The year 2017 was eventful with various events and people making a statement or the other in different sectors of the polity. In this edition, NATIONAL PILOTโS trio of JOKE ADENIYI-JACKSON, ADEBAYO OLODAN and MUMINI ABDULKAREEM takes a look at those who are likely to make impact in their various fields of endeavours this year.
Ali Ahmad (Speaker KWHA)
For the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, 2017 was a busy year. News coming directly from the House of Representatives, Ahmad pulled a crowd of top notches from the political and legal sectors when he was honoured at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for his role in the passage of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which attracted Wife of the Senate President, Barrister Toyin Saraki. Also at the last 55th birthday that was held in absential for Saraki, Ahmad was the only visible politician among those rumoured to be interested in the Kwara top seat come 2019, who also handed out customised souvenirs.
He deployed his experience to rally lawmakers towards the passage of the 2018 budget in 2017, with all its attendant benefits to the state. Also under his watch, the House of Assembly shocked the state when it threatened to suspend the consideration of the budget following alleged non compliance of its directive to reduce the much debated Kwara Polytechnic tuition by the management which made the lawmakers to summon government officials. That incident and many other people-oriented moves even saw the opposition align with the House. Also in 2017, the issue of gubernatorial seat for 2019, which the Speaker is said to be allegedly interested in, is expected to dominate discourse this year as political activities thickens more in the state towards struggle for the ticket in the APC. He’s indeed one of those to also look out for in the year.
Bolaji Abdullahi (APC National Spokesman)
Being the only alleged Kwara 2019 hopeful within the APC fold, whoย was recently listed for federal appointments as Chairman of the Board of National Sugar Development Council in the country, Bolaji Abdullahi is expected to deploy that office to the advantage of many Kwarans within Ilorin and the state in general who are anticipating federal jobs this year. Towards end of last year, the Senate President and other leading figures in the country converged at the Yar’Adua Centre for the launch of his book on former President Goodluck Jonathan, which shook the country going by reactions that trailed some of the submissions in the book. As the national spokesman of the APC, Abdullahi has projected image of the ruling party and engaged opposition on issue of governance.ย Therefore, in 2018, eyes will be on Abdullahi as he plays out his publicity role for his party asย 2019 general election approaches.
Lukman Mustapha (Proprietor, Sobi FM)
A former banker, Lukman Mustapha is owner of the newly established radio station, Sobi FM. Who used the station to take the state to another level in 2017. While there are speculations of his Kwara guber ambition Kwara in 2019, Mustapha hinted he was under pressure to contest the election and that pressure is expected to rise and impact politics of the state this year. His alleged interest in the race and how he would slug it out with other equally interested figures in the party within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fold, where he might reportedly pitch his tent will, no doubt dominate discourse in the polity.
Mike Omotosho
In 2018, Omotosho somehow hit National political limelight by emerging the National chairman of the Labour Party. Prior to that feat, he had expanded his political activities through billboard advertisements by using his foundation to rally the electorate to collect their PVCs. This year, the advocacy through his foundation will be complemented at the national level ofย his party that largely identifies with labour unions across the country. Although, it is not clear yet whether โOmo to sureโ or ‘big Mike’ as he is fondly called will throw his hat into the ring for the 2019 gubernatorial election, especially after Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed from Kwara South had served two terms of 8years, Omotosho is expected to keep the polity busy even more now that he has attracted national attention.
Moshood Mustapha (MM) โ SA Inter-parliamentary Affairs
Moshood Mustapha is a former House of Representatives member and now an aide of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. Last year, his alleged gubernatorial ambition alongside other top members of the party in the state unsettled and shook the polity to its very foundation, while theย development attracted stern reaction from Saraki, who ordered all of them to collapse their structures across the local governments and stop distracting the administration of the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. Going forward in 2018, regarded as the โyear of electionโ, the elder Mustapha among the two siblings allegedly interested in the race will stir the polity greatly. He is reportedly the first among the rumoured aspirants that has attracted open support and endorsement of some youth groups in the state, while the party has yet to officially kick-start electioneering.
