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Abdulrazaq governs with pragmatic empathy a response to Senator Bukola Saraki – CPS Rafiu Ajakaye

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No one versed in the history of Mr. Bukola Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State, should be surprised at his recent outbursts on the courageous efforts of the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to restore sanity to Ilorin, the capital city.

It is for his likes that history should never be erased from the national curriculum so that younger generations may know about how he and his cronies not only mindlessly converted many public properties and assets to their personal properties, such as he did with the choice Alimi Chalet and a few others, but they also left the capital city without any strategic plan for population growth, urban planning, and orderliness.

The elite he struggled so hard to incite against the reformist government knew him to be one individual who typifies impunity, greed, and vendetta, such as was seen in his razing of the Idi-Ape family home of his predecessor, his award of mindless pension to himself even after becoming a senator, and the appropriation for his family of a choice public land otherwise called Ile Arugbo. Saraki’s outburst, in fact, has sent Kwarans chuckling about how he bulldozed the General Abdulkareem Adisa’s house in Ilorin to the glory of God(?). Generations of journalists who cut their teeth at the iconic Herald newspapers will never forget how Saraki brought down the newly constructed multimillion naira building that the late Mohammed Lawal of blessed memory gave to the newspapers.

The urban renewal programme of the Abdulrazaq administration, which includes restoring or upgrading the original plan of the capital city as much as possible to fit the current realities, was long due. It is what a responsible government should have done many years ago when the first ilorin master plan expired in the early 2000.

The chaotic and unplanned slum that our great capital city had become until recently is a dirty relic of the Bukola Saraki years when just anyone in the corridors of powers or their cronies could patch on any available land to erect structures with scant regard for any urban planning code. The result is the environmental disaster seen in many parts of Ilorin and environs and its consequences for lives and properties.

The Governor has no history of cornering public properties for himself or his family. What he has done so far within the law is to courageously reclaim for Kwarans what rightly belongs to them, but were taken away or dubiously converted for private use during the reigns of Saraki and his cronies. From the dubious sales of lands at the judges quarters to the Amusement Park, Galadimawa Estate, Kwara Liaison Offices in Kaduna and Lagos, Flower Garden, and Ile Arugbo, which they sold to themselves or mismanaged, the list of the heist is endless and mind-boggling.

The next time Mr. Saraki is in the state, he should have the courage to see what the government has made of the Flower Garden and the Ile Arugbo land that was stolen from the people. Sprouting right there is a multi-storey building that will house a one-of-its-kind hospital to improve the quality of healthcare delivery for the people and strengthen economic prosperity.

It is not surprising to see Mr. Saraki foaming at the mouth because the reform has once again recovered for the people a land whose approval was for a car park, per the signature of his own successor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, but was wrongly converted to another thing entirely. Reckless behaviours such as this were the features of the Saraki years, and we expected nothing less from him.

Restoring sanity in a growing capital city like Ilorin requires courageous leadership that will not be stonewalled by the blackmail of the likes of Saraki. The urban renewal of Governor Abdulrazaq is being done with full regard for the law, pragmatic empathy, and our context as a people — just as we saw in the years of the late Major General George Innih who took Ilorin to the next level in urban renewal and physical development.

Yes, Governor Abdulrazaq will serve out his term in 2027, God willing. He hardly needs a lecture from a Bukola Saraki who, enthralled by the trappings of office, occupied the Presidential Lodge even after leaving office.

But, unlike the Saraki reign which left the capital city and the state on autopilot in physical planning, the Governor will bequeath a 20-year master plan whose fruits now include a well-articulated plan that guides the physical growth of the state capital as it is done elsewhere in the world, thereby making Kwara viable for 21st century living with positive impacts on socioeconomic growth.

Building a decent and sustainable city will require mindset re-engineering about building codes, making sacrifices where necessary, and stepping on some toes, including those who felt the world revolves around them and they could do anything without anyone questioning them.

And urban renewal is better done early to save the future. Capital cities like Lagos and Rio De Janeiro, for instance, which didn’t do urban renewal early enough had their statuses taken elsewhere. Ilorin should not become a total slum before the right thing is done. That’s what separates Governor Abdulrazaq from Mr. Saraki.

Finally, governance is about foresight. It is beyond chest-thumping, grandstanding, and crass opportunism, key personality traits we have seen in Mr. Saraki. We urge him to keep his sanctimony. Kwarans have long seen through him. He is, as we had stated before, a bald hairdresser recommending his unfailing hair restorer.

