Kwara Rising

Author: admin

  • Gov AbdulRazaq Scraps PTA Levy, Approves Grants for Public Primary Schools

    Gov AbdulRazaq Scraps PTA Levy, Approves Grants for Public Primary Schools

    Textbooks to be distributed free as govt opens fresh UBEC/SUBEB projects

    #KwaraRising

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has abolished the payment of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy across all public primary schools in the state, replacing it with annual school grants to serve as running costs.

    The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, announced this on Thursday in Ilorin during the bid opening for the 3rd and 4th quarters of the 2024 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

    “The Governor has approved the stoppage of PTA payments in all public primary schools in Kwara. From Primary 1 to 6, no more payment of PTA in the state,” Adaramaja said, confirming that grants will immediately be disbursed to at least 1,717 schools.

    The Chairman also disclosed that the Governor approved the procurement of English and Mathematics textbooks for free distribution to pupils in Primary 1 to 6 across Kwara State.

    Speaking on the intervention projects, Adaramaja said the programme will cover the construction of classrooms, VIP toilets, remodeling and renovation of existing blocks, drilling of solar-powered boreholes, rehabilitation of digital literacy centres, procurement of literacy materials, fabrication of two-seater desks, and safe school initiatives in selected local governments.

    He commended the state government for prioritising investment in school infrastructure, teacher welfare, and human capital development, adding that Governor AbdulRazaq has also approved the payment of the 2025 counterpart funds for UBEC/SUBEB projects.

    Adaramaja urged contractors to deliver quality projects in line with specifications, warning that shoddy jobs will not be tolerated.

    Responding on behalf of the contractors, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed, Secretary of the Indigenous Contractors Association, thanked the government for the opportunity and pledged that members will deliver quality work that meets expectations.

  • Kwara Governor Announces Civilian Security Force Plan After Emergency Talks

    Kwara Governor Announces Civilian Security Force Plan After Emergency Talks

    …Meets Edu, Patigi Leaders Following Attacks, Vows Support for Victims

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has revealed plans to establish a locally-recruited civilian task force to bolster security in Kwara North, following an emergency meeting with community leaders from Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas. The announcement came during late-night consultations addressing rising kidnapping incidents and violent attacks in the region.

    The proposed community defense unit will involve residents trained and equipped to work alongside security agencies, creating a layered response to unique local threats. “Details will be fine-tuned through broader stakeholder consultations to ensure effectiveness and sustainability,” the Governor stated, emphasizing this would complement existing security measures.

    AbdulRazaq also pledged direct support for victims of recent violence, including personal visits to affected areas, while vowing that forest guards and hunters killed in recent Ifelodun LGA attacks “will not die in vain.” The meeting further addressed infrastructure needs at the College of Education (Technical) Lafiagi and power supply challenges in the axis.

  • Gov AbdulRazaq Approves Recruitment of 2,600 New Forest Guards in Fresh Security Push

    Gov AbdulRazaq Approves Recruitment of 2,600 New Forest Guards in Fresh Security Push


    Training for new recruits to commence this week as state steps up fight against banditry

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the recruitment of 2,600 additional forest guards as part of intensified efforts to tackle security challenges, particularly in parts of Kwara North and South.

    The new recruits will join the 700 forest guards earlier engaged, who are already working with security agencies on the frontline to combat banditry and protect communities.

    According to the Governor’s media aide, Akeweje Olayinka Fafoluyi, the recruits will begin training this week. Like their predecessors, they will undergo advanced military training, including the handling of sophisticated weapons and modern counter-insurgency strategies.

    The move, Fafoluyi said, underscores Governor AbdulRazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s security architecture and ensuring that criminal elements are rooted out to restore lasting peace.

  • Kwara Security Forces Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper Maidawa in Weekend Operations

    Kwara Security Forces Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper Maidawa in Weekend Operations

    …Governor AbdulRazaq visits Oke Ode, meets community leaders as crackdown intensifies across state

    Security forces in Kwara have killed notorious kidnap kingpin Maidawa and several of his associates in fierce engagements over the weekend along the Kwara–Kogi border.

    Intercepted communications obtained by the Department of State Services confirmed Maidawa’s death, which was disclosed to other gang members by another wanted kidnapper, Baccujo, during a conversation with his associates in Katsina State. The message was reportedly passed along the Igboro–Idofin road.

    Maidawa, long feared for orchestrating kidnappings and attacks on civilian populations, was eliminated as part of sting operations in parts of Kwara South and North, following urgent interventions sought by the state government.

    The operations, which are ongoing, are targeting flashpoints where kidnappers have recently operated, including Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and Patigi local government areas. Security sources said the aim is to dismantle all hideouts used by criminal gangs who abduct people for ransom.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, visited Oke Ode, Ifelodun LGA on Thursday in company of security commanders and top government officials to reassure residents of government’s support and solidarity.

    The Governor addressed community leaders in Oke Ode and is also billed to meet with leaders from Edu and Patigi LGAs later today to brief them on coordinated efforts between the state government, Federal Government, and security agencies to keep communities safe.

