WordPress

Author: Agunbiade Afusat

  • Customs’ Kwara Area Command generated N10bn in 5 months  —- Official

    Comptroller Faith Ojeifo during a news conference at the Area Command headquarters in Ilorin on Thursday.
    Revenue
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Kwara Command of Nigeria Customs Service generated more than 10 billion in five months to surpass the amount realised from the same period in 2023, an official has said.
    The Command’s Area Comptroller, Faith Ojeifo, told newsmen on Thursday in Ilorin that a comparative review of year 2023 indicates that the command surpassed the revenue with a 40.41 percent increment.
    “From January to May 2024, we collected and remitted a total sum of N10, 027, 580,694.63).
    “A comparative review of the preceding year 2023 indicates that the command surpassed what was collected same period last year with N2,885,779,644.03, which represents 40.41 per cent increment.
    “Within the period under review, I rejig my operation teams which had led to 21 seizures of different prohibited items.
    “These include 507 bags of foreign rice, one unit of used vehicles, 1,055 pieces of used tyres, 164 jerry cans of PMS of 25 litres each (4,100 liters). The total duty paid value is N35,416,140,000,” he said.
    The Comptroller, however, announced that the command had donated some food items to vulnerable people in the state.
    He said this was through the state’s Commissioner for Social Development, Mrs Abosede Burahimo, and that of Women’s Affairs, Folashade Opeyemi.
    Ojeifo thereafter presented some relief materials on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, to the Kwara Ministry of Social Development.
    “We are aware that the ministry is not a revenue-generating ministry and only benefits from monthly allocations from the State Government.
    ”That is why we are recognising the tireless efforts of the ministry in serving the less privileged, the vulnerable and the disabled in the society,” the comptroller said.
    Ojeifo said that the items donated include cartons of indomie noodles, spaghetti, sugar, toilet paper, semolina, cartons of tin and sachet milk.
    ”These are all aimed at providing relief, comfort, support, and hope to those who have been affected by specific crises or challenges.”
    Responding on behalf of the state government, Burahimo lauded the support and promised that the items would be judiciously shared to the needy.
    Ojeifo said the command also gave out empowerment equipment to the Customs Officers’ Wives Association.
    “After months of extensive training of registered wives and widows of Customs officers in different empowerment training programmes, such as baking, cosmetics, sewing, and other skills acquisition, today under my leadership, we are empowering 67 wives and widows of Customs officers with sewing machine, baking oven and make-up kits.
    “The aim of the empowerment is to keep you busy, self-dependent and productive while we are far away from home, which will no doubt reduce the burden of always waiting on your husbands,” the Comptroller said.
    (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AGF/AOM/OLAL
    ==============
    (Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed and Olawale Alabi)

  • LG Elections: KWASAA pledges unbias service to political parties, candidates

    LG Elections: KWASAA pledges unbias service to  political parties, candidates
    Posters
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 27, 2024 (NAN)The Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA) has pledged to be unbiased in allowing  candidates of political parties to paste campaign posters for the upcoming local government elections in the state.
    The General Manager of the Agency, Alhaji Al-Imam Asukuti, who made the pledge when speaking with journalists on Thursday in Ilorin, said that the Agency would provide a level playing ground for all candidates regardless of their political affiliations.
    Asukuti emphasised the need for politicians to play the game by the rules to ensure a peaceful electioneering campaign in the state
    He urged them to visit the Agency to make enquiries on how and where to paste or erect their posters and billboards to avoid infractions.
    The official also implored candidates of the political parties and the public to cooperate with the Agency to ensure a tidy and clean environment before, during and after the elections.
    Asukuti said that the Agency would work to effectively discharge its responsibilities of regulating, controlling and enforcing the appropriate use of campaign posters.
    He commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for giving the Agency a free hand to operate and regulate signage and outdoor advertising industry in the state. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
    AGF/AOS
    ==========
    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

  • Kwara distributes farm implements, boats, others to boost food security

    Agriculture
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Wednesday in Ilorin launched the distribution of the fourth phase of agricultural and infrastructural assets under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
    AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, said the fourth phase targets 600,000 beneficiaries across different categories in the state’s 16 local government areas (LGAs).
    He said it was taking another giant step forward towards supporting farmers and vulnerable agro-entrepreneurs with high-value assets such as fishing and passenger boats, hand tillers, grinding machines, among others.
    “This is in addition to the donation of various categories of hospital equipment to support vulnerable communities in health delivery and add to the stock of beneficiaries already recorded.
    “Today’s ceremony, therefore, attests to the commitment of the state government to full implementation of NG-CARES. This is geared towards improving the welfare of the people.
    “The two-legged programme also had at least eleven communities that benefited from the distributed hospital equipment support.
    “They include Alanamu, Atiku-Apata, Lade, Kajola, Kere, Patigi, Isanlu-isin, Araromi, Igbaja, Omoda and Baba Dudu communities,” the governor said.
    AbdulRazaq said not less than two million residents across Kwara have benefitted from the various programmes and interventions under the NG-CARES.
    He said these programmes include FADAMA, Social Cash Transfer, labour intensive public workforce, and social development agency.
    “The State CARES Steering Committee was inaugurated on Dec. 14 2021.
    “NG-CARES, being the first attempt to use the Programme for Result (P for R) approach to deliver goods and services to the most vulnerable in the state, has been very successful as it is making an impact in the lives of the residents since its take-off.
    “This is made possible by the continuous and constant support of the state government to ensure that poor and vulnerable individuals and businesses affected by economic crisis are supported through different initiatives.
    “Our gathering this afternoon is another phase in our continuous efforts to bring ease to the people through multi-faceted interventions.
    “At every stage of our journey so far, our administration has a record of deploying all available resources to make life easy for the people,” the governor added.
    AbdulRazaq urged the beneficiaries of these high-valued assets and equipment to consider these assets as their own and optimise the benefits.
    The Chairman, State Steering Committee for NG-CARES programme, Dr Hauwa Nuru, on her part described the intervention as a beacon of hope.
    She said it was designed and supported by the World Bank to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and complement Gov. AbdulRazaq’s eforts in making life bearable for all the residents.
    “The objectives of NG-CARES programmes for results are clear and very impactful. This intervention will expand access to livelihood support and ensure food security and among other benefits,” Nuru said.
    The State Coordinator for NG-CARES, Ibiyinka Olatunde, in his remarks, appreciated government for taking the bull by the horns by keying into the programme.
    He described it as laudable and highly beneficial to the people of the state.
    “NG-CARES has been delivering goods and services to vulnerable members of our society,” he said.
    Beneficiaries such as Alhaji Ahmed, Ganiyu Adebayo from Alanamu community and Alhaji Sambo Magaji of the Lafiagi Emirate, took turns to eulogise the AbdulRazaq administration for “the kind gesture”.
    “These items (hospital equipment) will go a long way in impacting the lives of our people. The gesture will specifically serve as a model for other states to emulate,” Adebayo said.
    Magaji, who spoke on behalf of FADAMA beneficiaries, said the items provided would assist farmers a lot in their farming activities and thanked the governor for being passionate about their well-being.
    AGF/OIF/OLAL
    ============
    (Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Olawale Alabi)

