Date: 2021-08-05

Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Wednesday cautioned newly sworn- in commissioners against full blown politics saying his administration has huge grounds to cover.

Abdulrazaq said though his administration has achieved a lot in the area of fixing basic infrastructure and bringing governance closer to the people, he however maintained that the government still need to do more to justify the trust the masses have in the administration.

"We have delivered quite much, particularly in basic amenities and social infrastructure that were hitherto lacking. But we still have huge grounds to cover. So, it is no time for full blown politics. We must keep our eyes on the ball, which is service to the people of Kwara state who have entrusted us with their mandate," the governor told three new commissioners after their inauguration Wednesday evening, The commissioners are Hajia Saadatu Modibbo Kawu (Education and Human Capital Development); Mrs Bosede Olaitan (Communications); and Sabbah Yisa Gideon (Agriculture and Rural Development). The governor tasked the cabinet members on prudence, team work, and sacrifice to achieve a greater Kwara State.

"You are coming on board at a crucial time in the life of this administration and our state. Kwara state is undergoing a rebuilding process. Prudence, discipline, team work, and sacrifice have been our watchwords," he said. "Revenue is drying up. Yet our administration is confronted with huge challenges of human capital and infrastructural development, and an urgent need to lift as many people as possible out of poverty. Every penny is being channeled to tackle this. The administration has a duty to chart a sustainable course for our state. That is why we can't afford to be flamboyant or wasteful."

Secretary to the state government Prof. Mamman Saba Jubril, on his part, said: "I urge the honourable commissioner to be dedicated to their duties. They should be tolerant and completely loyal to the government. We acknowledged the honour for the swearing in ceremony. May God continue to honour you to serve the state." Modibbo Kawu, who spoke on behalf of the new commissioners, said they would join other stakeholders to succeed in the task before them.

"This moment means a lot to us. So, on behalf of my colleagues, I will like to express our appreciation to His Excellency the Governor. We know this is a trying period for the state. The resources we have cannot do a lot of things we intend to do. We will think outside the box and be innovative as much as possible to manage the little that we have to do much we can in our different ministries," she said.

"We shall work with other critical stakeholders to achieve the goals of this administration." The brief swearing in was attended by speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Salihu Yakubu-Danladi; Chief Judge Suleiman Kawu; Grand Kadi Ola AbdulKadir; Head of Service Mrs Modupe Oluwole Susan; Attorney general and commissioner for Justice Salman Jawondo; special adviser to the governor on strategy Sa'adu Salau; and special adviser to the governor on political communication Bashiru Adigun.