By Ahmed ‘Lateef and Oluwatobi Aroyehun
A Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Saudat Salah Abdulbaki, has described Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a “silent achiever” whose emergence has rescued Kwara State from the weak infrastructural development that plagued it prior to 2019 when the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, led by Governor AbdulRazaq, took over the reign of leadership.
Abdulbaki, the first female professor of mass communication at the institution, explained that misappropriation of fund in the past made the state to undergo the unpleasant experience.
She stated this, on Friday, in her keynote address at the maiden personality lecture organized in honour of Governor AbdulRazaq by the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) which was held at the Press Centre, Offa Road, GRA, Ilorin.
She recalled that prior to the emergence of AbdulRazaq as Governor, the people of the state grappled with underdevelopment which became very apparent in educational and health facilities that were in a state of disrepair before 2019.
theheraldnews.ng reports that the incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was inaugurated for the first term on May 29, 2019 and returned for his second term on May 29, 2023.
Delivering her keynote address on the theme “Kwara Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: The Giant Strides of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq”, the Professor of Mass Communication said it was heartening that Kwara has been witnessing a positive turnaround.
“Before 2019, there were so many things hindering development and growth. Because there was misappropriation of fund, Kwara suffered from weak infrastructural development. They (people) faced struggle with underdevelopment in the areas of infrastructure, health care facilities and schools. The schools were in despair.
“In 2012, when I was gathering data for my Ph.D thesis, I had to go to Egbejila in Ilorin West Local Government Area. I was working on maternal mortality. So, I had to go and interact with workers at Cottage Hospital. When I got to Cottage Hospital in Egbejila, I met goats sleeping there.
“Patients were not too comfortable attending the clinic because there were no drugs, and that inadvertently would contribute to the rise in maternal mortality. When people know that when they go to the clinic there will be nobody to attend to them, they will rather stay at home or they go to the traditional birth attendants’ centres, and in the course of that, they lose their lives. And that is why the issue of maternal mortality has been on the increase in Nigeria.
“But when I was called upon by my iconic fellow about two weeks ago, that I needed to come and speak on this topic, I asked somebody to help me go to that cottage hospital, and the person gave me a cheering news that the clinic was fully functional.
“We also had the problem of underdeveloped education sector, and that is why many people would prefer to take their children to private schools. Even teachers that were teaching in public schools would prefer to take their children to private schools because they could not trust the quality of teaching and learning that was taking place in the public schools. That was one of the problems”, she said.
Professor Abdulbaki noted that the Governor has set a pace with his fiscal discipline and transparency, adding that the level of infrastructure under his watch has become unprecedented.
Her lecture also emphasized AbdulRazaq’s reputation as a “silent achiever” whose governance is reshaping Kwara’s socio-economic landscape.
While commending the Governor for infrastructural renewal, economic development, and financial prudence, she noted that his administration had significantly changed the state’s narrative, addressing neglected projects, improving road networks, waste management, and prioritizing inclusivity in governance.
The lecturer highlighted Governor AbdulRazaq’s unprecedented policy of inclusive governance which is evident in his involvement of every segment of Kwara population in governance.
“If you look at the administration, you will see that all strata of society are captured—men, women, youth, and persons with disabilities. This gives everyone a sense of belonging,” she said.
Also speaking, a retired Grand Kadi of Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Salihu Olohuntoyin Muhammad, lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for his commitment to the development of the state.
Justice Muhammad particularly expressed gratitude to the Governor for approving payment of gratuities owed all retired state jurists, saying that he has demonstrated the epitome of a thoroughbred good child.
The NUJ Chairman, Ahmed Lanre Abdullateef emphasized that the event was organized to highlight the Governor’s progress while setting an agenda for the future without heating up the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who spoke through his Senior Adviser and Counselor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, promised that his administration would continue to partner with the media for the overall development of the state.
He commended media practitioners in the state for choosing constructive criticism in the assessment of his government’s performance and assured of his readiness to do more.
In attendance at the maiden personality lecture were Engineer Rahman Giwa (Chairman); Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Afees Abolore Alabi; Special Adviser Political, Mr Wahab Femi Agbaje; Senior Special Assistants, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye; former state Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin; General Manager of The Herald Newspapers, Yomi Clement Adeboye; APC chieftains, Alhaji Rasak Lawal and Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape among others.
