Every Kwaran, and his dog, knows that our dear state is almost as old as Nigeria, our dear country.

Therefore, the need for a soul-searching process will not be out of place at this moment; taking cognizance of the popular Nigerian cliche, that 'a fool at forty is a fool forever'.

Kwara is 45 years old!

When the announcement was made that a new state called Kwara has been created, on 27th May, 1967, four years later than the day the incumbent governor was born {Abdulfatah Ahmed was born on the 29th December, 1963}; heightened expectation was palpable, from the streets of Ilorin, to Omu-Aran, and down to Baruteen.

More succinctly, it was also conspicuous if you go along the streets of Egbe and Kabba, places which were then part of the now State of Harmony.

Sectarian agenda and agitations have since made them part ways with Kwara, when they formed parts of Kogi State which was created in 1991.

That Governor Ahmed was already born before this joyous day for Kwara completely changes the tone of this writing, for me.

It will evidently be sacrilegious for him not to write his name in the annals of history, and to make a difference, having watched, predictably, the contagious jubilation that greeted the news of Kwara as a state.

Although, the state has come a long way politically, socially, economically and  so  on, the depth of development in the state, which is obviously not at par with what is obtainable in some of her mates- Kaduna, Kano; to mention but a few.

That our state was ruled and mismanaged by military administrators is not a tenable excuse; her 'mother' {Nigeria} also suffered the same fate.

If truth be told, Kwara is presently not looking like the one of our dreams, far back in 1967.

That this has even become a mantra for this present government 'the kwara of our dreams', is more saddening, judging by the fact that it sounds as if the dream is just getting attention.

The Kwarans who dreamt 45years ago will be ashamed to hear that it took that long for their dream to start.

That is, even if this present generation of leaders are not also paying lip-service to the matters at hand.

We can no longer focus on Abuja, as Nigeria celebrates 52 years of shamefacedness, how about our her 7 years 'younger son'?

The aggregate of developments so far in Kwara is nothing to write home about.

The state is still predominantly a civil-servant state, yet this is the 21st century.

Industrialization is still a toddler, while privately-owned businesses {the major contributors to the economy of the state} are at logger-heads with harsh economic situations.

I belong to the league of those who believe this is unacceptable, and must change, going forward.

The government should be more aggressive in its bids to touch citizens with dividends of good governance {surprised I did not use the words: dividends of democracy? Because its meanings have been muddled up- no thanks to Nigerian politicians}.

The level of education in the state must be re-jigged.

The economy should be transfused with significant policies that must, please, for the umpteenth time, leave the pages of 'white papers'; and become realities that are banal.

The race is set before us! Posterity must not weep for having us precede them!

Kwara and Kwarans must awake!

Let us make this state a hub of infrastructural developments, scholarly brilliant young individuals, who will be passionate about contributing their quota to the state, and not only have their eyes set on 'Berger' bus-stop, in Lagos State.

For Ahmed and his cohorts, there is no more excuse that will explain any failure on their part.

They must evolve into a team of gladiators that will shrug off every hold of the 'past', stride on the sand of time, and stamp indelible marks on the rock of history.

We do not want it on the sand of history, less they be blown away easily.

Forget about the popular excuse, that Kwara can not be compared with Lagos.

Let us work in Kwara!

Let us get it done!