The Governor of Kwara State North Central Nigeria, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq says preliminary works will begin next year on the 18,000-hectare Ilorin Smart City Satellite Town the administration has designed for the expansion of the capital city.
Ilorin Smart City Satellite Town is an offshoot of the Ilorin City Master Plan, the second of such blueprint for urban planning since the state was created in 1967.
Speaking at the 58th Annual National Conference of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), the Governor said “the capital city deserves constant infrastructure upgrade, maintenance, and expansion, following its positions in the state and central Nigeria — just as he is making efforts to expand infrastructure in other parts of the state.”
AbdulRazaq said; “Next year, we plan to commence preliminary works on the Ilorin Smart City Satellite Town, which should cover an area of 18,000 hectares. This is a beautiful adaptation from the Ilorin City Master Plan that I had previously discussed in this gathering two years ago,” he said at the event which took place at the forecourt of the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR).
“I therefore invite you to support this historic milestone in the socio-economic and physical evolution of Ilorin and Kwara State as a whole. It will usher in immeasurable growth, huge investments in real estate, and the opportunities that come with building a new city.”
The Governor congratulated the Emir, IEDPU, and sons and daughters of Ilorin on another impressive outing this year, praying Allah to grant the Emirate many more successes in the coming years and to make the state a positive reference point in harmony, peace, and prosperity.
“Our gathering here serves to chat for this great emirate a new agenda of development, unity, brotherhood, and general wellbeing of our people. I am excited that His Royal Highness and indeed the IEDPU have remained reliable partners for inclusive growth, continuous improvement in the living standards of the people, and steady evolution of Ilorin into a mega city,” AbdulRazaq stated.
“The Ilorin City Master Plan is the second comprehensive document since the 1970s that outlines how the capital city should be planned. But it is just the first phase of the master plans we are bequeathing to the state, in shaa Allaah. Other phases will be for Kwara South and Kwara North. I thank the IEDPU and other stakeholders for their contributions to it,” he stated.
According to him, “not only does Ilorin constantly need infrastructure upgrade, maintenance, and expansion because of its positions in our state and central Nigeria, the reality is that the capital city is at the risk of becoming a slum if nothing is done to give it a befitting expansion that improves its standing and makes it a 21st century city on a sustainable basis.”
The Governor appreciated the people of the Emirate for their unflinching support for the administration in the last four years, especially during the last general election.
AbdulRazaq announced a personal donation of N25 million to support the IEDPU’s skill acquisition centre and the Central Mosque.
Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, congratulated the IEDPU and all sons and daughters of the Emirate for the successful host, appealing to them to continue to love one another and work for sustainable peace, unity and progress of the Emirate.
He lauded the Governor for his remarkable achievements in the state and his support for the Emirate, including his support for the ongoing construction of skills acquisition centre of the union.
The National President of IEDPU, Alhaji Aliyu Uthman commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his laudable projects in the state, particularly the recent inauguration of the Education Trust Fund, describing it as a step in the right direction.
“As a community, we recognise the giant strides recorded by the current administration in the state, particularly in the areas of provision of qualified personnel and infrastructures as well as renovation of some existing secondary schools into befitting standards,” he said.
The President praised the foresight of the government on the proposed Kwara State University of Education and appealed that the institution be located within Ilorin.
Chairman of the occasion, Justice Haroon, acknowledged the tireless efforts of the IEDPU in fostering unity and progress of the Emirate over the years.
He advocated for the establishment of Ilorin Emirate Elders’ Forum, comprising highly respected individuals that will be assisting the Emir and his chiefs as well as IEDPU in promoting peace, development and unity in the community.
Chairperson of the occasion and Matron IEDPU Western Zone, Haija Fatimoh Shuaibu, who commended the Emir and the union on the various achievements recorded so far, also appreciated the Governor for his gender inclusion policies and programmes.
The State Grand Kadi Justice Kamaldeen, in his lecture, admonished all sons and daughters of the Emirate to continue to exist in peace and unity, cautioning clerics against teachings or acts that can undermine peace and unity of the state.
He described Sheikh Alimi as a great reformer, and hailed the Emir, his descendant, for his uncommon love and concern for sustainable peace and cohesion of the city.
The socio-cultural gathering was attended by top government functionaries, and prominent individuals from within and outside the state, including the Grand Kadi , Kwara State Shari’a Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen Al-Adabiy and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Abdulkadir Mahe.
Others were Imam Imole of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhammed; Mufty Ilorin Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa; former Grand Kadi and Chairman of the occasion, Justice Idris Haroon (Rtd); Chairperson and Matron for IEDPU Western Zone Hajia Fatimah Toyin Shuaibu; Chairman, AA RANO Nig Ltd and principal launcher Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, who was represented by Alhaji Muhammed Bello; and the IEDPU President Alhaji Aliyu Otta Uthman.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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