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Governor Abdulrazaq receives commendations on KwaraLEARN initiative

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

The effort of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led administration to transform the education sector in Kwara State including the introduction of KwaraLEARN, a transformational initiative to boost learning and teaching, using cutting-edge technology has received commendations from various stakeholders.

Stakeholders in education sector and government functionaries had made the commendations at the KwaraLEARN’s Annual Performance Review Meeting held in Ilorin, yesterday.

The performance review was aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the KwaraLEARN programmme’s progress, achievements and impact.

Addressing newsmen, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja noted that KwaraLEARN was launched in April 22 and the programmme has made a remarkable achievement in improving basic education in Kwara State. 

He affirmed that the programmme has a coverage of 872 schools across 10 local government in the state. The programmme so far has trained 6,500 teachers and has enrolled over 115,000 pupils from primary one to primary six, which he said that the number highlighted the extensive impact of KwaraLEARN in enhancing basic education in the state. 

According to him, “KwaraLEARN supervisors have devoted over 25,000 hours to provide valuable support to schools, teachers, head of schools, school administrators including our education secretaries in delivering quality instructional learning and teaching.

“Additionally, the system has distributed 1,184,915 text books and other learning materials to ensure that every pupils have access to essential learning resources.

“The system has also equipped 7,000 teachers, and head teachers with digital devices and empowering them with necessary tools to enhance their teaching services”, he said. 

Adaramaja said further that the programmme has contributed to the significant increase in pupils enrollment with a minimum raise of 13% in number of students enrolled in the state for the last a academic section.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Rafiu Ajakaye thanked the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for coming up with the most important initiative, stressing that the most important legacy you can give to a state or a country is to ensure that you have a solid education, particularly at the foundational level.

“This is exactly what his excellency has done by introducing technology to educational sector. The most important layer of education that is the primary education. 

“We look forward about the brighter future of our children. We look forward whereby our children will be able to compete with their peers anywhere in the world because this is digital in nature” he added. 

He, then, thanked the KwaraLEARN team, the SUBEB and everybody who have contributed to the success of the programmme for the wonderful job they have been doing, even as he assured government continuous support to the programmme.

Speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said that it is not a gainsaying that KwaraLEARN is a laudable achievement of the Kwara State Government. She thanked His Excellency for giving much to the ministry of education 

“KwaraLEARN is a very big initiative and at our end at the Ministry of Education we so much enjoyed the programmme. Lateness has reduced drastically, it has improved the life of our pupils. KwaraLEARN has been impactful and to the glory of God our pupils can compete with their peers globally”.

Her counterpart in the Ministry of Communications, Mrs. Christiana Asonibare testified that today people are celebrating a significant milestone in the journey of education reform in Kwara State. 

She added that the programme has reformed our education sector and provided quality education that met global standard for Kwara child.

The Managing Director of KwaraLEARN, Isaiah Owolabi appreciated everyone’s contributions for creating an enabling environment to let the children of Kwara State have access to world class education. 

“The bottom line of the programmme is to leave no one behind and the single goal of KwaraLEARN is to make sure that all children in Kwara State are not left behind no matter your social economy status or wherever you leave in kwara state we want you to have access to quality education” he added.

He said further that they are committed to expand to the remaining local government in the state to make sure that all children in Kwara State no matter were the live or who gave birth to them they have access to the best education in the world.

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Encomium as Kwara NALVEJ celebrates 3 Media Guru over FNIPR award

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

Veteran journalists, clerics and academics on Wednesday poured encomiums on three media guru of Kwara origin who were recently conffered with the fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Publication Relations (FNIPR).

The honourees are the Special Adviser on Strategy to the Kwara State Governor, Alh Saadu Salahu, former commissioner for Information in the state, Oloriewe AbdulRaheem Adedoyin and a Mass Communication teacher at the University of Ilorin, Dr Saudat AbdulBaki.

Those who spoke at the ceremony organised by the Kwara State’s chapter of the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ) in honour of the awardees are chairman, Board of Directors , Radio Kwara, Mr Kayode Adeyipo , chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, AbdulLateef Ahmed, a university don, Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya and Senior Special Adviser (Political Communications) to Kwara state governor, Alh Bashir Adigun.

