Kwara Community Requests Relocation Of Prison

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Residents of Oke Kura Community on the outskirts of Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, have called for the immediate relocation of the prison located in their midst.

This is amid several complaints that the correctional facility is unhygienic and has become a source of friction between them and military personnel attached to it.

Speaking to Channels Television, a member of the community narrated the case of an attempted jail break which resulted in a heavy gun fire; an incident that shook the entire community.

The National President of the Ilorin Descendant Progressive Union, Abdulahi Ade, also supported the call of the residents, saying that the story would have been different if the stray bullet hit a passer by.

“The security situation in that place is not sound, it is not secured – They should relocate it”.

The agitation and call for the relocation got to the floor of the House of Representatives as the man representing the area, in company of the Committee on Army visited the community to assess the true situation of things.

The senator said that the Committee had been asked to investigate the case and caution the military so that they could interface with the community properly in the discharge of their duties.

He also charged the committee to look into the possibility of de-congesting the prisons.

Source: Channels TV

Kwara Government To Sanction Doctors Practising At Home.

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State Government has said that it will sanction doctors who are found to be operating medical services in their place of residence in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Mr Sulaiman Atolagbe Alege, while speaking to newsmen in Ilorin, the state capital, described the act as illegal and said that such has not been discovered, the ministry is on the watch out to bring culprits to book.

“The Kwara state ministry of health has a monitoring team that is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and checking some of this illegal practices. If anyone is caught, he/she will be sanctioned.” He stated.

Meanwhile, a medical doctor who doubles as a Consultant of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor Rabiu Yinka has attributed the problem to faulty structure in the country.

According to Prof. Rabiu, he lamented that there should be relevant policies and structure to accommodate medical doctors before graduation.

He said, some graduate doctors indulge in the practice after failing to secure a place for their internship upon graduating from medical School.

However, the professor, who is also the chief medical director of Surulere Hospital in Ilorin, has appealed to the government to focus more on areas that can help to eradicate poverty, rather than embark on infrastructural projects.

“You cannot eradicate problems such as this except necessary policies and structures are put in place by the government at all levels.

“I want to enjoin government to concentrate on how to focus on poverty eradication, rather than going into some unnecessary projects.
Projects are good in fact it helps the state but the people should be helped,” Prof. Rabiu added.

In the same vein, a medical doctor, Dr. Olayiwola Ismail said that graduates in the field, are not certified to operate until they have undergone internship training.

However, he advised the public not to patronise doctors who operate from their homes for their health sake.

Source: Channels TV

Man who set own son ablaze banished from community

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Staff Reporter

For killing his biological son, the Omu-Aran Traditional Council has banished a commercial motorist, Kehinde Akangbe, from the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, learnt that the directive for Mr. Akangbe, a.k.a. Surutu, to vacate the community within one week emanated from the council after its weekly meeting last Friday.

NAN reports that late last year, Sola, a 22-year-old wheelbarrow pusher, died from wounds he sustained from a fire allegedly set on him by his father.

The late Sola was accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of money from some road-side beggars in Omu-Aran when he was caught and handed over to his father.

The father was said to have allegedly taken his son to a nearby bush along Omu-Aran/Isanlu-Isin road, tied his hands and legs, and set him ablaze.

Sola, who was still alive when he was rescued, told his rescuers that his father was responsible for the act.

The father has since been on trial by the council for the crime.

Speaking on the development on Monday, Azeez Adeniyi, the spokesperson for the Omu-Aran Traditional Council, said Mr. Akangbe’s action was a bad precedence and contrary to the community’s laid down rules and regulations.

Mr. Adeniyi said the council could not come to terms with Kehinde’s actions and took the step to send a strong warning to other would-be criminals or offenders in the community.

He disclosed that the council had formally informed the Isin Traditional Council in Isanlu-Isin, where Mr. Akangbe hails from, about the vacation order.

Mr. Adeniyi said Mr. Akangbe had also been duly informed of the council’s directive, adding that failure to abide by the directive would attract further sanctions.

The traditional ruler of Omu-Aran, Charles Ibitoye, said the community would continue to extend its hands of hospitality and friendship to peace-loving and patriotic citizens, irrespective of ethno-religious or political affiliations.

He urged the people to imbibe unity and peaceful co-existence, and to shun acts capable of heating up the polity.

Source: NAN

Paris/London Loan Refunds: We’ve Complied With Buhari’s Directive – KWSG

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State government says it has already complied with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that states should use at least 25 per cent of their London and Paris Club refund to offset salary arrears.

A statement from the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, noted thatwith the release of N1billion to local governments and another release of N890million to some tertiary institutions to clear their salary backlog, the State government has exceeded Buhari’s directive.

The Commissioner stated that this reflects Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the State.

He added that the government remains determined to help LGs clear their current salary arrears in the shortest possible time.

Alhaji Banu emphasized that even before the State got its share of the Paris Club refund, the government was not owing any State civil servant, except staff of some tertiary institutions.

He the approval of N890m for institutions is meant to clear arrears.

Banu also disclosed that the balance of the refund will go towards other staff-related payments, injection of funds into to the State Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) scheme, Community Health Insurance Scheme, and completion of ongoing and new infrastructural projects across the State.

The Commissioner noted that these programs and projects will be of immense benefits to all residents and citizens of Kwara State.

Kwara State Government Approves Promotion of 1323 Civil Servants

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has approved the immediate release of promotion letters to 1,323 civil servants due for promotion in 2016.

The State Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Salman Adelodun, disclosed this in Ilorin in a chat with newsmen.

He said over 1,400 of them submitted requests for the promotion exercise across ministries in the state.

“Out of over 1,400 civil servants between grade levels seven to 17 who submitted requests for the promotion exercise, 1,400 civil servants sat for the promotion examination which started in June, this year.’’

The chairman noted that the government would commit additional over 5.5 million naira on monthly basis to the payment of salaries with the development.

Adelodun explained that the government took the decision despite the current economic challenges adding that the state government has never been in arrears of promotion to core civil service employees in the state.

Kwara Government Receives N2.077bn, LGs Get N1.549bn as December Allocation

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State government received a total of N2, 077, 949, 539.66 as allocation from the federation account for the month of December, 2016.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noted that the December allocation declined by N155, 452, 369.24 representing a 6.96 per cent reduction from the N2, 233, 401, 908.90 received by the State in November.

Giving a further breakdown, Alhaji Banu said that the State government got a statutory allocation of N796, 037, 856,.73; VAT of N704, 583, 541,.31; exchange difference of N217, 173, 701.14 and excess Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) of N360, 154, 440.48 totaling N2, 077, 949, 539.66.

Also, the Commissioner disclosed that the 16 local government councils in the State received a total of N1, 549, 701, 089.65 as against the N1, 663, 074, 959.01 they received in November.

The December allocation for the local councils dropped by N113, 373, 869.36, which reflects 6.81 per cent decrease from the November allocation.

According to the figures released by Alhaji Banu, the local councils got a statutory allocation of N768, 788, 907.02; VAT of N400, 125, 139.26; exchange difference of N143, 240, 776.94 and excess Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) of N237, 546, 266.43, which gives a total of N1, 549, 701, 089.65.

Kwara state governor calls for judicial system reforms

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has called for reforms in the country’s judicial system in order to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

He made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin at the 2016 Kwara State Justice Sector Reform Awareness and Training programme.

The governor also advocated for stiffer sanctions and punishment for those convicted of kidnapping and abduction.

“Nigeria requires reforms in almost all sectors in order to achieve the transformation that we all seek for current and future generations of Nigerians.

“The justice sector is in no less need of reforms which increases confidence in the system by ensuring that the judiciary sustains its reputation as the citizen’s last refuge,” Ahmed said.

The governor commended the Technical Committee of Justice Sector Reform Team for coming up with the “Revised Layman’s Law of Kwara State.’’

He noted that it was a simplified compilation of the laws of the state in simple and easy to understand language.

“The Layman’s Law will increase compliance with the law and potentially reduce crimes and disputes as the dictates of the law become accessible to a wider cross-section of the society,” the governor added.

Mr Kamaldeen Ajibade, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said the Justice Sector Reform Team was an initiative of the state government to quicken dispensation of justice.

LUK Will Create Jobs – Kwara State Government

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State government says its decision to embark on the streetlight project, LUK, is part of efforts to beef up security as well as create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the metropolis.

Speaking during an interactive radio programme on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe noted that the project will lead to a reduction of criminal activities, particularly at night.

He also explained that the project will be financed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) over a period of 10 years, which according to him provides an affordable repayment for the State government. He noted that the government will start repayment after the streetlights have been tested and proven to be of the highest quality.

Alhaji Ajeigbe added that the contractors I will design, build, operate and maintain the project for the 10 years before they will now transfer it to the State government. On the London, Paris Club loan refund, Alhaji Ajeigbe said that the

Kwara State government is yet to receive any payment from the Federal Government, noting that the Federal Ministry of Finance is yet to announce the states that will be paid.

He, therefore, urged the public to disregard the internet rumours that the government has received the payment.

