Unilorin Professor, Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi, Praises Gov Abdulrazaq’s Achievements
A lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Professor Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi, penultimate week recognized the good work Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is doing in the State of Harmony and submitted that his record of service in six years has been excellent, impactful and unrivalled by his predecessors.
Professor Baqi spoke on ‘Kwara Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: The giant strides of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’ at the maiden personality lecture organized in honour of the governor by the state Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
It was sponsored by Dr Muhammed Gali Alaya, a Non-Executive Director of NNPCL.
Kwara Big Boy, Engineer Abdulrahman Giwa was the chairman of the occasion.
Other dignitaries at the event include former Grand Kadi of the state Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Justice Salihu Olohuntoyin Muhammed; senior government officials; an APC Chieftain, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin; NUJ Chairman, Ahmed Lanre Abdullateef; APC women support groups and journalists.
Professor Baqi who said Kwara was before now far behind other legacy states in infrastructural development and other things commended the breathtaking road and economic projects and other infrastructure on the governor’s watch.
Backed with testimonial footages in which people across communities expressed their joy and satisfaction with the current administration’s policies and programmes, Professor Baqi said the coming into being of the Governor AbdulRazaq administration has changed the narratives of the state.
She said AbdulRazaq has made his mark in infrastructural development, with particular reference to the urban renewal project, rural-urban road networks, waste management system, inclusivity, teacher recruitment, and regular payment of salaries and gratuity.
‘If you look at the administration, you will see that all strata of society are captured. You have men and women, you have young and old and you have people with disabilities and people without disabilities. With this, everybody is having a sense of belonging and will be able to identify with the policies of the government.
One of the key achievements of his administration is the management of the state finances, including efforts to address kwara debts and shore up its revenue base’, she said.
The university lecturer said Governor AbdulRazaq is magnanimous and financially prudent, citing some of the capital projects his government had inherited and completed while commending him for not making Kwara a mortuary of abandoned projects.
She advised the government to sustain its good work and be focused on how to get a good successor who will strengthen the gains of the present.
‘Sustaining these giant strides is a business of all’, she added.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Senior Adviser and Counselor thanked the State Council of NUJ for the honour and for creating a good platform to further showcase the achievements of the government.
The governor described the kind gesture as a practical demonstration of existing cordiality between the media practitioners and his administration.
He commended Professor Baqi for her intellectual efforts and how she has fairly assessed the administration.
Justice S.O Muhammed said Governor AbdulRazaq has performed excellently across key sectors and has impacted positively on the vast majority of Kwarans, saying his achievements are much more felt than they are reported.
He also talked about how the governor recently approved full payment of gratuities owed to retired judges and Kadis.
Giwa, who chaired the occasion called the governor a silent achiever, whose projects are both seen and unseen.
‘We have a governor who is moving in geometric progression whereby every part of the state is positively touched in terms of his impactful achievements’ he said.
NUJ Chairman, Ahmed, in his introductory remarks noted that the programme was organized to further project the good work of Governor AbdulRazaq to the general public adding that it has become imperative for the union to begin to set an agenda for people ahead of the 2027 general election without heating up the polity.
Hon Razaq Owolabi Declares Support For Senator Saliu Mustapha
Hon Razaq Owolabi, a member of Kwara State House of Assembly has declared total support for Senator Saliu Mustapha who represents Kwara Central in the senate.
Though Owolabi is from Kwara South, he has, however, become the federal lawmaker’s right hand man.
It is believed that the senator is nursing guber ambition ahead of 2027 general election.
Senator Mustapha held an empowerment programme in Ilorin penultimate weekend and Hon. Owolabi was the only member of the state house of assembly who attended the event and the way he carried himself at the event he somewhat maintained ‘I no send’ mood.
Gov Adeleke Congratulates Osun Muslims On The Start Of Ramadan
Governor Ademola Adeleke penultimate week felicitated Muslim ummah in Osun State on the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
He has asked them to pray for sustenance of peace and upholding of godliness in national politics.
The amiable governor emphasized the importance of godliness in national politics and state governance urging Muslim faithful to intercede on behalf of leaders for adherence to the will of God whether in or out of power.
The governor, who described the fasting period as a month of spiritual rebirth called for closer relationship with the creator of heaven and earth through fasting and prayers to achieve ultimate submission to the will of Allah.
While urging support and assistance for the needy now and after the fasting period, the governor described the holy month as an era of intensive communing with Almighty Allah through humanitarian activities and penitence, calling on all Muslim faithful to seek the face of God for forgiveness and realization of their desires.
‘This year’s Ramadan coincides with current misunderstanding among the political elites in our dear state. It is therefore a time for sober reflection, reassessment of viewpoints and an attention to the place of Allah in securing and exiting from power.
As we fast, we must accept the divine prescription that Almighty Allah gives power to whom He wills. He elevates and downgrades. No mortal can upturn the will of Allah.
