
In 2024, many events have happened in Nigeria’s Kwara State. These events have impacted either positively or negatively. Meanwhile, as we round up the year, here are some that worth looking back at which include:
Kwasu 400-level student commits suicide over poor academic status
In February, a 20-year-old student of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Rashidat Shittu, committed suicide over her academic status.
According to reports, the incident happened at weekend when the student, a 400-level final year student of Department of Accounting, reportedly drank a bottle of pesticide known as Sniper.
It was gathered that the colleagues of the deceased while giving an account of the incident, said Shittu committed suicide ahead of her upcoming exams because she was having some academic issues.
“When she started feeling pains, she informed her friends and hostel mates that she used the poisonous substance,” one of the students said.
Shittu was said to have been pronounced dead on arrival at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).
Death related to police action reaches 3 in 4 months as IGP visits Kwara
On December 22, 2024, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, visited Kwara to meet the family of Jimoh Abdulquadri, who died in police custody on December 20.
His death was the third linked to police actions in Kwara in just four months, raising serious concerns about police behaviour.
The IGP, accompanied by senior officers and Kwara government official, met the bereaved family at the home of the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Sadiq Atiku Fulani, who spoke on behalf of the family.
During the visit, the IGP expressed his deep condolences and promised that justice would be served.
“I assure you we will uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. The Nigeria Police Force is committed to justice and respect for human rights,” he said.
The IGP has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the case to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
Three deaths in four months
The death of Jimoh Abdulquadri is the latest in a worrying series of fatalities linked to police actions in Kwara.
In September 2024, Qoyum Abdulyekeen Ishola, a 21-year-old student of Kwara Polytechnic, was reportedly shot during a stop-and-search operation in Ilorin. The officers involved in the incident were dismissed from the force and are now awaiting trial.
In November, Suleiman Adeyemi died after reportedly being tortured by police officers over a financial dispute.
Most recently, in December, Abdulquadri was arrested over an alleged ₦200,000 debt.
The victim’s family member, who spoke with The Informant247, stated that the police claimed the suspect hanged himself while being detained at the SIB unit of the police headquarters.
However unofficial reports suggest he died from injuries sustained while in police custody.
The series of incidents has sparked public anger, with calls for greater accountability and reform within the police force.
Call for calm amid investigations
During his visit, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) reiterated the force’s zero-tolerance policy for unprofessional conduct and appealed to the public to remain calm while investigations continue.
“The circumstances surrounding the death of this young individual are troubling, and the leadership of the police is taking this incident very seriously. I want to assure you that justice will be served,” the IGP said.
He further stated, “I have directed an investigation into the incident, and we are going to get to the root of the matter. I appeal to the public not to jump to conclusions over this incident. I have visited the police command and the cell, and I am already forming my opinion, but I am not going to conclude just yet.”
The IGP explained that highly competent detectives have been assigned to handle the case and expressed confidence in their ability to conduct a thorough investigation, ensuring the truth is uncovered.
He also assured the deceased’s family of the police force’s support, saying, “We are ready to support the family in whatever way we can as they navigate this difficult time.”
The IGP urged all stakeholders to allow due process and the rule of law to take its course. “We are committed to ensuring justice for Abdulquadri’s family and preventing similar incidents in the future,” he added.
The IGP urged the public to remain calm and allow investigations to proceed. “We ask everyone to stay peaceful and trust that the law will take its course. Justice will be done,” he said.
Kwara Governor’s Chief of Staff death
Another event that was that of the death pronouncement of the Chief of Staff to Gov AbdulRazaq Prince Mahe who died on Saturday, December 28, after a brief illness
According to reports, Mahe died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).
Confirming the development, the Kwara state governor, in a statement by his spokesperson Rafiu Ajakaye, said that Prince Mahe died Saturday morning, December 28, 2024.
In Politics
In the world of politics, Kwara opposition party, PDP witnessed the exit of the former Sports and Youth Development minister Bolaji Abdullahi on Monday, December 16, 2023.
In a statement he personally signed and addressed to the ward chairman of PDP Ubandawaki Ward, Ilorin West local government area of the state, the former Kwara Central senatorial candidate did not disclose the reason behind his resignation.
The statement reads, “I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I have had ample time to reflect, and I have come to the difficult conclusion that this is the only tenable option for me at this time.
“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to express, through you, my gratitude to the leadership of the party for the opportunities that I have had to serve the state and the country on its platform, and for the great moments we have shared,” the statement concluded.
Confirming the development, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olusola Olusegun Adewara, when contacted, said, “Yes , the ward chairman communicated the letter to us through the state secretary. We can only wish him well in his endeavour.”