Kwara Government To Commence Construction of KWASU Campuses in Osi, Ilesha-Baruba

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State government has approved the construction of two campuses for the Kwara State University in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba at a contract sum of N2.8billion.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe, who announced this during a media briefing on Friday, said that the projects will be implemented through through a PPP model under the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK).

He stressed that the State government is committed towards ensuring that the university is continually repositioned in order to achieve the mandate for which it was established.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Council granted approval for the State government to participate in the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS). a

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) scheme offers a N1billion loan facility to farmers in the State at a single digit interest rate.

Ajeigbe, however, said that the government still awaits the approval of the State House of Assembly to access the credit facility.

Illegal Recruitment: Kwara State Government to sanction indicted officials

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Five individuals indicted for the illegal recruitment of 971 workers into Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) are to face disciplinary action.

Addressing journalists on Friday after the State Executive Council(SEC) meeting, the State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Engr. Musa Yeketi, noted that the affected officials had recruited workers in excess of the number approved by the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

According to Yeketi, two of the indicted officers are retired, while the remaining three are still in active service. The Commissioner stressed that the officials have been referred to the Office of the Head of Service for punishment in accordance with civil service rules.

The State government had in 2014 given TESCOM approval to employ 449 staff for Mathematics, English and core Science disciplines to cater for the shortfall of teachers in those subjects as well as security guards.

However, the Commission, according to Yeketi, was found to have employed about 1420 personnel, leaving a total of 971 illegally recruited.

On the fate of the affected workers, the Commissioner stated that the Council directed that the appointments of the approved 449 staff should be regularized, while those of the remaining 917 should be reviewed in line with needs of the Commission in the area of Mathematics, English and other core Science subjects.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Governor, Dr. Muyideen Akorede said that SEC also deliberated on the recent discovery of 8,863 suspected ghost personnel on the payrolls of both the state and local governments by the Personnel Database Development Committee.

He explained that the major resolutions of the Council are implementation of harmonized staff identification system, which will be renewed yearly, development of clear job description template for civil servants and the authentication of credentials, which according to him, is the next phase of the staff verification exercise.

On the upsurge of cult-related activities in the State, Dr. Akorede said that the council commended the State Ministry of Justice for the recent prosecution and conviction of some cultists in the State under the amended anti cultism law.

Additionally, he said the Council set up a committee to fashion out additional strategies for taking the campaign to schools, parents and the society in general in order to urgently curb the growing menace of cultism.

APC set to appoint a new spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi considered.

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to name a new spokesman for the party on Thursday.

According to the PUNCH, former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, is being tipped for the role.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is also from Kwara as Abdullahi, resigned from the post to take up appointment as Minister of Information and National Orientation more than a year ago.

The embattled Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Timi Frank, tried but failed to act in that capacity.

He has now taken the party to court, after his suspension was announced.

Abdullahi is expected to be confirmed as the new spokesman, at a mini-convention at the New Chelsea Hotel in Abuja at 11am.

Hoodlums strangle widow to death, steal money, bags of rice.

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Suspected robbers at the weekend reportedly strangled an Enugu State indigene resident in Kwara State.

The victim, a widow, identified as Florence Ede, was a food seller when she came to the community in 1985, but became a commercial farmer after the death of her husband.

The incident happened on her farm in Chikanda, a border community in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on the incident, a member of the Igbo community in Chikanda, Mr. Mayor Akonobi, said the deceased, popularly known as Mama do good was strangled by the assailants, who had trailed her to the farm.

Akonobi told the Punch that the robbers also carted away 12 bags of rice harvested from the victim’s farm.

“She had a huge amount of money on her and had wanted to pay the labourers before she was killed,” Akonobi added, noting that the only guard at the farm when the incident occurred ran away when the assailants attacked her.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said the police had commenced investigation into the death of the mother of four.

“The guard and the labourers have been arrested. They are helping us with our investigation,” the PPRO stated.

Kwara detects 8863 ghost workers on payroll

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A committee that audited the workforce of Kwara State has said it detected 8,863 ghost workers and pensioners on the payrolls of both the state and local governments.

The Personnel Database Development committee, which presented its report to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed at Government House, Ilorin on Monday, said the development could potentially save the state and its 16 local governments N437 million monthly.

Making the presentation, the alternate chairman of the committee, Isiaka Gold, said the 8,863 personnel did not appear for a staff biometric verification exercise carried out by the committee.

Mr. Gold, who is also the secretary to the state government, said the state and local governments had 81,446 workers and pensioners on their payrolls, but that only 72,583 of them were cleared by the exercise.

Giving a further breakdown of the report, Mr. Gold said that of the 35,656 workers on the state government payroll, only 31,652 were verified, leaving 4,004 unverified personnel.

He said out of the 45,790 workers and pensioners on the payrolls of the 16 LGs in the state, only 40,931 were verified, with 4,859 unverified.

The committee recommended that the verification exercise should be continuous and that the state government should implement a harmonized staff identification system, certificate verification and clock-in system, which will be deployed by a consultant at no cost to the government.

In his response, Governor Ahmed endorsed all the findings of the committee and directed the State Ministry of Finance to adopt the committee’s report to prepare the payroll of both the local and state government workers henceforth.

The governor, however, said that the ministry should warehouse the projected savings until it was ascertained that all workers and pensioners were verified.

Governor Ahmed thanked the consultant and members of the committee for the quality work done and expressed confidence that with the submission of the report, there would be an effective payroll administration at both the local and state levels.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed Seeks Urgent Prison Reforms

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has called for urgent reforms of the prison system in Nigeria so that prisons can achieve the role of reforming convicted prisoners before their re-entry into society.

Governor Ahmed made the call on Sunday while receiving the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Mr. Ja’afaru Ahmed, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Ilorin in the wake of recent deaths of inmates at Nigeria Prison, Oke Kura, Ilorin.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, the governor noted that the restructuring of the prison system should address the challenges affecting administration of prisons in the country especially in the area of infrastructure and prisoner rehabilitation.

Alhaji Ahmed stressed that the deteriorating condition of prisons in Nigeria has become an issue of major concern to many Nigerians, noting that any faulty prison system will adversely affect the service and the society as a whole as unreformed ex-convicts may reoffend.

He noted that it is impossible for prisons built decades ago when Nigeria’s population was much lower to cope with the rising number of inmates as a result of increase in the national population and, consequently, crime.

He, therefore, urged the Prison Comptroller-General to liaise with the supervising Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum so as to table the issue before the National Economic Council (NEC), and secure the support of state governments.

Governor Ahmed noted that the Kwara State government has programmes in place including the State Micro-credit Intervention Scheme and the International Vocational Center at Ajase-Ipo, which are geared towards making the youths productively engaged in order to minimize criminal tendencies.

He also disclosed that in line with global best practices, the state government will extend the vocational training programme to prisons in the State in order to empower interested inmates so that they will be engaged and effectively reintegrated into the society after serving their sentences.

Earlier in his remarks, the NPS Comptroller-General, Mr. Ahmed called on the Kwara State government to assist prisons in the State with vehicles and other logistic support.

He lamented that most prisons across the country are congested noting the Oke Kura Prison, Ilorin is no exception. He said such congestion often creates friction among inmates and prison officials which sometimes results into violence.

Mr. Jafaru also emphasized the urgent need to decongest and secure prison facilities across the country.

KWIRS Clamps Down on License Offenders, Impounds 200 Vehicles in 2 weeks.

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Since the commencement of its Road Tax Enforcement Drive, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) has impounded over 200 vehicles in two weeks.

The Vehicles were impounded for various offences ranging from expired vehicle particulars to lack of driver’s license by a collective enforcement team of KWIRS, Federal Road Safety Corps, Vehicles Inspection Officers, Nigeria Police and staffers of Kwara state Road Traffic Management Agency (KWARTMA).

Speaking during the exercise on Wednesday along University Road, the Director of Enforcement and Legal Department, Dr. Isaac Gbenle said the enforcement has begun to yield in voluntary compliance.

According to him “a lot of people have seen that we mean business and they are working into our office to get the papers corrected and documented.

“we are on the road to ensure that the exercise continues and very soon we will move to the outskirts of the city and all the local government areas.

Gbenle explained that the Agency have covered most strategic areas within the metropolis like Asa-dam road, Government House, General-Sawmill, Flower-Garden axis, parts of Omo-Aran and Offa.

The Director advised road users to get their licenses updated and documented to avoid harassment on the road.

It would be recalled that KWIRS commenced tax enforcement on road, property, tenement, and Corporate Organizations on November 1st this year.

Governor Ahmed Constitutes Transition Committees for 16 Local Governments.

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the constitution of Transition Implementation Committees (TICs) for the sixteen local governments in the state following the dissolution of the councils last week.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Sola Isiaka Gold, each TIC comprises a Chairman and three Supervisory Councillors. The Secretary to the State Government said the new TICs will be inaugurated next week Monday, 14th November, 2016 by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Details to follow soon.

Kwara: Ensuring Sustainable Road Infrastructure – By Opeyemi Azeez

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The present administration in Kwara State set a new record in October 2016 when Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed commissioned the first state-owned N200 million Asphalt Plant built with the capacity to produce 25 tons of asphalt per day. Considerably, it’s a leap to bridge the road infrastructural gaps in the State.

