#DurbarIsIIorin trended on X (former Twitter) as number two in Nigeria, a few hours after the Kwara Sugar Factory Film Studio released a teaser trailer on the 2024 Ilorin Durbar.
The trend comes with huge mentions of the Sugar Factory Film Studios, a key legacy project of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The documentary, which is due for release soon, has been produced by the Sugar Factory Film Studio team to showcase the cultural beauty of the Ilorin Durbar — one of the most colourful annual events in Nigeria.
The release of the documentary comes a few weeks before the next Durbar, a colourful festival of horse riding energized by the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and already institutionalized by the Abdulrazaq administration.
This comes a day after the Durbar Committee Chaurman Engr. Sulaiman Yahya Alapansapa met with Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Hanatu Musawa on the next festival in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Abdulrazaq had recently announced that the public-owned iconic studio would produce a documentary to profile the Ilorin Durbar for global positioning.
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday flagged off another round of distribution of machineries and agricultural inputs to farmers across the 16 local governments as this year’s farming season gets underway.
The Governor called the gesture another practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to food security, poverty reduction, and economic growth.
“Our administration has consistently prioritised agriculture, not just as a sector, but as a tool to empower our people, strengthen rural livelihoods, and create sustainable jobs,” the Governor said in Ilorin at a symbolic distribution of the agricultural items.
“What we are flagging off today is another wave of this assistance. More distributions will follow in organised batches, reaching deeper into our communities and reinforcing our shared productivity,” he said.
The Governor spoke through his Senior Adviser and Counsellor Alhaji Sa’adu Salau.
The government has always distributed tractors, implements, and inputs to farmers across the state — a culture that many farmers attested to at the event.
Among the items distributed on Thursday were 16 additional tractors,16 ploughs, 16 harrows, and 16 ridgers; 32,000kg (1,600 bags) of maize seeds, 18,000kg (360 bags) of Faro 44 rice seeds, and 10,800kg (270 bags) of TGX 1951 soya bean seeds; 720 sachets of inoculants to support nitrogen fixation and boost legume productivity; 5,040 bags of NPK (20:10:10), 5,040 bags of urea, and 720 bags of Single Super Phosphate (SSP); herbicides; 2,100 kg of atrazine for maize, 720 litres of butaforce for rice, and 2,880 ml of butaforce for soya beans.
Others were 4,320 litres of striker for maize, 7,200 litres of riceforce for rice, and 720 litres of legume force for soya beans; and 2,400 knapsack sprayers to ensure efficient use of chemicals on farms.
AbdulRazaq was happy at the notable progress the government has made in the sector, citing the rehabilitation of several rural roads that connect farm communities, and the expansion of access to quality inputs and mechanisation services.
The government has also invested in irrigation systems, supported farmer cooperatives, and opened up opportunities that allow the farmers to thrive, he added.
The Governor urged the benefitting farmers to use the items wisely for the transformation of their farms and communities.
“These inputs are not handouts —they are investments in your productivity, your future, and the prosperity of our state,” the Governor said.
Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, said the interventions were carried out under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), a programme in partnership with the World Bank.
Buge said food security is a major objective of the ACReSAL programme, adding that the event was a fruit of the wise investment of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Afeez Abolore, and his counterpart in the Water Resources, Hon. Yunus Usman Lade, in their separate remarks, lauded the initiative and how the Governor has implemented it with passion for the good of Kwarans.
State Project Coordinator for ACRESAL, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, said the programme seeks to empower local farmers with essential resources towards enhancing their productivity and livelihoods.
Aregbe said the government in December 2024 distributed 193 motorcycles to agricultural extension agents across the 16 local governments to further ease their business.
Chairman Kwara State Farmers’ Support and Welfare Association,
Abdullahi Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked AbdulRazaq for support to farmers over the years and commitment to achieve food sufficiency in the state.
“The affected areas were primarily phone stores and repair shops.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a power surge.
“Traders and market stakeholders commended the Kwara State Fire Service for its rapid response and effectiveness in saving the market from widespread destruction.”
Adekunle expressed his sympathy to the market leadership, affected traders, and the entire market community.
