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  • Kwara boosts SMEs with N2.2bn

    Kwara boosts SMEs with N2.2bn

    Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said his administration has spent about N2.25 billion to strengthen the
    capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
    He added that in view of his  commitment to developing SMES, he earmarks a sum of N500 million yearly towards the scheme.
    Governor Ahmed disclosed the expenditure in Ilorin, the state capital at the 2nd annual general meeting (AGM) of the Kwara state Coalition of Business and Professional Associations (KWACOBPA).
    Represented by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Ahmed Rifun, the governor said “the spate of growth in the number of micro credit loan seekers in the state which includes viable cooperative groups paved way for the creation of the Kwara state Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
    This development is also complementing the Federal Government’s effort in assisting enterprenenurial development in the state.
    “I must say, many activities have been going on since its establishment. The activities include youth empowerment scheme; agricultural loan and seedlings scheme; motor vehicle and motor cycle loan schemes. In deed, this gave birth to the recently launched mass scheme to ease movements within the Ilorin metropolis.”
    Governor Ahmed lamented that “businesses the world over are facing a turbulent and challenging times ranging from economic recession, security challenges, decaying infrastructure, skyrocketing foreign exchange regime to policy somersaults. To overcome this quagmire, all hands must be on desk to bring about the desired changes we want.”
    In a remarks, KWACOBPA chair, Chief Hezekiah Adediji urged the state government to always involve the association in the disbursement of monies meant to SMEs in the state.

  • Kwara bars three expectant mothers from hajj

    •Sokoto airlifts first batch of pilgrims 

    The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has disqualified three expectant mothers from participating in hajj, it was learnt yesterday.

    Executive Secretary of the Board Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh told reporters that the women were detected following the release of the comprehensive medical screening of intending pilgrims.

    “The medical screening is not punitive, but to safeguard their health and that of the babies. The affected persons have been notified of their disqualification,” he said.

    Tunde-Jimoh advised pilgrims to shun drug trafficking and other negative tendencies capable of tarnishing the country’s image.

    With the exclusion of the three women, 1,465 will perform this hajj from the state.

    The board has begun distributing bags, clothing materials and other essentials to intending pilgrims as part of preparation for Thursday’s inaugural flight.

    The first batch of pilgrims from Sokoto State were airlifted to Saudi Arabia yesterday, Director-General of the state Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Ibrahim Umar, has said.

    A statement by his media assistant, Farouk Umar, said arrangements have been perfected to ensure a successful hajj. He assured the pilgrims that decent accommodation and other logistics have been put in place in Makkah and Madinah for their comfort.

    He warned the pilgrims against carrying prohibited items, saying screening machines will detect such.

    According to him, anyone caught with drugs would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

  • Kwara steps up infrastructure renewal

    Late last year, at the launch of Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK), Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed promised to plug the about N255 billion infrastructure gap in the state. With some ongoing projects in Ilorin, the state capital, and some other local government areas, he is keeping to his promise.

    Worthy of mention are the ongoing work at the Geri Alimi Diamond Underpass and the operation light up Kwara. The cost of both has been put at N3.5 billion and N6 billion respectively. Operation light-up Kwara is on public-private partnership basis.

    Other ongoing projects include Chapel-Oke Odo-Bubu link Road, aimed at decongesting Tanke, University road, Pipeline and Awolowo, Offa Garage, and Tipper Garage roads. Others completed five km Offa- Irra rural road, eight km Erin Ile-Elemona-court road in Oyun local government area, Ipe township  and Ogbondoroko township roads.

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some other groups in the state have pilloried the underpass bridge and light-up projects, describing them as elitist and of no value to the common man on the street.

    During the launch of IFK, the governor said the state plans to achieve this through partnership with some banks, contractors, consultants and others.

    The state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said that the establishment of IF-K was informed by his desire to ensure rapid infrastructure growth and the need for an appropriate savings as well as investment mechanism.

    He added that in the next ten month, over N5.8 billion will be pumped into the state’s economy via IF-K.

    “Our expectation is that this injection will keep our project partners in business and have a positive spiral effect on employment generation. In the medium term, the remaining N5.3b of government spending will boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for about 18 months while sustaining the multiplier impact on job creation,” he said.

    Governor Ahmed added that he is not unaware of the state of “infrastructure in our state in recent times. I am not unaware of the situation. So let me give you this assurance.

    He said, “Following from the PPP, IF-K is the second phase of my government’s long term strategy to diversify our local economy, stimulate economic growth via private sector participation in infrastructure development and create opportunities for collective

    prosperity.

    “The purpose of the IF-K, therefore, is to pool funds for infrastructure projects, optimally leverage private sector resources for infrastructure development and channel State Internal Revenue to directly impact economic diversification and growth strategies. IF-K is also designed to ensure maximum quality assurance for asset and services procured by government and encourage broader and deeper interactions with the Kwara State government from private and non-private partners.

