By Adebayo Olodan, Kayode Adeoti and Mike Adeyemi
Exactly 43 days after their confirmation by the Kwara State House of
Assembly, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, last Friday, sworn-in 16
commissioners, Special Advisers and a Senior Adviser and Counselor at
the state Banquet Hall, Ilorin.
To make the job of the commissioners easier and take Kwara to the next
level, some prominent associations and unions in the state set agenda
for them.
Speaking with our reporter, last night, the Chairman, the Nigeria Bar
Association Ilorin (NBA), Ilorin branch, Barr. Idowu Muhammed Akande
called for creation of new court rooms and rehabilitation of the old
ones.
He added that, “This issue is paramount to us as lawyers and this is
why we’ve always wanted changes. Also, we don’t have permanent site,
the one given to us by the past administration, we learnt it has been
taken over. Ministry of Justice is an integral part of the state
government hence we deserve special and separate offices.”
Similarly, the Chairman Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF), Ilorin branch,
Barr. Mumini Kabiru Alawaye
said, “we want the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
to look at infrastructural development of the judiciary, though we
thank God for the steps being taking by government towards that
direction. Our courtrooms are in shamble conditions. The remuneration
of our lower bench jurists should be given consideration too. It’s not
so in other states like Lagos, if they’re well paid, it will reduce
the risk of taking bribes and they will be able to dispense justice
with all fairness. “They also need official cars that will make them
comfortable. Also, the aspect of long delay in the case of DPP advice
is uncalled for. If our AG can address this, at least, let DPP advice
come out in a space of a week at most.”
On his part, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara
State chapter, Comrade Toyin Saadu called for improvement in teachers’
salary adding that they deserve to earn at par with their other
colleagues in the civil service in the state.
He said, “The teachers’ salary structure and other welfare packages
must be upgraded to rank at par with other civil servants in the
state.
“Also, promotion of teachers had stalled since 2016 we urged the new
Commissioner for Education to work towards this and also to call a
meeting of stakeholders that will include the teachers, parents and
the state government.”
He added that the new commissioner in-charge of education should
welcome opinions from different communities on how to move the
education sector forward in the state.
Also, in a statement by Olayinka Owolewa, its Secretary, the Kwara
chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) charged
the newly appointed Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in
the state, Joana Kolo on the need to look into paucity of fund
militating against the state Sports Council.
SWAN who applauded the appointment of the youngest Commissioner in the
country’s history however reminded her of the enormous challenges in
the sports industry in the state particularly the deplorable
conditions of facilities at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
The statement added that underfunding of the Sports Council and lack
of coaches to train athletes are some of the challenges faced in the
industry in the state over the years.
SWAN urged Kolo to ensure that Kwara United sustain its Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) status at the end of the current
campaign while also giving necessary support to other teams in the
state.
The body called on the new commissioner to ensure that the state
contingents to the 2020 National Sports Festival in Edo State
experience good preparation for the competition.
While addressing the newly sworn-in commissioners on Friday, Governor
Abdulrazaq said, “Let me remind all of you that we are not necessarily
the best out of 3.5million people in the state. However, providence
has placed on our shoulders the historic responsibility to take our
people out of Egypt and safely into the Canaan land. This task
requires focus, patience, sacrifice, tact, speed and constant
supplication to God Almighty to guide us every step of the way. We
must engage, listen and relate well with our people whose mandate has
brought us here. In doing this, we must see the whole of Kwara as our
constituency,” he said.
Full list of Commissioners and their portfolios
1. Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs – Aisha Ahman Pategi
2. Ministry of Health – Dr Raji Abdulrasaq
3. Ministry of Sports and Youth Development – Joana Nnazua Kolo
4. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – Adenike Afolabi Oshatimehin
5. Ministry of Social Development- Deborah Bosede Aremu
6. Ministry of Environment and Forestry – Aliyu Mohammed Saifudeen
7. Ministry of Education – Fatimah Bisola Ahmed
8. Ministry of Finance and Planning – Olasunbo Florence Oyeyemi
9. Ministry of Justice – Ayinla Jawondo Suleiman
10. Ministry of Energy – Aliyu Sabi Kora
11. Ministry of Works and Transport – Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu
12. Ministry of Tertiary Education- Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu
13. Ministry of Enterprise – Agbaje Wahab Femi
14. Ministry of Communication – Murtala Olanrewaju
15. Ministry of Water Resources – Arinola Fatimah Lawal
16. Ministry of Special Duties – Funke Juliana Oyedun
