Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Government has recorded significant milestones in the strengthening of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Young people’s health services through the EU-SARAH Initiative.

Speaking at the 4th Quarter State SARAH Initiative Governance and Coordination Committee Meeting in Ilorin, the state capital, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, noted that the EU-SARAH Initiative has continued to make tremendous impact across the state by improving the quality of maternal and child health services.

She added that the state’s vision to drastically improve maternal, child, and adolescent health outcomes, has positioned the state as the best place to give birth and the best place to be born.

Dr. El-Imam, who said several interventions had been successfully implemented across reproductive health, adolescent health, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health awareness, added that such efforts had translated into increased service uptake and improved health outcomes for mothers, newborns, adolescents, and young people across the state.

Lauding the dedication and collaboration of the staff of the implementing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs),
fhe Commissioner appreciated the unwavering support of the state government under the dynamic leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, describing him as a health-driven and health-conscious Governor committed to quality healthcare delivery.

Dr. El-Imam further acknowledged the invaluable partnership of development partners UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO, whose continuous collaboration has strengthened the EU-SARAH Initiative in the state.

Presenting the programme update, the Reproductive Health Coordinator, Dr. Kofo Ibrahim outlined key structural and implementation milestones,
explaining that the EU-SARAH governance structure includes; EU SARAH initiative Governance and Coordination Committee, RMNCAH TWG, MPCDSR TWG, Adolescent TWG both at the state and LGA.

She added that the EU-SARAH State Plan had also been fully integrated into the 2026 State Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), during the development of the State Annual Operational plan for 2026, an activity which was fully funded under the SARAH program

Dr. Ibrahin highlighted key achievements recorded, which include: Onboarding of 3,275 vulnerable persons into the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme, capacity building of 746 Doctors and Nurse across all levels of care.

Other achievements according to her are; notification and review of Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death ( MPCDSR), provision of Adolescent Youth Friendly Health Services (AYFHS) and Delivery of targeted adolescent and youth outreaches across 8 LGAs.

She further explained that EU-SARAH also reached 4,601 adolescents and youths with services such as HIV testing, Family Planning information and services, and Antenatal care among others.

The State RMNCAH+N Coordinator at the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Medinat Olaosebikan, highlighted the extensive training and quality-of-care interventions carried out to strengthen frontline health service delivery.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, appreciated all stakeholders and partners for their participation, commitment, and shared vision of improved health outcomes for the people of Kwara State

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• As govt refutes allegation, says no govt has power to arm anyone with AK-47

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the state government of complicity in the spate of kidnappings and banditry in the state.

The opposition party specifically hinged its allegation on a viral video of the confession of arrested bandits in far away Edo State.

The suspects had alleged that officials and agents of the state government supplied them with arms to carry out attacks in parts of the state.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, on Monday, the PDP Chairman, Isa Adamu, said: “We are deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of arrested criminal bandits apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in far away Auchi, Edo State.
In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities.

“This video evidence without any iota of doubt clearly indicates that the Governor of Kwara state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and many of his agents, including local government chairmen, have a lot on their sleeves about criminal banditry, terrorism, and other deadly attacks that have ravaged communities in Kwara North and Kwara South for quite some time.

“This development places an enormous burden of explanation squarely on the doorstep of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is not only the Chief Executive of the state but also constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State.

“This is a direct allegation of state-sponsored criminality that must not be swept under the carpet. We therefore call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to treat the situation in Kwara State as a matter of urgent national concern.

“A comprehensive federal investigation must be carried out into the confessions of the arrested criminals, particularly their claims that the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq–led Kwara State Government sponsored and supported their criminal activities.

“In the interest of justice, morality, and public safety, it is reasonable to demand the declaration of a state of emergency in Kwara State, including the suspension of the Governor, to enable an independent, transparent, and interference-free investigation into these allegations.

“We further urge the Office of the National Security Adviser to immediately advise all Service Chiefs and security agencies to suspend any official engagements or interfaces with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq or his representatives pending the conclusion of these investigations, as he can no longer be trusted with sensitive security details.

However, the state government had earlier debunked the allegation, adding that “no State Government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47.”

A statement by the Commissioner for Communication, Bolanle Olukoju, said: “Neither did the individuals mention that Kwara State Government gave them any weapon.

“The Ifelodun Local Government Authority, for its part, has clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security. These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun.

“However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.

“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies.

“As the security forces are probing the development, we urge people, especially online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things, because such behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace.”

End

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the construction of the perimeter fencing of the Kwara State Polytechnic to put a permanent end to encroachment on the institution’s vast land.

This was disclosed by the Polytechnic Rector, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh, on Monday at a media parley organised by the Department of Strategic Communication and Media Studies of the Polytechnic.

The Rector lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for the unwavering support the Polytechnic has contacted to enjoy from the state government, pledging the unalloyed support of the Polytechnic to his administration.

The Guest Speaker at the event,
Counselor and Senior Adviser to the Governor, Mallam Saadu Salahu, noted that the Polytechnic has emerged from years of neglect to become a modern institution ready for the digital age under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership.while highlighting the transformation of the institution. He, however, described the current efforts of the state government as “redefining the future of the Polytechnic through purposeful governance.

He recalled that the Polytechnic, established in 1971 by the then Military Governor, Colonel David Bamigboye (rtd) of blessed memory, was intended to provide technical and entrepreneurial skills to indigenes of the state. However, before 2019, the institution faced severe challenges including decaying infrastructure, poor funding, and low staff morale. “The Polytechnic was like a vehicle with deflated tyres and a knocked engine,” Salahu said.

According to him, the AbdulRazaq administration has placed education at the centre of its development agenda. “Salaries are now paid promptly, staff welfare has improved, and billions of naira have been invested in sustainable development rather than temporary fixes,” he stated.

Salahu noted that over 600 schools have been constructed or renovated across the 193 wards of the state, alongside the establishment of a University of Education to strengthen teacher training. He also highlighted innovations such as the KwaraLEARN initiative, smart schools, and investments in digital literacy and artificial intelligence as avenues preparing the state’s youths for the global digital economy. “These are deliberate policies to mainstream our young people into the future,” he said.

“KWARAPOLY is now more affordable, safer, and more conducive for learning. Staff morale has improved, and the institution is reclaiming its place as an incubator of technical and academic excellence,” Salahu said.

He also celebrated the global achievements of the Polytechnic’s alumni, including Professor J.O. Amupitan (SAN), Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Maryam Masud Oniye, a UN-recognised Green Innovator, and Daudu Olabode, an internationally recognised student content creator. He described KWARAPOLY as “a breeding ground for talent across creative industries, public service, business, and media.”

Addressing students of Strategic Communication and Media Studies, Salahu urged them to uphold professionalism and ethical conduct, emphasizing their role in shaping public perception. “You are definers of reality. What people wear, drive, buy, and even who wins elections are largely influenced by strategic communication,” he said. He further advised students to avoid cultism, cybercrime, and drug abuse to safeguard their future careers.

Salahu called on alumni to support the Polytechnic through investments in infrastructure and digital advancement, adding that sustained backing is essential for the institution’s transformation. “The journey we have started is not an endpoint. It is a foundation,” he said. He expressed optimism that KWARAPOLY’s elevation to a University of Technology is now within reach.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, represented by the Director of Special Services, Mrs. Rodihat Yahaya, praised the initiative for equipping students for greater opportunities and commended their contributions to the institution’s development.

Dr. Ghali Alaya, Chairman of the occasion and former Non-Executive Director of NNPC, commended the Polytechnic’s management for safeguarding its facilities and urged students to leverage their education for a purposeful life.