ruling party and mobilise those he said were “sitting on the fence” to join the mainstream politics.