Date: 2015-01-29

I came across a publication on www.ilorin.info published on 28 January, 2015 titled Living in Pain: Efue's Primitive Existence Exposes Atunwa's Failure by one Mahfouz Abdulsalam. It's important to first debunk his approach and issues raised as weak and baseless. Not forgetting that there are several political office holders and successful business men and women from Efue and Asa at large, yet Honorable Razak Atunwa's developmental strides cut across various communities in Ilorin West and Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State; this is a fact that cannot be denied.

Going down history lane, Atunwa hails from Efue Berikodo ward in Asa Local Government and he has done so much to better the lives of the people of that community; Atunwa is a performer to compare with other public office holders and successful business and career persons from his constituency; Atunwa's leadership is people oriented, which makes him credible at the grassroot attending to the needs of the people ranging from empowerment, scholarships to mention a few.

No doubt, assessing Abdulsalam's approach in his article, it depicts apparent element of sentiment and subjectivity. If he challenges Atunwa of not developing Efue, what will he say about Muinat Shagaya- the billionaire business woman who has done nothing over the years for the people of Ilorin West; interestingly, she came into Kwara politics suddenly to enslave the people by producing her son as the House of Reps candidate for Asa/Ilorin West. Shagaya has made billions of naira for decades, she has done nothing to better the lives of the people of Ilorin West not to talk of Asa, now she is bringing her son to contest for house of Rep.

Muinat Shagaya is wealthy but I can't lay my hands on project done by her in her immediate constituency. Mahfouz Abdulsalam claims Atunwa has failed the people of Efue Berikodo and I will love to take him through some notable achievements of Atunwa in Efue Berikodo and Asa at large.

Education as we all know is the basis for development of any nation, Atunwa has done so much to make teaching and learning viable in schools at Asa Local Government. He donated an 18 seater bus for Asa Local Government Secondary School in Efue Berikodo. He also donated N2m towards provision of facilities and equipments for Asa Local Government Secondary School Efue Berikodo to ensure granting, aiding and accreditation of the school. He donated N100,000 to re-roof Asa Local Government Secondary School Temidire which was affected by rain storm; payment of N500,000 yearly as school fees for indigenes of Owode/Onire Constituency; Construction of block of classrooms at Dongari and Budo Ottu LGEA School to mention a few. To make power supply a constant thing at Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Atunwa donated N500,000 for connecting Olowo and Ladele villages to national grid. He also donated N400,000 to rectify vandalised Electric cable at Alapa-Agbona, Efue Dongari Electricity power line. Donation of N500,000 yearly for grading Itamo-Ogundele-Oyo State boundary Road. Drilling of boreholes at Badiko, Ubandawaki and Apo Villages to ensure safe drinkable water; procurement of 40 bundles of iron sheet for 10 people affected by rain storm and donation of N400,000 to victims of the disaster; donation of N200,000 to rehabilitate Temidire Centaral Mosque. Monthly donation of N50,000 to widows in his Constituency. At least 50 Youth were gainfully employed through Barr. Razak Atunwa; disbursement of at least N500,000 weekly to assist people with various financial complaints. These among others are some of the traceable developmental strides of Honorable Razak Atunwa to the people of Efue Beriko in Asa Local Government.

Abdulsalam's article shows his ignorance of developmental strides of the speaker and incoming representative for Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency.?