Like the rest of the world, Nigeria begins the new year 2024 with high spirits and messages of hope for a prosperous year from leaders across the nation.
In Kwara State, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu on the 1st of January, 2024 set a positive tone for the new year by extending his usual support to hundreds of women and youths within his constituency in the Baruten Local Government area of the state.
Rt. Hon. Engr. Danladi-Salihu was accompanied to Gwanara by his colleagues at the Tenth Legislature; Hon. Mohammed Baba Salihu, Okuta/Yashikira; Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahudeen, Omupo constituency; Hon. Abdulrasheed Lafia, TIC Chairman Baruten LGA; Hon. Jemilat Bake, Commissioner Civil Service Commission; and Hon. Jimoh Raheem Agboola, a former member representing Ilorin South state constituency at the Ninth Assembly, as well as friends and political associates where he also graced the finals of a football competition among youths of his Ilesha/Gwanara constituency, which he sponsored.
The Speaker’s initiative of extending his hands of kindness to no fewer than three hundred women, in the spirit of the festive season and the football competition signals a firm commitment to uplifting community members and promoting connectedness among young people within and beyond his constituency.
The young and energetic Danladi recently showed a similar commitment to strengthening the bond among young people in the state with his participation in the just concluded third edition of Play With Kwara Youths where he shone on the pitch demonstrating fitness and skills needed for the round leather game in a manner that could sprawl bidding war between the Gunners, City, United and other top premiership sides in competing for his signature.
Danladi’s support of vulnerable women and youths which of course isn’t the first, aligns with the philosophy of charity and love as espoused in the official prayers of the Kwara State House of Assembly. These principles emphasize the importance of benevolence and goodwill towards others, as well as fostering a sense of unity across diverse communities. In embodying these values, Danladi’s actions not only provide assistance to those in need but also exemplify a spirit of compassion and solidarity essential for societal cohesion and economic empowerment.
The decision to direct resources towards women and youth signifies an acknowledgment of their valuable contributions to the fabric of Kwara State. By extending his hands of kindness to these groups and opportunities for communal engagement, Danladi not only underscores their significance within the community but also reinforces the notion of collective responsibility and support for the betterment of all members of society.
Rt. Hon. Engr. Danladi-Salihu, who also met separately with APC women, youths, elders, and other support groups seized the opportunity to brief his constituents on his legislative stewardship and the projects and programs of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq led Kwara state government, towards ensuring that the progress so far made by this administration is consolidated upon and new physical and socioeconomic development grounds are broken. This, he discussed, making specific references to the 2024 budget estimates presented by the Governor, which is still undergoing legislative scrutiny.
Emphatically, the Speaker notes the promises the year 2024 holds for the developmental trajectory of the Ilesha/Gwanara state constituency in particular, Baruten local government, Kwara North and Kwara state in general, referencing enormous kilometers of RAAMP projects, the facilitated BUA roads to be constructed,the ongoing Ilesha/Gwanara road which the contractor is working to deliver it soon and others at the State level, across sectors, which have been captured in the budget under consideration.
He also hinted at the plans by the Kwara state government to build an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) center in the constituency, in a bid to bridge the information technology literacy gap and equip young people from the area with tech skills.
Rt. Hon. Engr. Danladi-Salihu while emphasizing the need for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among young people assured that he would continue to engage his people and welcome suggestions for a way forward in his bid towards championing people-centric legislation that places a premium on collective goods.
The representatives of the women, youths and elders’ groups in their separate remarks at the different engagements commended Rt. Hon. Danladi-Salihu for his many contributions which they said have impacted their lives positively and pledged their unalloyed support to the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
This proactive approach to community engagement sets an optimistic precedent for the year ahead, as it reflects a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive legislative framework, an action that again, speaks to the strong commitment to effective representation and social cohesion. Welcome to the year 2024!
Abdulmumin Yunusa Ndagara is the S. A. New Media to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, KWHA