Kwara State governor praised for transformative projects

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been hailed as a star progressive governor in Nigeria, with outstanding achievements across multiple sectors, according to Folorunsho Aluko, Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF). Aluko expressed his admiration during a recent two-day working visit to the state.

Aluko, who led a five-person media team from the Forum, highlighted the Governor’s impressive strides in physical infrastructure, social support programmes, civil service welfare, youth development, gender inclusion, agriculture, and sports.

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“I came to Kwara State with my team on a mission. On getting here, I am proud. The signature projects of His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Governor of Kwara State, are breathtaking,” Aluko told reporters. “From the social support programme, infrastructure, civil service welfare, youth, gender empowerment, business, innovation and technology, to sports, we are really impressed with what we saw.”

The team toured various projects, including the state-of-the-art squash court complex, the table tennis arena, the garment factory, the innovation hub, and the Ilorin International Conference Centre. They noted that these developments underscored the Governor’s commitment to the state’s progress.

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Aluko was particularly impressed with the sports facilities, noting, “The squash court that has ten courts identifiable by different colours and that accommodate both the youth and old, even those with special needs, is the first of its kind in Nigeria.”

The delegation also visited other significant projects like the under-remodeling Kwara Hotel, the 12-storey ultramodern Revenue House, the Centre for Contemporary Arts and Films, and the Sugar Film Factory.

Aluko commended AbdulRazaq’s 10-year Agriculture Transformation Plan, aimed at promoting food security through enhanced support for farmers and innovative approaches to resolving farmers-herders conflicts.

The visit by the PGF team was also intended to counter negative reporting and document the positive developments in APC-controlled states. Aluko emphasised the importance of acknowledging and archiving good legacies to prevent them from being forgotten.

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Sa’adu Salau, the Special Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, thanked the PGF team for their visit and urged them to produce their publications in at least three popular local languages for wider reach. He reiterated the Governor’s dedication to good governance, transparency, and accountability.

Bashir Adigun, the Special Adviser on Media, highlighted the Governor’s efforts to strengthen key infrastructure that had collapsed in the past, while Abdulquawiy Olododo, Commissioner for Works and Transport, noted that over 170 roads had been constructed within just one year of the Governor’s second term.

Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun, Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, discussed the government’s initiative to train 3,000 youths in textile production through the garment factory, boosting the state’s position in the textile industry.

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Agric Commissioner Oloruntoyosi Thomas spoke about the 10-year Agric Transformation Plan, which focuses on improving productivity in quantity and quality, and supporting farmers and agricultural extension agents.

Coach Bola Magaji, Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, praised the government’s support for the sports sector, which has led to the state producing national champions in various categories over the past four years.

Overall, the PGF’s visit highlighted Governor AbdulRazaq’s transformative leadership and the significant progress Kwara State has made under his administration.