Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A socio-political group for the realisation of the political ambition of the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi (SYD), under the aegis of Dahiri Omo Ilorin, has
engaged eminent sons and daughters of Ilorin, with participants pledging their unwavering support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon Danladi is the gubernatorial candidate for the All progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Dubbed “Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Chat with SYD”, the colourful event was themed, “One Ilorin, One Voice: Unity, Development, and the Future of Kwara”, and attracted top officials of government, political gladiators, Ilorin high ranking chiefs and kingmakers, community and religious leaders, and various support groups.

The big State Banquet Hall, in Ilorin, venue of the event, was filled to its capacity with a mammoth crowd, who were intermittently entertained with cultural songs.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who is the group’s Grand Patron was represented by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, while the APC Deputy Gubernatorial candidate, Hon Seun Ogunniyi ADATO stood in for Rt. Hon Danladi.

Top attendees included Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muh’d Bashir Dasuki Imam Fulani; Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Shuaib Aremu Zubair; Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Usman Atolagbe Jos; Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulwahab; Baba Isalẹ of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Sidiq; among other high chiefs.

Also present were members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, led by Majority Leader, Barr. Abdulkadir Oba Magaji; Grand Matron of the group, Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Alhaji Bashir Adigun; Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam) Alhaji Ibrahim Danmeigoro; Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi, who was represented by the APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwaheed; Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman Sai Kai; Chief of Staff at the Federal Ministry of Youth, Mall Muhammed Funsho Abdullahi; and General Manager, Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASIP), Dr Abdulwasiu Tejidini.

Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Dazuki, who offered the opening prayer, beseeched Allah to continue to guide the Governor aright and accord him a success of tenure.

He equally prayed for the success of the Governor’s Senatorial ambition and other candidates of the party, as well as for the continual peace, unity and development of the Emirate and the entire Kwara.

Speaking through his aide, Salau, the Governor called the gathering another testament of love and support of the people of the Emirate for the APC-led government in the state, thanking the participants for their large turnout.

He said the candidacy of Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi is divine and has enjoyed royal blessings and a wide endorsement of people across the state.

“This gathering shows that Ilorin indigenes are united for good, and are solidly behind our administration. Our father, the Emir of Ilorin, has always thanked the Almighty God for answering his fervent prayers in the ascension of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as Governor of Kwara. State,” he said.

Hon Ogunniyi ADATO, who spoke for Danladi, appreciated the organizer, Dahiri Omo Ilorin and the people of the Emirate for their genuine love and undiluted support for the APC gubernatorial candidate.

He promised to prioritize the general well-being of the citizens and build on the good legacies of Governor AbdulRazaq when elected.

Prince Fagbemi, in his comment, said Governor AbdulRazaq is a true son of Ilorin Emirate and has done exceedingly well for the state, expressing confidence that Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi will strive to surpass his achievements when given the mandate.

“One good turn deserves another. We should ensure that our vote in Kwara Central helps our Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to win as Senator in the 2027 general elections. We should equally vote for SYD and other candidates of our party. They will not let you down,” Fagbemi said through the Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwaheed who represented him.

Coordinator, Dahiri Omo Ilorin for SYD, Mall Abdulmajeed Arikewuyo Abdulfatai, for his part, said Danladi’s candidacy from the northern region of the state represents equity, fairness, and justice.

He said they have consulted widely especially across the nooks and crannies of Ilorin and realized that
the people of the Emirate “want unity, fairness and a future where everyone feels carried along.”

“The emergence of SYD from Kwara North has opened another chapter in our conversation about balance, inclusion and giving every part of Kwara a sense of belonging,” he said.

“We are not gathered here to create a division between Kwara Central, North or South. We are here to build bridges.”

Highlight of the occasion was the decoration of Governor AbdulRazaq and Hon Mariam Aladi as the Grand Patron and Matron of the support group.

• As Stakeholders Hail Govt, List Their Other Demands

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Citizens’ Engagement programme for the year 2027 budget has come to a glorious end in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, serving as a platform for the people of Kwara Central Senatorial District to air their views and present their requests in the next fiscal year.

