In the spirit of Ramadan and Lent, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, hosted members of the Kwara Comrades Community, youth leaders, and key stakeholders for an iftar/breaking of fast event at the newly revitalised Flower Garden in Ilorin on Wednesday, March 18, 2025. Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Olayinka Fafoluyi (popularly known as Solace), the governor emphasised the importance of unity and fostering love among residents during the gathering.

Solace highlighted that Governor AbdulRazaq has cultivated a new generation of young leaders in Kwara, while former Commissioner Ibrahim Akaje chaired the event. Additionally, the governor’s representative distributed 200 bags of 10kg rice to attendees, symbolising support for vulnerable groups during the holy periods.

Basambo, the former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Kwara, described the event as a first-of-its-kind initiative within the state, aimed at promoting inclusivity and cohesion. The governor’s office announced plans to hold similar gatherings three times a year moving forward, reinforcing efforts to strengthen communal bonds and harmony.

This event follows a similar one held just five days prior, where the governor entertained the state’s new media team, including Kwara online publishers and social media influencers, further showcasing his administration's commitment to engaging diverse groups across the state.

The event, held at the Flower Garden Ilorin, brought together comrades, government officials, and other dignitaries to dine and drink to celebrate the Holy Month.

The gathering promoting love, unity, religious tolerance and camaraderie among the attendees had several respected youth leaders and former student leaders of various institutions within and outside Kwara State in attendance, including Former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Ibrahim Akaje, Adviser on Social Investment to Kwara State Governor Saddiq Buhari, Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs to Governor, Hon. AbdulSalam Wasiu, Former Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs to Governor, Hon. Mubarak Bello, and the candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 governorship election in Kwara State, Comrade Basambo Abubakar.

Others include Young Aspirants of Political Parties in Kwara, Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria Kwara State Chapter, Comrade Nasiru Yusuf Ali, State Executives and Local government executives of National Youth Council of Nigeria Kwara State Chapter, Former State and Local Government Executives of National Youth Council of Nigeria Kwara State Chapter, Former National Presidents, Executives, Legislators and Judicial Officers of National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS), Former Chairmen of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Kwara Axis, Former Student Union Presidents, Executives, Legislators and Judicial Officers in and from Kwara State, and Leaders of Youths Uniformed Voluntary Organizations in Kwara State, among other young leaders of thoughts.

Chaired by Hon. Ibrahim Akaje, the event reunited the Senior Comrades, particularly those who had not seen one another for years due to one or two reasons. The Comrades, excited to reunite again, had progressive brotherly discussions and shared their experiences as student politicians and stakeholders in several youth constituencies across the state.

The former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development appreciated the Comrades for honouring Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq through Solace's invitation to the event. He commended the Senior Special Assistant for bringing together former student leaders and young stakeholders across the state. He added that the event would foster peace and enhance the relationship among the youths in the state.

Similarly, the former LP Governorship Candidate, Comrade Bassambo, lauded Hon. Olayinka Fafoluyi for hosting the leaders of all youth constituencies across the state for the breaking of fast.

Bassambo described the event as the first of its kind in the state and commended the Comrades for making it lively by sharing their on- and off-campus experiences.

For his part, Hon. Solace said he was elated by the turnout and expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Governor AbdulRazaq, who has made new sets of young, generational leaders. He also thanked all the Comrades who graced the occasion. Preaching for peace among them, he noted that the program will now be held thrice a year to foster peace, love, and unity among youth constituencies in the state.

In adding colour to the event, Hon. Solace, who represented Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, at the occasion, ensured everyone smiled home by distributing 10kg of 200 bags of Rice to each participant on behalf of the youth-friendly Governor to the Comrades and urged them to continue supporting the state’s developmental drive and one another's growth as they progress in their careers as good ambassadors of Kwara State.

This act of non-partisan kindness by Governor AbdulRazaq is a testament to his known generosity and compassion that defines him even before the Ramadan/Lent season.