Kwara State Government held a two-day inter-ministerial press briefing on April 29 and April 30, 2025, with a focus on the accomplishments of the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq administration.
It was an interactive discussion with Kwara indigenes at home and in the Diaspora as it was beamed live on social media platforms and there were responses.
Commissioner for Communications, Hon Bolanle Olukoju, was the chief host and cabinet members and heads of MDAs answered questions bordering on governance of the state and also clarified perceived knotty issues.
In her opening remarks at the event held at the conference room of the State Ministry of Finance, Hon Bolanle Olukoju talked about some of the breakthroughs of the current administration and future plans.
She submitted that the state is progressing in every sector and sphere while listing the notable achievements to include; inauguration of flyovers, such as the General Tunde Idiagbon and Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Unity Flyovers, and roads across the three senatorial districts which has significantly improved the state’s transportation network.
‘Upgrading of Kwara State Hospitals to Teaching Hospitals, including Kwara State University Teaching Hospital and Al-Hikmah Teaching Hospital which demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Distribution of seed crops to over 2,000 farmers across the three senatorial districts. Funding of Kwara State University of Education for full implementation, with admission set to begin this year, and provision of bursaries to students’ she said.
The Commissioner added that the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq- administration is working assiduously to foster collaboration and synergy among government agencies, ministries, and departments, ultimately contributing to the state’s development and growth.
Director General of Kwara State Sport Commission, Coach Bolakale Mogaj, submitted that the state has the best squash court in the country, noting that a prominent person in Oyo State who had been told about the existence of the squash court, facilitated the hosting of a national tournament of a squash court in which Kwara won three (3) medals.
He also asserted that Kwara State has done something unique by having separate building dedicated to table tennis.
General Manager, Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), also said the state government has continued to provide cash assistance to vulnerable groups in the state, while also providing support for SMEs, to enhance businesses, and create job opportunities.
The state government, he noted, has also provided N20,000 each as cash assistance to 40,000 people including young people, vulnerable people and petty traders while 7,000 people have also gotten N100,000 each.
Chairman , Kwara State Hospital Management Board , Dr. Abdulraheem Malik, said the state government has increased availability of drugs at health facilities in the state from 40% to 80%, while solar system has also been made available at health facilities in Offa, Oro, Ilofa, Psaragi, and Cottage hospital, Ilorin.
He also disclosed that an app has been designed for members of the public to book appointments with doctors online, which will become operative very soon.
Managing Director of the Kwara State Garment Factory , Hajia Bukola Adedeji said the company has continued to grow in leaps and bounds noting that a lot has been achieved between January and April 2025.
The government has according to her ensured that investment meets local potentials, while quality, durability, and customer satisfaction have been prioritized, she also disclosed that export opportunities are being explored with an eye on African countries.
Customized souvenir, throw pillows, t-shirts, fez caps have been produced and supplied to individuals and organizations, at different times while the one that stands out is the Bespoke, souvenirs bags made with Aso-oke, which will be supplied to the Nigerian Airforce ahead of the airforce forum week, which will have airforce officers from all Africans country participating and will be held in Lagos and Abuja.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Afeez Abolore said the state government has continued to support farmers in the state, in order to ensure food security, he also disclosed that the state government is planning to establish a fertilizer manufacturing company in conjunction with CONTEC Global Agro Limited.
An innovative way to fight land encroachment at tertiary institutions in the state will have students and other members of the public making use of lands at tertiary institutions for farming.
Commissioner of Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon Damilola Yusuf said the state government is building an ICT hub in Shonga, which has been taken to 57% completion, the KWIRS head office has also been taken to 59% completion, while the Kwara innovation hub Ilorin has been taken to 100% completion.
The Ministry of Justice has also established Citizens Mediation Centre noting that people prefer it than litigation because delays are avoided and it is less expensive.
Matters that are attended to at the centre include tenancy and matrimonial issues, and this has reduced the number of court cases in the state. 40 cases were treated at the centre in the first quarter of the year while 37 are already concluded.
Commissioner for Transportation, Lafia Aliyu Korasabi, applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his vision and strides in the transportation sector, especially the ongoing Smart City projects and road infrastructure.
The setbacks, walkways, traffic and road signs, among other components, he noted, do not only add to the physical aesthetics of roads but also cater for safety and an enabling environment that supports the general well-being of commuters and road users.
Lafia explained that both the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) and the Vehicles Inspection Office (VIO) have been committed and proactive in areas of monitoring and enforcement of traffic laws, guiding against indiscriminate parking and road side garages in order to create space and prevent accidents.
‘With the establishment of the Ministry of Transportation, KWARTMA has continued to intensify efforts at enforcing the policy of ‘No parking, No Waiting and No Trading’ along the walkways to discourage indiscriminate parking on the roads and prevent encroachment by traders’ Hon. Korasabi added.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Ministry has mediated between the transport unions to strengthen tides and promote unity, peace and tranquility in the state.
-Akinlolu Abayomi