The townhall meeting started on 1st September in Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area for Kwara Southerners, after which the Northerners had their turn in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of the state.

Tuesday’s session, like before, was attended by senior government officials and key stakeholders, such as Local Council Chairmen, top bureaucrats, community and religious leaders, representatives of the civil society groups, development partners, women and youth groups, persons living with disabilities, and the media.

The traditional chiefs were present in their large numbers, including the Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Zubair; Balogun Alanamu, Dr Usman Abubakar Atolagbe Jos; Baba Isale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Sidiq; Balogun Baare Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad and Magaji Esinrogunjo who is the Chairman for Magajis and Alanguas Forum in Ilorin Emirate, and Alhaji Isiaka Amoda Ojulari, among others.

Addressing participants, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the open budget process was part of his campaign promises that sought to rebuild public confidence in government, restore infrastructure, improve public service delivery, and place the welfare of Kwarans at the centre of governance.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde, said the administration has continued to engage the citizens and various stakeholders across communities to hear directly from them where the shoe pinches with a view to improving their living conditions.

AbdulRazaq touted his giant strides in critical infrastructure and capital projects that cut across the state, and assured that the 2027 budget offers another opportunity to consolidate the gains of his administration.

“Since the inception of this administration, we have maintained that a budget should never be a mere administrative routine or a closed-door exercise. Governance belongs to the people, and for any fiscal plan to deliver meaningful impact, it must directly reflect the life experiences, priorities, and voices of our citizens across the state,” the Governor said.

“Our administration remains committed to building a state where no community is left behind and where development reaches every corner of Kwara.

“Our urban renewal initiatives have transformed the landscape of llorin and other major towns. Landmark projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of township roads, Kwara Hotels, Innovation Hub Civil Service Clinic, International Conference Centre, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service office, Finance House, and other several strategic road networks, which have improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, and boosted commercial activities.”

On his part, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof Mamman Saba Jubril, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Shuaib, said the event was not just another meeting but a testament to the collective resolve to deepen democracy and strengthen participatory governance in Kwara State.

“Notably, we are here today because governance is not a one-way street approach. It thrives when the government listens to its people, engages with them, and incorporates their voices into the policies and programmes of the administration that will shape the life of the citizens,” he said.

Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development and a native of Ilorin West LGA, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, while praising the developmental drives of the administration, appealed for interlocking of more communities within the city.

He also requested the government to renovate mini-palaces of some traditional chiefs in the Ilorin Emirate and install solar lights for markets within his local government area.

Former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Afeez Abolore, who hails from Ilorin East, applauded the Governor for the infrastructural development across the nooks and crannies of the state, noting that the autonomy of local government has been operational and effective in the state.

Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply in the Ministry of Planning, Hajia Madinat Ajao, who read the Commissioner’s address, said the programme clearly demonstrated the unwavering commitment of the Governor AbdulRazaq to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

“Since assuming office, this administration has institutionalized participatory budgeting, ensuring that the voices of citizens remain central to government planning and resource allocation”, she said.

Vice Chairman of Asa Local Government Area, Hon Rasidat Issa;
Vice Chairman of Ilorin South LGA, Hon Mary Joel; Hon Abdulraheem Nafisat Sauta (Vice Chairman of Ilorin East), and Director Personnel Management in Ilorin West Local Government, Alhaji Hussain Sabi Saidu, in their separate remarks, appreciated the state government’s developmental projects in their respective local governments and appealed for more, especially in the area of road construction and rehabilitation.

Other stakeholders and community leaders, who spoke at the event, such as National President, Reke Community, Engr Surajeen Olaiya, Alhaji Salami Jimoh from Asa LGA, Mallam Abdulazeez Omoola from Ilorin South LGA, Mallam Garba Alao from Ilorin East LGA, Hon Maruf Onibanoje from Ilorin West and Mallam Yusuf Aderemi, took turns to appreciate the government’s presence in their respective areas, soliciting for more developmental projects in the year 2027 appropriation.

