The Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye over 200,000 people of the state have benefitted from the state Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) schemes

He stated this in Ilorin during the 37th Media Parliament of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.

According to him, “In a report presented to the Governor on March 14, 2022, a research team of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Kaduna State, said KWASSIP could lift up to 500,000 low-income people out of extreme poverty in the next five years.”

The Chief Press added that the Governor is building a new economy around his understanding of the geography and demography of Kwara State.

“This is especially on how to properly engage young people, put money in things that interest them and could help their talents, and refocus the economy to suit the situation of the state.”

He also said the Governor is investing in human capital development and critical sectors to make the state economically viable

“In all of these, there is a reality we must all live with: not only is our demography changing at a fast rate in favour of young people, the government has never been designed to provide jobs for everyone. Many young people are now looking beyond the traditional 9-5 job cycle. Except as a last resort, and for want of better opportunities, many now dream to be their own bosses or to find their feet in the private sector. While many want to invest in their own businesses, a horde of them are leaning towards the opportunities offered by new technology, arts and entertainment,” he said.

Ajakaye, who spoke on the topic; “Unleashing Kwara Economic Potentials: AbdulRazaq’s Magic Wand for the Next Four Years”, explained that the government has invested in road infrastructure to lessen travel time, ease movement of goods, people, and services, improve productivity, and boost quality of life.

He disclosed that the Governor has prioritized spendings on infrastructural renewal and expansion within the metropolis and other areas, as support for small and medium scale enterprises, creative industries, entertainment, tourism and conferencing, arts and culture, innovation and technology, trade, agro processing, and human capital development.

“This will create direct jobs, reduce poverty, and lessen crime rates.”

The CPS said the administration’s success between 2019 and 2023 in stabilizing things across many sectors like education, health sector, rural access to basic amenities, and civil service, accounts for it gaining public trust, and assists in steadily unfolding its economic direction for the state.

He said the ready-to-take off garment factory will, for a start, be sewing ready-made clothes on an industrial scale with corresponding benefits to the state, adding it will create at least 2,000 direct jobs along its different value chains.

He also said the administration has chosen to complete Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses of Kwara State University, because the campuses will cause rapid socioeconomic development in Kwara South and Kwara North, adding that the phase 1 of the project is now more than 80% completed.

“Visual Arts Centre is not a facility without a ready-made market. Kwara has bred some of the finest talents in the creative industry, and it is a no-brainer that the government will have beneficial partnerships with the movers and shakers of the industry.

“A corollary to that is the Sugar Factory Film Studio, which is another big movie production facility sited in the old Tate and Lyle building, hence the name sugar factory film studio. These facilities — visual arts centre and the sugar factory film studio — will help to promote related courses offered at the Kwara State University and other institutions, thereby creating a unique link between the gown and the market. The sugar film factory is 85% completed are not just an extension of the school.

“This administration has chosen to complete the Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses of Kwara State University (KWASU) because these campuses will cause rapid socioeconomic development in Kwara South and Kwara North. From less than 35% in 2019, the Phase 1 of Osi campus is now more than 80% completed. Once these schools welcome students and lecturers, it will be one of the best strategies to drive economic and physical developments to the two axes. Jobs will be created, and properties will become more viable. Wherever a school exists, a whole gamut of ancillary economic activities also spring up. Private individuals will build hostels, people will sell things for the well-being of the new population, and a lot of service providers will migrate to the area. In all of these, the people benefit,” he added.