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Budget Process: KWSG Concludes Citizens’ Engagement In Three Senatorial Districts

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Kwara State Government has concluded the Statewide consultations of the citizens in its bid to harvest the actual needs of the people, to be included in the year 2024 budget preparation, which will in turn fast-track development across the nooks and crannies of the State.

The Statewide consultations of the citizens were concluded at Ilorin East Local Government, which served as the host to the remaining three Local Government Areas in the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

The program had earlier been held at Patigi and Offa for Kwara North and Kwara South Senatorial Districts, respectively, with massive and impressive turnouts.

While addressing the large gathering at the programme, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi, said it has become sacrosanct for government to ensure participatory budgeting for accelerated socio-economic and infrastructural development of the State, describing it as the global best practice.

Hon. Lafia disclosed that the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is committed to providing succor to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, which informed his policy of engaging the citizens on the budget process since his assumption of office in 2019.

The Chairperson, the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Fatima Arinola Lawal, lauded the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his resolve to assuage the sufferings of the people across the State, adding that participants should express themselves on their most pressing needs and assured them that, as their elected Lawmaker, their interests would be included in the budget for year 2024.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretaries from Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, said the State Government is conducting medical outreach across the State to ensure improved health care delivery at zero cost, while several health facilities are being equipped for the betterment of the State.

The Permanent Secretary added that the citizens should take full advantage of the magnanimity of the State Governor to express their needs so that it can be captured for the year 2024 financial appropriation.

Speaking for the four Transition Implementation Committee Chairpersons (TIC) in the Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Chairperson of Ilorin East Local Government, Hon. Ayobami Seriki, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for his immense support in ensuring that local governments performed their duties, revealing that their requests in the past year were actualized while the requests for this year have been submitted for considerations.

Earlier, the State Director of Budget, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe noted that Governor AbdulRazaq has changed the culture of budget preparation in the state wherein Recurrent Expenditure exceeds the Capital Expenditure, adding that the practice has greatly improved the state’s infrastructural development.

The Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Zubair Aremu, showered praises on the State Governor for his unprecedented response to the yearnings of the people, praying for his success in taking Kwara to the promised land.

Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations in Kwara State, the Executive Director of Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, Mallam Ayuba Abdulrahman, commended the State Governor for the several people-oriented interventions he has recorded across different sectors in the State, pointing out that the security architectures of the State needed to be strengthened for sustainable growth and development.

Mallam Abdulkareem Lawal, who also spoke on behalf of Persons with Disabilities, appreciated the State Governor for his inclusive governance and for engaging the public for the collective growth of the State.

He urged the state government to renovate and equip the library for the physically challenged in order to improve their academic performances.

The gathering had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life in the Kwara Central Senatorial District including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Members of the State House of Assembly, Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Technical Implementation Committee Chairmen for Kwara Central Senatorial District, Magaji Are and Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations, amongst others.

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Fatimah Olukoju’s AFN Board Seat Challenged Over Eligibility Concerns

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

A petition has been submitted to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS), and the National Sports Commission (NSC) challenging the eligibility of former Nigerian sprinter Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju to contest for the position of NAWIS Representative on the AFN board.

The petition, reportedly authored by Dr. Nneka Anibeze, Olukoju’s sole opponent in the just-concluded elections, alleges that Olukoju does not meet the criteria set forth by the association’s statutes and should have been disqualified from the contest.

In the election held on Monday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Olukoju emerged victorious, securing 30 votes out of 45, while Anibeze garnered 15.

Speaking after the election, Dr. Anibeze expressed dissatisfaction with the process, citing irregularities, including the disqualification of some contestants and delegates.

“Prior to the election, I raised concerns over several irregularities in the voting process,” she said. “Before Maria Wohfi was disqualified, I pointed to Article 7.0 of the AFN guidelines and 5.0 of the National Sports Commission’s guidelines, which state that even if you’re not living in Nigeria, you must provide evidence of residency in the country for at least six months prior to the election.”

According to her, these concerns were ignored by the NAWIS leadership.

“Last night, I told them I would file a protest, and they tried to dissuade me. But I’m not someone who causes trouble—I just wanted a fair process. So I submitted my protest letter and sent it to the Electoral Petition Committee. I also copied the AFN, NAWIS, and the Director-General of the NSC.”

She further alleged that several of her delegates from Gombe, Niger, and Bayelsa states were disqualified without valid reasons.

“They were simply told they weren’t eligible to vote. The ones who did vote are those they couldn’t disqualify because of their standing. But I’ve submitted my protest. My main concern is that she [Olukoju] was not eligible to contest in the first place. I trust the authorities will do justice.”

In response, NAWIS President Mariam Sulieman described the election as free and fair and urged all members to support the winner in advancing the goals of women and girls in sports.

Reacting to the petition, Sulieman stated that the Electoral Committee had not yet officially received any formal complaint. However, the Secretary of the AFN confirmed that a petition had indeed been submitted.

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