Believers in God should also remember that Allah is the best schemer and planner. They plan and Allah plans. Allah is supreme and any plan against Allah’s agenda can never materialize. We must return to God in our politicking and struggle for power’, Governor Adeleke submitted.
He thanked clerics at home and in the Diaspora for their prayers and support for the peace and development of Osun State, adding that ‘we need continued divine grace and blessings as we enter the holy month for the collective good and prosperity of our society’.
Saraki Sends Special Message To Akpabio and Natasha
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki penultimate week reacted to the ‘roforofo fight’ involving the President of the Senate, Barrister Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a special message to them, Saraki advised the two senators to never allow a closed-door investigation into the issue.
He said it is important to keep the respect for senate as an institution intact.
‘I have watched from afar the recent developments in the Senate involving the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Senator from Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This situation saddens me because of its negative impact on the integrity, sanctity, image and public perception of the institution. I believe that everyone who has been associated with the National Assembly—whether as a leader, member, or staff—should strive to protect these values which make the institution the foremost among the three arms of government.
For these reasons, I believe that both parties to this dispute, as well as their supporters inside and outside the chamber should be mindful of the impact of their actions, inactions, reactions, claims and counterclaims.
They must ensure that nothing is done to tarnish the institution. The constitution, the country’s laws, Senate rules and parliamentary conventions and practices should be strictly followed in resolving this matter’, he submitted.
He also called for an open, transparent and honest investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
‘The constitution, the country’s laws, Senate rules and parliamentary conventions and practices should be strictly followed in resolving this matter. The resolution should be conducted transparently without any bias towards either party. The goal should be to uncover the truth and uphold the integrity of the legislative body, ensuring it is not wrongly perceived as tolerating or participating in any form of lawbreaking. This is what a transparent, open and unbiased investigation should achieve.
At this point, with the public claims made by the Senator, the right measure to take is to institute an open, transparent and honest investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. Both parties must submit to the investigation, fully cooperate with the committee and stake their claims before it.
This is not the first time a Senate President would appear before the Committee to aid it in the conduct of a transparent and open investigation. I remember during the 8th Senate when a Senator claimed that I imported an official car for my use as Senate President and that customs duty was not paid on the vehicle. Since I knew the claim was false, the matter was referred to the Ethics Committee and I appeared before the committee to testify in the full glare of the media. From my testimony, it was clear the Senator who made the allegation got his facts wrong and was only being mischievous.
Also, on the day the committee submitted its report for debate on the floor, I stepped down and allowed my deputy to preside. The transparent manner in which the investigation and the debate on the report were handled assured everybody that there was no case. This is a precedent that the leadership of the 10th Senate should follow.
In my case, the decision to allow an open investigation and subject myself to it was not an easy one. It was humbling but I realized that was the best decision and in the end, I am happy I travelled that route.
We should not allow the Senate to be cast in the shroud of an institution encouraging sexual harassment, gender bias, abuse of office, flagrant disregard for standing orders and rules and lack of orderliness.
Let me make it clear without any ambiguity that I am neither stating that Akpabio is guilty of anything nor am I expressing the opinion that Senator Akpoti Uduaghan is right in her actions and claims. My position is that an investigation is needed to find out the truth and protect the integrity of the Senate.
For me, the institution of the Senate is so important, sacred and pre-eminent. All lovers of democracy should always work to strengthen it. No leader or member should be allowed to openly or surreptitiously work to subvert its sanctity’ he submitted.
Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki was the Senate President between 2015 and 2019”.
Nurudeen Adeyemi Greets Muslims, Christians In Kwara As Ramadan, Lent Begin
A popular politician in Kwara State, Engineer Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun who is a member of the Board of Trustees of TETFUND has congratulated Muslims and Christians in Kwara State on the start of the holy month of Ramadan and the lent period.
The aerospace engineer has urged Muslims and Christians to unite in prayer for perpetual blessings, stability and breakthroughs from our legacy problems of underdevelopment.
‘Upon the declaration for the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fasting and preparation for the lent period, I pray for the stability of the country and a prosperous Nigeria for future generations. I congratulate all and sundry, for yet another special moment for the country.
The new crescent was sighted yesterday, making today, March 1, 2025, the beginning of Muslim fasting. At the same time, our Christian brothers and sisters are equally warming up to commence the lent period with Ash Wednesday on March 5, 2025. This can only be God’s doing.*
As this moment is super charged with spiritual energies, we all must be united in seeking perpetual blessings, stability and breakthroughs from our legacy problems of underdevelopment. Nigeria is ours and we must protect its future jealously from the brinks of predicted collapse as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda charts a new course for the country. May our nation remain blessed for future generations.
On behalf of the ENACT family, I congratulate our national father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), our able and performing governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and all Muslim and Christians in the country. May all our acts of worship be rewarded accordingly. Congratulations!!!’ he submitted.
