By Demola Akinyemi – Ilorin

Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara state has expressed his commitment to promoting qualitative, and inclusive education, enterprise and sustainable development with all seriousness even as he promised to grow culture and tourism as contained in the 2020 budget.

He particularly poured encomiums on the people of Offa for their resilience as a people, saying that this has continued to make them critical stakeholders in the socio-economic and political space of Kwara State.

The governor said this at the weekend during the celebration of the 5TH  annual IJAKADI festival at the Offa stadium in Offa at the weekend.

READ ALSO: Kwara to build secretariat on Saraki’s family land

He said, “Going forward, this administration will promote qualitative and inclusive education, enterprise, and sustainable development with all seriousness.

We also have the plan to grown culture and tourism The 2020 budget has pointed in that direction and your own son is at the centre of our developmental initiatives as the commissioner for the enterprise.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the ceremony bagged a chieftaincy title of Soludero of Offa Land as he attended the 8th edition of the Ijakadi Festival, a celebration of the culture and history of the ancient town.

AbdulRazaq arrived at the Offa stadium venue of the colourful festival in his signature low-key manner at exactly 11 a.m. — way ahead of any other government officials or dignitaries who later met him on the seat.

He acknowledged the self-driven development initiatives and resilience of the Offa people and how their support in the run-up to the election had been very decisive in the Kwara’s political struggle.

“The 2020 budget contains provisions to promote our cultural heritage as Kwarans as well as project our festivals to the world as part of our efforts to making tourism a major revenue earner for the state.

“The Ijakadi Offa Festival typifies your resilience and ingenuity as a people and this has continued to make you critical stakeholders in the socio-economic and political space of Kwara State.

I urge you to never relent in this regard because healthy competition — devoid of destructive jealousy — is key to development AbdulRazaq,” he said, restating his administration’s commitment to growing culture and tourism in the state.

READ ALSO: Kwara Governor, Abdulrasaq has crossed the line ― Saraki

“The Kwara we used to know was renowned for the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. Our people were not always dependent on handouts from any government but things changed along the way following a deliberate effort to impoverish the people.

Even then, many people and communities resisted such a tendency. I am proud to say that the people of Offa stood tall during those dark years. I must thank you for that.

“One of our upcoming projects is the renovation of the Offa Grammar School. We have completed the tender process to rehabilitate the Offa waterworks to strengthen sanitation and public health.

We have recently fixed the Popo Road, while we have also awarded the construction of Tipper Garage-Amuyo-to-Adesoye College road.”

Olofa of Offa Land Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi (Esuwoye II) said AbdulRazaq has made history as the first Governor to attend the event since it began eight years ago and gave him the traditional title (roughly the comforter of Offa Land) because his attendance shows his love for culture and community development

“This is the eighth editions of the Ijakadi festival and His Excellency is the first Governor to attend this programme. I’m giving him the title of Soludero of Offa Land.

That’s a mark of our appreciation for your coming. This event is about our love for equity, justice, and fairness. We have always shown the way not only in Kwara but in Northern Nigeria. We are always helping our community,” the Olofa said.

vanguard