The visionary builder : Gov. Abdulrazaq reinvents Kwara one sector at a time

His remarkable steps in ICT, arts, infrastructure

Occasionally in politics, an icon emerges to captivate us and provides a vivid snapshot of public service sheared of soundbites, and politics rid of morbid trajectories. In his role as the number one citizen of Kwara State, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq fulfills such narrative. He unfurls as an unflappable fixer. He deploys innate grace and vibrant magnetism to transcend tribalism, apathy and gender. Ultimately, he projects a new culture of governance.
On his watch, Kwara has attained monumental progress. It’s heartwarming and inspiring. If Kwara wanted to tell the world it was going to stage an prosperous comeback, electing Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as its governor was certainly the best way to do it.

Since Abdulrazaq earned voters’ confidence and emerged the new governor-elect, he has worked tirelessly to reclaim Kwara from hell’s pit. Immediately after his inauguration, he went to work designing a bold set of strategies to jolt Kwara out of the 16-year economic doldrums foisted on it by previous administrations.

Abdulrazaq’s policies were designed to restore the agricultural economy, generate consumer spending and ignite economic dynamism, and so far, the people of Kwara have reason to believe a lasting recovery is finally in sight. Great thanks to Abdulrazaq.
As he made his foray into politics, the governor understood that politics is far too precious and fundamental to be left to the wiles and exploits of villainous characters hence his belief in the doctrine of altruism. Abdulrazaq preaches selflessness and love as a counteraction to the toxic culture of hatred and greed that has overtime become the norm in political circuits.

At a time when it is generally believed that one has to be a lowbrow, an incorrigible liar and a bit of a murderer, to be a politician, Abdulrazaq ventured into politics to improve lives while paying good mind to the process; he made sure none of the citizenry got slaughtered and sacrificed for the sake of his ambition.

In the estimation of many friends and associates, Abdulrazaq is cut out for greater roles in the affairs of the country but rather than get high on the wings of the lofty hopes about him, he chose to begin his humble ascent the corridors of power by humbling himself.

As the new governor-elect, he reportedly drove himself to his swearing-in ceremony at the Government House in a Hilux Toyota van. Soon after he and his deputy were sworn in by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Suleiman Kawu, at a low key ceremony inside the Council Chamber in Government House, he declared that while the ‘O to ge’ mantra gave the people of the state victory at the polls, it was now time for work, “Ise ya,” he said.
“As you will all agree, there is so much to be done. These range from institutional reforms and reconstruction, infrastructural development, human capacity building, social welfare and policy reforms to other socio-economic, cultural, scientific and administrative repositioning.

“It is not in our tradition to shy away from challenges. We shall engage them and find solutions,” Abdulrazaq added.
Governor Abdulrazaq promised that the new administration would look into how public resources have been deployed in the past but to the extent that such inquiry would turn the page for the state in its quest for socioeconomic development.

“We all know about the now legendary infrastructure deficits, decay and deprivations that our people have endured in the past 16 years.
“Now that we have put our hands on the wheel of peace, progress and sustainable development, we must redouble our efforts and show to the world that we know the difference between progress and stagnation.

“Let me state that our goal in office is not to lament over the sad past. Rather, our goal is to build confidence that a better future is possible; create an enabling environment to empower our people and communities,” he said.

And how has he fared in this respect? Can the governor be held to the promises he made in his inaugural address? Certainly.
Evidences of his productiveness abound in the state. Among them is the Ilorin Innovation Hub, an ICT Centre built to facilitate the growth of technology in Kwara State and encourage the youth in the state to gain skills needed for the modern global workforce.

The state-of-the-art facility built by the State Government and occupied by private sector technology-related companies who will each have their individual mode of operations but will all have the common goal of promotion and growth of modern technology among the youth in Kwara State. The Innovation Hub will provide a conducive and enabling environment for youth to thrive and succeed using modern technology. They will learn how to use technology to solve problems and create commercial value.
Then there is the Ilorin Visual Arts Centre, planned as a purpose-built art gallery capable of attracting the best in contemporary African art from around the continent. There will, in addition, be spaces for cinematic post-production and video art with editing and animation studios, a screening room as well as cafe, gift shop, co-working space and public landscaped gardens.

Resisting the notion of art gallery as an elite cultural object, the incumbent government seeks to integrate the building more into the life of the city and invite people in so as to create a locally relevant and viable institution.

The exhibition spaces of the Visual Arts Center will offer visitors a seamlessly integrated experience of art, architecture and landscape with the spaces will be designed to ensure that guests can have an unhurried, intimate engagement with the artworks and environment, according to Abdulrazaq’s administration.

Another worthy initiative of Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration is the Ilorin International Conference Centre; this edifice is planned as a world-class conference facility with the capacity to accommodate events of various magnitudes.
The project is projected to assert Ilorin’s niche as a prime destination for both private and public sector conferences and events in the West-African region.

Along with Ilorin’s central regional placement in Nigeria and increased connectivity via a wide array of airlines with daily flights to and from Lagos and Abuja and an improving road network, the Ilorin International Conference Centre is expected to become the top choice for hospitality and event hosting in the country.

The General Tunde Idiagbon Bridge at Tipper Garage (Tanke) is another practical initiative of the Abdulrazaq administration. The government identified the need for the structure in the heart of one of the most bustling areas of the Ilorin metropolis with the Tipper Garage Roundabout being a bottle neck that has experienced heavy traffic over the last few years.

Tanke is one of the fastest-growing areas in the city, due to it’s proximity to the University of Ilorin and an influx of young graduates and families. This bridge will ease the flow of traffic allowing for straight passage across the Tipper Garage roundabout