By Kayode Abdulazeez, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq has urged the stakeholders in the southern senatorial district to continue to remain united in advancing the course of their people.
Abdulrahman made the call during a one-day summit on ‘Socio-Economic Development of Kwara South Senatorial District’ organized by Kwara South Development Initiative (KSDI) held yesterday.
The Governor who joined the summit via Zoom confirmed his full support to
the initiative and canvassed for more unity among the leaders of the district, adding that his administration is doing everything possible to move the state from being consumption to a production.
“I thank Dr. Adewumi for bringing up this program alongside our reliable Raheem Adedoyin Oloriewe.
“Well, all I can say is that I am fully in support of the meetings and the programs going forward.
“It’s in line with our vision to take our State to a higher level. Part of the program was the Economic Summit organized by Dr. Adewumi.
“It’s not gaining traction yet, but I believe that such an economic agenda will gain traction because it’s an economic emancipation that is essential for us.
“If you look at the noise going about Tax Reforms, the noise is coming from States that are not producing and consuming. So, we have to change our State from a consuming to a productive State so that we won’t be beggars waiting for handouts from Abuja.
“That is part of why this is essential. Let’s be a productive State tackle issues of security threats and foster unity among ourselves to progress forward.
“This meeting has my full endorsement, and I apologize for not being able to attend due to my trip. I’m back this week, hopefully, I will be able to attend the next engagement personally.”
The summit was a follow-up to the earlier conferences held on 29th October 2022
and 13th May 2023 at Thomas Adewumi University Oko-Irese, in Ifelodun local government, where issues ranging from empowerment, job creation, security, and infrastructure development in the zone were at the centre stage.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chief convener of the initiative, Engr. Dr. Johnson B.O. Adewumi reiterated his commitment to the development of the zone and canvassed collaboration to better the fortune of the people of the zone.
The participants at the summit reviewed the scorecard of the present administration in the state regarding the development of the zone. This was carried out by the cabinet members of the Governor Abdulrahman administration in persons of Hon. Bolanle Olukoju and Dr. Mary Arinde, Commissioners for Communications Tertiary Education, respectively and Hon. Femi Whyte while the seven local government chairmen in the zone were also given their scorecards.
The summit further expressed appreciation to Governor Abdulrahman led administration for his sterling performance in Kwara South particularly the completion of the Osi Campus of Kwara State University, and other impressive road construction projects in the zone which includes Omu-Aran-Oko-Oro Ago, Oro-Esie-Agbonda-Arandun (transversing 4 wards in Irepodun LGA), Others include Ajase-Okeya-Igbaja, Esie Museum road, Okerimi
Oro Junction- NITEL, Oro road, and the Obbo Aiyegunle road that had been
abandoned for over 50 years.
The Summit also took note of several other projects by the state government in other sectors that are ongoing.
Also in particular the Summit took note of the improved security situation across the Kwara south ascribed to combined efforts of the State and local governments in the zone.
The Summit also noted with satisfaction that KSDI had established functional co-
operative societies in Irepodun, Ekiti, and Ifelodun local government areas and encouraged every Local Government to set up Co-operative societies at the
ward level as a veritable tool for the empowerment of their people.