Professor Olufumilayo Adesanya-Davies
From Ira, Oyun Local Government of Kwara South, Professor Olufumilayo Adesanya-Davies of the Rivers State University of Education, stunned many, when out of the blues, she announced her intention to vie for the presidential race in 2019. Although, the don said she had consulted widely with people, including former female presidential aspirant, who hails from Kwara, Mrs Sarah Jubril over the issue, she said decision of the Federal Government to make the forms free for women aspirants boosted her interest. As a former student of another former presidential candidate of KOWA Party, Prof Remi Sonaya at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), she said the refusal of former president Goodluck Jonathan to replace her with Nemadi Sambo as running mate cost him the 2015 ticket. In the weeks ahead, the political moves and activities of Adesanya Davies will add to the permutation that would shape the 2019 race.
Engineer Nurudeen Balogun
Nurudeen Balogun is an American based Igbomina businessman who caused positive ripples across the state last year with his Igbomina Mobile Clinic programme that complemented provision of healthcare services in the state. Balogun demonstrated he has a big pocket and is ready to spend by declaring readiness to sponsor the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections. With election โhostilitiesโ expected to swell this year, political pundits are waiting to see how Balogun will pull his financial weight in a party that is trying to find its footing in Kwara politics again.
Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo
In 2017, the PDP state chairman, Oyedepo successfully deployed the party’s programme, PDP Gbode which featured on radio stations in the state to put the government on its toes. The programme attracted responses from government officials on issues of governance in the state. Many believed that the modest success the party recorded at the last council election was partly due to how the opposition was able to employ the media to their advantage, despite claims of paucity of funds. Now, with the party’s expectation of financial sponsorship by the Igbomina war chest, PDP may expand its use of media by also leveraging on television and print.
Is-haq Oloyede
As registrar of JAMB, Oloyede achieved a no mean feat when he remitted over N7billion to government coffers as against about N3million remittance annually by the board. The former Unilorin VC’s five year tenure, which entered the second phase in 2018, has already started unsettling the polity with his decision to expand and improve the โobsoleteโ technology he met on ground. After generating over N12billion with reduced cost to JAMB fees, Oloyede is expected to make giant strides in the education sector through his office.
Kamorudeen Yusuf (KAMWIRE)
The Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kwara/Kogi chapter, Dr. Kamorudeen Ibitoye Yusuf is a foremost industrialist in Kwara State who has through his company; Kam Industries Nigeria Limited put the state on world map. With the ongoing expansion of his industry, the state will no doubt witness socio-economic development in 2018. He has proved to be a man to watch with the gigantic project.
Tunde Akanbi (Programme Director)
Alhaji Tunde Akanbi is a veteran journalist, whose programme, The Platform, has attracted wide audience overtime. The programme, which features eminent Nigerians from across the country, dwells on topical national discourse. His programme is expected to have more impact this year.
Seun Okinbaloye
The Kwara born presenter has through his programme, โPolitics Todayโ pooled a wide range of audience. The programme, which is aired on Channels TV features heavy weight politicians from across the country who discuss issues of governance.
Demola Banu
The Kwara State Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu has been consistent in his empowerment programme from which a huge number of Kwarans have benefitted. The scheme, which he single handedly bankrolled has impacted positively on lives of people, irrespective of the religious and political leanings.
Toyin Saraki
The wife of the Senate President, Barrister Toyin Saraki, has through her Well Being Foundation catered for the needs of pregnant women and children in a bid to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Her health programmes are mostly targeted at people at the grassroots. More is expected from Kwara’s former first lady in curbing death of mothers and babies in 2018.
Omolewa Ahmed
The First Lady of Kwara State, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed has through her philanthropy endeared herself to Kwarans. Deaconess Ahmed has numerous programmes tailored towards meeting the yearning of the widows, especially and the less privileged. Her LEAH Foundation, which focused mainly on cancer, has helped saved lives of people, particularly women suffering from the life threatening ailment. Kwarans look forward to benefitting more from the kind gesture of the first lady.
