… Governor describes late Mama Lydia Yilwatda as a woman of faith, discipline, and service
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has paid a condolence visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at his residence in Jos, following the death of his mother, Mama Lydia Yilwatda.
The Governor was accompanied by Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun and Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Speaking during the visit, Governor AbdulRazaq described the late Mama Lydia as a fulfilled matriarch who lived a life of faith, discipline, and service. He urged Professor Nentawe and his family to take solace in her exemplary legacy.
He prayed to God to grant Mama Lydia eternal rest and to strengthen the APC National Chairman and his family during this period of mourning.
…Move ensures compliance with National Minimum Wage, boosts staff welfare
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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved an upward review of the salaries of all ad-hoc staff of the Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA).
The Acting General Manager of the Agency, Mr. Tajudeen Jimoh, confirmed the approval in a statement, noting that the adjustment was made to ensure no ad-hoc staff earns below the national minimum wage.
Jimoh urged the beneficiaries to show appreciation for the Governor’s gesture by carrying out their duties with greater diligence and commitment in line with the agency’s mandate.
… Governor charges traditional rulers to uphold peace, unity, and grassroots development
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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday officially presented the Staff of Office to three newly appointed monarchs in the state.
The royal fathers are Oba Isiaka Malik, the new Alagunjin of Agunjin (3rd Class, Ifelodun Local Government), Oba AbdulRazaq Adekola Salau, the Olowo of Ita-Olowo (4th Class, Ifelodun), and Oba Afolabi Odeniyi Gabriel, the Elepe of Epe-Opin (4th Class, Ekiti).
Speaking through the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Bata, the Governor congratulated the monarchs and their communities, urging them to use their positions to foster peace, unity, and development in their domains.
“I congratulate the new monarchs and their communities on this momentous occasion. May your reigns be marked by wisdom, peace, and progress,” AbdulRazaq said.
He also called on the traditional rulers to promote harmony among their subjects, stressing that community support is vital to achieving progress at the grassroots.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and community development across the state.
The ceremony drew several dignitaries, including the Chief Whip of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ganiyu Gabriel; Chairman of Ifelodun LG, Hon. Femi Yusuf; Hon. Awelewa Olawale Gabriel (Ekiti); State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi; high chiefs from the affected communities; and family members of the monarchs.
In separate goodwill messages, Hon. Yusuf and Hon. Gabriel urged the new monarchs to make peace and harmony their guiding principles, noting that no community can thrive in an atmosphere of division. Prince Fagbemi echoed the call, warning against disunity and encouraging the traditional rulers to complement the Governor’s efforts in sustaining peace and development across the state.
Responding, the monarchs thanked the government and their communities for the confidence reposed in them. They pledged to promote unity, peace, and progress while calling for the cooperation of their people to achieve these goals.
Tenioye Majekodunmi has taken the helm as Director-General of Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), pledging to transform climate governance in the country. A climate finance expert and environmental lawyer, Majekodunmi was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and assumed office on August 6, 2025. In her maiden address at the NCCC headquarters, she emphasized unity and ambition, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in climate action. “We are one team, and we will win as one,” she told staff, stressing a proactive, professional approach to tackling the urgent climate crisis.
In her first official engagement on August 11, 2025, Majekodunmi attended a stakeholder session to review a draft Climate Finance Guide, developed under the UK-funded Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE). The guide will help state governments access climate financing from global sources like the Green Climate Fund. She announced that the NCCC is finalizing Nigeria’s National Climate Finance Strategy to mobilize funds from diverse sources, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to collaboration with state governments, development partners, and the private sector to drive impactful climate solutions.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed retired Colonel Abdulwahab Ademola Lawal, PhD, FIMC, from Offa in Kwara State, as a member of the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The appointment was announced alongside other board members, with Idris Olorunnimbe named as Chairman and Dr. Aminu Wada retained as Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.
Col. Lawal’s selection brings to the board a wealth of leadership experience from military service, governance, and management consulting.
