KWARA STATE IN THE NEWS, MIXED FEELINGS AMIDST COVID-19

Kwara State Government under the tutelage of Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman | News | COVID-19 | Permanent secretaries | New judges

Kwara State has been under immense pressure, jubilations, joy, sorrows, and feelings for past days now.

Giving an accurate account will seem okay by starting with the Congratulatory Words from the Executive Governor of Kwara State to the newly elected Chief of Staff, Professor Agboola Gambari. In which the Governor lauded the president’s choice in Professor Agboola’s appointment.

Executive Governor of Kwara State – Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. Photo Cred: Kwara State Government’s Facebook Page

In his Words:

PROFESSOR AGBOOLA GAMBARI – THE NEW CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA

“The appointment is clearly fit for purpose and is deserving for our own Professor Gambari whose record of service as a diplomat and global statesman is unblemished. On behalf of my family, the government and people of Kwara State, I congratulate the Wambai Ilorin for this historic appointment,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his spokesman Rafiu Ajakaye.

Let’s keep in mind the figures of COVID-19 Infection

Kwara State suffered its first COVID-19 death.

with new 3 cases confirmed amidst little controversies surrounding mismanagement of patient.

Read details below

Moving on From there,

KWARA STATE GOVERNMENT SWEARS IN FIVE NEW JUDGES, GOV URGES FAIRNESS

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (third from left) with the New Sworn-in Judges in Kwara State: Photo Cred: Kwara State Government Facebook Page

On 13th May 2020, in a press statement released by the Kwara state government through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye.

The list of the five judges are:

1. Funsho Dada Lawal, a former permanent secretary and solicitor general of the state ministry of justice;
2. Olanipekun Sherifat Bola, a registrar at the Ilorin High Court of Justice;
3. Hussein Toyin Kawu, a deputy registrar at the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal;
4. Nureni Kuranga, a deputy chief registrar (Administration) at the state high court Ilorin; and
5. Umar Zikki Jubril, a senior magistrate Grade II in the state.

In brief words:

“The judicial oath enjoins you to administer justice without fear or favour, ill-will, or affection. This oath is a solemn promise and only a firm commitment will see to its accomplishment,” AbdulRazaq said Wednesday in Ilorin at the swearing in ceremony attended only by top echelon of the state judiciary and a few other senior government officials in line with the COVID-19 safety protocols.

“As you assume office as judges, it is imperative that you apply yourself religiously in accordance with your oath of office towards ensuring that justice is done and is seen to have been done at all times.”

AbdulRazaq said the new judges have each paid their dues in public service and that their new positions were a new call to greater service to the state and the country.

“This administration is determined to support the judiciary in the quest to stand on a solid footing with adequate complement of judicial officers and relevant facilities to perform its functions,” he added.

“To this end, the state government has a comprehensive plan for gradual renovation of court buildings across the state within the limits allowed by the global economic meltdown. The modest achievements recorded so far clearly point at our resolve to make things a lot better than we met them.”

Governor’s message to the new judges

READ FULL STORY of new judges, HERE

KWARA GOV ORDERS SACK, QUERY OF COVID-19 TEAM OVER MISHANDLING OF CASE

Governor Abdulrahman Andulrazaq blows hot on the delegated COVID-19 team

KWRA STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR – ALABI (STOCK PHOTO)

In the Kwara State press release yesterday, May 14th, 2020, the governor was unhappy with the mishandling and mismanagement of the COVID-19 cases in the state.

Reason?

1. A government driver unilaterally attended to an unkempt person who was evacuated with a COVID-19 ambulance in Ilorin.
2. A viral video went online showing shoddy handling of the male COVID-19 patient going through a hard time. The video shows a low level of expertise and ridiculed the state government.

The aftermath of the incident

The governor has issued queries to top officials of the state ministry of health for failing to act with necessary caution and expertise in the handling of the incident that was recorded in video footage that has since gone viral.

– Health workers evacuating a suspected Covid-19 patient in Kwara state.

pic.twitter.com/04uVYGVqSw

— Postsubman (@Postsubman) May 13, 2020

KWARA STATE SUSPENDS PERM SEC IN THE MINISTRY OF HEATH INDEFINITELY

Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 pandemic has asked the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Ayinla Abubakar to proceed on indefinite suspension.

The decision followed the mishandling of the evacuation of a man who locals said had locked himself in his vehicle for days and had become distressed following some personal life challenges.

The footage had earlier surfaced of the mishandling of the rescue operation for the man.

“The committee is thoroughly embarrassed at the whole development. While the driver has been sacked from all activities of the committee for unilaterally allowing evacuation of the man by members of the public without waiting for the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to arrive the scene as instructed, the Permanent Secretary who directed him to proceed on the operation with a COVID-19 ambulance without due diligence and respect for all safety protocols is hereby asked to proceed on an indefinite suspension forthwith,” according to a statement signed by Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor and Chairman of the COVID-19 Committee.

“As the highest official involved in the RRT squad who gave the directive for the driver to proceed, the committee does not accept his explanation regarding the ugly development.

“He has been asked to hand over to the most senior officer on the team pending his return from suspension. This development also has necessitated a new round of refresher course (which is now ongoing) for all our ambulance drivers and members of the RRT, as the scenario witnessed in the footage cannot be allowed to happen ever again.

“Finally, we are sorry once again for the development. It should not have happened. We do not take the support of the Kwara people for granted, and we reassure them that Kwara retains its proud ratings as one of the states with the best facilities, responsiveness, and general preparedness to manage this pandemic. This has been attested to by the NCDC team as well as the Stears Business rating of the level of states’ responsiveness and preparation for the pandemic.”

KWARA GETS 10 NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES (Kwara state government)

In the midst of sacks, suspension, and new cases of COVID-19, Kwara state gets new permanent secretaries.

This was made known in a press release published on Kwara State Government’s Facebook Page.

As it was a bad day for COVID-19 Team, Ministry of Health, Permanent Secretary, and many more, the new appointees are in high spirits as they get new posts as permanent secretaries.

The New Permanent Secretaries are:

1. Shehu Boni Ahmed (Establishment);
2. Olorukooba Isiaka Yinka (Works);
3. Iyabo Banire (Sports);
4. Musa Jubril; Sabiyatu Kikelomo Grillo (Cabinet, political and Special services);
5. Okanlawon Musa (Water Resources);
6. Jolayemi John Olugbenga (Service Welfare);
7. Abraham Kola Ojo (Environment);
8. Halimot Aduke Eletu (Enterprise);
9. Rabiat Abdulrahman (Communication); and
10. Yusuf Bolakale (Special Duties).

In  brief words:

The Governor had recently approved eight new permanent secretaries, in what was the first batch of the gradual but steady change of guard at the top echelon of the state civil service.

Those recently appointed were Bamigbe Rotimi Williams (Energy); Musa Idris (Justice); Nurudeen Maryam (Agric); Goshi Jiya (Civil Service Commission); Adeosun Mary (Education); Ibrahim Adenike (Social Development); Ayinla Olayiwola (Health); and Alabere Ahmed (Local Government).

Another crop of permanent secretaries will be announced shortly to complete the process, with serving and retired bureaucrats commending the Governor for stabilizing and restoring professionalism to the civil service.

In all, we wish every Kwara Citizens a good today and a better tomorrow.

Source: Kwara.info