Kwara received FG’s CNG buses, three-wheelers for mass transit
Another event was that of 20 gas-powered buses and 20 tricycles, Kwara state government received from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) on Tuesday, December 10, to cushion the effects of the petrol subsidy removal announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led other top officials to receive it from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to ease mass transit in the state.
The governor, while speaking in Ilorin at the handover ceremony of the vehicles, said the initiative was part of the government’s commitment to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the populace, while thanking the President, the leadership of the PCNGi, and his team for making steady progress in this regard.
However, on December 10, the management of the Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete announced a reduction of N100,00 tuition fee to students living with disabilities
Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, while disclosing this at an event marking the 2024 International Day of Persons Living with Disabilities, organised by the institution’s Disability Support Office and the Department of Special Education, said the institution also approved N50,000 monthly allowance for staff living with disabilities.
The Vice-Chancellor said the decision was to support staff and students with disabilities, saying the institution’s management believes that everyone, regardless of ability, has the right to fully participate in all aspects of life.
Kwara demotes, transfer school teacher for assaulting corps member
Another event was that of the demotion of secondary school teacher Hajia Hamzat Fatimoh Nike of the Government Day Junior Secondary School, Kulende, Ilorin for an alleged assault on a corps member serving in the school.
According to reports, the state government, through the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, had earlier condemned the alleged assault against a youth corps member serving at Government Day Secondary School, Kulende, Ilorin, who was assaulted by a teacher named Mrs. Amuzat Fatima Nike.
The state commissioner, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, while reacting, said the act is totally unacceptable in the society and Kwara State as a whole, stressing that the state is known for peace and harmony and the state government will not allow anything to truncate the existing peace in its academic institutions.
However, in a joint statement by the Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, and the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission, Mallam Bello Tauheed Abubakar, the government said the investigation revealed that Hajia Hamzat Fatimoh Nike found guilty of fighting on duty, use of foul language, insubordination, and disrespect for the national identity which the uniform of the corp members represent.
The statement added that the school teacher’s behaviour contravenes public service rules, and she has, therefore, been demoted by two grade levels and also be transferred out of her current school as well as undergo counselling sessions.
Minimum wage
Another big event was the approval implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage by the Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq AbdulRazaq as announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Thhe decision, which includes consequential adjustments to the relevant salary structures, was made after a successful tripartite meeting between government representatives, the leadership of the Organised Labour in Kwara State, — Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) — and representatives from the organised private sector.
Offa robbery suspects to die by hanging, Kwara court ruled
Meanwhile, on September 26, five suspected Offa banks robbers were sentenced to death by hanging.
Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin said the suspects were found involved in the deadly robbery attack in the ancient town of Offa, which occurred on April 5, 2018, where they unleashed multiple gun attacks in the bank’s area and killed Thirty-Nine persons including pregnant women and police officers.
Justice Salman, in her judgement, found the suspects guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide, adding that these offences are punishable by death and, therefore, sentenced them to death by hanging.
KWASRRA begins residents’ registration
Another event to look at is that of the Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA) announcing the commencement of the second phase of
registration for the staff of Local Government Areas and farmers across the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State, focusing on the registration of the members of Staff of the Local Government Areas (LGA), Local Government Education Authority ( LGEA), Teaching Service Commission ( TESCOM) and farmers across the state.
The General Manager, Kwara State Residents Registration Agency, Mr. Tajudeen Jimoh, while disclosing this at the ongoing Local Government residents registration at the Secretariat of Patigi Local Government Area, noted that the exercise has been scheduled to take place for a period of eight weeks and residents from two Local Government Areas will be registered per week.
“This phase of the registration exercise will cover all the 16 Local Government Areas of the State. It will be carried out for eight weeks as we have started with Edu and Patigi Local Governments”, he added.
While speaking at the registration centre, the General Manager appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for ensuring a conducive environment for all the Data data-capturing officers, noting that there are enough and well trained Data data-capturing officers and Data Capturing Supervisors to ensure that the second phase of the exercise is also successful.
The General Manager, however, urged all the residents slated for the second phase to partake in the registration while seeking their utmost cooperation and compliance to complement the efforts of the State Government and achieve the set goals.
Kwara recruited 1,611 teaching, non-teaching staff in public basic schools
However, on August 27, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) Ilorin has announced that it would recruit 1,611 teaching and non-teaching staff from across the sixteen (16) local government areas of the state.
According to the board’s chairman, Prof Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, a total of 695 B.Ed degree holders, 605 NCE holders, 200 security guards, and 111 other categories of Non-teaching staff were approved for engagement into the service of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board.
