By Saadu Salahu
Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was born in the year of Nigeria’s political independence in 1960 to Alhaji AGF AbdulRazaq, SAN and Alhaja Raliat AbdulRazaq. By the circumstances of his birth he was born into multiple fortunes of nobility, professional distinction and aristocracy as exemplified by the family of the late Barrister AGF AbdulRazaq (SAN )first Mutawali of Ilorin and Tafidan Zazzau.
Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, fondly addressed as AA by millions of his political admirers, lovers and loyalists, inspired and nurtured an uncommon passion and belief in his leadership by the vast majority of Kwarans.
His leadership is extraordinarily visionary yet frugal; he has no endlessly long convoys as a Governor. Little wonder he denies himself the opulence of a typical Government House as official residence where fortunes are spent daily to maintain such.
Little wonder he frequently visits the common ‘colony‘ of the blind known as ‘Koro Afoju’ in the Gambari Quarters of Ilorin, where he invests time and resources as well as dines, to make life more bearable and comfortable for them.
Little wonder he is the first Governor to have taken budget planning session to the Special Needs School in Ilorin.
Little wonder he is the first Governor to have appointed two (2) members of people living with disabilities (PLWD) as Permanent Secretaries in the State.
A consummate and daring adventurer, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq spent his passage as a child, teenager and adolescent in a unique manner; navigating the journey of life rather independent of his noble background as the son of a member of the then ruling class of the newly Independent Nigeria.
His father, the late AGF AbdulRazaq (SAN ) was not only among the first set of University graduates from the then Ilorin Province, he was also the first lawyer in Northern Nigeria, first Mutawali of Ilorin, Tafida of Zazzau (Zaria), former Federal Minister in the First Republic and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in the early 60s.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, who preferred professional or academic careers, AA from his secondary school days, had an initial inclination to become an airline pilot but for the reservations of a concerned father. He immediately reset his vision to growing to become a successful entrepreneur and a business mogul.
This burning passion and pursuit was what spurred AA to becoming engrossed in different business opportunities until he hit gold, liquid gold. He emerged as Nigeria’s first indigenous exporter of crude oil and associated oil products; indeed a leading global player in oil and gas and became a multi billionaire at the tender age of 28.
Like all of his siblings in the late AGF AbdulRazaq who grew up under the influence of law-inspired family, AA inherited a DNA that frowns at and is turned off by acts of injustice, inequality, discrimination and oppression.
Unknown to many outside the inner circle of opposition in Kwara liberation struggle, AA was, for over two decades, the leading financier of the opposition political forces in Kwara State against the displaced political dynasty now swept off the political space by the Otoge political revolution of 2019.
As the CEO of First Fuels, a leading player in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, AA dedicated a fortune to financing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and considerable part of it often got allocated to financing the liberation and emancipation political groups and opposition forces in Kwara State and indeed the Country.
Prior to his formal resignation as the CEO First Fuels, the value of the company surpassed the annual Budgets of Kwara State ten-fold.
Today, the 5th day of February, 2025, I am delighted and indeed excited to join millions of AA’s admirers, loyalists and friends to celebrate this patriot par excellence, a visionary leader, champion and Kwara’s Chief Agent of Change and Progress, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the exemplary Governor of Kwara State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Sardauna of Ilorin, on the occasion of this significant milestone – his 65th birthday.
This occasion presents an opportunity to reflect on his remarkable journey, accomplishments and the values that have guided his vision, political commitment and philosophy.
As an Executive Governor and political leader of the people and Government of Kwara State, he may be perceived differently by different people but AA remains his natural self; unassuming, stunningly humble, simple and focused at all times.
He is not given to praise singing, sycophancy and hero worshipping.
His decisions are not and certainly can not be outcome of emotion or sentiments.
He is a highly consultative leader who listens attentively to get the best of the speaker and has seamless mechanism for informed feedback, fool proof intelligence gathering, research and accurate data to guide policy thrusts and directions.
Evidently, he is also a very keen digital native; as a Governor, a check on AA’s social media handles like facebook, X(twitter ), instagram etc shows considerable million of followers 24/7 on AA’s activities and programmes, not only across the country but the whole World.
As Governor of Kwara State, AA has been a transformative leader, bringing his private sector expertise to the public sphere particularly in Human Resources, prudent financial management, value for money, transparency and accountability.
