Independence Day: Gov AbdulRazaq urges Nigerians to embrace peace
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has charged Nigerians to “see the Independence Day as a time to reflect on our resilience, diversity and shared identity, and to renew commitment to building a nation of choice”.
Speaking in Ilorin, the state capital, at the celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day, the Governor saluted the citizens for their manifest courage, enterprise, creativity and determination against all odds.
While congratulating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire citizens on the anniversary, the Governor urged citizens to reject violence, criminality, hate speech, and to embrace peace and collective security.
He said: “Today, as we celebrate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, I warmly congratulate the people of Kwara State and Nigerians at home and abroad.
“Independence Day is a time to celebrate our resilience, diversity and shared identity, but also to renew our commitment to building the Nigeria we desire.
“Despite our challenges, Nigerians continue to demonstrate courage, enterprise, creativity and determination—our greatest national assets.”
AbdulRazaq used the occasion to highlight some of his government’s scorecards that impact lives, most especially in education, agriculture, health sectors, and urban renewal.
He said the government continues to strengthen agricultural value chains and livelihoods of farmers through the Kwara SAPZ, L-PRES and other interventions, which he said has continued to expand opportunities for over 100,000 farmers, agro-logistics hubs, rural roads and mechanisation support.
“In Kwara, our administration remains focused on improving lives. In education, KwaraLEARN has trained thousands of teachers, provided over 1.2 million textbooks and learning materials, and introduced digital tools across more than 1,500 primary schools,” the Governor said.
“We have constructed over 2,000 classrooms, recruited nearly 9,000 teachers, established the Kwara State University of Education, abolished PTA levies in public primary schools and restored access to UBEC interventions.
“In healthcare, Kwara now records Nigeria’s lowest under-five mortality rate, at approximately 14 deaths per 1,000 live births. More than 200 primary healthcare centres have been renovated, equipped and solarised, while General Hospital Ilorin has been upgraded to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital.”
The Governor, prior to his remarks, inspected the parade guards and school children who performed the march-past.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi; Speaker, Kwara House of Assembly and APC Gubernatorial candidate, Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi; his running mate, Hon Seun Oguniyi ADATO; other state legislators; cabinet members; representative of Commander of 9 Division of Nigerian Army, Brigadier General P.U Nnaji, and heads of paramilitary organisations, and students from selected schools.
Highlight of the event was the cutting of the Independence Cake by the Governor, flanked by the Deputy Governor, Speaker, and other prominent personalities.
