Leaders from across Kwara South Senatorial District at the weekend met in Lagos to discuss the socioeconomic and political development in the region, affirming that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has done a lot better in the region than any previous administration since 1999.
Assembling under the banner of the Kwara South Development Initiative (KSDI), the leaders also said all hands must be on deck to attract more development to the region and mobilize the people for collective prosperity.
Speaking at the one-day summit which was attended by successful Kwara southerners from across the country, KSDI Convener and Founder of Thomas Adewunmi University in Oko, Dr. Johnson Adewunmi, charged the people of the state to be united and committed to the growth of the region.
Held at the Eko Hotel, the summit was the fourth of its kind organised by KSDI to unite the region and refocus its developmental priorities. The first two were held in Oko, while the third took place in Abuja.
The Lagos summit received briefings from local government chairmen across the region, especially on issues of security and grassroots development and economic growth, while different stakeholders offered suggestions on the way forward for the region.
The summit also took goodwill messages from different stakeholders, including the Deputy Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ojo Oyebode Olayiwola, Lagos business icon, Alhaji Adisa Alago and Community Leaders Chief Samuel Alabi, Gen. Olayemi Abidoye (Rtd), Alh. Tajudeen Adigun and Chief Kayode Adebiyi.
The communique issued after the summit reads in part: “The welcome address was delivered by the Convener, Engr. Dr. Johnson B.O Adewumi. He charged all Kwara South indigenes all over the country to be united and committed to the development of Kwara South Senatorial District.
“He extolled the virtues and good work of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON). He lauded the Governor for the significant improvement in infrastructural development in Kwara South and Kwara state in general. He also charged all Kwara South indigenes to return home and work hard to develop the District.
“Goodwill message was delivered online by the Executive Governor of Kwara State, HE AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON). The Governor lauded the theme of the conference as relevant and timely. He reaffirmed his support for the initiative, emphasising the need for Kwara State indigenes to complement the efforts of the government in the development of the state. He also canvassed for unity amongst leaders of Kwara South, stressing the need for the district to speak with one voice.
“Ojo admonished Kwara indigenes in Lagos to come and join hands with the people at home for the development of Kwara South. He extolled the leadership quality of Engr. Dr. Adewumi in bringing the district together and for his sustained investment in education, health, and economic development in Kwara South.
“A paper was presented by the convener on the Socio-Economic Development of Kwara South with emphasis on small/medium scale industries and development of cooperative societies in various communities in the district. The cooperatives programme is being championed by Kwara South Development Initiative ( KSDI).
“The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, delivered brief remarks to the Summit on the scorecard of Gov. AbdulRazaq in Kwara South. He echoed Kwara South’s appreciation to the Governor for the opening of Osi Campus of Kwara State University (KWASU), which will lead to the development of the area. He highlighted the Administration’s other giant developmental strides in roads, education, health, water, social intervention, and others in Kwara South.
“Also, the scorecard of the elected local government chairmen was presented by the chairman of Isin Local Government, Kwara State, Hon. Benjamin Jolayemi, who rolled out the achievements of the various chairmen within their first 100 days in office.
“The forum thanked the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mal. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, (CON), for his sterling performance in the State and particularly his infrastructural work in Kwara South. The Governor was commended for the infrastructural development of Kwara State University (Osi Campus) that has been completed and commissioned.
“The Executive Governor was appreciated for his Administration’s impressive road construction projects in Kwara South, including Omu Aran-Oko-Oro Ago, Oro-Esie-Agbonda-Arandun (transversing 4 wards in Irepodun LGA). Others include Ajase-Okeya-Igbaja, Esie museum road, Okerimi Oro Junction- NITEL Oro road, Owu Fall Road (Phase 1), Owode Ofaro Alabe Road, Orisa Bridge, and the Osi-Obbo Aiyegunle road that had been abandoned for over 50 years.
“The Summit took note of several other projects by the state government in other sectors that are ongoing in Kwara South. Participants noted in particular the improved security situation across the Kwara south due to the combined efforts of the state and local governments in Kwara South.
“The forum commends the various Local Government Chairmen who gave their scorecard during the summit. The stakeholders noted with satisfaction that KSDI has established functional co-operative societies in Irepodun, Ekiti, Ifelodun, and Oyun local government areas.
“The summit encouraged every Local Government to set up Co-operative societies at the ward level as a veritable tool for empowerment of our people.
“The summit further resolved to pursue the actualization of the following recommendations:
* Attract SMS industries to the district to ensure full employment for our teeming youth population.
* Encourage our elected leaders and other stakeholders to use their positions to attract viable investments and viable Federal Government Projects into our district.
* The obligation to pursue equity in the appropriation of the state resources, elective positions, and appointments in Kwara State was affirmed at the summit.
“The forum commended Governor AbdulRazaq for the appointment of various persons of Kwara South origin to various political positions of influence in Kwara State, including the state cabinet, where eight of the 20 Commissioners are from Kwara South. The stakeholders plead for more federal and state appointments.
“The forum encourages our elected leaders to use their vintage positions to promote the development of our recognized tourist attraction centres, either through direct government funding or through public / private partnership.
“The forum advocates for improved security in addition to what the present State and Local Government are doing. It recommends strengthening of security in Kwara South with the involvement of the traditional rulers, local hunters, and vigilantes and sharing of intelligence and upholding collaboration among the various Local Governments in Kwara South.
“Having affirmed the good performance of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Kwara South, the Summit unreservedly declares support for the political direction of Governor Abdulrazaq in 2027 for continuous good governance in Kwara State.
“The participants and dignitaries at the conference commend KSDI and the Convener, Engr (Dr) Johnson B.O. Adewumi, for organising the summit and advocating for its sustainability. The stakeholders also commend all the participants for their dedication and immense contributions to the success of the summit.
“A special appreciation was extended to the elected Local Government Chairmen from Kwara South who attended the summit and participated fully at the session.”