Mas’ud Elelu
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Alhaji Masud Elelu has proved to be an astute manager. In the course of last year, he was able to facilitate a number of TETFUND projects for the school and also brought about infrastructural development to the institution. One of the highlights for 2018 is the Nigerian Polytechnics Game-NIPOGA, following the hosting right gotten by the polytechnic.
Prof Dibu Ojerinde
Though born in Igboho, Oyo State, Prof Ojerinde, who served as Registrar of National Examination Council (NECO) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has continued to impact positively in Kwara State than in his home state, especially in the education sector.
Aside providing first class education to pupils and students through the Trillium Learning Centre and Sapati International School, both in Ilorin, Prof Ojerinde randomly picks students from public schools for sponsorship at Sapati every year. This educationist is expected to do more in this area as the year unfolds.
Prof Sulyman Abdulkareem Age
Since he assumedย leadership of the University of Ilorin on October 16, 2017, the new Vice Chancellor, Prof Age, can be considered as ‘been more of his own man’ in directing affairs of the institution. Though some of his decisions have not gone down well with some forces within the university community, Age has remained resolute.
Already, he has been able to reduce the school fees after dropping the policy of compulsory tablet for new intakes. Though the development jolted many within and outside the university community, the former Al-Hikmah University Vice Chancellor is however expected to spring more surprises through eloquent decisions to move the ‘Better By Far’ University forward in 2018.
Dr Raheem Adebayo Issa
The Nursing Officer turned educationist founded Nana Aishat College of Education, Alagbado, llorin in 2009 and has continued to expand the institution by securing approval for more courses. The institution is expected to continue in its determination to provide qualitative education in character and learning to students. Also, Dr Issa through his secondary school has consistently organised quiz and debates among selected secondary schools in the state.
Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje
Beyond his impressive profile in politics, Alhaji Baraje has remained a consistent financier of the Baraje Centre for Islamic Studies founded by him some years ago. Children of the masses have benefitted immensely from free Arabic education at the centre. At the moment, Baraje is seeking affiliation with an international university to allow products of the centre further their studies abroad.
Chief Raimi Oladimeji (Jagunmolu of Igbomina land)
When Chief Oladimeji founded Al-Hikmah University, he never expected it would rank among the best private institutions in Nigeria so soon. However, Al-Hikmah is presently rated 46th by the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) and could leapfrog into the top 30 this year, judging by the impending expansive projects of the institution. It is also expected that there would be additions to the faculties and departments within the year.
Bishop David Oyedepo
Not many religious leaders have made a success of their other endeavours but for Bishop Oyedepo, he has proven that with the establishment of Covenant University, Sango-Ota and of late, Landmark University Omu-Aran.
The university, which is barely eight years old is presently ranked 14th by the Nigeria University Commission (NUC).
Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN)
Kamaldeen Ajibade made waves in the state last year as one of the newest silks in town having bagged the prestigious award of a SAN. As the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, he prosecuted and won many criminal cases for the government, consequently reducing the rate of crime in the state. With the drafting of stiffer laws by his office, cultism that held the state under siege at a time last year has been reduced to its barest minimum.ย In 2018, Ajibade is expected to continue in this stead and leverage on his new SAN status to formulate laws on issues like the prevalent ritual killings and farmers/herdsmen clash among several others that has negatively affected the state. In terms of philanthropic activities, Ajibade ended the year on a high note with the provision of two boreholes for his constituent to take care of their water needs and has promised to take the gesture a notch higher this year. Coupled with this, the AG has taken up several Pro Bono cases which some law associations and firms rejected.
Yusuf Ali SAN
Yusuf Olaolu Ali is a seasoned legal juggernaut who is well established with national and international connections and traverses the legal sphere like a colossus. Just as he has become synonymous with top election tribunal cases in the country, a trend he sustained in 2017. Regarded as the Doyen of the Bar, Mallam as he is fondly called has been able to prove his mettle as a seasoned practitioner whose dexterity in the law practice is not in contention. In terms of philanthropic gesture, Yusuf, through his foundation, has given several scholarships to students among which are 10 University of Ilorin students. Also on education, Ali donated a storey building hostel to Fountain University Osogbo in addition to the outstanding award he gave young lawyers at the just concluded National Bar Conference and at Liberty stadium in Ibadan. Coupled with these gestures, which also cut across the health and other sectors, the courtroom guru is expected to continue to make waves in the legal and human endeavours. Findings by this medium revealed that he has handled over one hundred election petition cases, over one hundred and fifty appeal cases both at the Appeal Court and Supreme Court.