  • Gov AbdulRazaq mourns AVM Adebayo Lawal

    Gov AbdulRazaq mourns AVM Adebayo Lawal

    Lawal
    Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 25, 2024(NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has condoled with the family of a former Military Governor of Benue, retired Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Lawal, who died on Sunday.

    The Offa-born military officer was aged 83.

    AbdulRazaq in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye on Monday in Ilorin, also condoled with Offa community and the Nigerian Air Force.

    The governor said the death of the former Minister of Youths and Sports represents the end of an era in the Nigeria’s military history, especially the Nigerian Air Force, where he attained many milestones.

    “His footprints in the Nigerian Air Force, his fine legacies as a community leader and statesman, and the ideals he lived for will help to preserve his memory”, the governor said.

    AbdulRazaq prayed God for the repose of Lawal’s soul and to preserve his family.

    Born on Sept. 14, 1941, in Offa, Kwara, Lawal joined the Nigerian Air Force in 1963 as pioneer officer. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AGF/BEKl/IKU
    Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Tayo Ikujuni

  • AbdulRazaq announces minor cabinet reshuffle in Kwara

    Reshuffle
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, on Friday, announced a minor reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, in Ilorin on Friday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those affected include: Mrs Justina Afolashade, Commissioner for Social Development, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Women Affairs.
    Also, Mrs Bosede Buraimoh, who was hitherto in charge of the ministry of women affairs was moved to the Ministry of Social Development.
    Similarly, Mrs Nafisat Buge, the Commissioner for Youth Development, was moved to the Ministry of Environment, while Mr Shehu Usman, who was hitherto in charge of the ministry, moved to the Ministry of Youth Development.
    According to Ajakaye, the cabinet reshuffle takes immediate effect. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AGF/DCO/WAS
    Edited by Deborah Coker and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Gov. AbdulRazaq warns students against drug abuse, cultism

    Students
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Tuesday in Ilorin advised tertiary institutions’ students who indulge in cultism, drug abuse and other related social vices to retrace their steps .
    The governor gave the advice at a stakeholders’ dialogue which had the theme “Stemming the Tide of Social Vices among Students: A Panacea for Positive Growth”
    He warned that students’ continued involvement in such acts would lead them to an uncertain future, regret and premature death.
    AbdulRazaq, who was represented at the dialogue by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Dr Mary Arinde, urged those involved in the acts to muster the courage to retrace their steps.
    “This will allow the huge investment their parents made on them not to be in vain,” he said at the event, which was organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Mr Salami Wasiu.
    While speaking further, the governor said the conversation was not about name-calling or shaming of anyone who may be involved in any of these social activities.
    “It is about giving you fresh perspectives and opening your eyes to the dangers associated with these activities, and asking you to make good choices that will give you a head start and make you a valuable member of our community.
    “Cultism, cyber crime, drug abuse and sexual abuse, among others, set you up for an uncertain future of regrets, stigmatisation, premature death and inability to attain your dreams.
    “I am pleading that you do not engage in any of it for the sake of your future. Your parents have made huge investments to make you a successful person.
    “The way to pay your parents back is to shun any activity, association and affiliation that will make them cry.
    “You mean a lot to us. The future of this country is tied to how you all turn out to be. It is not too late to make the right choice. Please do not let us down”, he said
    On his part, an official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Bashir Muhammad, said the agency was currently prosecuting no fewer than 15 drug barons across the country.
    “This is part of our agency’s anti-drug abuse war,” he said.
    Muhammad added that the state command of the agency was also developing a curriculum in collaboration with the relevant authorities to help schools curb abuses.
    In her keynote address, a Professor of Guidance and Counselling with the University of Ilorin, Mary Fajonyomi, berated parents for poor upbringing of their children.
    She urged them to return to inculcating in children the moral values which Nigerians were known for.
    “The truth is that something is wrong with the manner in which we raise and bring up our children .
    “The home is sick, very very sick, and we need to really go back to the basics,” Fajonyomi said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AGF/OLAL
    =========
    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)