Kwara agog as Oluremi Tinubu unveils Governor Abdulrazaq’s signature projects

Excitement rented the air on Tuesday in Ilorin as Nigeria’s First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu began a three-day visit to Kwara State.

After touching down at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport around 10:45a.m., she headed straight to the Kwara State University of Education where she inaugurated the ICT Community Centre built by the NITDA in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a foundation of the First Lady.

She later inaugurated an ultra-modern Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward, two major projects of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of the state that were lined up for formal unveiling on the day.

The First Lady will also spend the next two days unveiling or conducting the groundbreaking ceremony for some other projects.

Listed on the itinerary is the Emir Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Flyover, Gen. Tunde Idiagbon Flyover, rescheduled groundbreaking of the Oluremi Tinubu Hospital, a tour of a few other iconic projects of the Governor such as the Innovation Hub; Visual Arts Centre; and the Garment Factory — all reputed to be the best of their kinds in the country.

The First Lady is expected to attend a state dinner organised in her honour by the state government at the Flower Garden — now a lush-green recreational facility that Governor Abdulrazaq had recently resuscitated after decades of being a hideout of criminal activities.

Accompanied by Vice President’s wife Nana Shettima and many others, the First Lady was welcomed by the crème de la crème in the state and beyond, led by Governor Abdulrazaq and his wife Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq; Abia State Governor Hope Uzodimma; First Ladies from across the country; federal and state parliamentarians; cabinet members; and party elders.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ICT project, Senator Tinubu hailed Governor AbdulRazaq and his wife for their dedication to the success of the ICT Centre that she noted would greatly benefit youth and women.

“I have been informed that these centres have greatly benefited our youth, especially women and girls, by providing invaluable opportunities for growth and empowerment. I am glad to hear about the success stories and the opportunities these centres afford members of these various communities that have benefitted from this intervention.

“The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool to empower communities, especially women, to break traditional barriers and access new opportunities by equipping themselves with ICT skills.

“So far, NITDA has constructed four (4) Community ICT Centres in total. This centre we are commissioning today is the second, while Benue and Oyo centres are ready to be commissioned soon.

“Other Digital Economy Centres have also been fully equipped with computers and other ICT materials in five (5) States, namely Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Oyo, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Ten additional Digital Economy Centres in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe, and Zamfara are also being fully equipped with ICT materials and will be ready for commissioning soon,” she said.

Governor AbdulRazaq, for his part, appreciated President Tinubu and the First Lady for what he calls an impactful initiative.

He said the ICT project is not just an investment in infrastructure but a powerful statement about the essential role of technology in our survival and progress in the digital era.

“Technology is here to stay, and the only path forward is to aggressively invest in the skills and infrastructure that will secure a prosperous future for our people.

“As we commission this ICT Community Centre today, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to Her Excellency and the Renewed Hope Initiative for this remarkable investment in our community and youth,” the governor said.

He also commended the unwavering support of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi towards realizing the set objectives.

Mrs AbdulRazaq, in her remarks, said the new edifice speaks to the many engagements and partnerships of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to adequately support Nigerians while pursuing their goals and seeking to improve their means of livelihood.

She enjoined the host school and users alike to protect the facility and take full advantage of its services towards developing themselves and promoting positive causes.

“While this milestone will continue to up the status of women, youths and other users of the facility, it is also creating pathways into making Nigeria a digitally empowered Nation as well as fostering a technology enabled equitable future for all Nigerians,” she said.

The Director General of NITDA, Inuwa, said the project further attests to the President’s commitment to harnessing the potentials of digital innovation to drive national prosperity and inclusivity.

The First Lady later paid a homage to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman State Traditional Council Mai-Martaba Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari who prayed for the President, the First Lady, and Governor Abdulrazaq whom he called a great supporter of the President and a fine achiever across all sectors.

Senator Tinubu thanked the Emir for his support for the President over the years and his support for the Governor.

Led by Nana Shettima, another activity of the day was the distribution of food support for the vulnerable under the Renewed Hope Initiative and ASR Initiative — an action the Governor commended as a huge intervention for which he expressed gratitude to the First Lady.