Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq has urged the stakeholders in the southern senatorial district to continue to remain united in advancing the course of their people.
Abdulrahman made the call during a one-day summit on ‘Socio-Economic Development of Kwara South Senatorial District’ organized by Kwara South Development Initiative (KSDI) held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Governor who joined the summit via Zoom confirmed his full support of the initiative and canvassed for more unity among the leaders of the district, adding that his administration is doing everything possible to move the state from being a consumption to a production.
“I thank Dr. Adewumi for bringing up this program alongside our reliable Raheem Adedoyin Oloriewe.
“Well, all I can say is that I am fully in support of the meetings and the programs going forward.
“It’s in line with our vision to take our State to a higher level. Part of the program was the Economic Summit organized by Dr. Adewumi.
“It’s not gaining traction yet, but I believe that such an economic agenda will gain traction because it’s an economic emancipation that is essential for us.
“That is part of why this is essential. Let’s be a productive State tackle issues of security threats and foster unity among ourselves to progress forward.
“This meeting has my full endorsement, and I apologize for not being able to attend due to my trip. I’m back this week, hopefully, I will be able to attend the next engagement personally.”
The summit was a follow-up to the earlier conferences held on 29th October 2022 and 13th May 2023 at Thomas Adewumi University Oko-Irese, in Ifelodun local government, where issues ranging from empowerment, job creation, security, and infrastructure development in the zone were at the center stage.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chief convener of the initiative, Engr. Dr. Johnson B.O. Adewumi reiterated his commitment to the development of the zone and canvassed collaboration to better the fortune of the people of the zone.
The participants at the summit reviewed the scorecard of the present administration in the state regarding the development of the zone. This was carried out by the cabinet members of the Governor Abdulrahman administration in persons of Hon. Bolanle Olukoju and Dr. Mary Arinde, Commissioners for Communications Tertiary Education, respectively and Hon. Femi Whyte while the seven local government chairmen in the zone were also given their scorecards.
The summit further expressed appreciation to Governor Abdulrahman led administration for his sterling performance in Kwara South particularly the completion of the Osi Campus of Kwara State University, and other impressive road construction projects in the zone which includes
Omu-Aran-Oko-Oro Ago, Oro-Esie-Agbonda-Arandun (transversing 4 wards in Irepodun LGA), Others include Ajase-Okeya-Igbaja, Esie MuseumRoad, Okerimi Oro Junction- NITEL, Oro road, and the Obbo Aiyegunle road that had been abandoned for over 50 years.
The Summit also took note of several other projects by the state government in other sectors that are ongoing.
Also in particular the Summit took note of the Improved security situation across the Kwara south and ascribed it to combined efforts of the State and local governments in the zone.
The Summit also noted with satisfaction that KSDI had established functional co-operative societies in Irepodun, Ekiti, and Ifelodun local government areas and encouraged every Local Government to set up Co-operative societies at the ward level as a veritable tool for the empowerment of their people.
The summit further resolved to pursue the actualization of the following recommendations:
Attract SMS industries to the district to ensure full employment for our teeming youth population.
Encouraging our elected leaders and other stakeholders to use their positions to attract viable investments and viable Federal Government Projects into our district.
To pursue equity in the appropriation of state resources, elective positions and appointments in Kwara state were affirmed.
The forum commended the Executive Governor for the appointment of various persons of Kwara South origin to various political positions of influence in Kwara and pleaded for more.
The forum encouraged our elected leaders to use their vintage positions and promote the development of our recognized tourist attraction centers either through direct government funding or public/private partnership, this should be encouraged in tourist sites and the provision of basic infrastructural facilities such as electricity and water supply.
The forum advocates for improved security in addition to what the present State and Local Governments are doing.
Strengthening security in Kwara South with the involvement of the traditional rulers, local hunters, and vigilantes and sharing intelligence/collaboration among the various Local Governments in Kwara South.
In light of the towering leadership roles in Kwara South, the summit was unanimously adopted by Engr. Dr. J.B.O. Adewumi as the leader of Kwara South.
The motion was moved by Gen. Olayemi Lasisi Abidoye ( Rtd), and seconded by the deputy speaker of KWHA, Rt. Hon. Ojo Olayiwola and was collectively adopted.
Participants at the Summit included the convener and Chancellor Of Kwara State University, CFoubder/ Founder, Thomas Adewumi University Oko-Irese, Dr. Johnson Bamidele Adewumi, Chairman, All Progressives Congress APC, Kwara State, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, the Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ojo Olayiwola, a member of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ganiyu Gabriel Abolarin, and former Commissioner for Information, Kwara State, Alh. Raheem Adedoyin and military expert and political leader in Kwara State, Major General Olayemi Lasisi Abidoye ( Rtd).
Members of the cabinet of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in attendance were the Commissioner for Communication, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mary Rinke Arinde, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Alh. Wahab Agbaje ( a ka Femi Whyte).
Notably physically present at the summit were the seven local government Chairmen from Kwara South. They are Hon. Wale Awelewa ( Ekiti), Hon. James Abiodun Fadipe ( Oke Ero), Hon. Femi Yusuf ( Ifelodun), Hon. Azeez Tinuola Yakubu ( Irepodun), Hon. Benjamin Jolayemi ( Isin), Hon. Olatunji Sulaiman ( Offa) and Hon. Kamar Akanbi ( Oyun)
Political leaders and stakeholders in attendance included Barr. Kayode Towoju, former Oke Ero Council Chairman who also served Kwara State as a Commissioner, Barr. Kayode Towoju, former Council Chairman of Isin Local Government, Prince Ladi Omole.
Other stakeholders in attendance were Prof. Bashir Ibrahim, Sir Debo Aderibigbe, Engr. Opeyemi Olabanji, Engr. Chief Sola Ajimati, Hon. Sunday Aremu, Hajia Adenike Ayilara, and a leader of the youth in Kwara South and Secretary General of Ckay, Paul Ajibola.
