…as Kwara Assembly confirms 19
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday in Ilorin confirmed 19 nominees forwarded by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as commissioners in the state.
The confirmation of the nominees who cut across the entire 16 Local Government Areas of the state came about after the screening exercise which lasted which lasted over five hours at the House.
The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad who supervised a voting by members after their appearances before the members of the House said all the 19 nominees are qualified to become Commissioners in the state.
The Leader of the House, Hon Hassan Oyeleke introduced the nominees to the legislature before they were screened after one another.
The Speaker, while directing the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Katsina Mohammed to communicate the Governor on the status of all the 19 nominees, said the confirmation was in accordance with Section 192 subsection 1-5 of the 1999 Constitution.
He praised members for working assiduously towards ensuring the confirmation of the nominees and expressed delight over their performance.
The nominees are Ademola Banu (Irepodun), Eleja Taiwo (Ilorin West), Ahmed Alhassan (Edu), Amos Sanyo Justus (Ekiti), Bilikis Oniyangi (Ilorin South), Mohammed Shaabi Ishiak (Baruten), Bamidele Adegoke Olamide (Oke-Ero), Olaniyi Muyideen Alalade (Oyun), Aro Yahaya (Ifelodun), Surajudeen Akanbi (Ilorin East) and Hajia Taibat Ahmed (Offa).
Others were Saidu Habeeb (Asa), Agboola Julius Babatunde (Isin), Dr. Ahmed Susu’ade Aminat (Kaiama), Barr. Abdullahi Alikinla (Moro), Wasiu Odewale (Ifelodun) and Yusuf Abdulkadir (Ilorin West).
Others were Agboola Julius Babatunde Isin, Dr. Ahmed Susa’ade Aminat Kaiama, Barrister Abdullah Alikinla Moro, Wasiu Odewale Ifelodun and Yusuf Abdulqodir Ilorin West Local Government Area.
The Assembly premises were besieged by hundred of party supporters and admirers of the nominees who throng the assembly complex to give support.
Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed had ordered the dissolution of the former state Executive Council in December 2017 and forwarded the name of the nominees to the House last week.
Meanwhile, one of the stars of the screening exercise was the nominee from Edu, Ahmed Alhassan whose screening attracted ovation from the crowd that stormed the Assembly with him.
Speaking to National Pilot in a telephone interview, the level 10 officer in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism prior to his appointment thanked his people, the All Progressives Congress(APC), the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Governor Ahmed for the opportunity given him to serve.
He however said that his new status would not change anything about the respect he has for his former bosses adding that he would continue to do the bidding of the people and provide service no matter where he finds himself.
On whether he would still ride on his motorcycle to the office, Alhassan said “My people including friends, relatives and brother have offered me a car but I rejected it. Although my friends brought me to the House for the screening in their car, I believe that by the time I resumed office, there will be an official car but if there is none, I don’t mind riding my motorcycle (Okada) to the office because for me it’s all about service and I am very passionate to serve the people in whatever capacity they want me to. It is the people first.
On the likelihood of becoming the boss to his former superiors, “to me, they remain my bosses and nothing can change that, not even position or portfolio. My leaders will ever remain my leaders”, he added.
Speaking on his emergence, Alhassan said, “Initially I never showed interest but it was the people that clamoured for me because I have always been with them. I have been in politics since my secondary school days before I became a civil servant. The appointment is not for my ward alone but for entire people of Edu.
“You see I am a mobiliser and that was what fetched me this appointment. But it will not disturb me but rather propel me further and I promise my party and leaders that this will not stop me.
“This is the beginning of another phase of my mobilisation and if I have allowed my people to come for the screening as they have pressured me, the plenary would not have contained us. This is the era of the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill and we are taking advantage of it in Kwara.
