There is sincerely no doubt in the hearts of the populace in Kwara State that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has recorded an excellent performance within a 100 days in office. To qualify this excellent performance beyond the rhetorics of political propaganda, I shall strive to elucidate in this publication the realities of the performance, which indeed, is ubiquitous, to say the least.Permit me, very patiently, to kick-start the reality of Governor Ahmed's performance by making a prudent reference to road construction. Quietly, but calculatedly, the operation 'No Pot-hole' has emerged as a philosophical concept of this administration, being implemented with assiduous speed and commitment.All motorists and commuters are happy with this development. Added to this conceptual impetus is the resurfacing of some major roads in the state capital such as the Murtala Muhammed Way and Emir's Road alongside combating flooding in the city through the construction of some drainages in key strategic areas. The same administration has equally announced the dualisation of the Sango road and the rehabilitation of the Ola-Olu to Central Bank quarters road.The achievements in this area within a 100 days, to say the least, are quite modest and sufficiently robust to justify the confidence of the populace. We are all aware of the unwavering commitment of the Governor Bukola Saraki's administration to road construction and rehabilitation in the state during his tenure in office. |In fact, Governor Ahmed's performance in this area within a very short span is nothing but a solid continuation of the legacy of the previous administration in the state.Another area worthy of comparative examination is the completion of all on-going projects of the immediate past administration as promised by Governor Ahmed shortly after assuming office. What this state has witnessed in the last 100 days is a resolute and scrupulous implementation of this pledge.Without mincing words, we have seen Governor Ahmed faithfully enhancing the consolidation process of the legacy bequeathed to him, through the inauguration of various completed projects. Among these are the inauguration of the cargo terminal at the Ilorin International Airport and the new football stadia at the state Stadium Complex. Aside from these, the rehabilitation of the indoor sports hall of the Stadium Complex is under way while the take-off of the International Aviation College, for which the operational licence has been granted, is imminent. All these are nothing but very sordid and unquantifiable implementation of the continuity legacy.Yet, in the foregoing, and as if the above achievements are not sufficient in themselves, Governor Ahmed did not leave out health care and adequate water supply, thus wearing a human mask in the face of his administration. He has put in place a strategy further consolidating primary health care delivery, while at the same time implementing a community health insurance scheme. We are all living witnesses to the exceptional performance of the immediate past administration in the state in the area of water supply, and the new administration in this state is consolidating and improving upon the scheme almost on a daily basis with the inauguration of 72 boreholes in parts of the state. The achievements in these areas are totally devoid of any hypocritical performance and form a tangible faculty for a creditable leadership, leaving no doubting Thomasses in the process.The appraisal of Governor Ahrned's performance in the last 100 days is not at all a eulogical exercise, but a tacit reality of what is on the ground. What we have seen are not empty promises with their inherent political fallacies, but preceptual implementation of policies and programmes along clearly defined parameters. Besides, Governor Ahmed is pursuing an aggressive agricultural policy with a view to encouraging commercial agriculture while at the same time, not leaving out solid mineral exploration in parts of the state. Also, tourism exploration that is capable of engendering employment generation and foster economic development is already in the package of the young administration in the state.The Youth Empowerment Scheme of Governor Ahmed in which 2,000 youths will be gainfully employed within his short span in office is the hallmark of the present administration's physical performance. To sustain and enhance the trend, the administration is to establish Vocational Training Centres for the acquisition of various skills to guarantee employment generation for the youth.Showing gratitude to workers in the state civil service, Governor Ahmed- led administration was among the first of the states of the Federation to implement the new minimum wage in the country. As a mark of appreciation and respect to elder citizens of the state, Governor Ahmed approved and implemented a percentage increase for pensioners in the state without any hue and cry. Apparently, he did not want the elder statesmen to lose their purchasing power very badly in the face of the implementation of the new minimum wage. Even my friends of the pen profession are not left out of the dynamic benefits dished out by Governor Ahmed as a new Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has already been embarked upon by his administration within his 100 days while the new secretariat complex of the the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has been commissioned.God bless the government and people of Kwara State, God bless Nigeria.Adeosun can be reached via gbengaadeosun@yahoo.com
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