Others include Pastor Tunde Akogun, Mrs Silifat Adeyemi , Alh Rasaq Adebayo; all veteran journalists, chairmperson of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in the state, Bola Olupinla and Gbenga Ishola.

All the speakers praised the awardees for making the state proud and for being good role models to upcoming journalists in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Responding,Oloriewe Adedoyin who was represented by the the General Manager of The Herald , Mr Yomi Adeboye thanked the leadership of NALVEJ for celebrating him and other two awardees.

The representative of Dr Saudat AbdulBaki, Mrs Nimat Abdullahi Abdulbaki also thanked NALVEJ leadership for their kind gesture .

In his remarks, Alh Saadu Salahu while thanking NALVEJ for honouring them said that, “veteran journalists in Kwara State represent the best of journalism in the country and the world”.

Announcing that the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is very proud of journalists in the state, Salahu urged the media men to continue to uphold the virtues of diligence, hardwork and integrity in discharging their duties.

He urged the upcoming journalists to build on the solid foundation that the vetrans had laid for them.

Earlier, the chairman of NALVEJ in the state, Alh Tunde Akanbi, had described the fellowship award given to the honourees as well deserved, saying the recognition of three media guru by the NIPR was not accidental.

Akanbi recalled the valuable and immesurable contributions of the trio to the fields of journalism and public relations, urging the upcoming journalists to emulate the exemplary conduct of the awardees.

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2023: PDP Northern Stakeholders recommend Saraki, Mohammed as consensus presidential aspirants

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

A committee set up by the four major northern presidential aspirants in PDP to form a consensus among themselves has recommended the President of the 8th Senate, Dr  Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed as the northern consensus candidates.

The Chairman of the Committee, Professor Ango Abdullahi noted that It was resolved that a leading aspirant from the North Central and one from the North East are to be presented as northern presidential candidates.

Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal and Mohammed Hayatudeen are the other aspirants that set up the committee.

According to Abdullahi, “The two would, in turn, be required to make further concessions so that, in the end, one of them would be presented as the consensus candidate, out of the four that presented themselves from the North.

“For the purpose of this exercise, it is hereby resolved that Gov Bala Mohammad from the North East and former Senate President Bukola Saraki from the North Central be presented as the northern Consensus Candidates for the moment.”

Professor Abdullahi said the decision to present Saraki and Mohammed was reached at the end of the three-phase screening exercise.

He said former Nigerian Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida advised the four aspirants to reach a consensus and that the recommendations of his report were submitted to and “endorsed and approved” by the former Nigerian leader.

In the first phase, 36 zonal delegates were asked to vote for the aspirants of their choice among the four.
Saraki and Mohammed led the pack with 10 votes each while Tambuwal and Hayatu-deen scored 7 and 5 votes respectively.
Two delegates abstained while one deferred his vote.
In the second round of screening, North Central, where Saraki is from, was favoured the most, scoring 8 votes. Mohammed and Hayatu-deen’s North East came second with 7. Tambuwal’s North West had only two votes.

The historical antecedent of the PDP with regards to previous northern aspirations was taken into consideration in the third phase of the screening. North Central was favoured since it has not produced any presidential candidate since the inception of the PDP in the Fourth Republic.

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NewsReligion

FOMWAN congratulates Muslims as Ramadan begins

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) under the Leadership of Hajia Rafiah Sanni, the National Amirah, has congratulated Muslims across the Globe on the holy month of Ramadan, the fasting season of the Muslims.

The National Amirah, described the holy month as increasing opportunity for spiritual upliftment and supplication for Divine intervention on the insecurity challenges, spiritual support for our leaders and other requests.

Hajia Rafiah added that the Ramadan month is a time for self reflection in which Muslims are enjoined to fast for self reflection and purified heart.

According to her, “a fasting Muslims shuns food, drink and worldly fulfilment from dawn till dusk, throughout the fasting days”.

