Stephen Olufemi Oni Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Otte/Budo-Egba Waterworks in Asa local government to deepen access to clean and safe water in the areas.

The Governor said the completion of the 500,000 litre tank was a reflection of the vision of his administration to modernise water infrastructure across the state.

“This is not just about giving clean water to our people. The project brings comfort and renewed confidence in the power of our government to deliver,” the Governor said at the commissioning ceremony in Otte town.

“As an administration, we recognised that access to safe and reliable water supply must be a priority. That is why we launched a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate and modernise water infrastructure across the state. The story of Otte and its environs today is a reflection of that vision.

“Access to clean water improves public health by reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases. It supports education, as children no longer have to spend hours fetching water instead of being in school.”

The Governor was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah.

AbdulRazaq commended the contractors who handled the project for their professionalism, and the people of Otte and its environs for their patience, cooperation, and belief in the vision of this government.

He also lauded the development partners and agencies for their support that culminated in this success.

The Governor listed other waterworks that are currently being rehabilitated in the state to include Omu-Aran Waterworks, Oyun Waterworks, and Sobi Waterworks.

He said access to clean water is a fundamental right of every Kwaran, and pledged to continue to invest in the sector.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Chairman Kwara House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources, Hon. Yunus Oniboki; Commissioner for Water Resources Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade; Chairman, Asa LG, Alhaji Shehu Yayaha Amasa; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmeigoro; Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEB, Prof Shehu Raheem Adaramaja; Chairman Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; APC Chieftain Abdulrahman Giwa; former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Salman Jawondo (SAN); and Daudu Afon, Alhaji Anafi Balogun.

Oniboki said the project will go a long way in addressing water scarcity in the benefitting communities, thanking the Governor for what he described as a great gesture.

Lade urged the people of Otte and its adjoining communities to take ownership of the facility by guiding against vandalisation of any kind.

He said the government has invested millions of naira to enhance water accessibility and improve sanitation across the state.

Chairman of Asa LGA, Alhaji Amasa, thanked the Governor for providing the communities with what he called a beneficial and gigantic project.

“I know the hardship my people faced in search of water during the dry season. Honestly, their apprehension has been addressed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. We are very happy and grateful,” he said.

Adaramaja and Alakawa, in their separate remarks, said no part of the state has not been impacted by the administration through its various developmental projects, declaring the unalloyed support of people of Asa LG to the state government.

Adaramaja recalled the communities’ ordeal of lacking water supply during the previous governments and thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for coming to their rescue, noting that the water plant will impact many lives.

He requested the government to help resuscitate the Otte market, among other infrastructure.

End

From our Correspondent

The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has taken the former Abia state Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to the cleaners, describing him as politically incomparable to former labour party,LP, 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The body’s reaction was coming in the wake of Kalu’s recent media outing on Channels Televission, in which he allegedly made some scathcing remarks against Obi.

In a statement issued on Sunday, in Abuja, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, National president of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), querried Orji Uzor Kalu’s appearance on TV to discuss Peter Obi.

The former Abia state governor was quoted during the media chat, to habe asserted that he is the most prominent,and important politician from the Southeast, having achieved more, politically than Mr. Peter Obi.

According to the statement, “Ohanaeze Youth Council said in the report that Kalu Stated “Peter is not my leader. I’m the most important politician from the South-East zone. I won two states in 2007 under the Progressive People’s Alliance,PPA.

OYC Quoting Kalu’s statement “I have run for president before. My 4.9 million votes are still there since 2007. I achieved a lot with PPA. We had ministers, ambassadors, and several appointments under President Yar’Adua”

Igboayaka urged the former governor to desist from media engagements that are causing him embarrassment, noting that Orji Uzor Kalu is unable to rival Peter Obi’s level of political influence, acceptability and popularity in the South-east and Nigeria at large.

“Orji Uzor Kalu should humble himself and endeavor to gain and learn political popularity and acceptability from Mr. Peter Obi.

“Peter Obi is a trailblazer as the first politician from Igboland, both living and deceased, to have secured victories in five Southeast states during a presidential election.

He stated that Obi has also made history as the first opposition presidential candidate to have won in Lagos and Abuja against the ruling All Progressives congress,APC.

Ohanaeze Youth Council Furthermore noted that Obi has distinguished himself as the first Nigerian politician to have built a robust nationwide supporters across the 36 states, affectionately referred to as the “Obidient Movement”.

“Peter Obi is the only politician in Nigeria who has motivated electorates to participate in voter registration. Peter Obi has become a political institution, redeeming hope in Nigeria’s electoral system and voting process.

“The Nigerian populace had become disillusioned with voting and electioneering, however, Peter Obi proved to be a political magnet, reattracting Nigerians to the voting system.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria’s political system allows mediocre ones like Orji Uzor Kalu, incompetent political shenanigans, political profiteers and looters to dance a dance of shame in our political cycle.

“In a decent and working state Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu should be moving in shame on the street with his mask.”

Comrade Igboayaka has rejected the notion from Orji Uzor Kalu that the PPA emerged victorious in two states, characterizing it as an erroneous narrative that stemmed from electoral malpractices engineered by Professor Maurice Iwu, who served as most corrupt Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the time.

Similarly, in Imo State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), due to internal conflicts, adopted the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) as their platform, resulting in Ikedi Ohakim’s emergence as the winner of the 2007 Imo gubernatorial election, Comrade Igboayaka noted.

“Kalu cannot secure victory in any credible and transparent election within his home base of Abia state, the Southeast, and Nigeria as a whole”. He stated

Igboayaka who lambasted Kalu, cautioning him to prepare for his forthcoming political retirement in 2027, in light of the burgeoning ballot revolution driven by the Obidient Movement across Nigeria.

Kalu should be cognizant that Nigerians’ last hope hinges on Mr. Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential project, which will entail a defensive Ballot Revolution across Nigeria’s 36 states.

Orji Uzor Kalu must recognize that Peter Obi’s name will appear on the ballot in 2027, under any available party platform.

Furthermore, any individual or group considering electoral manipulation and rigging in 2027, should be aware that they risk plunging Nigerians into a crisis comparable to Somalia.

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to strictly implement the “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently participating in the ongoing nationwide strike.

The directive was contained in a circular dated October 13, 2025, signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and obtained by our correspondent.

The circular, which was also copied to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Pro-Chancellors of federal universities, Director-General of the Budget Office, Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), expressed government’s displeasure over the continued strike despite repeated appeals for dialogue.

“In line with the provisions of the Labour Laws of the Federation, the Federal Government reiterates its position on the enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy in respect of any employee who fails to discharge his or her official duties during the period of strike action,” the circular stated.

Dr. Alausa directed all vice-chancellors to immediately conduct a roll call and physical headcount of academic staff in their institutions and to submit detailed reports indicating staff members who are present and performing duties, as well as those absent or engaged in the strike.

He further ordered that salaries be withheld for all staff who fail to carry out their duties during the strike period. However, members of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), who are not part of the industrial action, are exempted and will continue to receive their pay.

The minister also tasked the NUC with monitoring full compliance and submitting a consolidated report to the ministry within seven days.

“Please treat this matter with utmost urgency and a deep sense of responsibility in the national interest,” Alausa urged university heads.

The directive comes just days after ASUU declared a total and comprehensive warning strike beginning Monday, October 13, in protest against unresolved issues with the Federal Government.