Magistrate Muhammed Ibrahim
Hardly can any narrative about those that shook the legal sector, especially in the area of magistracy be written in 2017 without the mention of Magistrate Muhammed Ibrahim. Given his dexterity and display of legal knowledge while presiding over matters in court, Ibrahim is the most talked about among the about 65 magistrates in the Kwara State jurisdiction who have held their own.
Among legal practitioners, Ibrahim is noted as a brave and brilliant jurist that is expected to continue in 2018 where he left off last year.
Muritala Awodun
The Executive Chairman of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Dr. Muritala Awodun, has no doubt proved his mettle as a strategist and goal getter. The agency under his leadership has been able to swell the state’s coffers through tax collection. KWIRS has made history by shoring up the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); generating a whooping N17bn within 10months in the year 2017, which is no mean feat. The agency is expected to consolidate on the achievement made in the outgone year for improved financial climate in the state.
Jolaoluwa Afolabi
Better known as JJ Jabulani, this Manager of Programmes, Sobi FM is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated presenters on radio in Kwara State barely six months after the station-commenced operation.
Among the widely followed programmes anchored by this presenter is ‘Oun Dun Yungba’ 9-10am every Saturday.
Unknown to many, JJ Jabulani, who consistently use the mantra of ‘Omo Emir, Paapun,’ ‘Wos Sobi ni Ibi nje,’ hails from Ire in Osun State.
More rave making programmes are expected to come from this graduate of Lagos State University (LASU) in 2018.
Abdullateef Adebowale
The General Manager of Radio Kwara, Alhaji Abdullateef Adebowale, known also as youngest DJ is a man to watch in 2018. A seasoned administrator and astute manager of human and material resources, the Radio Kwara boss has been able to shore up the revenue generated by the station despite stiff competition in the sector and against all odds. The innovation and creativity injected into radio programming has attracted more audience and patronage. With the station captured in the Kwara 2018 budget, it is expected that the management will up its ante and turn around the fortunes of the radio station this year.
Dr. Abdulraheem Yusuf (Yusjib Hospital)
Abdulraheem Yusuf is Managing Director of Yusjib Hospital Ilorin. The hospital as a result of Yusuf’s dexterity, made some major difference in the medical world in the state in the year 2017 in terms of effective medical care, which perhaps was responsible for the massive patronage being witnessed in recent times. The hospital is expected to make some impacts in terms of improved services in 2018 with its planned expansion programme.
Olusola Owolabi (Director Sollamps Oil Nig. Ltd)
Olusola Owolabi, from Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State is a board member of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation of Nigeria. Owolabi has consistently sponsored different table tennis competitions in the state for five years. He also sponsored table tennis athletes to national and international competitions in different categories. The Director of Sollamps Oil Nig. Ltd. has a table tennis academy in the state for pupils that fall between the ages of 5-10 years and also cater for their academics. Apart from table tennis, he has also been supporting other sporting associations like badminton, Kwara United Supporters Club, as well as the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), amongst others. More is expected from the sport enthusiast this year.
Bello Oyebanji (Ranked Africa number one in Para-Badminton in 2017)
The Kwara born Paralympics-badminton player, Bello Oyebanji, is currently the Africa number one. He represented Nigeria in international competition in Kampala, Uganda in 2017 where he won two bronze medals in male singles SL3 and double. He is a sports man to watch in 2018.
Rofiat Jimoh (Nigeria number one, Junior Table tennis cadet)
Rofiat Jimoh became Nigeria’s number one after her tremendous performance at the major competition in 2017. Rofiat is currently in Nigeria camp, preparing for major competitions in 2018. She also emerged as winner of the 2017 Sports Ambassador Award, organised by Royal FM Radio, Ilorin. She is expected to make more waves in 2018.