The development, objectively, has the potency to solve the major problems faced by the State Road Maintenance Agency (KWARMA) in the maintenance and further accomplishment of quality road networks across the State.

Beyond the rhetoric, however, what is plausible is to ensure the government remains on track by blocking all chance for distractive circumstances. In other words, the commendations should be less important. Rather: the end goals.

On the heels of the progress, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Aro Yahaya, recounted the need to domesticate the production of quality asphalt, and by so doing: generate employment for both skilled and unskilled labour, reduce cost of road maintenance, and provide quick response to the impact of erosion and road degradation. According to him, these needs made it imperative for the State government to acquire the asphalt plant.

From the above, the acquisition of the plant is worthy, realizing the direct impacts it bears on the duo of the government and the people, simultaneously.

Since the commissioning of the plant, respite has overwhelmed motorists and other road users in the State courtesy of the quick (statewide) road rehabilitations embarked upon by KWARMA.

Crowning to the employment opportunities and substantial reduction in the cost of road maintenance is the increasing source, provided by the plant, for more revenue generation through the sale of asphalt to contractors and other users. Revenue generated will assist the government to actualize more projects in other sectors.

It is also cheering to note that despite the lean financial resources at the disposal of the State government, contractors handling various road projects across the State have been mobilized back to sites. Almost on daily basis, we hear of the Works Commissioner inspecting road projects across the State. While a few of these projects have been completed, many others are ongoing including the Maigida-Arobadi road in Moro local government, Ilala brigde, Oloro palace road and Share-Oke ode road (lot 1 and 2).

Other ongoing road projects are Coca cola bridge road, Egbejila-airport road, Agbo-oba – Henry-George extension, and Amule Saraki bridge. Some of the roads that have been completed are the Babalonma township roads, mini-campus- Henry George road and Adua lere – Sanu Sheu- Isale koko road.

With the establishment of the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K) by the State government, Kwara will no doubt witness unprecedented infrastructural growth as IF-K provides a sustainable funding window and ensures that all ongoing and new capital projects across the State are funded to completion, thereby ending the era of abandoned project in Kwara.

The Geri-Alimi diamond underpass is among several other infrastructural projects planned for implementation under the IF-K scheme. Others are the establishment of two campuses of the Kwara State University in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba, dualisation of Michael Imodu-Ganmi road; dualisation of UITH-Sango road, renovation of the Indoor Sports Hall of the Kwara State Stadium and the Light Up Kwara projects.

Certainly, there is no doubt about Governor Ahmed’s determination and commitment to ensure that Kwara State becomes self-reliant and achieve sustainable development by looking inwards to solve its challenges and initiate far-reaching measures to carry-out developmental projects in the face of lingering national economic downturn.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed Dissolves Local Government Councils.

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the dissolution of the local government councils of Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Irepodun, Isin, Kaiama, Moro, Offa, Oke-Ero, Oyun and Pategi.

The dissolution of the Local Government Councils, which is contained in the Kwara State Legal Notices No.4-19, is in exercise of the Governor’s power conferred on him by section 18(5) (c) of the Kwara State Local Government Law (as amended) cap K33, Laws of Kwara State.

The dissolution of the councils is with effect from today, 4th Day of November, 2016. As a result, all the affected public office holders including the Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councillors, Secretaries to the Local Government Councils and Supervisors shall immediately vacate their offices and handover to their respective Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs)

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed appreciates the contributions and support of the affected officers towards the development of the state and wishes them success in their future endeavours.

Signed

Alhaji Sola Isiaka Gold

Secretary to the Government of Kwara State

Gov Ahmed Commits to Rule of Law as Kwara Wins Human Rights Award

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed on Wednesday reiterated the commitment of his administration to safeguarding the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the constitution.

The Governor spoke at the 2016 National Human Rights Conference in Lagos organized by the Constitutional Right Awareness and Liberty Initiative, where Kwara State was awarded the Human Rights Friendly State of the year 2016 in the north central zone.

Governor Ahmed, who was represented by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, noted that the actions of his government are always guided by the laws of Nigeria and the need to safeguard individual liberties and rights.

According to him, the justice administration system in the State is geared towards quick, affordable and accessible dispensation of justice, providing fair hearing right to all and sundry, irrespective of position, status, creed, belief or influence.

He noted that the promotion of these human rights have in turn provided the proper environment of peace and development in the State, stressing that respect for human rights is a powerful tool with which the Nation can achieve the much-desired peace and progress.

Governor Ahmed added that the observance of rule of law is also a critical driver of economic growth and investment, especially from abroad.

The governor also commended the United States Consulate General and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs for partnering with the Constitutional Rights Awareness and Liberty Initiative in launching the first ever simplified Human Rights mobile Application in Pidgin and English languages for android phone users in Nigeria.

Babanloma Community Lauds Governor Ahmed on Roads.

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Members of the Babanloma Community in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State under the auspices of Babanloma Descendants Union have commended the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for fulfilling his campaign promises by rehabilitating two township roads in the community.

The appreciation was contained in a letter to the governor signed by the Union’s National President, Mr. Afolabi Salami and its National Secretary, Dr. Dauda Adeshola.

The union pledged the community’s support and loyalty to the Kwara State government and prayed that “ God Almighty continue to strengthen the effort of Governor Ahmed’s administration aimed at improving the lots of people of the State.”

It will be recalled that the State government last week completed the rehabilitation of two township roads in Babalonma

Governor Ahmed Vows to Sanitize Kwara LG System.

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Ahead of the expiration of the tenure of Local Government Chairmen, the Kwara State Government has vowed to sanitize the local government system in the state in order to make the third tier of government viable and self-sustaining.

The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, made this commitment during a meeting with 2013-2016 local government councillors at the Government House in Ilorin, the state capital. The Councillors had visited to appeal for the payment of their furniture allowance before the end of their tenure.

Alhaji Ahmed said the current recession and the apparent inefficiencies in the third tier of government have made it imperative to reform the management of local councils in the state in order to ensure that they can meet their obligation to the people, especially in terms of salaries and low-level development projects.

The governor noted that by the time elections are held into the Councils, the local governments would have been made fit for purpose through the ongoing IGR reforms and the biometric verification of staff.

He assured them that once the economic situation in the country improves and the government receives expected revenue inflows, the local government councils would pay the councillors and others the statutory allowances and entitlements due to them.

Alhaji Ahmed stressed that current financial challenges in the councils cannot support the bulk payment of all outstanding payments, emphasizing that payments can at best be in installments once the revenue situation permits.

He expressed concern about the salary arrears owed local council workers and the political office holders, which he described as an unfortunate situation and expressed optimism that the situation will soon be remedied.

Stressing that political office is by nature a time-bound call to service, Governor Ahmed urged the outgoing councillors to key into the State government’s SME scheme so as to continue to earn sustainable living after leaving office.

Present at the meeting were the representatives of the councils from local government councillors in the state, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, Chief of Staff, Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwahab, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Haruna Muhammed, Special Adviser, Security, Alhaji Amusa Bello, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Senior Special Assistant, Government House, Alhaji Kayode Ibrahim

Citizens need greater involvement in Economy building – Abdulfatah Ahmed

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has called for a collective sense of urgency to diversify the nation’s economy and tackle the current challenges facing the country.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the on-going symposium for Northern Nigeria Governors organized by the United States Institute for Peace in Washington DC, Governor Ahmed said current efforts at diversifying the economy away from dependence on oil and ending the hardship in the country stand a greater chance of success if all Nigerians approach the required adjustments, sacrifices and drive with the collective sense of urgency.

Citing examples such as the defunct War Against Indiscipline(WAI) and Operation Feed The Nation, Governor Ahmed, who is among ten state governors attending the event, said the current efforts will succeed if all Nigerians buy into the government’s program on economic diversification and approach it with the required dedication and ownership to ensure rapdi economic recovery.

Alhaji Ahmed also emphasized the need for a broad-economic platform among the 19 Northern States to encourage partnership and ensure each leverage on identified strengths in agriculture and other key areas for the region’s collective benefit.

While acknowledging the enormous security and economic challenges facing the region and the resources required to conquer them, Governor solicited the US government’s assistance towards overcoming insecurity and hardship in the region.

Governor Ahmed also called for more reliable empirical data in confronting the twin problems of insecurity and poverty confronting the region, stressing such statistics will ensure that strategies are defined with clear goals, timelines and resource requirements to ensure they succeed in bring peace and prosperity to the region.

Meanwhile, Governor Ahmed and his colleagues are scheduled to meet with the US Secretary of State John Kerry and the US National Security Adviser, Susan Rice today in separate meetings at the State Departments and the White House to discuss areas of economic and security cooperation as well as assistance for the 19 Northern States.

Kwara State Government shuts down 88 ‘illegal’ schools.

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara state government yesterday said it had closed down 88 ‘’mushroom’’ private nursery, primary and secondary schools in the state.

The state’s commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Engr Musa Yeketi, disclosed this while delivering his address at the 2016 Day of the National Association of Proprietors of Private School (NAPPS) in Ilorin, the state capital.