    “The fund will be financed through a N5billion seed fund and a N500 million monthly contribution from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO). This implies that the money will be taken at source from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue and provides an additional layer of assurance to project partners. Additional non-IGR funds, such as those from the Federal Government and global development partners will be added to IF-K as they become available.

    “Under IF-K, funds will be disbursed on a quarterly basis, and are projected to grow by N6 billion by the end of the year. In order to ensure accountability, and insulate the funds from political control, the IF-K will be managed by a reputable investment company, Investment One, appointed as trustee for the scheme.

    “Investment One is also to market the fund to potential investors and mitigate against payment risks by ring-fencing the funds and limiting their utilisation to the approved purposes for which they have been earmarked.

    “In other words, the trustees are independent of the state government, and will only disburse funds upon the presentation of a certified certificate of completion and at agreed project milestones.

    “As an added measure to ensure quality standards, the certificate of completion is also subject to further authentication by an independent project inspector. IF-K is therefore not susceptible to interference from any other party. I must also emphasise that we will continue to fund smaller projects through other platforms as only projects worth N300 million and above will be included on the IF-K payment grid.

    Following the launch of IF-K the payment grid will commence in December, 2016 with all ongoing and new projects targeted for completion by December, 2018. Furthermore, the total value of ongoing project debts to be addressed through IF-K is estimated at about N11.1 billion.

    “As a demonstration of faith and a token of our commitment to pay all outstanding contractor debts, we have disbursed N1.7 billion to significantly reduce current debt to contractors. The balance to be paid from IF-K is estimated at N9.4 billion.

    “This amount will be reduced on a quarterly basis until all debts are finally liquidated before the end of the administration.

    Simultaneously, contractors will drop off the IF-K grid as their obligations are terminated to allow for the introduction of new portfolio of fresh projects.

    “Given the benefits of stable and reliable funding provided by IF-K, I state without any equivocation that the era of abandoned projects is over in Kwara state. As a demonstration of this determination, all ongoing and new projects will be funded to completion under the IFK before the end of my tenure. “In my second inaugural speech, I made a commitment to transform Kwara.

    On inspection tours of some of the project sites, the state Works Commissioner Alhaji Aro Yahaya assured that all ongoing projects would be completed before the expiration of the current administration in 2019. He ruled out insinuations in some quarters that projects would be abandoned, stressing that all projects funded under the Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K) model would be carried to completion.

    Alhaji Yayah particularly allayed the general public’s fears about the completion of the Geri-Alimi Split Diamond Underpass, stressing that it will not be abandoned.

     

  • Kwara APC holds peaceful congress

    Kwara APC holds peaceful congress

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State at the weekend held its congress. It was  peaceful and rancour-free.

    At the congress, which held at the party secretariat along Agba Road, Ilorin, three delegates emerged from each of the 16 Local Government Areas.

    The delegates emerged through affirmation by other delegates, who were elected from earlier ward and local government congresses.

    There was tight security at the entrance gate; delegates and officials were screened by security personnel before allowed entry.

    Head of National Secretariat delegation Mohammed Bigol said the event was well organised with an impressive turn out of supporters. He noted that the attendance was a testimony that the ruling party was doing well.

    State Chairman Ishola Balogun-Fulani noted that the conduct showed that the ruling party has 90 per cent of the voting population in the state.

  • Industrial growth: Kwara seeks BoI’s support

    The Kwara State Government has solicited increased technical and financial partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to sustain entrepreneurship development in the state.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed explained that though a scheme designed to drive entrepreneurship development had already been established, partnering BoI would help up-scale the initiative to achieve economic growth for the state.

    He spoke during a visit by BoI’s Managing Director Olukayode Pitan.

    Ahmed said the state had established an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) for most of its agricultural commodities, saying the bank’s technical and financial support were key to driving the EPZ.

    “No doubt, we are aware of the various supports you have given to entrepreneurship development in Kwara, which had also triggered a lot of multiplier effects in other sectors in the state.

    “We already have a scheme to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), but we will be delighted to see a kind of partnership where the Kwara State Government and BoI would merge our own initiative with theirs to achieve a mutual benefit for all,” Ahmed said.

    Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to BoI’s operations in the state, Ahmed said a lot of small businesses in the state would have closed shops if not for BoI’s prompt intervention programmes.

    “Our arms are wide open to receive you and we will take off from where we stopped, because we believe partnerships such as this is critical to drive SMEs and industrial development,” he noted.

    Earlier, the Managing Director commended the Governor for his tireless efforts aimed at boosting SME development, pointing out that the bank had so far disbursed over N9 billion to support small businesses in the state.

