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By Abdullah Ahmed
- As Gov receives Kaiama Emirate on ‘thank you’ visit
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday said the Shea Butter Processing Factory in Kaiama, Kaiama Local Government, is ready for commissioning soon.
The factory is the second largest shea processing firm in Nigeria and it represents a major shift for local value addition in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Governor said the facility will play a significant role in shaping the economy of Kaiama and the state at large when it is fully operational.
The Governor spoke in Ilorin when he received a delegation of the Kaiama community led by the Emir, Alhaji Muazu Omar, on a ‘thank you’ visit to Ahmadu Bello House.
The delegation came to appreciate the Governor’s efforts and his personal sacrifice that led to the safe return of the 163 victims of the Woro abduction incident.
“We’re soon coming to commission the Shea factory, which is the second largest in Nigeria and will be a catalyst for economic uplifting in that area as well,” the Governor said.
Governor AbdulRazaq equally thanked the team for the visit and their show of gratitude, saying the success achieved on the security matter is collective and worth commending.
“The cases of banditry and insecurity have gone down. I won’t say it’s a thing of the past, but we have recorded huge success thus far. And they didn’t just go or walk away. It’s due to the efforts of our security agencies, the vigilantes, the local government, the traditional council, and all those put in the position of responsibilities to take care of this job. They’ve all done well,” the Governor said.
Responding to their request for continuation of construction work on the Bode-Sadu-Kaiama road, the Governor recalled that the work was stalled as a result of the abduction of two Chinese nationals who later regained their freedom.
He said he is presently in talks with the relevant authority on how to ensure that the contractors are brought back to site and work safely.
He also pledged to book an appointment with Minister of Works, David Umahi, in the coming week to table the issue of Kishi-Kaiama road and Moro bridge on how to expedite works on the two projects.
Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Omar, in his remarks, said the Governor’s swift actions shortly after the attack went a long way in achieving the desired result at the end of the day, thanking him for his leadership quality.
He specifically acknowledged the Governor’s role in facilitating the Operation Savannah Shield, and how he settled medical bills of the injured security personnel and Forest Guards in subsequent attacks, among other interventions.
“The main reason for this visit is to formally express the profound gratitude of the entire Kaiama community to Your Excellency for your relentless efforts, personal sacrifice and exceptional commitment to the release of the abductees,” the Emir spoke through Mutawali of Kaiama, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Umar.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for “his sympathetic and fatherly response to the plight of our people and the concrete steps he took to assuage the unfortunate calamity”.
He appealed to the Governor to talk to the Federal Government to continue work on the Bode-Sadu-Kaiama road project for easy movement of goods and people.
Alhaji Omar thanked AbdulRazaq’s stance on the power shift to Kwara North, an action they said reflects his show of love for northerners and his firm belief in inclusiveness and brotherhood.
“We appreciate your rare show of love, inclusiveness and brotherhood and we pledge to reciprocate this kind gesture with our overwhelming support and in the coming elections,” he said.
