The Kwara State Government has concluded the final leg of its citizens' engagement for the 2026 budget in Ilemona, Oyun Local Government Area, marking the end of a three-phase consultation process across the state.

Held on Thursday, the Kwara South session provided residents with a platform to present their developmental priorities for inclusion in the upcoming fiscal year.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Olubukola Babalola, who reaffirmed the administration's commitment to inclusive governance and responsive budgeting.

The event was attended by lawmakers from Kwara South, senior government officials, local council chairmen, traditional rulers led by the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, KWIRS Chairman Folashade Omoniyi, religious leaders, party officials, women's groups, market leaders, and student representatives.

In his message, the Governor stated that the engagement process was designed to ensure the 2026 budget reflects the genuine needs of communities across the state.

He reiterated his administration's dedication to transparency, equity, and improved public service delivery through participatory planning.

The Kwara South leg followed earlier sessions in Bode Sa'adu (Kwara North) and Afon (Kwara Central), forming part of a broader strategy to democratise budget preparation and align spending with grassroots priorities.

The budget is one of the most important and valuable policy tools of the administration as it translates developmental agenda into actionable programmes and projects, he said.

"You would recall that this year's town hall meeting commenced on Tuesday, the 26th August 2025 at Bode Saadu for the people of Kwara North. On the 2nd of September, 2025, it was the turn of the Kwara Central. Today, we are immensely pleased to wrap up the engagement with our people in the Kwara South," the Governor said.

"For a budget to be effective, it must reflect the true needs and aspirations of the people. That is why your participation here today is crucial.

"Our government firmly believes that planning for the people without the people is planning to fail. This engagement ensures that every voice, whether from our farmers, traders, artisans, youths, or traditional institutions, is heard and considered in shaping our fiscal priorities."

AbdulRazaq said the government has made significant progress over the past in nfrastructural development, health care, job creation, agriculture, and education, among others.

He said these achievements were possible because of the ideas and feedback the government received from citizens during the previous citizens' engagements.

"Let us continue to strengthen this partnership between the government and the people so that our state can truly become a model of inclusive and sustainable development," he added.

Deputy Speaker, Hon Oyebode, commended the commitment of Governor AbdulRazaq to road infrastructure, particularly in the southern part which he said has improved the economy and living condition of the residents.

He cited the ongoing construction of the Afon-Ojoku-Offa-Odo Otin and many others as examples of such efforts.

The lawmaker, meanwhile, sought the construction of the road linking Ipee, Bayagan, Egudu, Oyate, and Agbamu in Irepodun local government, saying this route will ease transportation of agric produce in that axis.

Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Marry Arinde, said the citizens' engagement means moving beyond numbers on the spreadsheets to truly understanding what matters most to the people.

"It is a fact that since Governor AbdulRazaq assumed office in 2019, we have been witnessing non-stop developmental projects in the state, particularly in the southern part," she said.

Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, said the administration has constructed more kilometres of road in Kwara South than in Ilorin, dismissing the claims of concentration on Ilorin as incorrect.

He listed some of the roads to include the 24.6km from Ajase-Ipo to Bayero - linking Irepodun and Ifelodun --, 21km-Arandun-Esie-Oro road; another 24km Bayero to Oke Ode which is already presented for tender process; Omu Aran- Oko-Oro-Ago; Ibrahim Taiwo Road (Offa); the Orisa bridge; 8-km Ijara-Isin-Sabaja-Owa Onire; 13km Owode Ofaro-Alabe road; Agbamu-Ila Orangun.

He also announced that the government will soon award the contracts for the Omu Aran township road; Olofa Way (Offa); Palace Road (Ijagbo); 15.1km Ilemona to Ojoku road; and 7km Alabe to Oreke road; among others.

He charged all relevant stakeholders in the senatorial district, including council chairmen, to take ownership of all public facilities such as roads in their domains.

Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, said the Governor has facilitated at least 1600 housing units through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, adding that 600 of them will benefit Kwara Southerners.

"Offa stadium has been abandoned for many years. This government has redesigned and approved that we should commence the construction work at the facility in the next two weeks. This is to encourage sporting activities among our youth," he said.

The government has similarly awarded the contract for the Lafiagi stadium, according to official information.

Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Bosede Olaitan Buraimoh, said the Governor is driving the welfare of citizens with a unique passion, specifically pointing out the women and youth-focused empowerment initiatives of the administration.

Chairman of Oyun local government, Hon. Akanbi Kamar Olarewaju, said the engagement offers the people a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the budget process.

Akanbi, while commending the open door policy and exemplary leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq, said Oyun local council has also emulated him by recently conveying a stakeholders' meeting, where the needs of every ward were discussed.

Chairman for Ifelodun, Hon. Femi Yusuf, thanked AbdulRazaq for his swift response to the recent security breaches in Ile-ire district and parts of Oke-Ode, saying this has restored calm and strengthened the confidence of the communities.

He said under his watch as council chairman, more than 80 localities in Ifelodun have benefitted either from solar-powered boreholes, construction and renovation of classrooms, installation of solar streetlights, or refurbishment of abandoned tractors.

He urged the government to look into the construction of Idofian-Igbaja road, Elerinjare-Ojoku road, Igbaja-Adanla-Ofarese ring road, and Agunjin-Agbeku road.

Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Alebiosu, said the Governor has been good to the people of Kwara South, given his people-focused programmes and projects.

He restated the support of the people of the region for the administration.

"On behalf of the traditional rulers in the Kwara South Senatorial District, I have been mandated to say loud and clear that this institution is hundred and one percent in support of this government," he said, praying for continued God's guidance for the Governor.