Alhaji Samsudeen Aregbe, Director of Budget, in his presentation, said the government achieved 93.5% budget performance in 2025, calling it a good development for the state.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Government has inaugurated a Joint Management Committee to oversee the coexistence of the duo of the Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED), Ilorin, and the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

The committee was inaugurated at the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Ilorin, with a charge to ensure harmonious relations and effective management and utilisation of resources and facilities shared by the two institutions.

The committee comprises three representatives each from KWASUED and the College of Education, as well as one representative of the Ministry of Tertiary Education.

Representing KWASUED are Prof. Ganiyu Bello, Dr. Bello Okanla Fatai and Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Yetunde Olanrewaju, while the College of Education is represented by Mr. Akanbi O. Ayodele, Mr. Lawal L.O. and Mr. Jiyah S.J. The ministry is represented by Mallam Aliyu Abdulsalam.

Inaugurating the committee, the Supervising Commissioner for the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Commissioner for Education and Human Capital, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, charged members to ensure that the coexistence arrangement produces tangible results and does not become a mere administrative exercise.

He urged the committee to maintain a harmonious relationship between the two institutions, particularly in the management and utilisation of resources and facilities within the premises of the College of Education.

Dr. Olohungbebe said the government expected impact from the committee rather than just its inauguration, noting that every institution had to start from somewhere before eventually moving to its permanent location.

He reminded members that they understood their respective institutions better than anyone else and were therefore well positioned to develop workable solutions to challenges that might arise in the course of the coexistence arrangement.

According to him, the establishment of KWASUED was not intended to take jobs away from workers at the College of Education but to create additional employment opportunities in the state.

He added that the government was working towards developing KWASUED’s permanent site, after which the university would relocate to the permanent location.

Dr. Olohungbebe also reassured both institutions that KWASUED had come to stay, while the College of Education would equally continue to operate, stressing that the government was committed to ensuring the smooth running of both institutions.

He urged members of the committee to work together and produce practical and implementable recommendations that would guide the ministry in managing the relationship between the two institutions.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, the Director of Continuing Education, Dr. Sunday Akanbi, said the inauguration represented an important step towards establishing a structured relationship between the two institutions and ensuring that the presence of KWASUED and the College of Education within the same environment did not become a source of unnecessary friction.

He stressed the importance of cooperation, mutual understanding and effective communication between the managements of both institutions, particularly in the areas of facility use and day-to-day operations.

The director expressed confidence that the committee, comprising representatives of the two institutions and the ministry, would provide a platform for addressing issues as they arise and developing solutions that would be beneficial to both institutions.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, Prof. Ganiyu Bello expressed the members’ readiness to take up the responsibility and ensure that the coexistence arrangement succeeds.

Prof. Bello said the committee had accepted the assignment and would do everything possible to achieve its objectives.

He noted that teacher education had recorded progressive growth in Kwara State, adding that the state had established a strong reputation for the training of teachers.

He assured that the committee would work to ensure continued progress in education and teacher training in the state.

The inauguration followed the recommendation of the Committee on the Blueprint for the Coexistence of the Kwara State University of Education and the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

The earlier committee was constituted by the Kwara State Government to develop a framework for the peaceful and effective coexistence of the two institutions, particularly during the transitional period before the development of KWASUED’s permanent site.

Among its recommendations was the establishment of a Joint Management Committee to coordinate the coexistence of the institutions, facilitate the sharing and utilisation of facilities, address transitional challenges and promote harmonious relations.

The inauguration of the new committee therefore marks the commencement of a formal mechanism for managing the relationship between KWASUED and the College of Education as both institutions continue to pursue their respective mandates.

The committee is expected to submit workable recommendations to the Ministry of Tertiary Education to guide the implementation of the coexistence arrangement and ensure that both institutions continue to contribute to the development of teacher education in Kwara State.