Kwara State Archives | Trendbrio.com

Kwara Raises Alarm Over Fake Agriculture Offers

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago03 mins

As the planting season approaches, the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has observed a rise in the circulation of unsolicited messages on Kwara cial media platforms—particularly WhatsApp—asking farmers and agribusiness owners to submit personal information or register for certain initiatives allegedly linked to government programs, loans, or agricultural input support. The Ministry, in a press statement signed by the Press Secretary, Ashaolu Omotola, categorically stated that it is not in partnership with any unverified platform or group currently soliciting such information. The statement reads; “This is a sensitive period in the agricultural calendar, and we understand that many farmers are on the lookout for genuine support and training opportunities. Unfortunately, this is also the time when dubious individuals or groups may attempt to exploit public trust. “We therefore urge all farmers, agribusiness owners, and cooperative groups across the state to exercise caution and verify all information before engaging. Do not release personal or business data to any platform or individual not officially announced by the Ministry. “The Ministry remains committed to transparency, and to providing timely and credible support to the farming community in Kwara State. In line with this, the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi, has emphasized that this alert reflects the Kwara State Government’s commitment—under the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq—to proactively safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure transparency across all agricultural support systems. “It also underscores the administration’s forward-thinking approach to strengthening public trust and protecting genuine initiatives from abuse. “We encourage everyone to stay vigilant and avoid falling prey to misinformation. “If you come across any suspicious messages or individuals making unverified claims in the name of the Ministry, please report them through our official communication channels.”

Kwara Shortlists 1,800 Applicants for TESCOM Job

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago05 mins

One-thousand-eight-hundred (1,800) applicants have been shortlisted for teaching appointments at the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), according to a statement on Sunday. The statement said the shortlist comprises 790 (44%) cleared for STEM subjects; 581 for core subjects; 370 for specialized subjects; and 59 for technical subjects— to be assigned to senior secondary schools across the 16 local government areas of the state in line with the needs assessment of the commission. Applicants who appeared for the interviews are to check their status on the portal, after which those shortlisted will undergo a mandatory drug test to ascertain their suitability to teach children, the statement added. 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 Olamilekan Aileru. The commission said the drug test certificate will be sent to its office by the NDLEA as no candidate is allowed to access it on their own to curb counterfeiting. “His Excellency has graciously approved full payment for the drug test for all the 1,800 successful candidates, underscoring his commitment to a drug-free Kwara State. 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,” the statement said. “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 message is very clear: We are as interested in sound education as we are in having only tutors with sound mind and character.” Successful applicants will also sign a bond not to seek or get transfer for six years, a policy response to the dearth of teachers in rural areas, it added. “Shortlisted applicants are to also come with medical certificates from any state government hospitals 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,” according to the statement. The statement said shortlisted applicants will also submit handwritten letters of acceptance of the job offer. Other conditions of service will be spelt out during the documentation process, it added. The commission said the shortlisted candidates can take advantage of their drug test schedule to begin their documentation at its headquarters in Ilorin. “We thank all the applicants who took part in this rigorous and competitive process. Our shortlist is exclusively based on merit, needs assessment, and equity, with zero political interference,” the statement said. “This is as strictly directed by His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, to strengthen public confidence in our schools, encourage excellence, and give everyone a fair chance to get the limited government placement, irrespective of their backgrounds. “It is, indeed, another record breaker and we thank the Governor for this exemplary leadership. “These jobs were given to competent and qualified indigenes, non-indigenes, and persons living with disabilities once they come under the needs assessment and meet the criteria set by the commission.”

Ilorin Stadium renamed Rashidi Yekini Stadium

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Kwara State Government has renamed the Ilorin Township Stadium in honour of former Super Eagles striker, Late Rashidi Yekini. This is contained in a statement signed the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye on Monday. The statement reads in part; “The main bowl of the stadium is named after the late Rashidi Yekini, a football legend renowned for scoring Nigeria’s first World Cup goal and the country’s highest goal scorer till date. “Governor Abdulrazaq, similarly, approved for some other important state facilities to be named as follows: Table Tennis Arena is named after Atanda Musa (Manza Musa), who was a national champion in the games in 1979. “Indoor Sports Hall is named after Gabriel Babatunde Ladipo, the first black principal of the Government Technical Training School Ilorin (GTTS) who was regarded as the father of sports in the state. “Squash Court is named after Coach Bolakale Mogaji, executive chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission who was the pioneer coach, player, and national champion in the squash game. “KFA Academy is named after Coach Usuman Adenuja, the first football coach who took the Kwara Academicals to the final of Academical football competition. The Governor was among his products. “Hostel A of the stadium is named after Salihu Ishola, the first Kwaran commonwealth games’ medalist; Hostel B is named after Paralympic badminton bronze medalist Bolaji Eniola; and Hostel C is named after Bola Esan, the first female director of sports.” Late Yekini scored 37 goals in international matches and represented Nigeria in seven football tournaments including two World Cups where he scored the country’s first-ever goal in the competition. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

