As reported by Punch, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has emphasized that his administration’s development efforts have left visible footprints in all 193 wards and 16 local government areas of the state.

Speaking during the grand finale of the 2024 Press Week celebration of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Governor AbdulRazaq’s Special Adviser and Counselor, Alhaji Saadu Salahudeen, detailed the administration’s significant accomplishments over the past five years.

Key achievements include the renovation of over 600 schools, urban renewal projects, extensive road construction, the payment of N750 million salary arrears to staff of the state-owned colleges of education, recruitment of new teachers, payment of more than N14 billion in UBEC counterpart funds, and the eradication of polio within the administration’s first six months. These developments, Salahudeen noted, span all 16 LGAs and 193 wards of Kwara State.

While assuring that the AbdulRazaq’s administration would continue to partner the correspondents and promote developments in the state, the governor’s aide stressed that the current administration has “created a more conducive environment” for journalists to operate and practice their professions since it came on board.

The retired media guru and public relations expert lauded the repositioning of the three state-owned media establishments – The Herald, Radio Kwara, and Kwara TV by the AbdulRazaq’s administration.

The guest lecturer at the event, Senator Sadiq Umar representing Kwara North Senatorial District, in his paper, tited, “Democracy, Good Governance and Roles of Citizens,” called for active participation of citizens in political processes for good governance to be entrenched at all levels.

Represented by Dr. Abdulrahseed Sadudeen, the senator said “For democracy to flourish, citizens must actively participate in the political process, hold their leaders accountable, and advocate for transparency and fairness.

“Fostering a culture of civic engagement can strengthen the foundation of democracy and ensure that good governance prevails.

“As global challenges continue to arise, the role of citizens remains more critical than ever in shaping a just and equitable society,” the lawmaker noted.

Similarly, in his keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences , University of Ilorin, professor Lukman Azeez represented by a lecturer in the university, Mrs Oluwakemi Akerele, urged journalists to do more in the area of investigative journalism to hold government accountable to the people.

Likewise, the State Commissioner for Communication, Mrs Bola Ojukoju, urged media practitioners in the state to always uphold the tenets of their profession in the discharge of their duties.

“Let’s stand for the truth. If you are in doubt about your stories, we have a channel of communication in Kwara State. Always reach out to us to verify your stories,” she insistèd.

In his speech, the Chairman, Correspondents Chapel, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Garba decried the recent attacks and arrest of journalists during the #Endbadgovernace protest and other line of duties.

He called on the National Assembly to enact a law that will criminalise attacks on journalists in the course of discharging their constitutional duties.