It was Democracy Day in Nigeria recently and there was no shortage of celebration at the presidency and the State Houses.

In Kwara State, it was low-key. To be sure, there was no dearth of projects to commission.  Indeed, Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed commissioned several inherited and new projects across the three senatorial districts.

Kwara's measured tone of celebration, however, only reflected the new ways of doing things in the state of harmony: Good planning, efficient delivery of service, little fanfare.

One year on, Governor Ahmed's sterling performance has produced verifiable results. Upon being sworn in as the 8th Chief Executive of Kwara on May 29, 2011, Governor Ahmed (aka Magida) hit the ground running.  Within 100 days in office, his accomplishments included productive engagement of 2,000 Youths under the Kwara State Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES). At least half of them have been formally employed.

The secret of his success in just 100 days was not far-fetched;  Magida, having served for over seven years under former Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON) in the critical Ministry of Finance and later the strategic Ministry of Planning & Economic Development, understands the terrain very well.

You may not understand the good turn in Kwara state under Governor Ahmed unless you understand and appreciate the concept of continuity in governance.

Senator Saraki (aka ABS) embarked on some mega, transformational projects during his eight years, two-term tenure.  These include the celebrated Shonga Farms (aka Zimbabwean farmers' project)–the first commercial agricultural project in Nigeria; the Metropolitan Centre; the International College of Aviation, Ilorin; the Diagnostic Centre; the Kwara Football Academy (KFA); the Cargo Terminal, among other Projects.

Typically Nigerian, these mega projects could have been abandoned upon the assumption into office of a new administration (as we have seen in some states).  But it is to the credit of the Ahmed Administration that the inherited projects have either been completed or have continued apace.

Before ABS left office, the Shonga farms had been a settled matter as the project had put Kwara on the world map already.  But the Ahmed administration has expanded its scope and capacity.

Continuity has also paid off in the aviation sector in the state. It was with pride that the first set of flying students of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, took to the sky under the watchful eyes of Maigida on the eve of the anniversary day.

The Ahmed Administration has also continued the investment in the multi-million naira Diagnostic Centre, Ilorin.  That medical facility is “good-to-go” (as we say in Kwara) as recruitment of key personnel has begun.

The metropolitan centre was a beauty to behold on Democracy Day which was celebrated in that brand new state facility.  The release of fund by the Ahmed Administrations to complete the project had paid off. The Multi-million Naira Judges Quarters which the Ahmed Administration continued to fund was completed and has been commissioned by Maigida.

For the first time in its history, Kwara state last month won, through KFA, the Shell/NNPC Cup for secondary schools in Nigeria. An elated Gov. Ahmed who received the winning team at the Government House announced that the academy, started by the ABS Administration, will be upgraded to a full-fledged secondary school.

But Maigida has his own customised initiatives which have endeared him to Kwarans. These include the operation-no-pot-hole policy; the 500 million naira Micro-credit Scheme and the N1.6 billion comprehensive renovation of five General Hospitals in Ilorin, Kaiama, Omuaran, Offa and Share.

But  beyond projects and verifiable infrastructural developments, what stands out the Ahmed Administration is its clear vision of what to do and how to do it in the best ways possible. Its mantra is the now popular Programme of Shared Prosperity. This shared Prosperity comes from Impactful Economic Growth; Human Capital Development and Youth Empowerment; Strategic Infrastructure and Effective Governance. To all Kwarans and stakeholders, the Ahmed Administration says invitingly: “Come, Share in Our Prosperity”.

This is no sloganeering.  The 2012 budget and the specific quarterly financial and fiscal activities are woven around this prosperity programme.

And as a strategic by-product, the governor has introduced the innovative Performance Contract. Under this initiative, every Kwaran government official knows what is expected of him, the timelines for service delivery and the rewards for performance and sanctions for non-performance. The performance of both classes of political office holders and civil servants is now measurable and that will be the basis for individual assessment and advancement in office or in service.

Under Gov. Ahmed, Kwara has been rebranded. For the first time in its history, Kwara now has its own Logo which defines who Kwarans are-their diversity, their unity, their resources and resourcefulness and the opportunities for investment in the state. 'its Good Here,' the logo proclaims proudly.

The governor has undertaken a few foreign tours. Proudly, there are results to show for his offshore engagements. Gov Ahmed was in New York in April for an investment forum on Nigeria. He got a standing ovation for his powerful, stirring speech on agriculture  from an audience that included Vice President Namadi Sambo, CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, some other state governors from Nigeria and the American Business class. He was also honoured with the ICON in Agriculture Award.

Same April, in The Netherlands, he was hosted by the Nigerian Community, treated to a Reception by the Kwara Association and engaged in fruitful sessions with the Dutch government and the business/investment community. Barely a month after his Dutch visit, Dutch Investors came to Kwara to sign an MoU for a 10,000 Housing units they are financing in the state.

Adedoyin is Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Communication & Strategy.