Kwara - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Lydia Beshel
Apr, Mon, 2025

1,800 get teaching appointments in Kwara

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TESCOM

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The Kwara state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has shorlisted 1,800 applicants for teaching appointments in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Commission’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onile, made available to newsmen in Ilorin.

Onile said that the shortlisted applicants emerged from a screening exercise, which included computer based test, and interviews spanning over three months.

”The shortlisted comprises 790 (44%) for STEM subjects; 581 for core subjects; 370 for specialised subjects; and 59 for technical subjects.

”They will be assigned to senior secondary schools across the 16 local government areas of the state in line with the needs assessment of the commission,” he said.

Onile advised applicants who appeared for the interviews to check their status on the portal, adding “those shortlisted will undergo a mandatory drug test to ascertain their suitability to teach children.

”The drug test will be carried out by the NDLEA and will be coordinated by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drugs Abuse, Prevention and Control, Hon. Mukail Aileru.

”The test will begin on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and end on Saturday April 12, 2025. Shortlisted candidates from Baruten, Edu, Kaiama, and Patigi are slated for Wednesday.

“Those from Ekiti, Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Isin will be tested on Thursday, April 10; Offa, Oke Ero, Oyun, and Moro are slated for Friday, April 11, while the candidates from Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Ilorin West are to have theirs on Saturday.

“The drug test certificates will be sent to the commission by the NDLEA as no candidate is allowed to access it on their own to curb altering,” he said.

The official said that successful applicants would also sign a bond not to seek transfer for six years, a policy response to the dearth of teachers in rural areas.

“Shortlisted applicants are to also come with medical certificates from any state government hospital as well as the original copies of their credentials for documentation, during which they will be required to drop photocopies of same for record purposes.

“They will also submit handwritten letters of acceptance of the job offer, while other conditions of service will be spelt out during the documentation process,” Onile added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Tosin Kolade
Apr, Fri, 2025

Agriculture

Kwara, IsDB to invest $57.2m in livestock development project

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By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

Kwara Government has partnered with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Saudi Arabia, to invest $57.2 million in an agricultural transformation initiative aimed at boosting livestock production and rural development.

The State Coordinator of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), Dr Busari Isiaka, confirmed the partnership in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Ilorin.

He said that the project was funded through this partnership to establish robust infrastructure for investors and local farmers in beef and milk processing.

Isiaka emphasised the significance of the project, saying it marked the first time a sitting governor had served as chairman of a steering committee for such an initiative.

“To understand the importance of this project, it is a five-year initiative with joint funding from the state government and IsDB.

“While other states in the federation receive support from the African Development Bank, Kwara is pioneering this collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank,” he said.

He further highlighted that Kwara demonstrated early commitment by swiftly paying its counterpart funds, making it the first state to fulfill its financial obligations.

“This prompt action has enabled significant progress on the project.

“The initiative primarily focuses on improving agricultural infrastructure, particularly in the livestock sector, with the core objective of enhancing the livelihoods of rural communities.

“The SAPZ project will prioritise youth and women while promoting food and nutritional security.

“It is designed to provide sustainable solutions for livestock farmers by ensuring access to modern processing facilities,” he added.

Dr Isiaka also stated that the project was being implemented in five local government areas– Ifelodun, Kaiama, Baruten, Asa, and Moro.

He explained that it would feature Agricultural Transformation Centres.

“Here, local farmers can process raw materials such as milk before transporting them to an agro-industrial hub in Malete, Moro Local Government Area, for further processing into dairy products like yogurt and cheese.

“The beef value chain will also be integrated into the project, with necessary facilities to support meat processing.

“To ensure smooth execution, we conducted extensive environmental assessments and community consultations.

“We have profiled over 5,000 beneficiaries, ensuring that the infrastructure meets their needs, including access to potable water,” he said.

According to Isiaka, the project is currently in its design phase and is expected to transition into full infrastructure development later this year.

He also revealed that the state government had engaged consultants to attract both local and international investors to the project.

“The goal of the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) is to reduce agricultural wastage and enhance value addition.

“Kwara is positioning itself as a leader in livestock processing, and this initiative will ensure that our farmers benefit immensely,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

Abdulaziz
Apr, Thu, 2025

Health

Kwara Govt. upgrades Omu-Aran General Hospital to Teaching Hospital

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By Yinka Owolewa

The Kwara Government on Thursday signed an agreement to upgrade the Omu-Aran General Hospital to a Teaching Hospital for medical students of Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko.

TAU is located in Oko, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that TAU is expected to produce health workers, including medical officers and other specialists, to boost healthcare services in the country.

Delivering a keynote address at the signing of the MOU, Health Commissioner, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, said the occasion was another milestone to strengthen the state’s health system.

The commissioner described Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a man of action committed to beating his own records across various sectors.

She cited the recent recruitment of 1,005 health workers, including medical officers, midwives and nurses, as pivotal evidence of the governor’s achievements.

The commissioner also drew attention to the ongoing process to implement the latest CONMESS, facility upgrades across basic and secondary facilities and creation of the state teaching hospital as other achievements of the governor.

“To the glory of God, I have been privileged to work in America, United Kingdom and Nigeria, and nowhere in the world have I seen a sector completely run by the government that succeeded.

” So, it takes a forward thinking, visionary, and dynamic personality like Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to know the limit and seek the collaboration and support of the private sector.

” This is what is at play here today,” she said.

The Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismaila Alebiosu, who spoke on behalf of Kwara South Senatorial District, commended the governor for making history with the latest initiative.

“We have never had it this good in our region and I speak for our people.

” The governor recently commissioned the Osi Campus of KWASU, and there are many road projects in different parts of our region.

” This is another big one and it shows that he is a governor for the whole of Kwara State.

” We are grateful to him,” he said .

The Olupo also described the founder and Chancellor of TAU, Dr Thomas Adewumi, as a fantastic problem solver and a pride of the region.

He further commended his commitment to the school project and other forms of humanitarian services.

“This project for which we are here today is a project for which I can say that Kwara Southerners are very grateful to the governor for.

” This is because it is going to be the first of its kind in this region.

” Our gathering in large numbers is to show how happy we are about this development.

” We are very happy that this is being done during our lifetime,” he added.

Adewumi, on his part, expressed gratitude to the governor for positively impacting lives and his concern for equity.

“The owners of Kwara South are all here today, as the presence of our monarchs shows.

” They have all come to celebrate the governor for what he has done for Kwara South.

” It is a landmark achievement that transcends ordinary consideration,” he said.

“Governor AbdulRazaq is a man who believes in fairness.

” He is making great impacts in the lives of the people.

” The impacts he has made in Kwara will live for decades and generations to come.

” We have never had it so good since 1967. I pray that God gives him long life and continues to use him for greater accomplishments,” he said.

NAN reports that the MOU is another initiative of the administration to strengthen its collaboration with private institutions in healthcare delivery.

NAN also reports that the government signed a similar MOU to allow Al-Hikmah University to use the newly upgraded Sobi Specialist Ilorin as a teaching hospital as part of the accreditation processes for its medical courses.

The MOU with TAU attracted senior government officials, traditional rulers, top academics and stakeholders in the education sector.

Among the dignitaries were the Information Commissioner, Bola Olukoju; Chairman, Irepodun local government, Yakub AbdulAzeez and veteran journalist and APC chieftain, Raheem Adedoyin.(NAN)

Edited by Mufutau Ojo