Uncategorized

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

Published

3 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.

Share on Facebook

Uncategorized

Eight Athletes, 11 Medals: Applauding Asagba’s Sports Leadership At DELSU

Published

2 weeks ago

October 14, 2026

The Gleamer

By Godspower Odedede

Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has recorded an impressive outing at the 15th West Africa University Games (WAUG) 2026, winning 11 medals with just eight athletes who represented the university in only three sporting events.

The university won seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals to occupy seventh position on the medal table, an achievement that underscores the potential of its athletes and the importance of purposeful investment in university sports.

DELSU participated in the men’s 100-metre sprint with two athletes, women’s judo with two athletes, and swimming with four male athletes. Despite the limited number of athletes and sporting events, the university’s medal haul was a commendable performance and a source of pride for the institution.

The achievement deserves particular recognition given the restricted scope of DELSU’s participation. With representation in only three sports, the university demonstrated that focused preparation, adequate support and the effective deployment of available talent can produce encouraging results at major university competitions.

A major highlight of DELSU’s preparation for WAUG 2026 was the approval by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, for a quality two-week training programme for the university’s athletes in Asaba.

The camp provided the athletes with an opportunity to prepare using the excellent and up-to-date training facilities available in the state capital.

The initiative is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant commitment to structured preparation for university sports. Rather than relying solely on athletes’ natural abilities, the training programme recognised the importance of preparation, access to appropriate facilities and institutional investment in performance.

Professor Asagba deserves commendation for this intervention and for demonstrating a willingness to provide practical support for sports development at DELSU. The university’s WAUG performance offers an encouraging indication of what can be achieved when athletes receive purposeful preparation and administrative backing.

The Vice-Chancellor’s broader vision for sports infrastructure is also encouraging. Plans are understood to be underway for the construction of an ultra-modern sports complex for the university in the near future. If delivered as anticipated, the facility could significantly strengthen DELSU’s capacity for athlete development, training, competitions and sports science activities.

Such infrastructure would also support the university’s ambitions to improve its performance at national and international university games. A modern sports complex could provide a foundation for more systematic talent identification, performance monitoring, coaching development and the preparation of athletes across a wider range of sporting events.

Special recognition must also go to Mrs Epebi-Ebi Noah, the swimming coach, who was physically present at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with the DELSU swimming team during the competition. Her presence and involvement underline the importance of coaching support, technical guidance and close supervision of athletes during major sporting events.

The performance also calls for commendation of the Chairman of the University Sports Committee, Professor Ochuko Nabofa, whose leadership has brought renewed attention and energy to sports development at DELSU. His role in supporting the university’s sports administration and helping to strengthen the sporting environment deserves recognition.

Similarly, the Acting Director of Sports, Peter Omojuwa, deserves commendation for his administrative responsibilities and contribution to the university’s sporting programme. The Chief Coach, Lucky Ajaino, should also be recognised for his role in the technical preparation and development of DELSU athletes.

The combined efforts of the university management, sports committee, sports administrators and coaches are essential to sustaining progress. While medals provide a visible measure of success, the systems established to prepare athletes and support their development are equally important to the long-term growth of university sports.

DELSU’s WAUG achievement follows another notable outing at the last Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games, where the university finished fourth. That result was regarded as one of the finest performances in the institution’s sporting history and strengthened expectations that DELSU could become an even more formidable force in university sports.

The latest WAUG performance provides another reason for optimism. However, the university’s participation in only three events also reveals an opportunity for further growth. Expanding participation across more sports, identifying talented students and improving access to specialised training could help DELSU compete for a higher position on future medal tables.

The proposed sports complex, if realised, could play a central role in this expansion. It should ideally be supported by sustained funding, modern equipment, qualified coaches, athlete welfare programmes and collaboration with relevant sports science professionals. These measures would help ensure that infrastructure investment translates into measurable improvements in performance.

The university could also consider strengthening performance analysis, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, talent identification and systematic monitoring of athletes’ progress. Such an approach would help transform individual successes into a sustainable university-wide sports development programme.

DELSU’s performance at WAUG 2026 is worthy of celebration. Eight athletes competed in just three sporting events and returned with 11 medals, including seven gold. The result reflects the potential within the university and provides a strong basis for building a more ambitious sports programme.

Professor Asagba’s approval of the two-week training camp and the prospect of an ultra-modern sports complex offer reasons to look forward to the next phase of DELSU sports development. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum, broaden participation and ensure that the university’s sporting ambitions are matched by consistent investment and effective implementation.

With continued support from the Vice-Chancellor, the University Sports Committee, the Directorate of Sports, coaches and other stakeholders, DELSU can build on its recent achievements and strengthen its position among Nigeria’s leading sporting universities.

The message from WAUG 2026 is clear: DELSU has demonstrated what a small but well-supported contingent can achieve. With broader participation, sustained preparation and modern sporting infrastructure, the university has the potential to accomplish even greater things.

Share on Facebook