NEWS
Gov Abdulrazaq sees big prospect for Sugar Film Factory as Kwara hosts 2024 BON Award
Movers and shakers of the Nigerian movie industry are expected in Ilorin in November as Kwara State hosts the 16th edition of the Best of Nollywood awards in November.
Receiving the hosting rights of the award on Wednesday in Ilorin, Governor Abdulrazaq said the event will hold at the iconic Sugar Factory Film Studio which he said had been built to take the Nigerian creative industry to the next level through cutting-edge last mile post production capabilities.
“We are honoured to be given the hosting rights for this year’s event (Best of Nollywood Award). As you can see, Kwara is ready to dominate the film industry. The intention for this Sugar Factory Film Studio is to take film production in Nigeria to another level” he said.
“What we have seen in Africa and globally is that what we are producing (in Nigeria) are mostly videos. We want to move to another level of cinematography so that we can win global awards in film production. This is a reason for this facility.”
The brief ceremony was attended by top government officials and some Nollywood stars from within and outside the state.
Attendees included the Chief of Staff to the Governor Alhaji AbdulKadir Mahe; Commissioner for Communication Bola Olukoju; Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun; Commissioner for Finance Dr Hauwa Nuru; Commissioner for Works Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo; Managing Director, Sugar Factory Film Studio Olugbenga Titiloye; Chairman Advisory Board for the BON Mr. Seun Oloketuyi; and President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) Alhaji Abdulmumeen Abdulmalik.
Others are General Manager, Sugar Factory Film Studio Mrs Grace Babasola; General Managers for Radio Kwara Kayode Aremu; General Manager Herald Newspaper Yomi Adeboye; Executive Producer, BON Awards, Prince Feranmi Olaoye; and Nollywood actors Yemi Blaq and Feyi Hassan.
AbdulRazaq said hosting the BON Award will further market the Sugar Factory Film Studio to the movie industry, whose legends are coming for the event later this year.
“This is stage one of this facility. We intend to go to stage two and three, but we want stage one to be put in use. So, marketing this studio to the film industry is part of hosting this event and we will be glad to welcome at least 500 of the top film producers and active members of the film industry that day,” the Governor said.
“Kwara state is the place to be. We know that this place will definitely be a catalyst for future production in the film industry. I welcome you to Kwara and to the future in the movie industry in Nigeria.”
The Governor said the state is intentional about building a strong service and hospitality economy in phases to draw in quality human traffic. He said facilities like the Film Factory, visual arts centre, international conference centre, and the Kwara Hotel are a part of the plan.
Titiloye, for his part, commended the Governor for the huge investment in the facility and others, which he said would generate employment and revenue for the strategy.
He said Kwara was picked to organise the next event because of its peaceful atmosphere and the exceptional investments of the administration in the creative industry.
He said the Best of Nollywood Awards has always been a big event, and that close to 500 top film producers will attend the next edition in Kwara.
NEWS
Governor AbdulRazaq inspects ongoing Kwara’s Indoor Sports Hall project
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited the Kwara Stadium Complex to evaluate the progress of the ongoing revival of the indoor sports hall.The rehabilitation and upgrade of the indoor sports complex began a few months ago after the Governor’s administration approved the project. The facility, which was last upgraded in 1991, is undergoing significant renovations awarded to Messr Disscom Ltd.Once completed, the indoor sports hall will join a number of other previously dilapidated sports facilities that Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration has successfully rehabilitated in the past five years. Additionally, the administration has completed the construction of a modern table tennis hall and a squash court complex. Notably, the squash court complex is highly regarded in Nigeria and West Africa for hosting the highest number of modern squash courts in one location.
NEWS
Ekiti Governor Honours Primate Ayodele’s Late Father, Names Street After Him
The governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji has honoured the Primate Elijah Ayodele’s late father by naming a street after him in Ikere-Ekiti.The street which used to be ‘Area One’ where the prophet’s church in Ekiti is located has now been registered as Ayomate Avenue.According to reports, the renaming took the combined efforts of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Alagbado, his chiefs, the local government chairmen, and ultimately, the governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji.According to the governor, the street was named in recognition of the good works done by the late father of Primate Ayodele and the continuation of the good works by the prophet. He also recognized the efforts of the prophet to drive economic growth in the community.Primate Ayodele embraced the development while expressing appreciation to the governor for honouring God in such a manner. The prophet applauded the governor for his efforts towards bringing development to Ikere-Ekiti and promised that the presence of his church will in turn lead to more economic development in the local government.Furthermore, Primate Ayodele promised that he would begin by sinking boreholes across the local government to support the government in solving the water crisis.‘’I appreciate the governor for the magnanimous development of naming this vicinity after our church, it’s indeed marvellous in God’s sight. This is a testament to his love for God and the people of Ekiti state.”“I also want to appreciate him for the development he started in Ikere-Ekiti local government, the people are happy with him and above all, God is happy with him for all he is doing”“I want to promise His Excellency that our presence here will bring a new dawn to this vicinity, we will also assist the government. We will be sinking boreholes across the local government to solve the water crisis.’’History has it that Primate Ayodele’s father was one of the most respected individuals in Ikere-Ekiti who brought good tidings to the community and provided succour for individuals who needed help.Consequently, Primate Ayodele has been engaging in humanitarian activities on a large scale across the country. Since he opened a branch in Ikere-Ekiti, Primate Ayodele has organized charitable programmes thrice which involved selling a bag of rice for N20,000, scholarships for youths, empowerment for widows, to mention but a few.
NEWS
BREAKING: Gov Abdulrazaq approves bonus for Kwara workers to ease economic burden
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.
The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance Dr. Hauwa Nuru.
“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented mininum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said.
“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers.”
The statement added that workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency (KWSRRA) should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.
The statement said labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salary and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.
“Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of Kwara workforce,” Dr. Nuru stated.
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