Yeketi asked proprietors of schools still operating illegally to regularise their operation and those with substandard facilities to upgrade them or risk sanctions from government.

The commissioner who acknowledged the impact of private schools in complementing the state government’s efforts in the provision of qualitative education in the state, warned that “no school is above the law of the state”.

“We have some private schools with good infrastructure facilities,instructional materials,qualified personnel that meet international standards.

“However,there are many of these private schools that do not in anyway meet quality standards. Let me use this opportunity to appeal to such substandard schools to upgrade their facilities or face closure;all unregistered schools should regularise their status.

Kwara State Government Denies Receiving N1tr in Allocation

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Kwara State government has debunked claims by a group, “Organising Kwara Political Action Group” that it has collected over one trillion naira in federal allocations between the last administration of Dr. Bukola Saraki and the current administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ahmed on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede, the state government described the allegations as ill-informed and driven by deliberate falsehood.

The statement said that the State has witnessed unprecedented development from 2003 till date, saying that the Saraki administration implemented various road, electricity and water projects across the State including construction of township roads within Ilorin.

It listed other projects executed by Saraki to include the Kwara State University (KWASU), Ilorin International Airport and the International Aviation College, Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre, Upgrading of Asa Dam waterworks and Phase one of Ilorin Water reticulation projects, and urban and rural electrification project.

According to the statement, Governor Ahmed consolidated on the achievements recorded by his predecessor by completing most inherited projects and implementing new ones across all sectors, which have contributed to the State’s development.

These include the innovative City and Guilds of London-backed International Vocational Centre in Ajase-Ipo, KWASU’s ultra-modern Engineering Complex and renovation and equipping five general hospitals in Ilorin, Shaare, Omu-aran, Offa and Kaiama with state-of-the-art facilities.

The statement noted that the present administration also executed different rural and urban road projects across the State as well as people-oriented programmes such as youth empowerment scheme and Micro-credit Intervention scheme under which a cumulative N1.9b has been disbursed to over 50, 000 small business owners in the State.

In the Housing sector, the statement disclosed that Governor Ahmed in March flagged off the construction of 1, 000 hosuing units at Budo-Osho area of Tanke, Ilorin as part of effort to reduce the State’s housing deficit.

The statement added that the state government has commenced the implementation of critical grass-root developmental projects in 192 wards across the State under its N850m World Bank supported Community Development programme.

It also noted that it is completely untrue that workers in the State have not been receiving regular payments for the past three years, stressing that Kwara is one of the few states that have continued to pay salaries regularly despite the current economic downturn that has affected the capacity of most state governments to pay workers’ salaries.

On infrastructure, the statement stressed that the fact that the government had conducted a study on infrastructural needs of the State and has identified a N225 billion gap shows how visionary and serious the government is.

It added that the State government has outlined a plan to bridge the infrastructural deficit gap with the establishment of the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund, (IFK). Under the IFK, the state government intends to inject over N11.1b to fund infrastructural projects including the construction of Geri-Alimi Diamond Underpass flagged off last week.

As regards the issue of water reticulation project, the statement explained that the project was broken into phases, noting that the first phase was executed by the administration of Dr. Saraki, while the second phase was implemented by Governor Ahmed during his first tenure.

According to the statement, the final phase, which will ensure adequate water supply to most neighbourhoods across Ilorin metropolis, is currently being implemented.

The statement also maintained that the Kwara State government has consistently demonstrated accountability and transparency to the people as evidenced by its monthly publication of federal allocation and JAAC figures.

Kwara State suspends plan to raise N20 billion for infrastructure

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Following the launching of the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund IFK, the state government says it has suspended plans to raise a N20b bond from the capital market for infrastructure development.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed disclosed this in a statement through his Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede on Wednesday.

The Governor noted that with the launch of the IF-K, which pools resources for funding infrastructure, the N20b naira bond has become unnecessary as all ongoing and new projects by his administration will be funded to completion under the IF-K.

According to him, the state government considered other funding options such as raising funds from the money and capital markets including foreign loans before opting for IF-K.

Alhaji Ahmed emphasized that while the bond remains a viable source of project funding, the IF-K is currently offers the state the most reliable, affordable and sustainable means of funding capital projects without relying on external borrowings.

The Governor, while expressing confidence in the capacity of the State’s Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) to fund the IF-K, assured Kwarans that the government will meet their aspirations of even development across the State.

Governor Ahmed of Kwara State launches #InfraFundKwara today.

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed will perform the official launch of the State Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK) today.

The alternate Chairman of the IFK Implementation Committee, Alhaji Abdulwahab Yusuf, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said that Governor Ahmed will also sign an agreement with the independent for trustees of the scheme.

According to him, the event is holding at the Government House, Ilorin and is being witnessed by stakeholders in the banking, business, education and construction and public sectors as well as government.

Alhaji Abdulwahab noted that the official launch of the IFK will mark the commencement of the scheme, which according to him was established as a sustainable funding window for the implementation of major capital projects and also ensure prompt payments to contractors.

Gov. Ahmed calls for diversification of economy with agriculture

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has called for urgent diversification of Nigerian economy with agriculture as the only credible and sustainable solution to the current economic recession in the country.

The governor made the call on Thursday when First Class Traditional Rulers from Kwara South Senatorial District visited him at the Government House, Ilorin.

He also called on the Federal Government to reconsider diversification of economy to agriculture with deliberate effort on advocacy on agriculture as a source of wealth.

He promised that the State Government would continue to assist farmers with information, seedlings and chemicals to boost agri-business in the state.

Ahmed urged the traditional rulers to develop more interest in agriculture and continue to support programmes as well as policies of the state government.

He called on royal fathers in the country to be major players in the promotion of peace and security in their domains.

The governor noted that it was only when lives of people and their property were secured that government’s developmental and infrastructural efforts could yield desired results.

Ahmed said: “Government will continue to partner with our royal fathers on security so that people can live in peace.

“It is only when we have a secured environment that we can truly progress economically.”

Ahmed promised the royal fathers that his administration would be transparent in the area of project execution.

He noted: “Transparency in governance is necessary for people to have confidence.”

The governor said that all projects to be initiated by the state government would be completed before December, 2018.

Earlier, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, who led the traditional rulers, explained that the visit was to congratulate the governor on a successful Sallah celebration and promised continuous support to the state government.

Oba Esuwoye sought the support of the government to farmers in the state through the provision of farm inputs and fertilisers with a view to solving problems associated with food insecurity.

Ahmed also received traditional rulers from Kwara North Senatorial District, who were at the Government House to pay him a post Sallah homage.

Receiving the royal fathers led by the Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Chatta, Ahmed reiterated his administration’s commitment to quality service delivery through effective and responsive governance despite the prevailing economic challenges.

Ahmed promised that his administration will continue to work together with the traditional rulers and other stakeholders through inclusive governance.

He added that the state government remained receptive to constructive criticism that will deepen democratic governance in the state.

The governor promised that the state government will always ensure judicious use of tax payers’ money through even infrastructure development across the state.

He said: “We are very conscious that Kwara North is a major agricultural environment in the state.

“We will support agriculture in the area with road and other support schemes to ease movement of farm produce.”

Earlier, the Etsu Patigi and Vice Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Chatta, commended the governor’s style of governance and leadership.

The royal father promised that traditional rulers from Kwara North would continue to support the State government.

Kwara State Government Releases N1.7b for Projects

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Staff Reporter

THE Kwara State government has released the sum of N1.7 billion for the completion of ongoing and new projects across the State.

The funds will also cover outstanding payment on completed projects.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed disclosed this on Wednesday at the traditional sallah homage by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari to the Government House, Ilorin.

According to him, the funding is to cover about 54 projects across the education, energy, health, works and water sectors. He also noted that the released fund is expected to put more money in circulation, food on more tables and new jobs for the people.

The governor stated that the fund was released following the recent verification of the state’s outstanding projects and duly certified work on each project.

He noted that the N1.7b is the first tranche of the newly launched Infrastructure Development Fund’, (IF-K) while assuring that all ongoing and new projects would be completed before the expiration of his tenure.

Providing further clarification, the Commissioner Mr Demola Banu, said some of the projects to be covered under the scheme are Micheal Imodu-Afon junction road, Oniju street babanloma, Oloro palace road, Geri-Alimi fly over bridge, college of Engineering building at KWASU and rehabilitation of Anilelerin/Agun/Ita Erin road offa.

Other projects are rehabilitation of Oke-Opin township road, Ilorin water supply and reticulation network phase I, Arandun Rore-Ipetu Aran Orin road, Share-Oke Ode section I and II, Rehabilitation of Egbejila road, Arobadi-Magida road and Ilesha-Gwanara road

Private Sector key to Addressing Recession, Unemployment – Ahmed

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed, and other stakeholders have identified the private sector as being strategic to ending the national economic recession.

They also said it was key to human capital development, capacity building, employment generation and wealth creation.

They spoke in Ilorin on Tuesday during a human capital development summit of the Third Estate.