    “The renewed operations are meant to send a strong signal that criminals have no hiding place in Kwara,” the Governor told residents, urging calm and cooperation with security agencies.

    Authorities say the crackdown will continue until all threats are eliminated and peace is restored across the affected areas.

  • Kwara Govt Issues Security Advisory as Troops Raid Kidnappers’ Hideouts

    Kwara Govt Issues Security Advisory as Troops Raid Kidnappers’ Hideouts

    …Residents in Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun LGAs urged to stay vigilant, limit outdoor movement

    The Kwara State Government has advised residents, particularly those living in communities within Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun Local Government Areas, to exercise caution and limit non-essential movements as security operations against kidnappers intensify.

    The advisory comes amid heightened raids by combined security forces on suspected criminal hideouts in border areas between Kwara and Kogi States.

    “We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines. That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts. We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,” the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement on Wednesday.

    Olukoju expressed government’s regret over any temporary inconveniences the advisory may cause, but stressed the need to prioritise public safety.

    She commended the security forces for their renewed onslaught against criminal elements and charged them to sustain the momentum until all hideouts are dismantled and the perpetrators neutralised.

    “The government commends the security forces for the renewed efforts to rout out the criminals and charges them to continue until they are totally flushed out of our forests,” the statement added.

    The government reassured residents of its commitment to supporting security agencies in their mission to restore peace and safety across the state.

  • Gov AbdulRazaq Seeks Stronger Security Presence After Oke Ode Attacks

    Gov AbdulRazaq Seeks Stronger Security Presence After Oke Ode Attacks

    …Governor mourns forest guards, civilians lost in Sunday incident as Army HQ orders GOC relocation to Kwara

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for increased security deployments across the state following deadly attacks in Oke Ode and surrounding areas of Ifelodun Local Government.

    In a statement on Sunday, the Governor expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of forest guards and residents who fell victim to the early morning assault. He praised the courage of the guards and local hunters who resisted the assailants, saying their sacrifice would never be forgotten.

    “My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No word can adequately capture the depth of my sadness and nothing can compensate the bereaved families over these incidents, in spite of our efforts and the investments in enlisting and training the forest guards to bolster the conventional forces,” he said.

    The Governor acknowledged the concerns of citizens and emphasised that more military presence was needed to fully dislodge criminal elements in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.

    “While we appreciate the efforts and unquantifiable sacrifices of the security forces as well as the successes so far, we definitely need to do a lot more until we are completely out of the wood,” he added.

    Governor AbdulRazaq also appealed to residents to remain calm and not turn on one another, noting that unity and vigilance were vital in confronting insecurity.

    He commended the forest guards and hunters for their bravery, acknowledging that although five of their members were lost, they were able to neutralise several of the attackers.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army Headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Ibadan, to immediately relocate to Kwara State to strengthen coordination and boost military response to the incident.

  • Kwara Set to Capture Transporters’ Data for Identification, Policy Planning

    Kwara Set to Capture Transporters’ Data for Identification, Policy Planning

    … Exercise to commence September 22 and 29 across 16 LGAs, free of charge – Govt

    The Kwara State Government has announced plans to begin capturing the data of transport operators across the state for proper identification and improved policy planning.

    The initiative, according to the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Korasabi, is aimed at enhancing transparency, ensuring uniformity, and boosting safety within the transport sector. He disclosed this during a consultative engagement with transport union leaders on Wednesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ilorin.

    Hon. Lafia explained that the exercise would complement the Kwara State Residential Registration Programme (KWASRRA) by fully integrating transporters into the scheme. He added that the enumeration would also strengthen security, policy planning, and service delivery in the sector.

    The exercise will take place at designated centres across the 16 local government areas, including Offa Garage, Maraba Garage, Saw-Mill Garage, Oko-Olowo/Oloje Axis, and several council secretariats. It is scheduled to begin on September 22 and 29, 2025, and will be conducted free of charge.

    The Commissioner urged union leaders and members to give their maximum cooperation for a smooth and successful process.

    In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Salau Kabiru Abdullahi, thanked transport leaders for their continuous cooperation and contributions to government policies.

    Union leaders, including the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Abdulrahman Olayinka Onikijipa, and the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Abdulrazaq Ariwoola, commended the Ministry for always engaging stakeholders before introducing new policies.

    They, however, appealed to the government to prioritise the reconstruction of state-owned motor parks, which they described as dilapidated and unattractive to passengers, affecting their operations and patronage.

    The leaders nonetheless expressed appreciation to the government for its inclusiveness in decision-making, which they said has strengthened collaboration between stakeholders and the state.

  • Governor AbdulRazaq Appoints Prof. Popoola as CMD of Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital

    Governor AbdulRazaq Appoints Prof. Popoola as CMD of Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital

    …Appointment follows landmark MoU with Thomas Adewumi University to strengthen medical training and healthcare delivery

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the appointment of Prof. Ademola Alabi Popoola as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the newly designated Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital, Omu-Aran.

