Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of his friend and associate, Mr. Segun Awolowo Jr., a former two-term Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and grandson of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Segun Awolowo died on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the age of 62.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor described Segun as “a great friend, a great public servant, and a jolly-good fellow whose company everyone cherished,” calling his passing “devastating” and noting that he would be “sorely missed for every good thing that he stood for.”
Governor AbdulRazaq urged family, friends, and associates to take consolation in Segun’s legacy of distinguished public service, unwavering loyalty to loved ones, and his contributions to national development. He prayed for the repose of his soul and for God’s comfort upon his wife, children, and elderly mother.
Also mourning the late Awolowo was Engr. Femi Sanni, Chairman of Flow FM and a close friend of the deceased. Speaking with deep emotion, Engr. Sanni described Segun as “a remarkable person whose kindness, intellect, and humanity touched everyone around him.His passing is a painful loss, but his warmth, generosity, and legacy will continue to inspire us.”
Segun Awolowo Jr. is survived by his wife, children, and mother.
The Kwara State Government has announced temporary security measures across selected schools in five local government areas in response to emerging threats linked to criminal activities in the region.
The decision affects schools in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke Ero local governments. According to the State Government, the action is part of a broader safety plan aimed at preventing kidnappers or fleeing attackers from targeting schoolchildren.
In a statement issued in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the government is acting to stay ahead of any threat and keep learning communities safe. He explained that boarding schools in Irepodun LGA are also covered under the arrangement because they could be considered vulnerable locations during intensified security operations in the state.
Dr Olohungbebe noted that the measures will remain in force while the government continues to review the security situation and awaits further clearance from relevant agencies. He assured parents, guardians and school authorities that the step is preventive and part of an ongoing effort to strengthen confidence in the safety of school environments.
The state government has urged communities to remain vigilant and provide useful intelligence to security agencies working in affected areas. Residents were also encouraged to support ongoing security work by reporting suspicious movements or unknown persons, especially around schools and farm settlements.
The latest announcement follows increased surveillance and recent federal orders for expanded security deployment in parts of Kwara following recent attacks in Ekiti LGA. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
… Amolegbe highlights sustained reforms and partnerships driving education growth in Kwara
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The Kwara State Education Trust Fund has again taken the global stage as its Executive Secretary, Oluwadamilola Fatima Amolegbe, joined panelists at the World Bank’s “Entertaining Change: Next-Generation Media Partnerships for Social Impact and Gender Equality Forum” held in Abuja.
Speaking during the session on policy and advocacy, Amolegbe shared how Kwara is building durable systems that ensure reforms remain in place beyond any single programme or administration. She referenced the Kwara Education Futures Summit held shortly after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq declared a state of emergency in the sector. The summit, led by education stakeholders including former World Bank Senior Education Specialist Dr. Tunde Adekola, produced a communique that now guides major reforms in the state.
She highlighted three key outcomes from that policy shift. KwaraAGILE, which supports adolescent girls in secondary schools. KwaraETF, which ensures a sustainable and transparent approach to funding education. And KwaraLEARN, the ongoing digital learning programme transforming public primary schools.
The Abuja forum is part of a wider global engagement convened by the World Bank Development Impact Group with support from IFC, the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Eden Venture Group, Women In Film, and the Gates Foundation. The gathering focuses on how evidence, technology, and creative storytelling can support gender equality and learning outcomes.
KwaraETF’s appearance at the forum reinforces its reputation as one of the country’s leading models for education funding reform and public–private collaboration.
… Governor Reiterates Support for Mechanisation as Emir Commissions Ultra-modern Mosque
Kwara State played host on Tuesday to top policymakers, researchers, and agricultural engineers as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum led the 25th International Conference and 45th AGM of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers. The event took place at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation in Idofian, Ifelodun Local Government Area.
In his remarks, Governor AbdulRazaq said the state is investing in policies and tools that support young innovators, researchers, and agripreneurs in scaling productivity and improving food systems.
He said more than 10,000 farmers in Kwara have benefitted from tractors, ploughs, processing machines, and other implements distributed under government-backed programmes aimed at boosting food production and strengthening value chains.
“The NIAE has pushed mechanisation with research and locally developed machines that reduce cost and increase yields for farmers across Nigeria. Being home to NCAM, Kwara has seen first-hand the impact of this progress,” he said.
The Governor added that agriculture in the state has moved beyond subsistence, noting that improved mechanisation has expanded productivity and farm capacity. He also encouraged participants to use the conference to address new realities including climate change, technology adoption, and land-use challenges.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, joined other experts and industry stakeholders at the gathering. Governor AbdulRazaq later received an Award of Excellence from the association for his efforts in repositioning agriculture in the state.
After the conference, the Governor attended the official commissioning of the Imam Gambari Ultra-modern Mosque in Ilorin. He was joined by Governor Zulum and Senator Kyari.
The event drew senior Islamic scholars, including the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu, key traditional title holders, and notable community leaders.
The Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of Ilorin, Alhaji Yakubu Garba Gobir, and APC stalwart Alhaji Abdulfatah Yahya Seriki received the dignitaries at the mosque, which was earlier commissioned by the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR.
The historic structure dates back to the early 19th century and has now been remodelled into a modern worship facility.
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has praised Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his consistent support for local content development and his commitment to empowering indigenous contractors across the state.
In a letter to the Governor dated October 2025, the COREN Chairman in Kwara State, Engr. Bashiru Lawal, said the Governor’s deliberate policy of engaging local professionals and companies aligns with the Council’s advocacy for the promotion of indigenous expertise in project execution.
“On behalf of COREN Kwara State Office and the entire engineering community, we express our appreciation to Your Excellency for your exemplary commitment to empowering indigenous contractors through the recent award of contracts, especially the engagement of Messrs CPN for the construction of the Ojoku–Ilemona Road,” the letter read in part.
Engr. Lawal added that this approach strengthens local capacity, creates jobs, encourages technology transfer, and supports sustainable development within the state. He described the Governor’s leadership as a model worthy of emulation by other states and public institutions across Nigeria.
At a recent press briefing, the Commissioner for Works, Hon. AbdulQuawy Olododo, said that over 70 percent of construction projects in Kwara are handled by local contractors. He noted that this policy has significantly boosted the state’s economy by creating employment opportunities and retaining value within the local market.
The statement reaffirmed COREN’s commitment to working with the state government to uphold professional and ethical standards in all engineering-related projects across Kwara State.
…Another major federal approval strengthens infrastructure drive across the state
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦43 billion for the reconstruction of the Ilorin–Omu Aran–Egbe Road in Kwara State, further consolidating Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s push for large-scale infrastructure renewal across the state.
The approval came barely a month after the Minister of Works, David Umahi, inspected the newly-approved 42.6km Eiyenkorin–Afon–Ojoku–Offa Road, also facilitated by the Governor under the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Scheme.
According to Umahi, who briefed reporters after the FEC meeting, the Ilorin–Omu Aran–Egbe project will begin with the first phase covering 31 kilometres of the entire 207-kilometre stretch. He explained that the reconstruction will be done using full concrete pavement for greater strength and durability.
The road serves as a major link between several communities in Kwara South and Okunland in neighbouring Kogi State. It is also a vital economic route for trade and daily movement between the two states.
This latest approval adds to a growing list of major road interventions secured by Governor AbdulRazaq, who has made infrastructure renewal a central focus of his administration. Only recently, he flagged off the construction of the 15.1km Ojoku–Ilemona Road to further improve access and connectivity across rural and urban areas in the state.
… Programme targets improved transparency and service delivery across councils
The Kwara State Government has begun a four-day capacity-building training for budget, finance, and audit desk officers from all 16 local government areas to strengthen fiscal management and transparency in line with global standards.
The training, held under the state’s Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Project, focuses on the adoption of harmonized guidelines and the national chart of accounts. The HOPE Project is a World Bank-supported Performance for Results (PforR) programme covering key sectors including governance (HOPE-GOV), basic education (HOPE-EDU), and primary healthcare (HOPE-PHC).
The programme, which runs from Tuesday, October 21 to Friday, October 24, 2025, brings together cabinet members, local council chairmen, and key government officers. Its theme is “Addressing Constraints in Basic Education, Primary Health Care and Governance, and Understanding the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), the Budget Implementation Reporting (BIR) Framework and Public Audit.”
Declaring the session open, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Kwara HOPE Project, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, said the training demonstrates Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to strengthening governance, promoting accountability, and improving service delivery at all levels.
She explained that the HOPE Project was introduced to address long-standing challenges that have hindered efficient service delivery in local governments.
“This training is not just about compliance. It is about building institutional capacity and sustaining progress. It is about empowering our officers with the knowledge and tools to drive efficiency, improve reporting accuracy, and support better decision-making,” Dr. Nuru said.
She added that the frameworks being introduced will help ensure that budgets are properly prepared, expenditures are tracked, and reports are generated in line with national and international standards.
According to her, Kwara State has already recorded significant progress through reforms implemented under the AbdulRazaq administration, including the adoption of performance-based programmes like SABER, NG-CARES, and HOPE. The state, she noted, has also benefitted from executive orders that promote fiscal discipline, ease of doing business, and transparency.
Dr. Nuru encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training to deepen collaboration between all tiers of government and sustain the confidence of development partners.
Lead Consultant for World Bank Projects in Kwara, Dr. Paul Adepelumi, said the exercise would help local governments meet World Bank requirements for transparency and accountability. He explained that the programme is tied to measurable indicators that determine states’ eligibility for support and funding.
Representatives of local government chairmen, including Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omintuntun (Offa), Hon. Shehu AbdulRahman Ladan (Ilorin West), and Hon. Abdullahi Bello (Edu), commended the state government for creating the platform. They pledged to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen planning and financial reporting in their respective councils.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of laptops to participants, five per local government, to support the practical sessions and enhance efficiency in financial documentation and reporting.