The other stakeholders included a banker, Tunde Salami; an expert in agriculture, Tunde Yusuf, and Ibrahim Adebayo of the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Ahmed said the state government recognised the importance of human capital development and capacity building.

He stated that the government had consequently maintained its workforce and had not downsized even with the recession.

He added that the government had continued to place priority on the payment of workers’ salaries and welfare.

According to him, the state government increased its internally generated revenue from N500m monthly to N1.5bn and provided 10,000 hectares of land for agriculture.

The President of Third-Estate, Yusuf Lawal, said provision of an enabling environment would help businesses, including small and medium enterprises, grow.

He stated that to improve businesses and human capital, the group had provided boreholes in selected communities and scholarships to indigent students from Ilorin Emirate.

He added that it was working towards encouraging first class graduates of the Emirate to pursue postgraduate programmes immediately after graduation.

Yusuf said agriculture would provide massive employment for jobless people as well as stimulate industrialisation.

He canvassed the full maximisation of the potential of farming and ‘Aso-Ofi’ in Ilorin Emirate for employment generation and wealth creation.

Salami said fish farming was another good platform for entrepreneurs.

Adebayo said billions of foreign exchange would be earned and massive jobs and businesses created from the utilisation and maximisation of the potential of bamboo

Governor Ahmed Approves Special Release of N36m for COED Salaries

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Following the release of N86, 996, 422.00 as the last quarterly subvention to the State-owned Tertiary Institutions for 2016, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed on Friday approved a special release of another N36, 091, 000 to the College of Education, Oro.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who disclosed this, noted the N36m release to COE, Oro is to assist the school to pay its workers’ salaries.

Alhaji Banu said that the State government is working with the College management to find a permanent solution to the salary crisis facing the institution.

He said Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is optimistic that the Visitation Panel to the College will come up with relevant recommendations that will assist the government in making the school financially independent.

Recall that the State government recently set up a Visitation Panel to among other functions assess the operational practices of the College; examine the management of its finances as well as assess the relevance of courses offered.

The Panel is headed by Prof. K. S. Adeyemi of the Department of Economics, Kwara State University.

Kwara State Government releases N250m Salary Augmentation to LGs

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

In keeping with its earlier pledge, the Kwara State Government today released the sum of N250m augmentation approved by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to the 16 Local Government Councils in the State.

This was disclosed today by the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Demola Banu during a meeting with the Local Government Chairmen.

The Commissioner urged the Chairmen to put all necessary machineries in place to ensure that workers are paid before close of business today, noting that the State government has fulfilled its pledge to help LGs pay their workers for the month of August.

Mr Banu stated that the chairmen should notify him immediately if they face any challenges accessing the fund so he can intervene.

LG Salaries: Governor Ahmed Approves Release of N250m For August Salaries

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the release of N250 million as augmentation for local councils in the State to enable them pay their workers’ August, 2016 salaries in full.

According to the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, the governor gave the approval on arrival from Abuja this evening, following the verification of the figures provided by the 16 LG chairmen in the State.

Alhaji Banu said with the approval, the local councils will start receiving the money as from tomorrow (Friday) morning after all necessary documentations are completed . He also expressed optimism that the LG workers will start getting their salary tomorrow.

The Commissioner noted that the N250 million will be shared among the local governments based on their specific shortfall in August allocation. Alhaji Banu expressed optimism that the current financial crisis facing all tiers of government in the country will soon be a thing of the past, while also urging the LG workers to be patient with their respective council authorities while the payments are processed.

It will be recalled that Governor Ahmed while meeting with LG chairmen and officials of the State chapter of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Tuesday, expressed the willingness of the State government to assist the local councils to meet their salary on a need by need basis

Salary Bailout: Kwara LGs directed to provide data for augmentation.

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Following the Kwara State government’s decision to assist local councils in the State to pay August salaries, the affected councils have been directed to provide their payroll details and other necessary information.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold disclosed this at a meeting attended by LG chairmen, members of the State chapter of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Head of Service, Hajia Zara Umar , Chief of Staff, and other top government officials.

Alhaji Gold said that the councils are also required to provide their staff list, salary requirements for two months and how much they need to augment their August allocation to pay a full month salary.

According to the SSG, the information is also required for verification purposes and to determine how much to recommend to the government as palliative for the affected local governments.

He expressed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s willingness to help the local governments meet their obligations for the month.

It will be recalled that Governor Ahmed during a meeting with LG chairmen and NULGE officials on Tuesday, announced the State government’s preparedness to assist the local councils to pay their staff salaries on a case by case basis.

Kwara State: Government May Assist Individual LGs on Salary Arrears

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State government says it is prepared to assist local councils in the State to pay their workers’ salaries on a case by case basis.

The State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said this during a joint meeting with the 16 LG chairmen and the officials of the State Chapter of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The governor frowned at NULGE’s resort to destroying public property and utilizing negative propaganda against the leadership of the State to protest delay in payment of salary.

Governor Ahmed noted that neither the State government nor the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is responsible for the local council’s inability to pay workers’ salaries as wrongly alleged by the protesters.

He emphasized that the nation is currently going through a recession, which has impacted on allocations going to all tiers of government including local governments, which according to him is responsible for the delay in salary payment.

The governor, however, assured that the State government will consider coming to the aid of the local councils on a case by case basis if they adopt appropriate channels to make their demands.

Continuing, he emphasized that the LGs have varying degrees of salary arrears and therefore, urged their chairmen to approach the State’s Ministry of Finance for assistance on an individual basis.

According to him, the assistance will be considered on the basis of each local government’s peculiar case; State government’s available resources and the provisions of the law, as the 2016 appropriation makes provision for the State government bailout to LGs.

He urged members of NULGE to either approach the House of Assembly for an amendment in JAAC law if they have any objection to its provisions or approach the Executive arm of government if they object to the implementation of the law.

Governor Ahmed also noted that NULGE members can as well approach the Judiciary for a judicial interpretation of the law guiding JAAC rather than taking the law into their own hands.

We Are Not Suppressing Opposition – Kwara State Government

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State government on Tuesday debunked claims that it is clamping down on opposition elements and censoring the media in the State.

In a statement issued by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, the State government said as a firm believer in freedom of expression and the rule of law, it welcomes constructive criticism based on fact.

The Commissioner noted that people have the freedom to criticize the government and hold it accountable for its campaign promises.

He, however, said that such freedom does not give anyone the opportunity to deliberately spread falsehood against the government in a way capable of causing public incitement.

Barr. Ajibade explained that what the government had done was to petition the Police against falsehood peddled by certain opposition politicians in the media.

He noted that as required by law, the Police had invited the individuals to defend themselves as part of its investigation.

According to him, if by the end of its investigation, the Police recommend the prosecution of those individuals, it is the responsibility of the Office of the Attorney General to take a decision on whether to prosecute or not.

The Commissioner, therefore, dismissed insinuations that the State government is trying to silence the media or clampdown on opposition figures within the State.

He said anyone who criticizes the government based on verifiable facts has nothing to worry about, saying the government will continue to welcome constructive criticism and feedback from the people.

Barr. Ajibade, however, added that the government will continue to frown at any attempt by any individual or group to incite the public against it or otherwise disrupt public order.

Kwara: Ahmed Administration Open to Constructive Criticism – Aide

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration in Kwara State has restated its openness to constructive criticism and inclusiveness in line with the tenets of democracy and provisions of the law.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the State Governor, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the administration stated that such criticisms by individuals and groups must, however, be based on facts and should not injure the reputation of individuals and organizations.

According to the statement, the State government believes in the rule of law and will not harass any individual or group that criticizes it within the ambit of the law.

While emphasizing that this position is not partisan, the administration stressed that individuals and organizations that feel injured by public statements by any individual or group have a right to seek redress under the law.

It also noted that while the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of expression, the same law frowns at incitement, libel and other actions capable of injuring the reputation of others or misleading the public.

Additionally, the statement noted that any individual or groups that circulate unverified information or preposterous claims may be invited by the appropriate security agencies to verify such claims.

The administration said it will continue to encourage dialogue and feedback from the people, adding that it is on record that the Governor Ahmed’s administration has pursued the policy of openness and transparency since its inception and remains committed to these values.

Kwara State Government: We Don’t Interfere With LG Allocations

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara state government has denied interfering with the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) in the distribution of local government allocations.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu in response to a reported threat by the Kwara state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to sue the state government for its handling of the joint allocation committee.

Alhaji Banu emphasized that the allocation to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for the payment of basic education teachers is statutorily treated as a first line charge on local government allocation. He added that the state government does not interfere with the decisions of the joint allocation committee, but participates in a supervisory role. According to him, every decision made by the committee was based on the consensus of its members such as local government council chairmen, their treasurers.

Alhaji Banu further noted that the decision to concede the sum of N59 million to local government pensioners out of the N180m augmentation was based on the consensus of the 16 at the Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting on Tuesday.

Likewise, the commissioner said that the decision to concede ten per cent of the state’s internally generated revenue to basic education teachers in the state was also agreed upon at the same meeting.

On the Budget support scheme, Alhaji Banu clarified that it was a loan provided by the federal government to the state government and that it was not designated for the payment of salaries.

