Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday congratulated Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye II, on his 57th birthday anniversary.

The governor sent his congratulatory message in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin.

He said that the royal father had proudly used his resources and networks to enhance the lot of his people and brought colour to his exalted royal office.

The statement read, “On behalf of his family, the people and government of Kwara State, the governor congratulates the Olofa on his birthday anniversary.

“He is convinced that the Olofa has rightly earned the trust, respect and wide acceptance of the people of Offa through sheer generousity and genuine concern for their well-being and development.

“The governor specially appreciates the support of the Olofa for the government’s developmental programmes, including the ongoing campaign to flatten the curve of Coronavirus in Kwara.

“He prays the Almighty Allah to grant the Olofa many more years of good health in the service of his people and the state.”

The Kogi Government has commended the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy for establishing an Information Technology Innovation Centre at Kogi State University (KSU).

Speaking to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday ahead of the virtual inauguration of the project by the minister, Dr Isah Pantami, the Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said the state had a robust plan for the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Fanwo said that Kogi Government was determined to deploy ICT in addressing developmental gaps.

“What the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has done is in line with our policy to radically provoke ICT revolution with a view to building a generation of young people who are ready to take the ICT world by storm.

“As a government, we have a roadmap to achieving our ICT goals, and Gov. Yahaya Bello is a tech-savvy governor, who believes Kogi should grow into ICT hub of the nation and also export ICT expertise.

“There is a resolution by the State Executive Council that our Printing Press should become a new platform to serve our purpose of digital economic drive and innovations.

“The establishment of the information technology innovation centre at the Kogi State University will therefore help our untiring drive at ensuring that we develop an incubation centre for hatching some of the best ICT eggs in the nearest future,” Fanwo said.

He further disclosed that the Emergency Communications Centre established by the Federal Ministry of Communications was also ready for inauguration.

According to Fanwo, the centre will be inaugurated in the next few weeks by both the minister of communications and digital economy and the state governor.

He said that the administration of Gov. Bello would continue to commit adequate resources and attention to the development of ICT.

”My ministry is working hard to ensure we key into the administration’s ICT dreams and projections. We have projects that are ongoing which will shock the world when completed.

“The Kogi Open Governance and Accountability System is a platform made possible by the governor through ICT to ensure citizens’ participation in governance.

”It will soon be completed and launched by the governor and we shall be inviting the minister to witness what Kogi is doing with ICT,” the commissioner said. 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council on Friday donated medical items to the Ilorin General Hospital for improved e healthcare services.

Dr Raji Abdulrazaq, Kwara Commissioner for Health, who received the items, commended the council for its generosity.

AbdulRazak was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Abubakar Avilla.

He said the medical items would improve healthcare delivery.

AbdulRazak added that the items would go to the hospital’s children’s Ward.

“The donation is much appreciated by the state government, it will further consolidate the giant strides of the government in the health sector,” the commissioner said.

Earlier, Mr Glory Onojedo, South West Regional Director of the council, said the council was determined to assist less privileged members of the society.

He said  that the donation was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the council.

In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Abdulkadri Ahmed, promised that the items would be used to support patients’ care.

The Midlandpost reports that items include hospital beds, water-proof mattresses, blankets, freezer, rechargeable fans and lamps, and electric irons.