Meanwhile, the Association appealed to all insurgents, agents of destruction and evil machineries to shun all form of vices and embrace peace in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

Hajia Rafiah also appealed to all market women to ensure sales and purchases are carried out with the fear of Allah and earned reward but not to compound the financial tension and other economic challenges starring the Nation in the face.

FOMWAN enjoined Muslims to remain steadfast and uphold the regular 5 Daily prayers, increase charity, night prayer and regular reading of the Holy Qur’an and participating in other rewarding activities, reduce interactions with the social media in order to have full focused time with Almighty Allah.

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BusinessEditor's PicksEducationNewsPolitics

Fresh Insight’s Publisher, Editor unveil book tomorrow

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

Fresh Insight will be unveiling its book titled PEN PARROT, co-authored by the Publisher and Editor Abdulrasheed Akogun and Ibrahim Sheriff (Gold) respectively in Ilorin tomorrow.

The book unveiling, which is part of the activities marking the 7th year Founders’ Day of the medium will be made public in Ilorin tomorrow.

According to Abdulrasheed Akogun, “since the return of Democracy to the Country in 1999, some of the major bane militating against the attainment of Kwara’s developmental potentials and aspirations are corruption, malfeasance, abuse of office, prebendalism among others.“

Fresh Insight through its maiden book (PEN PARROT) documents some of the remained major clogs in the State’s wheels of progress till date.

“The book edited by Veteran Journalist Kunle Akogun, a one time Editor with Thisday Newspaper and the current Director, Corporate Affairs at the University of Ilorin, is to be Content reviewed and Editorial reviewed by Mr. Razaq Adedigba and Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, both Veteran Journalists and Editors.

“Both event is billed to hold simultaneously at Bovina Hotels, Ilorin, Kwara State on Saturday, March 5th, 2022” the release concluded.

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LawNewsPoliticsReligion

KWSG takes stand on Hijab

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday clarified that the State is a plural society whose diversity and peaceful coexistence as the southernmost northern state are its most unique selling points.

Accordingly to a statement from the Chief Press Secretary to his Excellency, Rafiu Ajakaye, “the Governor therefore condemns the reckless attempts by some fifth columnists to polarise our state along religious lines, using the settled question of hijaab in public schools as a smokescreen to advance their evil intent.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor maintains the earlier position of the state government on the question of hijaab as follows:

“A. Based on subsisting Court judgments which were built on the Constitution, federal and state laws, principle of pluralism, and sanctity of the right of every person to their identity, especially in public space, the use of hijaab in public schools is a constitutional right that the government shall protect for anyone and everyone willing to use it.

“B. The government’s strategic patience in the handling of delicate matters involving the people it swore to protect is not same as pandering to anyone’s whims.

“C. Consequently, the Governor stands firmly by government’s policy on the permissibility of hijaab for every Muslim girl child who desires to wear it in all public schools.

“D. The Governor appeals to the people of the state to not allow agents of fake news and disinformation to mislead them and set them against one another. This administration, to be sure, is beholden only to the law, truth and fairness to all at all times”, the statement said.

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2023: Yahaya Seriki declares for Senate

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

A businessman and philanthropist, Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki has declared intentions to run for Senatorial seat in the forthcoming 2023 General Election.

The frontline Miner and Politician on Wednesday met with the State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Sunday Fagbemi with a declaration of interest to run for the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Yahaya Seriki and associates at the State Party Secretariat

Yahaya Seriki with his political associates and admirers had trooped in their numbers to the State Party Secretariat at Commissioner Lodge Way, GRA, Ilorin, where he officially notified the party leadership of his interest to contest the Senatorial seat.

Earlier, the APC Stalwart had visited the Ilorin East Secretariat of the party to submit a letter of intent to represent the versatile and resourceful people of Kwara Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly come 2023.

Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki Gambari is a former Governorship aspirant of the APC in the 2019 Gubernatorial Election in Kwara State and is also a ranking Chieftain of APC in the State.

He was the first candidate to step down to rally support for the current Governor Abdrahman Abdulrasaq. He later served as the Director General of the campaign that produced the current Kwara State Governor.