The contractor handling the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road will return to site in the next two weeks, Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) has assured.
The senator gave the assurance while making a remark at this year’s Isanlu Day celebration.
Karimi explained that his efforts in getting the contractor handling the Kabba-Ilorin road back to site have yielded result, assuring work will hopefully resume on the road in another two weeks time.
The lawmaker made an instant transfer of N10m in support of the Isanlu Day while soliciting the support of the people of Kogi West to the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
He urged them to keep faith with the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration, pointing out that he means well for Nigerians, with Kogi West topmost on his administration’s agenda.
Karimi assured President Tinubu is not resting on his oars in the restoration of the nation’s economy, said thus far, the administration is doing well, and on the verge of restoring the nation’s economy back to prosperity.
Barr. Femi Atteh SAN, a prominent Isanlu son, who was the chief launcher donated N20million, while Hon. Leke Abejide, Representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, pledged N10m donation.
Controversial singer Portable has been remanded in the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the bail conditions set by an Upper Area Court.
Portable was granted bail of N1 million with two sureties required in like sum.
The court specified that one surety must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
The charges against Portable stemmed from a petition filed by veteran Fuji musician Okunola Saheed Osupa, who alleged that Portable made defamatory remarks about him in a live Instagram video.
In the video, Portable claimed Osupa was envious of his success and attempted to sabotage his career.
“This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa carry tortoise for stomach. When Apple Music and Spotify want to drop money for me, na him remove my song from the platform, make I no see money”, he said in part.
Osupa claimed that Portable’s remarks were defamatory and aimed to incite public hatred, disturbing the peace.
The police arrested Portable based on a valid arrest warrant issued by a Magistrate Court in Ilorin.
During interrogation, Portable reportedly confessed to the allegations.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the petitioner accused Portable of several serious offences, including criminal defamation, threats to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, as well as the use of abusive and offensive language.
“In view of the weight of these allegations and the supporting evidence presented, the command secured a valid arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin.
“Acting on this warrant, operatives from the command proceeded to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, 13th April 2025, where the suspect was apprehended at about 19:25hrs. He was immediately brought to Ilorin for further investigations.
“Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties,” the statement read.
The Investigating Police Officer confirmed that Portable was charged based on a directive from the police authorities.
The new Kwara state Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo has vowed to partner with vigilante groups, traditional institutions and civil society organisations to combat crime in the state.
Mr Ojo added the police command under his watch would not condone indiscipline and unprofessional conduct from officers and men.
The police chief said this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital at his maiden interaction with reporters.
“I want to assure the good people of Kwara State that we will not relent in our fight against crime and criminality. There will be no sanctuary for criminals in this state.
“I also want to emphasise that discipline and professionalism will be the hallmark of the Kwara State police command under my leadership. Any officer found guilty of misconduct will face the full weight of the law, as I have zero tolerance for indiscipline and unprofessional conduct, like extortion, human right violations.
“A society thrives when there is trust between its institutions and its citizens, I will work assiduously to gain the trust of the good people of the state. I call on all stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, the press, and other law enforcement agencies-to collaborate with us in this mission.
“Together, we can build a safer Kwara, where every citizen can sleep with their two eyes closed, knowing that they are protected by the police and other security agencies.
“I must commend the press for the vital role you play in society, your efforts in providing timely and balanced information help to shape public opinion and guide the actions of the law enforcement agent and the public, your vital role as our partners in progress and your support is invaluable in ensuring that we communicate effectively with the public, maintain transparency, and foster trust. I look forward to a cordial relationship with you all, as we work together to keep the people of Kwara informed and safe.”
Top Nigerian techie and co-founder of Andela Iyinoluwa Aboyeji has asked friends and well-wishers to donate to the Kwara State Education Trust, an initiative he said is worth emulating by other States to strengthen public education.
Iyinoluwa was also the cofounder of Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology firm, as well as Future Africa, a platform that provides capital and mentorship for young innovators.
Iyinoluwa, a member of the board of the Trust Fund, also said any anyone who donates at least $1000 to the Funds would be eligible for a private dinner with him.