A seasoned officer, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1974 after graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Over the years, he served in critical command and operational roles, including Battalion Intelligence Officer, Company Commander, Brigade Major in Liberia under ECOMOG, and Sector Operations Officer for the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG).
Beyond the battlefield, Lawal has been deeply involved in peacebuilding, security governance, and policy development. He has worked as a Directing Staff at the Command and Staff College, served on ministerial and presidential committees, and published works on democratic management of the armed forces and accountable security sector governance.
His expertise has been sought by government agencies, state governments, and development organisations for capacity building programmes, particularly in areas of intergovernmental collaboration and policy formulation.
In 2024, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq appointed him Chairman of the Kwara State Education Trust Fund (ETF), tasking him with mobilising resources to improve educational infrastructure, support teacher development, and ensure sustainable funding for schools in the state.
Under his leadership, the ETF has begun laying the groundwork for projects aimed at bridging funding gaps and fostering educational excellence in Kwara.
Col. Lawal’s Offa roots remain central to his public service philosophy.
Educated at the Anglican College of Commerce in Offa before joining the military, he has maintained close ties with his community, often lending his expertise to local initiatives and youth development programmes.
His appointment to the NCC board signals not just recognition of his professional pedigree but also an opportunity for Kwara State to have a voice in shaping Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.
The NCC, as the country’s telecoms regulator, plays a critical role in driving digital inclusion, expanding broadband penetration, and ensuring fair competition in the sector.
For Offa and Kwara State, his appointment represents another milestone in the growing national recognition of indigenes contributing to governance and development at the highest levels.
..: Projects aim to boost farmers’ access to markets, improve rural livelihoods
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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday toured multiple rural road projects in Asa Local Government Area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to spreading development and connecting rural communities to economic opportunities.
The Governor inspected the 17.7km Madi–Peeke Road and the 23.23km Okolowo Express–Sokoto–Tafatafa–Elere–Owode Oja–Baba Kudu–Akopari–Otte Oja Road, both part of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). The initiative, jointly funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency, has received over N4bn in counterpart funding from the state government.
AbdulRazaq urged contractors to deliver quality work within reasonable timelines, stressing that improved road access would empower farmers, facilitate trade, and boost grassroots GDP. “Access to the market means empowerment and an increase in GDP for people at the grassroots,” he said.
During the visit, the Governor stopped at a Garri processing centre in Owode Oja, where he pledged support for mechanisation to enhance productivity without displacing jobs. He also visited the local Primary Health Care Centre, underscoring his administration’s focus on sustainable livelihoods, health, and business growth in rural areas.
Speaking on the broader economic outlook, AbdulRazaq noted that the new tax regime introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would increase revenue at state and local government levels. He assured that his government is determined to ensure the gains are felt by communities at the grassroots.
State RAAMP Coordinator, Engr. Isaac Kolo, said construction work currently includes line drains and culverts, with earthworks and surface dressing set to commence after the rainy season.
Community leaders, including APC Women Leader Mrs. Suleiman Hamdalat and Gari Processing Association Chairperson Mrs. Khadijat Jimoh, lauded the Governor for his continued engagement and commitment to rural development.
…Government Clarifies Project is Not New Government House
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Kwara State has officially commenced the construction of new office facilities designed to enhance public service operations in Ilorin. The project, awarded to Mapet Construction Ltd., was formally handed over during a ceremony attended by top government officials at the site adjacent to the Deputy Governor’s Office.
Housing and Urban Development Commissioner Dr. Segun Ogunsola emphasized that the one-storey structure will provide modern office spaces, conference facilities, and other amenities to improve working conditions for civil servants. He specifically refuted circulating claims about building a new Government House, clarifying this as a dedicated administrative complex aimed at optimizing government operations.
“The AbdulRazaq administration remains committed to creating functional work environments that enable efficient service delivery across urban and rural communities,” Ogunsola stated. The Ministry pledged strict oversight to ensure timely completion within the 12-month timeline, with contractor representatives guaranteeing adherence to specifications.
