Uncategorized
Kwara Gov hailed for huge investments in sporting facilities
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Bola Magaji, has lauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s huge investment in sporting facilities in the State, noting that the administration had committed over ₦2bn in the past six years to the renovation of Pa Gabriel Ladipo Indoor Sports Hall alone.
Magaji gave the commendation during a media tour of facilities at the George Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin, by the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Kwara Council.
He added: “This indoor sports hall alone has gulped over N2bn. Besides, Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration has also invested in the football field, tennis court, squash court, etc. Not many sectors have enjoyed much support like sports from His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the last six years.
”If he’s not leaving any legacy, but for what he has done here, it’s a legacy that anybody who wants to beat it will have to work harder. Just like his predecessor Major George Innih. They were the ones who built this place. I don’t think there can be any government in Nigeria that can put up this type of edifice again because of the cost.
”His Excellency has done a lot for us here. Right from the road, the field, the buildings and the paintings. He did not only do that, a lot of our athletes have been sponsored to travel outside this country. There was a six-year-old boy from Offa who has done wonderfully well. You can imagine a six-year-old boy went to play Scrabble in Nigeria and he won among 180 other athletes. That’s not going to be possible if not for what the governor has done.
”We have among us as well that had gone to represent Nigeria in Cairo in squash. We have among us that had represented Nigeria in Olympics and won Olympic medals. It had not been so very easy before. That is the first medal in badminton in the whole Africa which is coming from this state.”
Magaji noted that the state stadium complex stands out nationally and surpasses other stadiums, including in Lagos and Abuja, in scope and functionality.
”The entire sports complex now supports at least 32 different sports, all housed within a single facility except golf. No stadium in Nigeria has all these in a single location.
”I’ve been doing sports, representing Kwara State as far back as 1965. There’s no stadium I have not been to. You can’t compare it to Lagos Stadium. You can’t compare it to Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan or national stadium in Abuja.
”Abuja has package A and package B. The package A and package B do not even have what we have here. Our own is concentrated on a spot. You can do all the sports here apart from golf that you have to do outside,” he said.
Magaji noted that the government is extending investments beyond the city-centre with ongoing reconstruction of Offa and Lafiagi stadia in the southern and northern senatorial districts in order to create a more inclusive sports ecosystem.
On the impact of the government’s investment in sports sector, Magaji insisted that the investments have translated into dramatic improvements in national competition rankings and performance of the state athletes, saying the state has moved from 23rd to 5th place in the National Sports Festival standings over recent years, marking an unprecedented rise.
”The Governor has given us all the necessary encouragement, financially, morally and that’s why we are doing this. So once again, I thank His Excellency for considering this. Some of our athletes who have left the state before are now eager to return to Kwara because the Governor has changed the face of sports in the state.
The Governor’s policy to reward athletes with ₦1 million for gold, ₦500,000 for silver, and ₦300,000 for bronze medals has enhanced athletes’ performance. Coaches and team officials also received bonuses and brand new cars were gifted to top athletes, including those with disabilities. These incentives have encouraged athletes who previously left the state to return,” Magaji added.
On Kwara Football Academy, Coach Magaji praised AbdulRazaq for the renovation of the academy’s hostel, dinning and clinic to meet the needs of the students.
Students of the academy, Abdullahi Hassan, Saad Ahmad from Kano and Adnan Muhammad-Akanbi, expressed delight over the school’s structured daily schedule which they said balances academics and physical training for holistic growth.
They said the recent renovation of facilities at the Academy has made the school environment more conducive for learning.
Hassan said: “I love football. I have started playing football from the age of seven and I chose KFA because it is one of the best academies in Nigeria. That is why I here.”
Ahmad said: “KFA is one of the best in West Africa. This is my sixth year here and they take good care of us. They have good staff. Good rooms. We have good water system, electricity and medicals.”
End
- As Gov AbdulRazaq Is Turbaned As Sadauna Of Ilorin Emirate
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed the need for politicians to embrace one another, play politics without bitterness and according to the rules in order to ensure an astronomical growth and development for the country.
Shettima made the appeal on Wednesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, while admonishing
Nigerians to serve with humility, do good to one another and have forgiving spirit, as they, according to him, would spend more time after office.
He added: “Power is given by God to the people He so wishes and not because we are better than others. I, therefore, call on all politicians to unite themselves as one family despite their political differences.
“Take a cue from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I serve as his assistant. He is a good and decent man who has the love and interest of Nigerians at heart.”
Shettima explained that when they assumed office in 2023, the economy of the country was at the brink of collapse, but President Tinubu refused to pass blame; with courage he accepted both the assets and liabilities and moved on.
He further disclosed that during the 2023 electioneering campaign, only six out of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential aspiration, based on the erroneous belief that Baba (Buhari) didn’t like him, adding: “But today the President has embraced everybody as his own and things are going on well”.
He added: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a good man by all standard; he believes in the people that work with him.”
Shettima also thanked the Emir of Ilorin for the honour done to Governor AbdulRazaq, which , he noted, was based on his contributions to the development of the Ilorin Emirate and the State at large, adding that “the father of the Governor had planted a solid footprint in the Ilorin Emirate and by extension Nigeria as a whole”.
Shettima, who expressed optimism that this new chapter would create a stronger bond between the Emirate and the family of Governor AbdulRazaq, urged the people to continue to pray for the progress and development of the Emirate and the State as a whole.
He commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his efforts in the massive improvement on infrastructure to assist the people of the State, as well as for his
contributions to the actualisation of policies and programmes of government at the federal level towards providing succour to average Nigerians.