The commissioner, therefore, called on NULGE to adopt dialogue rather than threats to promote the interest of its members.

He noted that the state government empathizes with Local government workers and pensioners as demonstrated by Governor Ahmed’s approval of N162m as augmentation for July salaries and his willingness to assist them for the month of August within the limits of the law and available resources.

August Allocation: Kwara LGs Receive N180m Augmentation

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The 16 local government councils in Kwara State are to receive an augmentation of N180, 554, 384 from the Joint Allocation Accounts Committee (JAAC) to enable them meet salary and pension obligations for the month of August.

The Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who disclosed this after the JAAC meeting on Tuesday, said that LG pensioners got N59.4million in addition to the N109, 255, 995 that was appropriated.

He added that the LG workers will share the remaining N121, 154, 384 in addition to the N343, 204, 644 that was released to them. Alhaji Banu stated that the augmentation became necessary as the August allocation was far lesser than what is required for the councils to meet their salary and pension obligations.

Giving a further breakdown of the allocation distribution for August, the Finance Commissioner revealed that the gross statutory allocation for the LGs stood at N1, 014, 706, 902.57; exchange gain difference of N400, 092, 205.09 and VAT of 352, 876, 481.73.

According to him, the sum of N273, 114, 949.65 was deducted at source as repayment for the LGs previous-salary related borrowings from banks. After the deductions, the net statutory allocation for the LGs stood at N1, 494, 560, 639.74.

He disclosed that the sum of N1, 040, 600, 000 was appropriated for basic education teachers’ salary. In addition, 10 per cent of the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the month of August representing N59.4million was added to the teachers’ salary, making a total of N1.1billion.

Continuing, Alhaji Banu said that N343, 204, 644.63 was appropriated for LG employees’ salaries, while N109, 255, 995.11 was released for LG pensioners’ arrears. Other deductions are 1% training fund, which stands at N500, 000 and 0.5% JAAC budget representing N1million.

The Commissioner decried the drop in August allocation to the LGs, noting that it is far lower than the amount required by the councils to meet their monthly salary and pension obligations. He, however, expressed optimism that subsequent allocations will improve as the Niger Delta Avengers have promised to stop attacks on oil facilities.

Meanwhile, the State government has assured that it remains committed to assisting the local councils in meeting their salary obligations in the face of scarce resources.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, who said this while briefing journalists after the JAAC meeting, stressed that the state government is worried about the workers’ plight, assuring that the government’s commitment to assist LGs remains firm.

He, however, hinted that the assistance will be rendered within the limit of the law and resources at the disposal of the State government.

Kwara Uncovers 1,071 Illegal Workers

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Staff Reporter

he Kwara State government has declared that it lost N400 million monthly to One thousand and seventy one (1,071) illegal workers on its payroll in the last few months.

This was disclosed by Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Musa Yeketi, at the book launch of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar.

Yeketi attributed the incident to dishonesty among civil servants, adding that appropriate actions were being taken against those culpable.

The state also announced that a new salary structure would be introduced for workers in the Local Government Councils in the state based on the findings of a panel on staff verification carried out in the 16 Local Government Council areas.

Alhaji Haruna Muhammad, the state’s Commissioner for Local Governments, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, made the announcement while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin.

He said that dwindling allocations from the federation account had affected local councils in their bids to carry out their statutory responsibilities adding that the problem backlog of salaries would be resolved as soon as the economy of the state improved.

“The panel had submitted its report to the State Government and it is due for consideration soon,” he said.

“The government would have loved to start the implementation in July but it’s constrained by time.

“What determines our salary is inflow from the federation account, by September, we will start a new salary regime that will reflect our findings.”

News Of Death Of 1,005 Kwara Pensioners Is False And Misleading – APC

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The All Progressives Congress in Kwara State has said media reports that claimed 1,005 pensioners died in Kwara State is false and misleading.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Sulyman Buhari, the party advised journalists to demand verifiable and credible documents from interviewees when interviewees make wide and false claims.

As a government and party, we are always in close interaction with the leadership of labour unions in Kwara State. There is no such record that 1,005 pensioners died since April 2015 as a result of unpaid pension allowances. The report is utterly false and misleading.

The entire public should also note that the Kwara State Government is up to date with payment of salaries and entitlements to State workers and pensioners.

Between the period of April 2015 and August 2016, some workers who were not owed a dime had died. Would it have been right to link the circumstances of their deaths to issues pertaining to salaries?

As a party, we are aware that the local government administrations are struggling to meet financial obligations especially to some pensioners but it doesn’t warrant such falsehood as being promoted by some pensioners.

We wish to assure the pensioners that the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed is working with chairmen of local councils to resolve the issues relating to entitlements of retirees.

$56m Chinese Investment Coming To Kwara – Gov. Ahmed

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara Government says it has secured a $56million investment from China for the establishment of a textile industrial park in the state.

Dr Muideen Akorede, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communication to the Governor, said this on Sunday in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

The statement said Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed concluded the investment deal during his current investment trip to East China.

It also said the agreement for the establishment of Kwara Chitex Industrial Park was signed by Ahmed and Mr Shi Zengchao, the Managing Director of Ningbo Jinsheng Star Import and Export Co Ltd.

The statement said the event took place at the 18th China Zheijand Investment and Trade Symposium held in Ningbo, East China.

It said the initiative involved $3.7 billion worth of investments in 31 projects out of which $1.4billion was for outbound investments.

Kwara Chitex Industrial Park, it said, was the only one Nigeria- bound.

The statement quoted the governor as expressing delight over the multimillion dollar project which was expected to commence soon.
The park, according to the governor, would create 3,000 jobs for the people of the state.

“We are looking for investors, especially in the area of manufacturing.

“ We have a very youthful population which shows there is a strong workforce that can support industrialisation.

“There are opportunities in textiles, agriculture, mining and other areas, the potentials are huge,’’ the statement quoted Ahmed as saying.

It also quoted Ahmed’s Chief Economic Assistant, Mr Abayomi Ogunsola, as saying government would provide about N1billion in counterpart funding and 400 hectares of land as well as infrastructure support.

The statement also said the governor held preliminary talks with potential investors in agribusiness and agro allied industries during the visit to China.

Ahmed, it said, offered prospective investors incentives such as tax relief and accelerated land acquisition process.

(NAN)

Kwara To Spend N3.8bn On Varsity’s Upgrade

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Kwara State Government is to spend N1.8billion on capital projects in its university; Kwara State University, while another N2 billion will be spent on two other campuses of the institution.

Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Aminat Ahmed, who made this known yesterday in Ilorin said a sum of N181.4million has been spent on the ongoing Engineering block project in the university.

Also, a sum of N60million was spent in the university to accredit 8 Engineering courses with the Council for Registation of Engineers in Nigeria, COREN, and the Nigerian Universities Commission, NUC.

Credit: Nationalmirror

Saraki Was Paid Governor’s Salary By Kwara After Leaving Office- Witness

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja was informed wednesday of how Senate President Bukola Saraki continued to get paid his salary by the Kwara State Government after he had stepped down as the governor of the state on May 29, 2011.

Details were also laid bare on the numerous lodgments and transfers made by Saraki and his aide during his tenure as governor of the state, with some occurring several times in one day.

However, power failure at the CCT Wednesday forced Justice Danladi Umar, chairman of the tribunal, to adjourn Saraki’s trial to April 18, 2016.

The power outage happened when Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), counsel to the federal government, was leading a prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas, in evidence.

Prior to the outage, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), the lead counsel to Saraki, had pleaded with Umar for an adjournment, but the chairman of the tribunal refused, saying he was ready to continue with the case until 6 pm.
However, the blackout did the work for Agabi, as the outage compelled the chairman of the tribunal to adjourn the trial.

Before the lights went out, Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while continuing with his evidence which started on Tuesday against the Senate president, claimed he (Saraki) received monthly salaries from the Kwara State Government even after he had stepped down as governor and had become a senator.
Wetkas claimed that Saraki received monthly salaries from June 2011, when he left office as governor of the state, to August 2015 when he served as a senator.

“In the course of our investigation, we wrote to Access Bank for them to give us details of the salary account of the defendant. The salary that was coming into the account was N254,212 as of August 1, 2007,” the EFCC’s detective stated.

“As of June 3, 2011, the salary was N291,124. On July 4, there was another payment with the narration Kwara State Government (KSG), June 2011 salary. The amount was N572,286. On August 29, 2011, there was another payment in the sum of N744,002 from the Kwara State Government,” he testified.

He added that on September 29, 2011 there was another payment of N743,942 with the narration salary payment from the Kwara State Government and with another payment of N1,165,468 as salary payment on October 27, 2011.

The EFCC witness continued: “In November 2011, there was a payment of the same amount. The narration was December pension; on February 1, 2012, there was a payment of the same amount with the narration for pension.

“The salary payments stopped in this account on August 31, 2015. The defendant left office on May 29, 2011, he became senator in the same year.”

Credit: Thisday

Multiple Salaries: Kwara To Prosecute Culprits

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has vowed to prosecute any civil servant found collecting multiple salaries in the state at the end of the on-going Bank Verification Number, BVN, alignment.

