Gov Abdulrazaq to send social investment bill to KWHA

A bill to replicate the Federal Government’s anti-poverty Social Investment Programmes in Kwara State will be sent to the state House of Assembly in the coming days.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq made this known on Monday when he visited the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) at Jimba-Oja, in Ifelodun local government area of the state, adding that the legislation would domesticate the Federal Government’s TraderMoni and school feeding concepts in Kwara for the benefit of the poor in the state.
“The thrust of the administration is to lift our people from poverty line and how to go about it is through agriculture. We have a goldmine in ARMTI and we will take full advantage of your resources,” he said.
“Empowerment must be from the communities and I can assure you that we’ll engage you because this week or so we are sending a Bill to the State House of Assembly to replicate the federal government’s social investment programme in Kwara.”
He said the administration will also key into the Village Alive Development Initiatives (VADI) of AMRTI to empower Kwara youths and deepen participation in agriculture.
Executive Director of ARMTI, Olufemi Ajayi, lauded Abdulrazaq for his commitment to development.
Ajayi said VADI has been packaged to provide local farmers with micro credits in order to boost farming in rural communities.
Speaking later at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, AbdulRazaq said his administration might revive the Patigi Rice Mill and also encourage the setting up of pando yam processing firms in the Baruten axis of the northern senatorial district as part of efforts to spread development.
“We’ll like you to visit Patigi. There is a Rice Mill there which was built by the Sardauna government. The structure is solid and good but it’s long been abandoned. It was the first Rice Mill in Northern Nigeria. So, we want to bring it back instead of going to China to bring equipment. Give us a proposal to see what you can do (in this regard),” he added.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the Baturen/Kaiama axis of Kwara North is known for Yam production and establishing a small scale Poundo Yam processing firm would boost the economy of the area.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of NCAM, Dr Muyideen Kasali, said the centre has the mandate to test and certify agricultural equipment in the country.
Kasali, who was represented by the Director of Engineering, Power and Machinery of the centre, Engr. Kamaldeen AbdulGafar, expressed displeasure that Kwara has not taken full advantage of the agency, calling on the Governor to partner the institution for mutual benefits.

…charges youths to shun drug abuse

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has called on the Nigerian youths to shun drug abuse and other vices that could affect them from realising their potentials.
Abdulrazaq made the call Tuesday, when he received members of the Scouts Association of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter, led by its Commissioner, Deacon Olabisi Afolayinka, at the Government House, Ilorin.
The governor, who recalled his days as a scout in the Capital School Kaduna, said the association had contributed to nurturing youths becoming good citizens and contributing to the development of the society.
“This is an association that prepares youth on how to be good citizens and how to relate with fellow citizens. These are virtues that the youths should maintain today. In our days, there were no rampant cases of drug abuse,” he said.
He urged the youth to use their energy for productive ventures and join the scouts to make positive contributions to the society.
Governor Abdulrazaq, who was announced as the Ambassador of Peace of the association, promised to live up to expectations by giving the necessary support to the body through relevant government agencies.
Earlier in his remarks, Afolayanka, said the constitution of the body automatically makes the governor of any state its patron and the President its grand patron.
He commended the Governor for the audience extended to the body, saying that was the first time any governor was hosting them in Kwara State for the past 21 years.
He said the association had been founded to build young boys and girls to make useful contributions to the country, saying that cultism and other vices were not known in schools in the past when Scouts held sway.
He urged the governor to support the association to carry out its mandates in Kwara State.

…commiserates with Emir Gwanara over wife’s death

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Monday commiserated with the Emir of Gwanara, Alhaji Idris Sabi Kotokotogi, over the death of his wife, Hajia Hadizat.
Hadjia Hadizat died on Sunday at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital following a brief illness.
“I commiserate with His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwanara, on this sad development, and pray the Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and comfort the larger Gwanara family, including Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Danladi Yakubu Salihu,” the Governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
The Governor also prayed Allah to give the aged Emir long live and better health to continue to serve the people as one of Kwara’s first class emirs, the statement added.