Adaramaja said the exercise will be carried out based on the needs assessment recently conducted across the 16 LGEAs.
In a statement released by the Press Secretary of the Board, Atere Abiola Ameenat, Prof. Adaramaja said the recruitment exercise follows the approval of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) to fill the vacancies created due to retirements, deaths, or transfer of service to other states.
On the procedure for recruitment, the statement emphasised that a community-based job recruitment approach will be adopted without compromising competence and qualifications.
Recruitment is going to take place at the local government level or at the nearest communities/villages where their services are greatly needed, it added.
Successful candidates will sign a bond of non-movement or transfer from their new place of work for the first 5 years — a condition that is based on the experience of teachers not staying in the hinterlands.
The Board Chairman said the exercise aligns with the Governor’s commitment to strengthening the educational sector, especially at the local level, adding that all local government areas will be adequately represented.
Kwara govt warns against using public facilities for trading, threatens sanction
On 12th November, 2024, The Kwara State Government, through the Ministry of Works and Transports, warned the residents of the state, especially traders in Oja-Oba, Ipata, Mandate, and Oja-Tuntun, against using public facilities for trading.
The government, through a public announcement vowed to implement strict measures to ensure compliance and prosecute offenders who have turned dumb to this announcement.
According to Engr Abdulquawiy Olododo, the state Commissioner of Works and Transport, the government had invested billions in providing facilities for the easy movements of commuters, adding that the walkways provided are not for trading and loitering but for people to have easy passage.
Kwara govt demolishes Moshood Mustapha’s shopping complex over violation of land use Act
On October 7, The Informant247 reports that the Kwara State Government demolished a shopping complex known as Crystal Place for violating the government’s land use approval issued to the owner on March 22, 2013.
The complex, which is reported to belong to the former House of Representatives member represented Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency Honourable Moshood Mustapha, was located along Zulu Gambari Road, GRA Ilorin, the state capital.
The shopping complex had been a subject of discussion for the past three days when the state government served the shop owners a three-month ultimatum to move their properties away from the facility.
Meanwhile, a report has it that bulldozers commenced demolishing the main building around 8:45 pm on Sunday after a series of pleas from the occupants of the shop.
75 road projects completed in Q3 2024, says Kwara govt
On October, the Kwara State, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, said no fewer than 75 major projects including the rehabilitation of critical roads such as the secretariat-Lafiagi township road, Wahab Folawiyo Unity road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Omu-Aran- Oko road, 10m Span Bridge at Omipa Odo-Ashe Road, Asa-Dam lower road, Offa Eid Praying ground – Olofa Palace Way- Federal Polytechnic Gate, aimed at easing traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity across the State, had successfully completed.
The Commissioner of Works and Transport, Engr Abdulquawiy Olododo also explained that 52 projects are ongoing, including the construction of a flyover at Unity Roundabout, the post office- Emir’s Road, and the rehabilitation of Ibrahim Taiwo Road. He described these initiatives as part of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to boosting infrastructural development, fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for all residents of Kwara State.
Kwara Gov AbdulRazaq flags off construction of 209.77km rural roads
On October 22, the Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Kwara State Governor flagged off construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of 209.77km rural roads to drive the state’s agrarian hinterlands to the markets in the urban areas and strengthen food security.
The Informant247 gathered that the projects are being prosecuted under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), an initiative for which the administration claimed, committed at least N4bn counterpart funds in the last five years.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the investments had yielded the 209.77km costed at N19,404,220,675.55 for the benefit of the people.
The road projects include Alapa-Hoko (0.7km); Madi-Peke (17.5km); Mandala-Yowere-Agbonna (12.485 km); Gerewu-Eiyekorin- Okoolowo Expressway (3.07km); Panada-Oloro ((5.43km); Inaja-Alaro-Inaja Maliki (6.22km); Ijagbo-Aperun-Adeleke- Igbawere (6.85km); Kpandarako-Ginda- Kusomunu- Kachitako- Tsakpata Lealea- Gulufu Bacita (22.89km); and Lafiagi- Effagi – Putata road (9.53km).
Others are Oko Olowo- SokotoTafatafa -Elere-Owode Oja- Baba Kudu- Akopari- Otte Oja road (23.23km); Odo Ode- Soliu-Arogun-Ikotun-Oke Amin-Rondo- Offa road (22.08km); Babanla-Budo Idowu-Alasoro-Owode- Shagbe (10.53km); Kpada-Gakpan (9.58km); and Yakiru-Tabiru-Kenu rural road (59.69km).