Ahmed Governor Ahmed, who gave the warning in an interview with journalists in Ilorin, said: “It was criminal and ungodly for anyone to be collecting multiple salaries from the same source, while some of our brothers and sisters in parastatals and institutions are rarely able to collect their salaries on time. “We will check how it is possible for multiple names to enter into one BVN. We must check what happened because if we don’t know what happened, we would not be able to check it in future.”

The governor assured Kwarans that the on-going exercise would lead to the emergence of a robust, properly designed Kwara State database for workers of the State, adding that the scheme would also give the management information of entry into and exit from the service and other issues pertaining to the service.

Credit : Vanguard

Kwara PDP Constitutes 10 Committees To Reposition Party

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara has instituted a Stakeholders’ Forum and constituted 10 committees as part of efforts to reposition the party.

The Chairman of the party in the state, Akogun Oyedepo inaugurated the forum and the committees on Thursday at the party secretariat, Ilorin.

He said that the move was also to strengthen the party ahead of the local councils election in the state and bye- election in Oke Ero constituency.

Oyedepo explained that the stakeholders forum was made up of one representative from each of the 193 electoral wards in the state.

“Stakeholders’ Forum is the creation of the executive of the party as an instrument of providing for all inclusive administration in our party.

“There are so many men and women of wisdom outside the executive that we can leverage upon to provide for a strong party that can win elections,” he added.

Oyedepo, who heads the forum, said those selected were die-hards of the party always ready to defend its interest.

“If you are not important to your people in your different domains, you will not be here as member of the forum,” Oyedepo stressed.

The chairman said the forum would meet periodically and serve as a bridge between the executives and members of the party in the state.

According to him, members of the party have always accused the leadership of not carrying them along in decision making and implementation.

“This Forum will not only bridge that gap, it will, as earlier said, make such individuals relevant in the scheme of things in the party.

“This is also a forum where the policies of the party will be rigorously explained and further examined before implementation.

“In that case, nobody will say critical people in the party are not involved in the administration of the party.”

The chairman appealed to all party members to pay their annual dues of N600 as stipulated in section 51(2) of PDP constitution.

Oyedepo also called on members to generously donate to the party’s media account to effectively fund its publicity, sensitisation and mobilisation programmes.

He attributed PDP’s woeful performance in the last general elections to late preparations for the race.

“The forthcoming local government election has to be approached like running a marathon race and not 100 meter dash which the PDP is known for.

“Gone were the days in the party, at least in Kwara, when money bags or political gladiators will rush home and fight for party’s flags during elections.

“This time around, we want everybody to be fully involved and committed, as record of performance will henceforth be used to earn patronage in the party”, Oyedepo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committees inaugurated include: Media and Publicity, Security, Fund raising, Strategy, Legal, Mobilisation, Discipline, Local Government, Planning and Finance.

(NAN)

Kwara To Establish School For Gifted Children

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Kwara Government says it plans to establish a special secondary school to take care of the needs of gifted and talented children in each of the three senatorial zones of the state.

Alhaji Musa Yeketi, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, stated this on Thursday in Ilorin during the weekly post State Executive Council Meeting press briefing.

He said the schools would be established one after the other, while his Ministry would later work out other details concerning admission criteria.

The commissioner said the government has approved the establishment of five Government Technical Secondary Schools and International Vocational Centre, Ajasse-Ipo.
He explained that students at the vocational centre would sit for the Federal Ministry of Labour Trade Test Grade III and II.

The commissioner said the Trade Test Grade III and II Certificates would be in addition to the conventional London City and Guild Certificate Examination.

Yeketi explained that the objectives were to make holders of both certificates internationally employable, self employed and job creators as against current trend of being job seekers.

In another development, the State Social and Welfare Directorate has been exorcised from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Culture and Tourism, and merged with that of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Hajia Ayinke Saka, Commissioner for Women Affairs who disclosed this at the media briefing ,said the two affected ministries have been renamed.

Saka said her ministry will now be known as Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, while the other has been rechristened as Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism.

The commissioner said the exercise was for harmonisation of duties and responsibilities.

She said it would enable her ministry effectively coordinate issues affecting the vulnerable groups in the society such as women, children, physically and mentally challenged persons.

(NAN)

Mutiu Adepoju Quits Kwara Football Academy

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Staff Reporter

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Ex-international Mutiu Adepoju on Thursday confirmed his exit as Administrator of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA).
Adepoju, a former Real Sociedad of Spain player told the press in Ilorin that the Kwara State Government, the owner of the academy, did not renew his contract.

The KFA signed a two-year contract with the former Real Madrid B team player on Jan. 2, 2014.
“I can confirm that my contract was not renewed by the Kwara State Government.

“My current contract expired in January this year and was expected to be renewed in February but employer is not willing to renew it.

“I am no longer in charge and I can confirm my exit from the academy,’’ Adepoju said.

(NAN)

Nollywood Actor, Femi Adebayo Appointed SA To Kwara Governor

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Femi Adebayo, a lawyer, actor, producer, and trophy ambassador has been appointed Special Assistant(SA) on Arts, Culture, and Tourism to the Kwara Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

In a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, Adebayo expressed joy over the new appointment and urged his fans to continue to support him.

“I was appointed as Special Assistant (SA) to the Kwara state governor, on Arts, Culture and Tourism. I thank God for an opportunity to transform my state into a foremost tourist state that will attract foreign and domestic tourists. My fans, I need your support; leave me not”. Adebayo said.

Following his new appointment, Adebayo has joined the league of Nollywood stars, who have held and still holding political offices.

The Nollywood stars included; Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kate Henshaw, Desmond Eliot, and Ini Edo who was recently appointed SA Tourism to Akwa Ibom governor.

(NAN)

Trade Unions Suspend 2-Month Old Strike In Kwara

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Industrial unions in Kwara on Monday in Ilorin suspended the two-month old strike embarked upon to press for payment of workers’ salaries.

The strike commenced in December 2015.

The suspension is contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of NLC, TUC and the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) on Friday, Feb. 5.

The communiqué made available to newsmen on Monday was signed by representatives of the unions which include the NLC, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).

Others are Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The unions said that they have observed a decline in the monthly Federal Allocations to states.

They said this had grossly affected effective and prompt payment of salaries to workers in the local governments.

They said that they are mindful of the fact that children had stayed out of school for a very long time, which has affected negatively their academic and even social life.

The unions said they have also scrutinised the effort of the Kwara Government and realised that “it has put machineries in place to ensure that workers’ salaries and arrears in the local government system were paid.’’

The unions also suspended the strike based on the promise made by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“We considered the promise made by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, to facilitate the release of the bail-out fund to local government councils.’’

The unions called on the state government to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring that no staff of local government was victimised or intimidated as a result of the strike.

They expressed appreciation to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and other stakeholders for their unflinching support during the cause of the struggle.

(NAN)

Water Corporation Workers Begin Indefinite Strike In Kwara

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Workers of Kwara State Water Corporation on Tuesday embarked on indefinite strike following the refusal of the management to pay their four months’ salary.

The workers under the aegis Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) accused the management of not paying September to December 2015 salaries.

Chairman of the union, Mr Murtala Kadir told newsmen that the workers would not return to their duty post until their four months salaries were fully paid. He also accused the management of not remitting deductions of workers cooperative dues from February to July 2O15, which he said totaled N40.2 million. “Also, three months outstanding arrears of N3, 000 salary increments of workers on grade level 07 and above amounting to N1.890 million were not paid,” Kadir said.

The chairman complained that workers due for promotion from 2013 to 2O15 were not promoted. He accused the management of not remitting deductions of union dues from November 2O14 to December 2015 to the account of the union. Kabir also accused the management of non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) deducted from the workers’ salaries to the NHF office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workers converged at the entrance of the corporation as early as 6.45 am, locked the gate and chase workers out of the offices. The leadership of the union had earlier appealed to the management of the corporation to pay all their entitlements and effect the promotion of workers due for promotion.

The Commissioner for Water Resources Mr Rasak Akorede, pleaded with them to resume work and promised them that government would look into their plight.

OPC Members Clash in Kwara, Three Feared Dead

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Three people are feared dead following a clash among members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the Irepodun LGA of Kwara State on Sunday.

A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a further six people were injured during the fight.

It has been alleged that the clash came about as a result of a protest held by expelled members of the group during an official meeting at the St. Paul Anglican Primary School. An official at the Agbamu Police Post has confirmed the death toll.

Read More: PUNCH

APC In Kwara, Lagos Clash Over Call For Sanctions Against Saraki, Dogara

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State has cautioned the Lagos State chapter of the party to halt making uninformed and unguarded comments on the emergence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

The party said the call by Lagos APC on the leadership of APC to punish the newly elected Senate President and the Speaker of House of Representatives ?is uninformed and unfortunate.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Publicity Secretary of APC in Kwara State, Sulyman Buhari, the party dismissed the statement by Lagos APC as unfortunate.

“It is quite unfortunate that Lagos APC recommended disciplinary actions against the Senate President and the Honourable Speaker without citing a provision of the APC constitution that has been contravened by these distinguished Nigerians and committed party leaders.