    The appointment comes after the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kwara State Government and Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, which officially upgraded the General Hospital, Omu-Aran, into the University’s teaching hospital.

    Announcing the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, said Prof. Popoola’s appointment is a strategic move to provide visionary leadership that will steer the hospital towards global standards in medical training, research, and service delivery.

    She described the initiative as a bold step that will not only strengthen the medical programmes of Thomas Adewumi University but also expand access to quality healthcare services for residents of Kwara and neighbouring states.

    “With this appointment, the Kwara State Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to building a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous future for its people,” Dr. El-Imam added.

    Prof. Popoola, a seasoned medical professional, is expected to bring his wealth of experience to the role, positioning the teaching hospital as a centre of excellence in healthcare and medical education.

  • Kwara-ETF Awards First Scholarships to 12 Outstanding Public School Pupils

    Kwara-ETF Awards First Scholarships to 12 Outstanding Public School Pupils

    … Governor AbdulRazaq hails milestone, urges more private sector, community support for education

    The Kwara State Education Trust Fund (Kwara-ETF) has awarded its first set of scholarships to 12 outstanding pupils from public schools, who will have their entire secondary school education fully sponsored under the scheme.

    The development, described by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a “dream come true” for the state, comes barely two years after the Fund was established to support public education.

    Speaking at the orientation programme for the inaugural beneficiaries, Governor AbdulRazaq said education funding is too important and expensive to be left to government alone. He called on philanthropists, corporate bodies, and individuals to support the Trust Fund by sponsoring students or investing in school infrastructure.

    “Education belongs to all of us. It is our business. But we have seen over the years that governments alone can’t fully fund education. We need to engage through other means,” the Governor said.

    “What you have seen here today is a model where some students were selected through a very rigorous and transparent process to benefit from a scholarship. I am truly excited that these pupils are from humble backgrounds and did not cut corners to make the list. This is just the beginning. We will keep tracking them to the university level.”

    He added that his administration will continue to donate to the Trust Fund to strengthen its impact.


    The Executive Secretary of Kwara-ETF, Oluwadamilola Amolegbe, explained that the beneficiaries were selected from an initial shortlist of 640 top-performing pupils drawn from the KwaraLEARN digital literacy programme. From that pool, 180 pupils were supported to sit for the National Common Entrance Examination, out of which 36 excelled. The final 12 were then picked based on merit, local government spread, and admission into Unity Schools.

    Programme Manager, Zainab Abdulsalam, said the ETF will continue to track and monitor the scholars’ performance to ensure that the state’s investments in education through KwaraLEARN, the Trust Fund, and the Ministry of Education deliver visible results.

    “These pupils represent the face of an average Kwaran. They now have the opportunity to access life-changing exposure and opportunities,” she said.

    Parents express joy
    One of the parents, Maxwell Kolawole from Ekiti Local Government, commended the Governor for easing the financial burden of school fees and other expenses.

    “This is truly a pro-masses initiative. The process was transparent and impressive, and we are grateful to the Governor and his administration,” he said.

    The Kwara Education Trust Fund was established in 2021 through legislation and is managed by trustees drawn mainly from the private sector and community stakeholders. It has since attracted contributions from philanthropists and development partners, with the inaugural scholarship awards marking a new milestone in its mission to support quality education for Kwaran children.

  • Credible Data: Kwara Govt Commences School Census for Effective Planning, Policy Formulation

    Credible Data: Kwara Govt Commences School Census for Effective Planning, Policy Formulation

    …Olohungbebe, SUBEB chair emphasize data-driven education reforms

    The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to generating accurate, reliable, and timely data to drive effective planning and policy formulation in the education sector.

    Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, gave the assurance on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with Education Management Information System (EMIS) officials from the 16 Local Government Areas, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ilorin.

    Declaring the meeting open, Olohungbebe stressed the central role of credible data in sustaining education reforms and growth, quoting Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as saying: “Our administration is determined to ensure every education policy is founded on credible data. Without reliable statistics, informed decisions and effective planning are impossible.”

    He appealed to heads of schools to cooperate fully with EMIS officials by providing timely and accurate information while avoiding admitting students beyond their schools’ carrying capacity. The Commissioner also commended the Governor for his consistent interventions in the education sector.

    In his goodwill message, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Raheem Adaramaja, underscored the importance of EMIS in strengthening the school system. He said the deliberations would enhance the effectiveness of data collection across assignments.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Olanrewaju Rebecca Bake, described stakeholders’ collaboration as key to ensuring comprehensive coverage. She encouraged participants to share best practices and adopt workable strategies for a successful 2024/2025 annual school census.

    Director of Education Planning, Research, and Development, Mallam Adeshina Azeez, disclosed that the new EMIS exercise would deploy both analogue and digital tools to improve accuracy, reliability, and efficiency in data gathering.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Kwara State Bureau of Statistics, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), SUBEB, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), and the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA).

    The wide participation, officials noted, reflects a strong commitment to strengthening data-driven decision-making and policy development in Kwara’s education sector.