He is a prominent member of the ‘O To Ge’ Movement that unseat the politics of the former senate President of Nigeria Bukola Saraki in Kwara state.

Before joining active politics, Yahaya Seriki is a successful businessman and philanthropist with focus on the poorest of the poor and persons living with disabilities.

He is also the Founder and Group Managing Director of Ambassador AbdulFatai Yahaya Seriki Gambari and Chief Executive Officer of Kursi Investments Ltd. which employed thousands of Kwaran youths. His wealth of experience is an invaluable resource and the company leverage on this asset to achieve remarkable success in the business.

Alhaji AbdulFatai Yahaya Seriki who is a holder of the United Nations accreditation as a Peace Ambassador is a graduate of Plateau State Polytechnic and University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He is also an alumni of Nigeria Mining School in Jos. He is the Chairman and C.E.O of Union Benefit Trading Limited, Massive Fortune Stones Limited, Ubamaz Mining Limited, El-Gabore Fitness Centre (Gym), Eket and many other business ventures which span telecommunication, agriculture, Oil & Gas and Solar Energy.

Yahaya Seriki speaking with newsmen at Ilorin International Airport

Speaking with newsmen on his arrival at Ilorin International Airport, Yahaya Seriki said that his decision to run for the Senate was to yield to the clarion calls of citizens to serve his people and attract needed development to Kwara Central.

“I accepted their calls to contribute me quota in various aspects of growth and development of the state. These among other things are the reasons I am declaring my intention to run for the position of Senator of Kwara Central with the intention to do things differently with my past experience.

“I’m overwhelmed with the love shown to me, I will never forget today. This is a clarion call from the Good people of Kwara Central, which I will never turn down”, he said.

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Lawan, Buni, Badaru, meet Atiku, may decamp to PDP

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

As the race towards 2023 general election begins to take a decisive shape, Senate President of Nigeria, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Governor of Yobe State and APC’s National Chairman, Interim Caretaker Committee/Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (MON) the Governor of Jigawa State, are all set to decamp to the opposition’s Peoples Democratic Party.

A very reliable source in Abuja, told our news platform that the trio have met the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is still interested in running on the platform of PDP to actualize his presidential bid to perfect their defection plan.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District in the Senate, was said to have led the delegation that had Governor of Yobe State and APC’s National Chairman, Interim Caretaker Committee/Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (MON), who is equally the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fertilizer, Chairman, Presidential Committee on Non oil Revenue to meet Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Although details of the meeting, which took place at a discreet lodge in Abuja were not made public, inside sources said it may not be unconnected with the rumoured defection plan of the trio of the APC chieftains.

Atiku is among several other contenders for the 2023 presidential ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but sources say he might eventually emerge as the consensus candidate of PDP from the Northern caucus of the party.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, our source says have seen the body language of his party, as he might not be supported to be the substantial National Chairman of the ruling APC and with the fact that he is losing the grip of his party structure in Yobe State, has decided to pitch his tent with Atiku Abubakar and the PDP for his second term ambition.

And with the former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, leading 10 other prominent chairmanship aspirants that include; former deputy national chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Saliu Mustapha, former governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Almakura, former governor of Borno State, Alimodu Sheriff and Senator representing Niger East District, Mohammed Sani-Musa, Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, Borno State, Kashim Shettima, Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, George Akume, Sunny Moniedafe and Mohammed Saidu-Etsu; Mai Mala Buni may have tasted the final glory.

Likewise, if the APC seeded their presidential ticket to the South, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan’s chances of returning to the will be almost impossible. This is because, it will automatically mean a Southerner, preferably from the South West will be the next Senate President. 

So, the best calculation for him will be to support a Northerner to become the next President so that he can return to the Senate as the President of the Upper Chamber.

Aside the three prominent public figures, also at the meeting were other top politicians from the North.
With this latest development and plans, the race to 2023 general elections in Nigeria may be taking a very strange direction and may see prominent politicians like Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Mai Mala Buni and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (MON), all losing out completely with their calculations and their dwindling popularity.