Kwara to employ 1,800 new senior class teachers

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a request of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to hire 1,800 teachers, 100 non-teaching staff, and 200 security guards to promote safer school environment. The hires are for the senior secondary schools across the state, with emphasis on the rural areas where teachers are lacking. TESCOM Chairman Mallam Bello Tauheed Abubakar said in a statement that application links will soon be released. “All applicants will have to apply online. Applicants must have a university bachelor degree in education or a university degree in relevant subjects with a teaching certificate. These are B.Ed, BSc. Ed, B.A. Ed, BSc plus PGDE or NCE. Applicants without the listed qualifications will not be invited for the test,” he said. “The recruitment exercise is essentially to bridge the human resource gap in the schools in the hinterlands. Therefore, applications will be screened along that line. “Teachers of STEM subjects will also be prioritised in the exercise. Required subject areas in Art and Commercial will also be indicated on the application portal. We plead that persons whose subject areas are not indicated should not apply. “Applicants will be required to upload the certificate of their local government of origin, indicate their local government of residence, and show evidence of same at different stages of the exercise. “Further requirements may be announced in the course of the exercise. The cutoff mark will be decided after the CBT. Only applicants who meet the requirements will be invited for the CBT. “After the CBT, shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews and peer teaching (practicum) at venues to be announced. “All shortlisted applicants shall undergo drug tests in line with the focus of the government to fight drug abuse and protect school children from the menace of drug abuse. “Applicants who exhibit behaviours unexpected of a teacher and role model will be disqualified at any stage of the exercise. “TESCOM sincerely commends the unrivalled commitment of the Governor to a better public sector education. This is reflected in the clear policy direction and investment of the administration since 2019.”

Gov Abdulrazaq celebrates 18-year-old chartered accountant

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Kwara State Governor Abdulrazaq Rahman sends hearty congratulations to 18-year-old University of Ilorin’s student Miss Faith Aduragbemi Olabisi who recently became a chartered accountant. Abdulrazaq said the feat is a triumph of hard work, determination, equal opportunities, and equitable access to education. He urged the young chartered accountant to remain steadfast and strong as she pursues a career in the field of accountancy. The Governor commended her parents and her communities for the opportunity and encouragement that saw her through years of rigorous and consistent study. He wished Miss Olabisi many years of outstanding success and contributions to national development as a chartered accountant.

Kwara employs 300 Youths, registers 270,000 Kwarans

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago23 mins

The Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA) has so far employed about 300 youths and registered over 270,000 Kwarans in its continuous registration exercise. The Acting General Manager of KWASRRA, Mr. Tajudeen Jimoh stated this at the inter-ministerial press briefing, organized by the Kwara State Ministry of Communications. He disclosed that the mandate of the Agency which is to register all Kwara State residents is anchored on the target of registering three million Kwarans based on projections from the last population census, which puts the population of Kwara State at 2.3 million as at 2006. Mr. Jimoh highlighted the successes of the Agency for the period under review to include: registration of all civil servants and allocation of registration centres across the sixteen Local Government Areas of the State, the launch of KWASRRA website in order to make the registration seamless, hassle-free and less time consuming, delivery and distribution of SSID cards to their owners, and the ongoing registration of pensioners and students, which is recording steady progress. The Acting General Manager also disclosed plans by the Agency to open up the registration exercise to all residents soon. “The Agency shall open up the registration exercise to all residents of Kwara State as soon as relevant approval is gotten. “This move is aimed at ensuring that no resident is left out, and to meet the target of the exercise of registering three million Kwarans,” he said. “Among the successes already recorded by the Agency is the registration of 270,000 residents of Kwara State within five months of the registration exercise. “This figure is expected to rise sharply as more residents embrace the online registration option and as soon as the registration is opened to all residents,” he added.