Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said bright days lie ahead for Nigerians in the ongoing reforms embarked on by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also said the president’s economic reforms were meant to refocus the country’s economy and achieve long-term sustainable growth.
Speaking Monday in Ilorin while hosting the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari at the annual Bareke, AbdulRazaq pleaded for continuous support for the Tinubu administration.
Bareke, which is usually held on the second day of Muslim festivals, is a colourful cultural event held at the Government House Ilorin during which he hosted the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and his traditional chiefs.
AbdulRazaq said: “The last one year has been a period of determined economic reforms. These reforms are meant to refocus our economy and achieve long-term sustainable growth for our country.
“We acknowledge how the reforms have affected the purchasing powers of our people. We plead for patience, support, and understanding while different initiatives are designed to bring lasting ease to all.
“As Allah says, ease is certain to follow a period of difficulties. There is hope on the horizon.”
…Hope in the horizon
AbdulRazaq said his administration was executing various infrastructural projects, agricultural programmes, and economic initiatives to improve the standing of the state.
“This Sallah and before it, we have committed a lot of resources to support vulnerable households and many others across social strata. For sustainable growth and job creation, we are executing various infrastructural projects, agricultural programmes, and economic initiatives to improve the standing of our state,” he said.
“A new national minimum wage is already in the works, along with the consequential adjustments for higher cadres. Kwara will not be left behind in this very important conversation,” the governor averred.
AbdulRazaq applauded the Emir for his support for the administration and for turning the Ilorin Durbar into a national attraction.
“Tomorrow is Durbar in Ilorin, just as we have some other socio-cultural activities in different parts of our state. We thank our communities for reviving our culture. Your Royal Highness stands tall in this regard for how the Durbar is turning out to be a national attraction,” the governor said.
AbdulRazaq said: “I am glad that we have an environment that allows our culture to thrive. I urge our people to be peaceful and orderly as they troop out for these colourful cultural events, which are our heritage.
“I have approved that the Durbar be streamed live on Kwara TV and Radio Kwara (Midland FM and Kakaki FM), including their online platforms, so that everyone can see the beauty of this cultural event.”
Accompanied by a retinue of title holders and community leaders, Emir Sulu Gambari, in his remarks, commended the governor for his huge investments in human and infrastructural development of the state, saying he is proud of his remarkable achievements.
“I am proud of your political progression in the state and Nigeria, and I am delighted with your remarkable achievements in different sectors. I must say for your achievement, it is ‘res ipsa loquitur’,” the Emir said.
“The impacts of the Governor could be felt in all spheres of development. In the Governor’s presence, I prayed to God to grant his second term ambition because he did excellently well in the first tenure, and God answered the prayer. You hardly sit in your office due to your commitments towards transforming the state. I am always proud of you, and Kwarans are proud of you. Kwara is witnessing development under your leadership.
“When he came to pay me an appreciation visit, he got a message that he has been appointed as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and within some minutes, he received another message that he has been nominated for the National Honour of Commander of Order of Niger (CON). Your excellent performance speaks for you. You are a silent achiever, and your achievements are visible even to the blind,” the monarch added.
The Emir urged the people of the state to continue to support the administration of AbdulRazaq for progress and development.
Senior Adviser and Counselor to the Governor, Saadu Salahu had earlier said: “Our people have been giving testimonies for the positive transformation the Governor has given to the state. In all sectors, Your Excellency has provided exemplary leadership. You have shown the way how best governance could be obtained. On all occasions since your assumption of office, you have proved beyond reasonable doubt that you are a true Dahiri of Ilorin Emirate. You have always waited for the Emir in a mark of respect for the Mai Martaba.”
The event was attended by parliamentarians, cabinet members, bureaucrats, title holders and scholars, including Senator Saliu Mustapha, House of Representatives members Mukhtar Shagaya, Ahmed Yinka Aluko and Ahmed Adam Saba, State House of Assembly Leader Hon. Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, House of assembly members; State Commissioner of Police Victor Olaiya, permanent secretaries, NNPC Non-Executive Director Mohammed Ghali, top All Progressives Congress (APC) hierarchies, led by the state chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, and the clerics headed by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammad Bashir Soliu.