About BANIK Foundation’s Ramadan Lecture And Empowerment Programme
The Banik Community Development Foundation held its 1446AH Ramadan lecture and empowerment programme in Iree, Osun State penultimate Thursday.
Osun State former Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Bayo Adeleke aka Banik is the founder of the foundation.
The event was attended by prominent Islamic clerics including the Chief of Imam, Sheikh Muhideen Salman while top politicians including Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun also graced the occasion.
Over 1,000 bags of rice were distributed to the vulnerable groups in society at the event.
Hon Razaq Owolabi Marks Birthday With Iftar Dinner And Lecture
Family members, friends, associates and well-wishers gathered in honour of Hon Razaq Olatunde Owolabi at his CBN Quarters residence in Ilorin penultimate Thursday.
Hon Razaq Owolabi represents Share/Oke-Ode state constituency at Kwara State House of Assembly and he is the Chairman of the Committee on Energy.
Hon Razaq Owolabi became another year older penultimate Thursday and an iftar dinner and lecture was held to mark his birthday.
Dignitaries, who attended the iftar dinner include former Deputy Speaker ,Kwara State house of assembly, Hon Raphael Adetiba, Governor Abdulrazaq’s former Special Adviser on Women Empowerment, Alhaja Bolanle Ismail aka Iyalamule, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Special Assistant ,who is a popular politician in Kwara South, Hon Teju Ishola Oloungbebe, Mr. Zakariyah Fagade, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sheikh Taiwo Agbarere and Sheikh Kehinde Agbarere ,Hon Aliyu Wahab Opakunle, Barrister Alabi Abdulkareem, Hon Lanre Rocky, Alhaji Fatahi Akorede, Hon Ladi Saliu and Alhaji Success.
Hon Owolabi, who was flanked by his wife, Hajia Umul-Khair Asabe and mother, Alhaja Owolabi was a good host as he made all the guests feel comfortable and appreciated.
Members of Team Owo, Owolabi Elders Caucus, Turaki Women Forum and Ashiru Women Forum who attended the event, chorused ‘Owooo’ at intervals and interspersed this with the chants of ‘Turaki’.
In his short sermon, Sheikh Hamad Labeeb Agbaji , who is popularly called Ijoba spoke highly of Senator Saliu Mustapha describing him as an altruistic person while asserting that if he wants to become the governor of Kwara State 10 times, he will readily enjoy the support of the people.
Commending Hon Razaq Owolabi for marking his birthday with an iftar dinner, the popular Islamic cleric praised the state lawmaker for impacting lives positively noting that a person who turns 80 and has not done anything to improve the lives of others is considered younger than someone who is young but has already left memorable marks on the people.
He also said it is important for well-to-do people to make themselves ‘flowers’ or ‘rivers’ that will be useful to the people even after leaving the planet earth as this will make people remember and pray for them.
Sheikh Hamad Labeeb Agbaji also asserted that no human being can hinder anyone from his or her goals as God, who is the Master Planner knows how to create easy paths for His own people.
He also described Hon Razaq Owolabi as a politician who will make his stance known on any issue and let people know where his loyalty belongs while adding that whoever assists him to achieve a ‘political aspiration’ will not regret doing so as he will neither disappoint the benefactor nor the people.
About Sheikh Hamad Labeeb Agbaji’s Popularity
An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Hamad Labeeb Agbaji aka Ijoba is almost becoming the most popular Islamic cleric in Kwara State.
His arrival and departure at events have been creating special scenes.
He hardly attends any event without having a crowd hailing him with joy.
New Kwara Police Chief Adekimi Ojo Assumes Duty
The new head of Kwara State police command, Mr Adekimi Ojo has assumed duty in Ilorin, the state capital.
He became the new Commissioner of Police following the promotion of former CP Victor Olaiya to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s Unique Support For Kwara Education Trust Fund
Top Nigerian techie and co-founder of Andela, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji has given the Kwara State Education Trust an unprecedented support.
Describing the initiative as what should be emulated by other Nigerian states, he asked his friends and well-wishers to donate in support of the trust fund.
Iyinoluwa also the co-founder of Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology firm as well as Future Africa, a platform that provides capital and mentorship for young innovators is a member of the board of the Trust Fund.
He promised that anyone who donates at least $1000 to the Funds would be eligible for a private dinner with him.
The Trust Fund is one of the many initiatives of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to strengthen public sector education.
Iyinoluwa ,who is one of Africa’s biggest success stories in fintech made the comment in a message ahead of his 34th birthday on March 28.
‘As it is the tradition, instead of birthday gifts this year, I’m asking friends and well-wishers to donate towards some of the initiatives of the Kwara Education Trust Fund such as sponsoring a child’s secondary school education to renovate schools.
Each donation will benefit current and future generations of students in Kwara.
On the 28th of March this year, I will be celebrating my 34th birthday and in my typical fashion, I want to share this important piece of information with you.
