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…Says Nigeria has lost a leader defined by duty, simplicity, and courage

Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who passed away in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

In a personally signed condolence message, Governor AbdulRazaq described the former President as a disciplined and principled statesman who served Nigeria with distinction both as a military leader and a civilian President.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s passing is a painful moment for our country. He was a man of uncommon courage and quiet strength, a leader who placed integrity and service above all else. His life was defined by simplicity, a deep sense of duty, and unwavering patriotism,” the Governor said.

AbdulRazaq noted that Buhari’s legacy would live on through his decades of public service and the moral standards he upheld, even in the face of political pressure. “He stood firm on what he believed to be right, regardless of popularity or convenience. His modest lifestyle and patience were remarkable examples to all of us in public life,” he added.

The Governor extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on what he called the personal loss of a close friend and political ally, as well as to former First Lady Aisha Buhari and the entire family of the late President.

“My thoughts and prayers are with President Tinubu, with Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, and with the entire Buhari family at this difficult time. May they find strength and peace in the enduring legacy he leaves behind,” AbdulRazaq said.

He also sent condolences to Governor Dikko Umar Radda and the people of Katsina State, describing the late President as one of the most prominent sons of the state whose name will remain etched in Nigeria’s political history.

“As a nation, we must reflect on the life of Muhammadu Buhari and strive to uphold the values he held dear: discipline, selflessness, and service to the people,” the Governor added.

He concluded by praying to Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late President, grant him eternal rest in al-jannah Firdaus, and comfort the family and the nation he served so faithfully.

… Governor mourns monarch’s passing, prays for peace and comfort for family and community

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Oludofian of Idofian, His Royal Highness Oba Muhammed Jamiu Omikunle II, describing the monarch’s passing as a significant loss to the community and the state.

In a condolence message issued on Wednesday, the Governor commiserated with the people of Idofian in Ifelodun Local Government Area and the royal family, noting that the late monarch was a symbol of peace and unity throughout his reign.

“The transition of His Royal Highness Oba Muhammed Jamiu Omikunle II is an incalculable loss to the people of Idofian and Kwara State. He was a man of peace who served his community with dignity and calm strength. His short reign was marked by remarkable stability, respect for tradition, and a strong commitment to the development of his domain,” the Governor said.

AbdulRazaq urged the people of Idofian and members of the royal family to take comfort in the late monarch’s legacy and accept his passing as an act of God. He acknowledged the void the monarch leaves behind, but encouraged the community to remain united and uphold the values of peace and togetherness that defined his reign.

He also offered prayers for the repose of the monarch’s soul. “May Almighty Allaah grant Kabiyesi Al-jannah Firdaus and continue to strengthen his family and the good people of Idofian,” the Governor added.

Oba Muhammed Jamiu Omikunle II, who held the title of a second-class traditional ruler, passed away after years of dedicated service to his people. His leadership was widely respected, and he was known for fostering harmony, supporting community initiatives, and maintaining strong ties with both the traditional institution and government.

The Governor’s message was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

…Says traditions should not be used to silence women, commends Governor AbdulRazaq’s inclusive leadership

Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, has called for a deliberate cultural shift to remove long-standing societal barriers that limit women’s participation in politics and leadership.

Speaking on A Place on the Table, a weekly radio programme on Gerin FM 95.5 Ilorin, the Commissioner said it was time for communities to move beyond cultural norms that discourage women from contributing fully to governance and public life.

The programme, sponsored by UN Women in partnership with the Royal Heritage Health Foundation, is focused on promoting gender inclusion and amplifying women’s voices in politics.

“Women must stand shoulder to shoulder, supporting one another in the pursuit of our collective progress,” she said, urging women across the region to get more involved in political processes—whether through voting, advocacy, or contesting for office.

According to Kawu, achieving genuine inclusive development in Nigeria requires equal opportunities for women to engage in decision-making without being held back by tradition. “Our traditions and cultural beliefs should not be used as tools to silence women or exclude them from politics. As a society, we must evolve and acknowledge the critical role women play in governance, development, and peacebuilding,” she said.

She praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for creating space for women in his administration, describing him as a leader who has shown genuine commitment to gender equity. “His actions continue to inspire confidence among women in Kwara State,” she added.

Kawu pointed to the Governor’s appointment of several women to strategic positions as an example that should be emulated at all levels of government.

She also highlighted the need for stronger mentorship structures and partnerships to support the emergence of future women leaders. “We need to build strong networks of support and mentorship for young women. Those of us in leadership must guide, empower, and prepare them to take up leadership roles,” she said.

The Commissioner called on development partners, civil society organisations, and women leaders to collaborate in creating more opportunities for women in governance.

..Kwara Commissioner speaks at close of five-day training on documentary production for media and public officers

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Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bola Olukoju, has called on public officials and media professionals to prioritise the documentation of government activities to promote transparency, credibility, and proper record-keeping for future reference.

Olukoju made the call in Ilorin on Thursday at the closing ceremony of a five-day training on documentary production, organised by the Kwara Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kwara L-PRES) in partnership with FOUR ICONS Premium Limited.

Kwara L-PRES is a World Bank-assisted project under the State Ministry of Livestock Development aimed at improving livestock production and resilience across the state.

Participants at the training included media professionals from different organisations and public offices, including the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Olayinka Fafoluyi Solace; Senior Special Assistant on Communication, Ibrahim Abdullateef; and Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola.

Speaking to reporters, Olukoju said the training was timely and relevant, particularly in helping participants sharpen their storytelling skills and improve how they document and communicate government programmes.

“Training in documentary production is the way to go because the power of documentation cannot be rivaled. The art of storytelling is how we get our story out. We don’t want governance to be something people think is just cooked up — we want it to have a human angle,” she said.

She highlighted key lessons from the training, including the use of pictures and progress reports to tell compelling stories, and how artificial intelligence can help amplify creativity. “AI won’t take away your job. It enhances what you already know. As a creative tool, it’s something you must learn to work with,” she added.

Olukoju, who also took part in the training, thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting the initiative and for his vision on digital inclusion in governance.

Also speaking at the event, Kwara State L-PRES Coordinator Olusoji Oyawoye said the project has trained over 2,000 stakeholders so far, including livestock farmers, butchers, abattoir workers, and agricultural extension agents.

Topics covered in past trainings, he said, include ruminant and crop residue usage, bull fattening, fodder production, meat handling protocols, occupational health and safety, and climate-smart agriculture.

Oyawoye commended Governor AbdulRazaq for providing the support needed to achieve success in implementing the L-PRES project. He also encouraged media professionals to continue reporting on the project’s work to keep the public informed and engaged.

Aishat Onusi, a resource person from FOUR ICONS Premium Limited, said proper documentation is critical to the success of any development project.

“In development work, documentation is not just about keeping records. It is a proof of work done, evidence of impact, and the basis for learning and accountability,” she said. “Without it, efforts risk being forgotten or duplicated.”

…Governor Briefs Lafiagi Leaders on Security Measures

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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has outlined comprehensive security operations targeting criminal hideouts in Edu and Ifelodun local government areas. During a meeting with Lafiagi community leaders in Ilorin, the Governor revealed joint military and forest guard deployments to rout violent gangs from forested areas.

The security strategy, developed with the Office of the National Security Adviser, will see newly trained forest guards support sustained army operations in Kwara North and South. “These operations aim to permanently dislodge criminals while preventing their relocation to other areas,” stated a government release.

Governor AbdulRazaq acknowledged residents’ concerns during discussions with the Lafiagi Descendants’ Development Union, led by Dr. Abdullahi Jibril Mohammed. He emphasized that security operations require meticulous planning for lasting success.

The measures follow increased criminal activities in border communities, with authorities identifying specific settlements in Ifelodun, Edu, and Patigi as operational targets. The government assures residents of ongoing coordination with security agencies to restore peace.