…Governor AbdulRazaq Approves International Standard Facilities in Sports Infrastructure Push
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Kwara State has commenced comprehensive rehabilitation work at the Olofa Stadium in Offa, marking the first major upgrade of the sporting facility in recent years. The project, approved by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq during the State Executive Council meeting, includes installation of alternative power supply, expanded pavilion capacity, water-sprinkler systems, and international-standard natural grass turf.
Additional improvements feature a solar-powered borehole and professional pitch upgrades that will transform the stadium into a fully equipped sporting venue. The development continues the administration’s sustained investment in sports infrastructure, following earlier renovations at Kwara State Stadium Complex, Indoor Sports Hall, and specialized courts for tennis, baseball, and squash.
Offa residents and football enthusiasts have welcomed the renovation, noting the potential to inspire young athletes and increase community sports participation.
…As government upgrades 32-sport complex, Offa and Lafiagi stadia
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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been commended for what stakeholders describe as the largest and most comprehensive investment in sports infrastructure in the history of the state.
Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Magaji, said the administration’s massive renovation of the George Innih Stadium, Ilorin — including the Pa Gabriel Ladipo Indoor Sports Hall which alone cost over ₦2 billion — has repositioned Kwara as a major sports destination in Nigeria.
“This indoor sports hall alone has gulped over ₦2bn. Government has also invested in the football field, tennis court, squash court, and several others. Not many sectors have enjoyed as much support as sports from His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the last six years,” Magaji said during a media tour of the stadium by members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.
He described the stadium as unmatched in Nigeria for its scope and design, housing facilities for 32 different sports in one complex — a feat, he said, that neither Lagos, Abuja, nor Ibadan stadia can match.
“Our sports complex is the only one in Nigeria where you can play almost every sport within a single location except golf. Abuja has packages A and B, but even those don’t compare to what we have here,” he added.
Magaji said the administration’s investment is not limited to the state capital, citing the ongoing reconstruction of the Offa and Lafiagi stadia as part of the Governor’s plan to decentralize sporting facilities and give equal opportunities to athletes across senatorial districts.
He noted that the state’s performance in national competitions has significantly improved under the AbdulRazaq administration, rising from 23rd to 5th place in recent National Sports Festivals — the best performance in Kwara’s history.
“The Governor has given us all the necessary encouragement, financially and morally. Some of our athletes who left Kwara before are now eager to return because of how much the Governor has changed the face of sports in the state,” Magaji said.
He also praised the Governor’s athlete reward policy, which grants ₦1 million for gold medalists, ₦500,000 for silver, and ₦300,000 for bronze winners. Coaches and officials also receive incentives, while top-performing athletes, including those with disabilities, have been gifted brand new cars.
At the Kwara Football Academy (KFA), Magaji lauded the Governor for renovating hostels, dining halls, and clinics to enhance student welfare.
Students of the academy — Abdullahi Hassan, Saad Ahmad, and Adnan Muhammad-Akanbi — described the facilities as among the best in West Africa, noting that the structured academic and training programmes have improved their development both as students and athletes.
“I love football, and I chose KFA because it is one of the best academies in Nigeria,” said Hassan.
Ahmad added: “KFA is one of the best in West Africa. They take good care of us. We have good accommodation, reliable electricity, and a well-equipped medical facility.”
Magaji concluded that Governor AbdulRazaq’s long-term vision for sports development has placed Kwara among Nigeria’s leading sporting states, creating opportunities for young talents and strengthening the local economy through sports tourism.
… Governor AbdulRazaq approves transparent process to clear backlog, prioritising retirees by year of exit
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The Kwara State Government has established two nonpartisan technical committees made up of technocrats and Labour leaders to verify gratuity records at both state and local government levels, ensuring that pensioners are paid based on when they retired from service.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the initiative as part of his administration’s renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness in the payment of outstanding gratuities across the state.
According to the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, the eight-member committee for state gratuities is chaired by the State Auditor General, while the Local Government Auditor General heads the committee for local government retirees.
Other members include representatives of the retired Permanent Secretaries, retired civil servants’ associations, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and certified accounting professionals from ICAN and ANAN. Mrs. Iyabo Adebayo and Mrs. Amina Ahmed will serve as secretaries for the state and local government committees respectively.
“The primary objective of the committee is to ensure the accuracy and transparent compilation of outstanding state and LGA gratuities for eligible pensioners in readiness for automated bank transfer payments,” Dr. Nuru said.
She explained that the committees have been tasked with verifying detailed yearly gratuity schedules from the pension boards, confirming the eligibility of pensioners using PSN, Pension Numbers, KWSSRA SSID database, and NIN, and reconciling all records against government documents.
The committees will also prioritise payments starting from the oldest outstanding year, recommend disbursements based on available funds, and ensure proper documentation for audit purposes.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration has consistently prioritised the welfare of retirees, having cleared multiple years of inherited arrears while instituting a structured, transparent process to sustain regular gratuity payments going forward.