The Trust Fund is one of the many initiatives of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to strengthen public sector education.
The techie, who is one of Africa’s biggest success stories in fintech, made the comment in a message ahead of his 34th birthday on March 28.
“As it is the tradition, instead of birthday gifts this year, I’m asking friends and well-wishers to donate toward some of the initiatives of the Kwara Education Trust Fund such as sponsoring a child’s secondary school education to renovate schools,” he wrote on his social media handle.
“Each donation will benefit current and future generations of students in Kwara.
“On the 28th of March this year, I will be celebrating my 34th birthday, and in my typical fashion, I want to share this important piece of information with you.
“The Kwara State Education Trust Fund of which I am a member of the board is an independent body governed by reputable individuals from the public and private sectors who encourage and enable private citizens like me and you to directly and transparently support the provision and delivery of quality education to young people in Kwara from early years to University by investing in scholarships and bursary programmes, education infrastructural projects and capacity building for teaching and learning.”
Iyinoluwa noted that the initiative is key to building the future of Kwara State through sustainable investments in quality education.
“This innovative approach to augmenting resources to invest in public education allows the public, particularly Kwara indigenes (home and in the diaspora) as well their friends, to partner with the government to build the future of Kwara State through sustainable investments in quality education….If you are from elsewhere, tell your government to consider starting a similar initiative in your state.”
The Police Command in Kwara has confirmed the killing of a final year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Lawal Yetunde, by her boyfriend, whom she met on social media.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command Spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.
She said the suspect had been arrested through the deceased’s tracked phone number to the suspect’s house at Offa Garaji area, Ilorin.
“The suspect was arrested but initially denied knowing her whereabouts.
“However, during a search of his house by the police, he confessed that she had visited him and allegedly died of an asthma attack.
“Upon further investigation, police discovered Yetunde’s dismembered body, hidden in a bowl, along with equipment used for the act.”
According to a source from the family who pleaded anonymity, Yetunde was last seen on Monday, February 10, 2025, while attending a naming ceremony.
“She received a call from a friend, stepped aside to answer, and then left.
“Since then, we’ve been searching for her everywhere, but no one knew her whereabouts.
” On Tuesday, her family reported her missing at Oja-Oba Police Station, Ilorin.
“The police used her phone number to trace her last call, which led them to a suspect, one Abdulrahman, living in the Offa Garage district area of Ilorin”, he said.
Residents of Sobi Poly Feeder at Oke-Fomo in Ilorin West Local Government, which comprises 44 communities, yesterday protested power outage.
They have been in blackout since February 2024.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the communities, during the peaceful protest, said they have been experiencing blackout since last February.
They said the last time they enjoyed power supply by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) was around January last year.
The protesters, who carried placards, said the company must find solution and restore power to Kwara Poly feeder, which served the communities.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards are: “We are tired of blackout”, “Darkness is killing us, provide reliable electricity”, “No light No life” and “Power to the people not just a promise”.
Oke-Fomo community leader, Abdulkareem Jimoh, said what was being experienced was lamentable.
“The continued sufferings of residents in these affected communities, when other communities in the state are enjoying power supply, is lamentable,” he said.
Jimoh said the blackout had crippled the communities’ economic activities and they could not continue to buy fuel to power their generators because of the economic downturn.
He said the communities were using 100MVA transformer before it got spoilt and IBEDC brought 45MVA transformer.
A group known as Ibolo Consumers Advocacy Nigeria (ICAN) has petitioned the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu seeking urgent infrastructural improvements at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Business Hub in Offa, Kwara State.
ICAN expressed concern that the epileptic power supply has severely handicapped commercial and educational activities in towns in Offa and Oyun local government areas, arguing that the communities thrive on commerce and education.
The petition was jointly signed by the president, secretary, and spokesperson of the group, Tajudeen Iwalola, Shehu Olanrewaju, and Yinka Ajibade.
The petition highlighted the dire state of electricity supply in Offa and its surrounding communities.
In August last year, the Acting Managing Director of the IBEDC, Francis Agoha led the management team of the company to commission a new business hub in Offa.
The hub was designed to serve Offa and Oyun local government areas of the state.