His Administration has implemented various initiatives aimed at revitalizing the State’s economy, improving IGR, infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
He has endless list of transformational legacy projects such as Innovation Hub to unlock unlimited wealth creation opportunities for the youths, ongoing reconstruction of Kwara Hotel as a 5 star hotel, the new International Conference Centre, the Eyenkorin Industrial Park with its proposed power plant, the ultra modern film studios (Sugar Factory Film Studio) with state of the art facilities, Industrial processing zone, Smart City, the Urban renewal project, the Garment factory etc.
All the projects are fast transforming Kwara State to a digital economy and consequent prosperity for the teeming youths bulge.
AA’s commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability has earned him nationwide and global recognition and admiration.
The outgoing Accountant General of the Federation, late last year, testified to AA’s commitment to transparency when she disclosed that Kwara State was a reference and a shining example amongst states in the enforcement of international standards in financial transparency.
On education and human capital development, Kwara State, in the last six years has witnessed unprecedented investments in this sector, resulting in impressive large scale enrollment in public schools with visibly improved educational standards; Kwara State students winning international and national schools’ competitions and debates.
Similarly, AA’s huge investments in health and social services, including poverty alleviation programs have yielded good results with Kwara State emerging the best in Primary health care in the North Central for three consecutive years.
The infrastructural transformation of the state and urban renewal projects include investments for the first time in the innovative Smart City in the State Capital. This has made Kwara State an investors’ destination thus guaranteeing economic boom and prosperity for all.
Unlike the old days of the displaced political dynasty when civil servants, local government workers, teachers and pensioners were subjected to the tedium, humiliation and depression due to failure or perennial lateness to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities, Governor AA has restored dignity in the life of all civil servants, teachers, local government workers and pensioners, ensuring prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuity.
Furthermore, staff promotion as at when due, regular training and staff welfare are sine qua non in the AA Administration.
Traditional rulers in all parts of the state are full of testimonies and gratitude to Governor AA for what they call his stunning humility and respect as well as inspiring partnership and consultation with traditional institutions in the state.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s passion for football, tourism, entertainment, and the creative sector has created opportunities and brought fortunes to countless lives.
His investments in these areas have not only boosted local economies but also promoted cultural exchange and understanding.
As a sports investor, he has transformed the State Stadium Complex into one of the best in Nigeria with state of the art facilities to attract global competition, not only in football but also in squash, table tennis and paralympics to the state.
As Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AA continues to inspire and unite leaders across the nation.
His leadership has been marked by a commitment to consensus-building, collaboration, strategic thinking and statesmanship. It has also significantly enhanced a harmonious relationship between the Federal Govt and State Governments. He has also played a pivotal role in promoting inter-state cooperation, addressing common challenges, and advocating for the interests of all State Governments at the sub-national level.
AA’s life and career have been guided by the values of integrity, hardwork and selfless service to humanity which the life and time of his late father and aged mother exemplify.
Married to a distinguished career diplomat and scholar, Ambassador Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, chairperson of Governors’ Spouses Forum, his support to his wife as the First Lady of Kwara State no doubt attracted Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and chairperson, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI ) to the recent 3 – day official visit in Kwara State.
During the visit, the mother of the nation inaugurated the late General Tunde Idiagbon flyover bridge at Tanke and the newly completed Unity road flyover bridge named after the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
Furthermore, the First Lady inaugurated a new HIV/Aids Programme and inspected the Sugar Factory Film Studios with State of the art facilities, equipments and sets for the ultra modern film making; the latter attracted a N350 million donation from Senator Oluremi Tinubu towards the production of a first class film to depict our culture and traditions in Kwara.
The First Lady singled out Governor AA as an exemplary politician, infectious lover of his people, lead promoter of youths inclusion, promoter of gender representation in political leadership; She acknowledged the good and impressive works of AA in Kwara.
As we celebrate AA’s birthday today @65, I wish to join members of his family, friends and political associates to pray that our leader, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, the role model and mentor, lives to celebrate his CENTENARY in unfailing health, abundance, fulfilment and in full gratitude to the Almighty Allah.
Undoubtedly, AA @65 is an exemplary selfless leader by nature and a Statesman ‘par excellence’ who is dedicated to deploying his vast resources to realising the vision of an egalitarian society where the security, welfare and prosperity of the people are paramount.
Your Excellency, please accept my hearty congratulations!!!
Saadu Salahu (fnipr) is the Senior Adviser and Counselor to Governor AbdulRazaq.