    “We are here to solicit your partnership in respect of the N2 billion matching fund. We believe this initiative should be expanded to support more businesses and youths to be gainfully employed. This is the only way we can address the high unemployment rates in this country,” Pitan said.

    In another development, the BoI Managing Director, in a guided facility tour, paid courtesy visits to three factories who are also beneficiaries of the bank’s intervention funds aimed at driving industrial development.

    “Industrialising Nigeria is the surest way to go to achieve rapid economic growth and development. We will continue to support viable businesses to grow because of the multiplier effects they have on the economy at large,” he said.

  • Customs Seizes N37.5m worth of imported rice, vegetable oil in Niger

    Customs Seizes N37.5m worth of imported rice, vegetable oil in Niger

    Two Thousand, four hundred and thirty one (2,431) 50kg bags of rice and 1,421 of 25 litres jericans of vegetable oil have been seized in Niger state by the Customs Area Command of Niger, Kwara and Kogi.

    The Customs Area Controller of Niger, Kwara and Kogi, Comptroller Benjamin Binga who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Minna said that the duty paid value of the seized rice is N20.5 million while the vegetable oil is worth N17 million.

    According to him, the seizures were made along Minna-Bida and Tegina-kontagora roads in Niger state by the men of the custom anti-smuggling squad who were working based on information.

    “The Command made a monumental seizure in an operation which was undertaken between 21st and 23rdJuly, 2017. This involves a ten tyre DAf Truck, loaded with bags of imported Rice which was intercepted by the Command’s operations squad.

    “As at now, we have made a total seizure of 2,431 of 50kg bags of Rice with Duty Paid Value of N20, 551,549.55. The Command’s patrol team also intercepted two 20 feet containers loaded with 1,421 of 25 litres jericcans of vegetable oil. The duty paid value of the vegetable oil is Seventeen million, Fifty-Two thousand naira (N17, 052,000.00).”

    Binga further said that the Command has generated over N1.4 billion and made a total of 42 seizures at the end of the second quarter of the year, “In the area of anti-smuggling, the command has made a total of forty two (42) seizures, comprising of rice, used vehicles, textiles and other general goods with a total duty Paid Value of N57, 323,165.55″.

    The Comptroller who said that war have been declared on smugglers in the zone adding that smuggling would no longer thrive in Niger, Kwara and Kogi as the Command is working towards ensuring that they rid the zone of smuggling activities.

    “We would continue to a seize as long as the smugglers continue to bring in smuggled goods. We are warning every smugglers that it is no more business as usual.

    “The Command has been well motivated by the management and so we shall not relent in our efforts until we rid the command which comprises Niger, Kwara and Kogi states of the menace of smuggling of rice, new/used vehicles and other unwholesome goods.”

     

  • Lawmaker, community leaders seek peace in Kwara

    Lawmaker, community leaders seek peace in Kwara

    The need for peaceful coexistence and unity among Kwara State residents has resonated in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

    Politicians, community leaders and traditional rulers took turns to preach unity among the three ethnic groups in Kwara South senatorial district. They said peace is the antidote for growth and development in the area. The three ethnic groups are Igbominas, Ibolos and Ekitis of Kwara State.

    The event was the distribution of sets of computer to Muslim Community Primary School and ECWA Demonstration School all in Igbaja.

    The event was organised to coincide with the birthday anniversary of the former All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara state House of Assembly aspirant, Kayode Oyin-Zubair.

    Member of the Kwara state House of Assembly, Prince Saheed Popoola attended the occasion.

    Prince Popoola said, “There is need for peace and unity among the three prominent ethnic groups in Kwara South. They are the Igbominas, Ibolos and Ekitis. In unity and harmonious coexistence there will be growth and development. It is the best for the three ethnic groups.

    “What he has done today is a signal to the well-heeled in the society to always spare a thought for the masses and less privileged in the society. I want to assure that we will not relent in our struggle for the betterment of our society.

    Today’s occasion is eventful and I congratulate our friend for good outing. I am here to felicitate with him. I want pray for God to continue to raise him up. It is a very nice occasion.”

    In his remark, founder, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji said the people stand to gain in peace and unity.

    Alhaji Oladimeji, who is also the Jagunmolu of Igbomina land urged well-to-do and philanthropic minded people to emulate the kind gesture of Kayode Oyin-Zubair be assisting the needy in the society.

    “But not many of us can do what this our son is doing today as many of us are self-centred and tight-fisted,” he said.

    Represented by Dean Faculty of Education, Al-Hikmah University, Igbaja campus, Prof Julius Lawal, said that “we have a lot to gain in unity.

    If there is unity development will not elude us and no government will take us for a ride.”