▪︎ Rafiu Ajakaye is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State

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“Our Technology Infrastructure Now Best in Class, Thanks for Your Understanding”, Zenith Assures Customers

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Zenith Bank Plc has announced that it now boasts the best technology infrastructure in the banking industry, positioning itself to provide an exceptional customer experience and superior service delivery moving forward. This upgrade follows a recent comprehensive technology enhancement.The bank expressed its heartfelt gratitude to customers for their support and patience throughout the upgrade process, while also extending apologies for any inconveniences experienced during this time.This announcement was made in a social media post on Wednesday, signed by Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Group Managing Director/CEO. In her message, the GMD/CEO emphasized the bank’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled service experience, stating, “We undertook this upgrade to ensure we can offer our customers the best possible service.”Umeoji pledged that Zenith Bank will continue to innovate, ensuring that customer needs are met swiftly, safely, and conveniently.The post read in part: “On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Zenith Bank PLC, I would like to thank you for your patience and support during our IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system. “We are truly grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. The primary reason for undertaking this extensive endeavor was to better position Zenith Bank PLC for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and to create memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints.”While I regret the inconveniences and challenges you faced during and immediately after our migration, I am pleased to inform you that Zenith Bank PLC now has the best technology infrastructure in the industry. We are committed to ensuring you experience superior service delivery going forward.”Rest assured, you remain our top priority, and Zenith Bank will continue to innovate and offer value-added products and services to meet all your banking needs quickly, safely, and conveniently.”

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Ecobank Nigeria Has Best ‘Web Portal’ in Nigeria – Digital Jurist Awards

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Lagos, November 6, 2024 – Ecobank Nigeria has been awarded the “Best Web Portal” in Nigeria at the Phillips Consulting Digital Jurist Awards, ahead of 22 other commercial banks. This prestigious recognition highlights Ecobank’s leadership in digital banking and its commitment to delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions. The Digital Jurist Awards, created by digital experts at Phillips Consulting, assess the performance and effectiveness of digital platforms across various industries, including banking, telecommunications, and government. The evaluation covers websites, web portals, mobile apps, and social media, with a focus on organizations that have excelled in digital transformation. Kola Adeleke, Executive Director of Commercial Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, said the award is a reflection of the bank’s commitment to using digital technology to enhance customer experience. He emphasized that digital banking is the future of the industry, and Ecobank has long embraced this shift. He also commended the organizers and reiterated the bank’s dedication to providing seamless, reliable, and secure digital banking solutions. The recognition reinforces Ecobank’s position as a leader in digital innovation and highlights the growing role of technology in shaping the future of banking. Ecobank Nigeria is an affiliate of the Ecobank Group, the leading private pan-African banking group. Ecobank Nigeria offer a comprehensive suite of financial services and solutions to Consumer, Commercial, Corporate and Investment Banking clients at over 250 branches and 60,000 Xpress Point agencies. The Ecobank Group was established in 1985 to drive the financial integration and socio-economic development in Africa. With a presence in 35 sub-Saharan African countries as well as in France, the UK, UAE and China, Ecobank has unrivalled expertise and experience across Africa. Its pan-African platform provides a single gateway for payments, cash management, trade and investment across Africa and beyond.

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We’re Satisfied With Progress At FIRS — Reps Committee On Finance

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The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has commended the level of progress and achievements being made by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), promising that it will not withhold any support needed by the agency.

The Committee members, who were on an oversight visit, held a meeting with FIRS management at the Revenue House in Abuja, on Tuesday, and also toured the agency’s permanent headquarters in the Central Business District currently under construction.

The lawmakers, according to a statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, were conducted round the 17-floor building by the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr Kunle Ogidi.

Chairman of the Committee, Honourable James Faleke expressed satisfaction at the transformation in FIRS under the chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and the increased tax revenue, pledging continued support of the Committee for the initiatives of the agency.

“For us, we can only commend the staff and Management of FIRS and of course the contractors for a job well done. We have seen the quality work being done. They have designed it very well and where we asked them questions, they answered. We are satisfied. We say kudos to FIRS.

“We first went to the temporary building where the FIRS is using now and of course we met the Directors and everybody. Why we have taken time to come on oversight is to allow him to fully settle and we have seen the evidence that he has fully settled.

“His work is very smooth and we could see on the faces of staff. We decided to come to the proposed permanent site. We have seen the progress so far. Like the architect said, the project began 2011 and it will be completed next year.

“We expect that when that is done and the Nigerian Revenue Service bill is passed, it will be launched in this building. And we expect more revenue to come to Nigeria.

On if the Committee is encouraged to continue to support FIRS, Faleke said: “We have also supported FIRS. Our committee is the main committee. If we withdraw our support, there will be a collapse of the system. It isn’t about being encouraged, it is about us doing our job, to do what is right.”

The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Zacch Adedeji thanked the Committee for their visit and support, stating that FIRS will continue to collaborate with the National Assembly to move Nigeria forward.

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