In his remarks, the Matawaliof Ilorin Emirate, Dr.Alimi AbdulRazaq, said the title of Sardauna bestowed on the Governor was well deserved, thanking the Emir of Ilorin for finding the Governor worthy of the noble recognition by the Emirate.
Dr,Alimi urged the Governor to see the tittle as a clarion call to provide more dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the State.
The turbaning ceremony witnessed large turnout of dignitaries, including the Governor of Niger state, Umar Bago, Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Imo State ,Hope Uzodinma, and Governors of Kebbi ,Katsina States.
Others are the Emir of Zazzau Emirate, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, the Deputy Governors of Sokoto, Anambra, Nasarawa, Delta, Ondo, and Oyo States.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been hailed for the conferment of the prestigious Sadauna of Ilorin Emirate title on him by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR.
Giving the commendation on Tuesday in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, Alhaji Yakubu Garba Gobir, who is the Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of the Ilorin Emirate, described the recognition and honour on Governor AbdulRazaq as well deserved, timely and apt, giving his huge contributions to the growth and development of Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State as a whole.
Gobir specifically commended the Emir of Ilorin for conferring this distinguished title in recognition of the qualities and contributions of the new Sardauna, noting that it is a solemn call for greater responsibility, leadership, loyalty and devoted service to the Emirate and its people.
He added: “The title of Sardauna occupies a position of profound significance in the history, heritage and traditions of the Ilorin Emirate. I commend His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, the Emir of Ilorin, for conferring this distinguished title in recognition of the qualities and contributions of the new Sardauna.
“The title embodies courage, leadership, loyalty and devoted service to the Emirate and its people. Your elevation is therefore not merely a mark of honour; it is also a solemn call to greater responsibility and continued service.
“As a fellow title-holder in the Ilorin Emirate, I am particularly delighted to welcome you into this distinguished circle of traditional leadership. I am confident that you will bring to the office the same qualities of leadership, dignity and unwavering commitment to public service that have distinguished your tenure and career.
“At a time when our Emirate and our State require men and women of character, wisdom and courage to advance the interests of our people, I am certain that you will make a meaningful contribution to the enduring unity, progress and development of the Ilorin Emirate.”
Gobir offered prayers for a successful, impactful and enduring tenure for the new Sadauna, adding:
“May Almighty Allah grant you wisdom, sound health and strength, and may He make your tenure as Sardauna of Ilorin a source of lasting honour to you, your family and the entire Ilorin Emirate.”
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin.
The wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a TETFund/Renewed Hope Initiative-backed ICT Experience Centre at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.
It would be recalled that KWASU is one of the six tertiary institutions selected for the pilot phase of this intervention, with one institution representing each of the Nigerian six geopolitical zones.
Represented at the commissioning on Tuesday by the wife of the Vice-President, Nana Shettima, Tinubu said the project is a testament to the federal government’s commitment to advancing education, digital inclusion and enhancing graduate employability.
“The TETFund/Renewed Hope Initiative ICT Experience Centre we are commissioning today represents opportunity, innovation, knowledge, and the future of young people in Kwara State and beyond.
She said: “This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which places emphasis on youth empowerment, education, innovation, and economic transformation. Mr President is committed to creating opportunities that will equip Nigerian youths with knowledge and skills required to thrive in a modern and competitive world.”
Senator Tinubu said the facility was designed as a modern technology centre equipped with ICT laboratory, interactive digital display, conference facility, and exhibition spaces, adding that it would be an environment for learning, creativity, research, and technology advancement.
According to her, the ICT centres had been commissioned at the Ekiti State University on May 28, University of Cross Rivers State on September 4, Anambra State Polytechnic on September 10, adding that the Centres at Kaduna State University and Taraba State Universities would be commissioned soon.
“The next phase of this intervention will cover 15 institutions in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara states which construction is currently ongoing. This expansion demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring that more Nigerian youths, irrespective of their locations, have access to digital learning opportunities,” she said.
She encouraged the students to take ownership of the facility, maximise the opportunity it provides, and use technology positively to enhance their lives, community, and the nation.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of Tetfund, Architect Sonny Echono, said the centres are being established across selected Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, with the Kwara State University, Malete proudly hosting the facility in the North-Central Zone.
“Through practical training and digital skills acquisition, TETFund seeks to enhance graduate employability, foster innovation and position Nigeria to participate more effectively in the global
technology-driven economy,” he added.
Echono also said that the ICT Experience Centre is designed to equip students and lecturers with critical digital skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics and Software Development.
He added: “The Centre being commissioned today is one of the foremost ICT Experience Centres being delivered across the country, and the third to be commissioned this year. The Centre is equipped with modern digital devices, Computer systems and relevant software to facilitate training, practical learning and skills development. The facility is appropriately furnished and
fully air-conditioned, with supporting power and municipal infrastructure.”
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Shaykh- Luqman Jimoh, said the new facility represents vision, belief, and an investment in the Nigerian youth to better shape the future of our
nation.
The Vice Chancellor described the ICT Experience Centre as an investment in human capital, in innovation, in entrepreneurship, and, most importantly, it is an investment in the future of Nigeria.
“This Centre will provide opportunities for our students to develop practical digital skills and engage with contemporary technologies. Importantly, it is our hub for interdisciplinary engagement.
“This ICT Experience Centre is therefore a timely, critical, and strategic infrastructure that will definitely enhance research, teaching, learning, entrepreneurship, and community service. This intervention is at the core of what this university seeks from partners and donors: synergies that add value and impact on today and the future,” he started.
KWASU Vice Chancellor also assured that the ICT Experience Centre would be put to maximum use for the benefit of students, researchers, and the University
community, adding that the “KWASU community would engage with the facilities in this Centre, we will use it. We will explore, experiment, learn, and innovate in i
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