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HealthNews

Kwara Journalists tasked on periodic medical checks

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

Journalists have been urged to take their health seriously, particularly undertaking periodic medical check up, to prevent the spread of terminal disease and avert the risk of untimely death.

The advise was given by an occupational health coordinator from the Kwara state ministry of health Dr Fatimah Lah, while  carrying out medical screening of members to herald the maiden press week of Sobi FM chapel of the NUJ, held at the station premises.

Dr  Lah while talking about importance of periodic medical screening especially at  at a place of work, said regular medical check up will aid early detection of ailments and prevention of complications that could be detrimental or cause death.

According to her “Journalists are always on the move searching for news while others at the office sit for a longer period of time, which makes them prone to muscular skeletal pains.

“Through regular medical check up, you can detect if you have high or low blood sugar, hepatitis B, high or low blood pressure and other terminal disease that can be easily detected and controlled,” she said.

Dr Lah who commended the Sobi FM Chapel for organizing the medical screening for its members, however advise the state council of the NUJ and other organizations to encourage members to cultivate the habit of carrying out medical examinations on their body periodically.

In his opening remark the Chairman of the chapel Dare Akogun stated that having noticed that many journalists do not go for regular medical check up despite stress related to their work, the excos decided to make the process easier by bringing health care and check ups closer to the members free of charge.

“Journalists do not have time to go for medical check ups to ascertain their state of health, a situation that is very unfortunate.

” We promise that the welfare of members will be paramount in our administration, this medical screening is in fulfillment of our promises and we will ensure that we do this once in a month to ensure optimum productivity of members and also ensure that they are able to live long in good health,” he said.

Supervisory Director of Sobi FM Alhaji Kayode Mustapha commended Dare Akogun and his excos for having the welfare of members at the top of their heart, saying such will continue to foster unity and encouraged a healthy work place.

“In complementing the efforts if the chapel we have concluded arrangements to enroll all members of staff on HMO and health insurance to take of their health challenges when the need arises,” he said.

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Buhari finally launches e-Naira, mints N500m

by Tayo Ayanda
written by Tayo Ayanda

The President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, launched the eNaira platform.

The eNaira is a culmination of several years of research work by the Central Bank of Nigeria in advancing the boundaries of payments system in order to make financial transactions easier and seamless for every stratum of society.

The Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) eNaira has taken off with over N500m of the currency minted so far.

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele said 33 banks have been fully integrated and live on the platform.

The launch was described by CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as the first in Africa and one of the earliest around the world.

Emefiele said, “Mr President, today you make history, yet again, with the launch of the eNaira – the first in Africa and one of the earliest around the world.

“Mr. President, as you make groundbreaking reforms, there has been continuing debate on the true value of the Naira.

“Rather than worry today on the direction of the exchange rate, let us take a step back and analyse how we got here in the first place.”

Speaking at the launch of the eNaira in Abuja on Monday, Emefiele disclosed that over 2.5 million people visit the website daily.

He said another N200 million has been issued to financial institutions.Over 2,000 customers have been onboarded and 120 merchants have successfully registered on the eNaira platform, Emefiele stated.

Immediately after the launch, Emefiele revealed that “customers who download the eNaira Speed Wallet App will be able to perform the following: onboard and create their wallet; fund their eNaira wallet from their bank account; transfer eNaira from their wallet to another wallet and make payment for purchases at registered merchant locations.”

The CBN, he said, “will continue to refine, fine-tune and upgrade the eNaira” and he assured that “Nigerians should expect to see additional functionalities in the coming months”.

Some of the additional functionalities include: accessibility and onboarding of customers without BVN and the use of the eNaira on the phone without the internet to further drive financial inclusion, making Nigeria one of the first countries in the world to deploy the CBDC via USSD on phones without relying on internet connectivity.

Another feature that will be deployed by the eNaira is the “onboarding of revenue collection agencies to increase and simplify collections and the creation of sector- specific tokens to support the Federal Government’s social programmes and distribution of targeted welfare schemes in a bid to lift millions out of poverty by 2025”.

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