    Also speaking, Oludopo of Oke-Iya Ipo, Alhaji Saheed Obadoye aligned with other speakers in praying for harmonious relationship between the communities in the entire Igbomina land and Kwara south in general.

    Earlier, the donor of the sets of computer, Kayode Oyin-Zubair said gesture is aimed at encouraging pupils to be interested in education.

    He said, “This will encourage them to be interested in acquiring education. I still hope to extend same to other three schools in the community. I urge the well-meaning sons and daughters of Igbaja to borrow a leaf from us as government alone cannot do everything.”

  • Kwara amateur football club donates to orphanage

    Kwara amateur football club donates to orphanage

    The President of Excel Stars FC of Ilorin, an amateur side, Dare Benjamin, has said the target of the club is to play in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Benjamin made the assertion when he led other members of the club to donate items to the Kwara Motherless and Orphanage Home, Pipeline, Ilorin on Sunday.

    He said the donation of the items, including noodles, toys, snacks, clothes, bedding and beverages was part of the club’s social responsibilities to the society.

    Benjamin explained that the club was owned by young Nigerians who are excelling in their various field of endeavours with the aim of taking young boys off the street.

    “This club’s vision is to be listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the next couple of years and play in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    “We have established it to grow into a full international standard football club with a vision to take children off the street and give them life through football.

    “We are young professionals from different fields you can think of and we contribute money to run the club.

    “We have started today and we will make it a regular routine to reach out to this home at all times so that we can help to alleviate the challenges it faces in our own little way,’’ Benjamin said.

    The president promised that he would arrange a meeting with members that were medical practitioners to come do health check for the children to know if any is in need of any urgent medical attention.

    He directed the home to forward to his office its urgent needs so that the club could attend to whichever it could handle without delay.

    Responding, Olufunke Ajayi, thanked members of the club for the gesture, noting that there were categories of children that the home was taking care of.

    Ajayi said that the home was owned and managed by the Kwara Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    “We have different categories of children here, from abandoned to ones taking from lunatics on the street.

    “Some of our children are grown, I can even confirm to you that one of them is writing WAEC this year,’’ Ajayi said.

    On the visit were the club’s former President, Malam Yinka Omar, Captain, Wale Shittu and other executive members.

  • Kwara to establish export processing zone, says Gov Ahmed

    Kwara to establish export processing zone, says Gov Ahmed

    Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara on Tuesday said his government would soon establish an export processing zone in the state.

    Ahmed made this known on Tuesday in Ilorin while receiving management of the Bank of Industry (BOI) led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Olukayode Pitan.

    According to him, the processing zone will encourage exportation of goods from the state and its neighbouring states to enhance its internal generated revenue and boost the state economic activities.

    Ahmed said that arrangement was on top gear to fast-track the development of the free trade zone in the state.

    “The state government has made initial submissions through the Bank of Industry.

    “I hope to follow it up in areas where the state will be able to create export processing zone through key anchor tenants which is already on ground,” he said.

    The governor, who highlighted the importance of the free trade zone, said that his government would spare no effort to ensure that the plan becomes a reality.

    Ahmed said that the zone would generate more job opportunities for the youth across the state as a result of economic activities from the zone.

    “The plan to have an export processing zone in the state is part of the government’s plan to turn around the socio-economic activities of the state,” he said.

    Ahmed solicited for further support from the BoI for upcoming entrepreneurs in the state.

    Earlier, Pitan praised the state government for its various supports to the Small and Medium Enterprises in the state.

    He said the Bank had more than N12 billion facilities in the state, explaining that N9 billion had been distributed to various companies in the state and promised to do more.

    Pitan called for more partnership with the state to boost the state economy for sustainable growth and development.

  • Kwara to establish export processing zone

    The Kwara State government is set to establish an export processing zone to encourage exportation of goods from the state and neighbouring states, to enhance its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and boost economic activities.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed stated this yesterday when he hosted Management of the Bank of Industry (BOI), led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Olukayode Pitan, at the Government House in Ilorin. He said arrangement is on to fast track the development of the free trade zone.

    “The government has made initial submissions through the Bank of Industry, and hopes to follow it up in areas where the state will be able to create Export Processing Zone through key anchor tenants, which is already on ground,” he said.

    The governor promised that the government will ensure the plan becomes a reality.

    According to him, the zone will generate more jobs for youths.

    “The plan to have an Export Processing Zone in the state is part of the government’s plan to turn around its socio-economic activities,” he added.

    Pitan, who praised the government for its support for Small and Medium Enterprises, said the bank has more than N12 billion facilities in the state.

    He explained that N9 billion had been distributed to companies in the state and promised to do more. Pitan sought further partnership with the government to boost the state’s economy for sustainable growth and development.