The Kwara State Education Trust Fund of which I am a member of the board is an independent body governed by reputable individuals from the public and private sectors who encourage and enable private citizens like me and you to directly and transparently support the provision and delivery of quality education to young people in Kwara from early years to University by investing in scholarships and bursary programmes, education infrastructural projects and capacity building for teaching and learning’, he said.
Iyinoluwa also noted that the initiative is key to building the future of Kwara State through sustainable investments in quality education.
‘This innovative approach to augmenting resources to invest in public education allows the public, particularly Kwara indigenes (home and in the Diaspora) as well their friends to partner with the government to build the future of Kwara State through sustainable investments in quality education….If you are from elsewhere, tell your government to consider starting a similar initiative in your state’, he added.
The tech guru said the bank account for donations is: Kwara State Education Trust Fund. Bank Name: Zenith Bank with Account Number 1229315108.
Gov Abdulrazaq Breaks Fast With Prominent Kwarans In Mecca
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq hosted an iftar dinner in the holy land on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 and it was attended by Kwara State political figures who are in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj.
The governor later noted in a social media post that he and others who were at the dinner table prayed for ‘our state, Kwara and country, Nigeria’.
‘Tonight in Saudi Arabia, I was joined at an iftar dinner by some fellow Kwarans who are performing the lesser Hajj.
It was attended by some state and federal lawmakers, cabinet members and other dignitaries from the state, including the House of Representatives members representing Ekiti, Irepodun, Oke Ero Federal Constituency and Asa, Ilorin West Federal Constituency Hon. Raheem Olawuyi Ajuloopin and Hon. Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya; Hon. Maryam Yusuf Aladi; Senior Adviser and Counsellor Alhaji Saadu Salau; Commissioner for Works Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo; former Minister Jamila Bio; Ambassador Yahya Seriki and former House of Representatives candidate Abdulsalam Abdulkadir.
We pray that Allaah accept our ibaadah and prayers for our state, Kwara, and country, Nigeria. We ask Allaah to bless us with the night of majesty (laylatul-qadr)’ he submitted.
LTMB: Gov Adeleke Forwards Wale Bolorunduro’s Name To CBN
Osun State government has recommended Dr Wale Bolorunduro for appointment as Non-Executive Director/ Chairman of the Living Trust Mortgage Bank Plc.
The state government had last year recommended Dr Adewale Bolorunduro, a former banker and a one-time Commissioner for Finance in Osun State for the same position.
The state government has faulted the apex bank’s previous decision to reject his nomination.
5 Osun Varsity Students Die In Road Crash!
Osun State University, Osogbo penultimate Monday announced the death of five students in a fatal road crash on Ife-Ibadan Expressway.
The road accident which occurred in the Balogun area of Ikire left 10 people dead.
Uniosun students who died in the road crash are;
- Olagbemide Dotun, a 200-level student at the Department of Software Engineering
- Suleiman Farouq Adedayo, a 400-level Law student
- Ogundare Pelumi, a student at the Department of Public Health, 300-level.
- Ogundare Elijah, a student at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, 100-level.
- Olawuyi Mary, a 200-level nursing student.
Gov Abdulrazaq flags off distribution of Dangote Foundation’s rice In Kwara
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq penultimate Tuesday flagged off the distribution of 25,000 bags of 10kg rice to indigent people across the 16 local government areas of the State.
The rice was donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
Governor Abdulrazaq said the kind gesture demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in lifting people out of hardship.
‘This kind gesture not only complements the ongoing efforts of the Kwara State Government to support vulnerable communities but it also demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in lifting our people out of hardship’ Abdulrazaq, who was represented by his Deputy , Mr Kayode Alabi said while commending the Foundation for its kind and selfless contribution.
‘The rice, which will be distributed to indigent families across the state comes at a crucial time as our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the sacred month of Ramadan and our Christian brothers and sisters are in the season of Lent. It is an act of compassion that will provide much-needed relief to those who are fasting and in need’, he added.
The Governor also thanked other Foundations and private sector players who continue to support and partner with the state government to better serve the people and encourage other individuals and corporations to follow in the footsteps of the Dangote Foundation and similar bodies.
‘We remain deeply grateful for the Dangote Foundation’s continued support for indigent people across the country. This generosity serves as a reminder of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the critical role philanthropists play in addressing poverty and hardship’.
At the event were Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development Abdullahi Bata; Commissioner for Transport Aliyu Sabi Kora; ALGON Chairman and Chairman Kaiama Local Government Area and the State Coordinator AA Eagle Network Hon Paul Zhiri.
Abolore Alabi, in his remarks said the kind gesture is in line with the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration’s commitment to touching the lives of the needy.
Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Hon Lateef Oloyin appreciated God for giving the Aliko Dangote Foundation the inspiration to extend such gesture to the vulnerable in Kwara and other parts of the country.
The Leader of the Aliko Dangote Foundation delegation and Group General Manager (Human Resources) of Dangote Cement Plc Lagos, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir said the Foundation is distributing 1m bags of 10kg rice across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja this year.