“?We advise the spokesman of Lagos APC to allow his comments to be guided by the Law and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria rather than by emotions and sentiments.

“?And for the information of Nigerians, the spokesman of Lagos APC is on his own as we can authoritatively confirm that his sentiments and vituperation are not reflective of the position of Lagos APC on the inauguration of 8th National Assembly.

“The good news is that in Nigeria today, the Senate President and the Speaker of House of Representatives are members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.

“It is expected that all leaders and members of our party support the duo of Senate President Saraki and Speaker Dogara to foster cordial relationship between the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and National Assembly, rather than an inordinate attempt to cause crises and instability.

“Meanwhile, ?it is a misrepresentation of fact and truth that the ascension of Senator Saraki as the Senate President was a PDP affair. The few Nigerians who have been portraying the emergence of the new Senate President as a PDP affair should be cautious. The actual fact, which nobody or propaganda can hide, is that Senator Saraki emerged Senate President with the support of Senators across political parties.”, the statement read.

Credit: premiumtimesng

Fulani Herdsmen Kill Three Villagers In Kwara- Police

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The police command in Kwara State on Thursday confirmed that three villagers were killed in Matokun village, Patigi Local Government Area in a clash between Fulani herdsmen and residents of the village.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ilorin.

He said the command had dispatched some policemen to Patigi to maintain the peace.

The PPRO said a delegation was also sent to the town to broker peace between the warring parties, while investigation had begun on the crisis.

Okesanmi said, “There was a rift between some Fulani and some Patigi people which resulted to deaths as claimed by the parties involved.

“A unit of riot policemen has been dispatched to Patigi to maintain the peace, while a team of senior police officers was sent by the Commissioner of Police to broker peace.

“Investigation into the cause or causes of the crisis has started.”

He added, however, that normalcy had returned to the community, with the swift intervention of security agencies.

Credit: NAN

PDP Sets Up 5 Committees To Reposition Party In Kwara

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara has set up five committees to reposition the party after its defeat in the April 11 governorship election. Dr Rex Olawoye, Publicity Secretary of the party said in an interview on Sunday in Ilorin.

He said that the committees were set up after Saturday’s meeting of the party’s State Executive Council which x-rayed PDP performance in the 2015 general elections. The party spokesman listed the committees to include Finance, Research and Strategy, Media and Publicity, Mobilisation and Legal, and said they would be inaugurated before May 29.

He said the meeting also deliberated on the 2017 Local Government Councils elections in the state. Olawoye said that the party lost “gallantly” and would play its role as an opposition party “until the state is liberated from socioeconomic and political bondage.”

Credit: NAN

Family Crisis: Husband Beats Wife Over Election Results In Kwara

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Raphael Abiodun, a commercial motorcyclist from Kwara State, is alleged to have cruelly beat his wife over a disagreement on the outcome of this past weekend’s elections.

The couple, who live in the Igangu area of Omu-Aran in the Irepodun LGA, are members of different political parties and are said to have engaged in an argument after Bose, Abiodun’s wife, began celebrating the victory of her party in the House of Representatives and senatorial elections.

Neighbors are said to have intervened and broken up the fight before it could continue any further.

Abiodun revealed that his wife’s attitude angered him due to the fact that she benefited from funds provided through Abiodun’s party of choice.

Read More: Naij

Armed Robbers Attack Church in Kwara

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Six armed robbers reportedly robbed the entire residents of Emmanuel Baptist Church Cathedral, Sabo Oke in Ilorin, Kwara State of their belongings.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the pastorate was robbed of laptops, trinkets and unspecified amount of money. The bandits were said to have come in search of the proceeds of the funds raiser of the church which took place on Sunday.

They were said to have scaled the fence of the church from the back, overpowered the five private guards on duty and tied them with ropes. One of the security guards, who pleaded anonymity, said the robbers ordered one of them to lead them to the church’s strongroom.

He said, “The robbers use diggers, sledge hammers and an axe to break the safe but did not find any money there. “The disappointed robbers ordered one of us to lead them to the vicarage. The robbers then ordered the vicar (names withheld) to bring out the church money or they would shoot him dead.”

Read More: punchng

Kwara PDP Begs Gbemi Saraki Not To Leave

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to the daughter of the late strongman of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Gbemisola Saraki to shelve her rumoured bid to dump the party.

“Although we are relieved by the assurance that the rumour of the possible defection of Sen. Gbemi Saraki is false and unsubstantiated, nevertheless, we consider it expedient to implore Senator Saraki and her teeming supporters not to allow the voices of division to overwhelm them,” the PDP said in a statement signed by its state secretary, Barr. Hassan Razaq.

The statement reads in part, “At this critical time in the life of our party in Kwara State, we believe that all hands must be on deck to sustain the party and lead it to victory in the forthcoming polls.

“As a party, we believe Senator Gbemi Saraki has made invaluable contributions and sacrifices for the PDP in the state and beyond. We particularly noted her maturity and sportsmanship before, during and after the party primaries which produced distinguished Senator Simeon Ajibola as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the April 11th gubernatorial election in the state

Governor Ahmed Charges Military On Politics

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has charged the military to insulate itself from political manipulation and resist temptation to descend into the political arena as this could truncate the country’s nascent democracy.

He gave the advice when participants of course 23 of the National Defence College, Abuja on Geo-Strategic Study tour of Kwara State paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Ilorin.

“Let me commend the Nigerian military for its appreciable role in nation building, especially by protecting Nigeria from external aggression and internal unrest.

“While it is true that the country is going through very difficult times, especially in parts of the country caught in the grip of insurgency, the military must continue to live up to its reputation as one of Africa’s best”, he said.

The Governor added that it was incumbent on all Nigerians to support the officers and men of the armed forces for keeping the country and its people safe.

Rich Kids, Poor Kids: States And The Pot Called Federal Allocation – Ogunyemi Bukola

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Yesterday budget and public data analysis platform BudgIT shared how much in total each state in Nigeria received as Federal Allocation in 2013. The list was divided into two. The top ten earner states:

And the bottom ten:

So this morning I decided to dance around the data a bit and see if numbers could talk. Here’s what numbers said:

My analysis is centred on the Top Four, and Top Six, states (the rich kids), and the Bottom Four, and Bottom Six, states (the poor kids). Figures are approximates.

The Top Four states (Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa) received a total of N928.2 billion in Federation Allocations in 2013. This is 5 times the total allocation of the Bottom Four (Nassarawa, Osun, Ekiti and Ebonyi) who received N176.6 billion.

The Top Six states (Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos and Kano) received a total of N1.1 trillion in Federal Allocations in 2013. This is 4 times the total allocation of the Bottom Six (Kwara, Gombe, Nassarawa, Osun, Ekiti and Ebonyi) who received N272.4 billion.

Bayelsa’s N182.5 billion is more than the combined allocation of Nassarawa, Osun, Ekiti and Ebonyi (bottom four) – N176.6 billion. The N237.8 billion Rivers got is more than the combined allocation of Gombe, Nassarawa, Osun, Ekiti and Ebonyi (bottom five) – N223.1 billion. While top earner Akwa Ibom got N293.5 billion in 2013, the bottom six of Kwara, Gombe, Nassarawa, Osun, Ekiti and Ebonyi got N272.4 billion combined.

It gets even better.

Akwa Ibom got 7 times the total allocation of Ebonyi. This means Akwa Ibom got in one year what Ebonyi will get in 7 years if rates are fixed. Rich Kid Bayelsa got 4 times the allocation of Poor Kid Osun.

Numbers wouldnt stop talking so I went online to get the population data of the Rick Kids, and the Poor Kids. Here’s what I found:

What did numbers say?

The Top Four earner states have a combined population of 17.5 million (2011 projection figures), add Lagos and Kano to that and the population more than doubles, to 39.3 million. Divide the total allocation received by population and you realize the Top Four got about N53,ooo per citizen. This figure comes down to N28,000 per citizen when Lagos and Kano are considered.

Let’s see what the poor folks are up to:

Bottom Four total population is about 11.5 million, this goes up to 17 million when Gombe and Kwara states enter the fray. N15,000 per citizen is what you get when total allocation of bottom four states is divided by the total population, this goes up to N16,000 per citizen when all six states are considered.

For individual states, Akwa Ibom: N64,000 per citizen is what Akwa Ibom got, Bayelsa is N93,000 per citizen, more than 5 times the N17,000 per citizen for Ebonyi.

A quick look at the map of Nigeria shows that Top Four states are from the oil-rich South-South region. That is not surprising. What is surprising is that only one state from the North, Nassawara (North-Central), is in the Bottom Four, with two from South-West (Osun and Ekiti) and one from South-East.

Numbers started speaking French when I compared the data with primary school enrollment figures, state GDP, WAEC pass rates, health reports etc.

Instead of having all 36 come to him every month, one wearing Louboutins, the other rubber slippers, to give one money for private jet back home and the other just enough to board a train, why cant Big Daddy just let the mothers of these kids take care of them?

Ogunyemi Bukola (@zebbook) writes from Lagos. www.zebbook.com