The project launch witnessed participation from key stakeholders including Kwara State Public Procurement Agency General Manager QS Raheem Abdulbaki, Ministry Permanent Secretary Alhaja Risikat Atinuke, and representatives from the consulting firm Baron Architecture.
…State Intensifies Flood Prevention Measures as NiMET Predicts Heavy Storms
The Kwara State Government has issued an urgent public alert following Nigeria Meteorological Agency’s (NiMET) forecast of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms starting Wednesday, July 30. Director of Public Orientation Agboola Olarewaju specifically advised residents living near riverbanks and flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground immediately to prevent potential loss of lives and property.
The warning comes as the state government completes emergency dredging of Asa River and conducts comprehensive drainage clearance across Ilorin metropolis. Residents are strongly cautioned to limit outdoor movement during rainfall periods and to unplug electrical appliances when away from homes to prevent thunderstorm-related damage.
The administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq emphasized its ongoing commitment to citizen safety through proactive environmental management, while calling on residents to complement government efforts by maintaining clean drainage channels and heeding weather advisories. Motorists and market traders are particularly urged to exercise extreme caution during the forecasted severe weather period.
…AbdulRazaq Approves N5.25m Emergency Fund After Road Accident
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has intervened to support 13 indigent students from Kwara studying at Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto (UDUS) who were seriously injured in a road accident. The Governor immediately released N5.25 million to cover urgent medical treatments after receiving details of their conditions.
The students, involved in a crash along the Yauri-Sokoto Expressway in Kebbi State that claimed their driver’s life, are being treated at UDUS Teaching Hospital. Eight require emergency orthopedic surgeries for bone fractures, while five need various levels of medical care.
Through his Special Assistant on Students Affairs Hon. Wasiu Onidugbe, Governor AbdulRazaq conveyed his sympathies and prayers for their full recovery. “His Excellency has directed that all necessary medical interventions be provided without delay to ensure these young Kwarans regain their health,” Onidugbe stated.
The Governor’s intervention continues his administration’s tradition of supporting citizens in distress, particularly students pursuing education across Nigeria. The funds will cover diagnostic tests, scans, and prescribed treatments as outlined by hospital authorities.
…State’s Strategic Communication Gains National Recognition Under Governor AbdulRazaq’s Administration
Kwara State’s Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, has once again been named one of Nigeria’s most influential public relations professionals, securing a spot on the prestigious 2025 PR Power List compiled by GLG Communications and The Guardian Newspaper. This marks her second consecutive year receiving this national recognition, underscoring Kwara’s growing reputation for excellence in strategic government communication under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership.
The annual list identifies 50 top-tier PR and communication leaders across Nigeria who are driving transformation in their respective fields. Hon. Olukoju was selected in the distinguished “Changemakers” category, which honors professionals actively disrupting norms and pushing boundaries through innovative campaigns, strategic thinking, and measurable impact. The recognition specifically acknowledges her work in elevating Kwara State’s public communication framework and implementing creative solutions to complex information challenges.
In her response, Commissioner Olukoju redirected the accolade to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, describing him as the visionary behind Kwara’s communication successes. “This honor truly belongs to His Excellency, who has created an enabling environment for professional excellence and innovation in public communication,” she stated. “His administration’s commitment to transparency and strategic engagement has transformed how Kwara connects with its citizens and the nation.”
The selection process evaluated professionals across four categories: Rising Voices, Changemakers, Community Impact, and Fourth Estate. Hon. Olukoju’s inclusion places her among an elite group of strategic communicators shaping the future of Nigeria’s PR landscape.
Alhaji Salau Jimoh, Director of Information Services, praised the Commissioner’s achievement as well-deserved recognition of her contributions. “Hon. Olukoju has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism and creativity in her role,” he remarked. “Her leadership has significantly raised the bar for public sector communication in Kwara State.”
This latest honor reinforces Kwara’s emergence as a model for effective government communication, with the state’s innovative approaches to public engagement, crisis management, and digital transformation earning national attention. Observers note that the recognition reflects Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s broader commitment to institutionalizing professional excellence across all sectors of the state’s governance.
