….As Ambali, Modibbo-Kawu, Onagun others bag Pakata Patriots merit award
The Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has said the World Bank is set to release the sum of N1bn to be accessed by various communities across the state for the execution of various community based amenities.
The Governor said the N1bn world Bank fund is a fulfilment of the bank’s pledge to the state after his administration had made the commitment of N60m counterparts funds to the world financial institution.
He disclosed further that plans are on by his government to create a vibrant innovation hub, special intervention fund, and a robust social investment programme designed to empower and prepare kwaran youth for a productive and brighter future.
Abdulrazaq disclosed this on Sunday in his address at the 30th Anniversary of ‘Pakata Patriots’ held at the Union Multipurpose Hall, Ita-Uma, area, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The Governor who was represented at the occasion by his Special Adviser on Political, Alhaji Saad Salahudeen, called on community based associations in the state to act as a credible organ of information for government on the need to have feedbacks on government programmes.
“Within the last seven months of this administration, we have taken frantic steps to return the glory of our state across every sector including restoring water to the metropolis and fixing most of water works, embarking on road rehabilitation across the state, restoring the running cost of the civil service, and completing the new secretariat” he said.
He said his government has returned radio Kwara to air, paid over 1bn in counterparts fund to boost agriculture, healthcare and primary education, adding that 53% of the 2020 budget will go into fixing of collapsed infrastructure, and boosting human capital development.
“The challenges are no doubt enormous but I can assure you we are up to the task. However, government cannot do it alone because of the limited resources. We continue to urge the private concerns to continue to do there bit for the growth of our society” he said.
The Governor congratulated the recipients of the award for a well deserve honour, said he, “I’m aware that your contributions to the cause of your communities have earned you this award, I urge you to continue to contribute your part and I assure you that history will be kind to you and your generations”.
The six selected awardees included the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali; the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu; the Chairman of Labour Party in Kwara state and former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Comrade Abdulmumini Onagun; Retired Principal of Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin, Hajia Ramat Olabisi AbdulRahman; Director of Projects, Rural Electrification Agency Abuja, Engr Bolakale Kawu Agaka; and Former Deputy Provost, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Saleeman.
The chairman of the occasion, Professor Suhaib Oba Abdulraheem and the lady Chairperson, Hajia Aduke Kuranga commended Pakata Patriots for the good work she has been doing since 30 years of it’s existence.
The Labour Party Chairman and the immediate past Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulmumini Onagun in his reaction thanked the organisers of the award for the recognition and pledged that the honour will further spurn him to do more of service to God and humanity.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Ambali who was represented at the occasion by Professor Sulyman Kuranga lauded the association’s achievements in the areas of community development and appreciated the organizers for the honour done to him.
Earlier in his address, the President of Pakata Patriots, Mallam S. A. Aliyu called on the state government to convert the Government Girls Day Secondary School, Pakata, into a boarding institution so as to improve the quality of students who attend the school.
He also called for the conversion of Pakata Health Center into a Cottage Hospital, and ensure the construction of the road linking Oke-Fomo to Al-Hikmah University for easy vehicular movement in the area.
The President of the association congratulated the awardees for their honour saying that they were selected based on their track-records.
Dignitaries in attendance include Comerade Issa Aremu mni; former NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Emmanuel Ayeoribe; religious leaders, traditional title holders from Ilorin Emirate, some invited guests among others.
End.
