Kwara Governor Inaugurates Ilorin Union’s Skills Acquisition Hub

The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on 25th December, 2025 commissioned the Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari Skills Acquisition Hub.

The event formed part of activities marking the 60th Annual Conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union( IEDPU).

The Skills Acquisition Hub – an initiative  of the  IEDPU was bankrolled by the governor who is the Sardauna of Ilorin.

The senior adviser and counselor, Alh Saadu Salahu commissioned the multi – million naira project located within the IEDPU secretariat , Garin Alimi area, Ilorin, on behalf of the governor.

Salahu was accompanied to the event by the former non executive director of NNPCL, Dr Muhammad Ghali Alaaya, the chairman of the Lower Niger River Development Authority, Ilorin, Alh AbdulLateef Alakawa, the special adviser on Special Duties, Alh AbdulRazaq Jiddah, special adviser on Media, Alh Bashir Adigun, special adviser/ vocal person on School Feeding Programme, Dr Rabiat Alabere, senior special assistant on Religion ( Islam), Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro, KWASSIP general manager, Dr AbdulWasiu Tejidini, Engr. AbdulRahman Giwa, Amb. Tajudeen Olesin and Dr Saadat Yusuf.

AbdulRazaq expressed delight that ” Ilorin is regaining its status as a major capital city in Nigeria. Just recently, Ilorin was ranked among the first 10 Nigerian cities in the area of technology and innovation. As a matter of fact, our tech economy is now worth over $20m dollars, up from below $1m less than six years ago. Huge private and public sector investments are also going into real estate, creative, and hospitality industries.

” My dream as your son and governor of Kwara State is to make this city one of the first five (5) in Nigeria in infrastructure, urban renewal, economic viability, innovation and technology, and sustainable living.

” It is doable, and we are many steps into the journey already. We are aggressively renewing and expanding the infrastructure across our state, including in the capital city Ilorin. For instance, between 2024 and now, we have completed 45 roads across Kwara Central totalling 77.39km, while 11 others are ongoing. The ongoing road projects are 72.522kms. These are things you can see for yourself if you move around Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Ilorin West. ”

The governor said while the Innovation Hub is now up and running with impressive reviews nationwide, he  hopes to deliver the International Conference Centre, Revenue House, remodelled Dada Pottery, Kwara Hotel, and many others in the new year.

” With our support also, the IEDPU Innovation Hub named as Dr.Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Complex is ready for unveiling and this will go a long way to further reposition our economy.

” More projects are expected to begin in the new year. Despite these investments in capital projects, we have not neglected the welfare of the people. Various social welfare packages are being implemented while new allowances are being approved for workers across cadres and professional lines. We have also commenced bulk payments of gratuities for some years, while pension payment is constant and up to date. This is our story.

“But the infrastructural expansion, improved welfare, and general positive leap in the standing of Ilorin and Kwara State are not enough. It requires that we all serve as great marketers and cheerleaders of our community who will tell people outside of the state how far our community has evolved, dispel unfounded rumours, focus on the positives, and invite people to invest and live in our communities,” he added.

He announced to the applause of his audience that close to 2,000 armed forest guards would be unveiled on Saturday to complement the existing efforts and curtail the activities of hostile actors and terrorists in parts of the state.

On the IEDPU conference, AbdulRazaq said:” Beyond our personal relationships as brothers, sisters, cousins, and all, the annual IEDPU Conference is a unique platform for all Dahiri of Ilorin to reconnect for the good of our darling community. I thank the IEDPU for their leadership and congratulate everyone for again making it here.

” I thank His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin for his huge support and goodwill. I also commend the Baloguns, IEDPU leadership, community associations, and our distinguished clerics and stakeholders who have done so much to project our community positively. ”

Earlier, the national president of IEDPU, Alh AbdulMumini AbdulMalik, had acknowledged and thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for his numerous supportive interventions for the union over the years.

” I am happy to inform this gathering that, His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State , true to his promise, has assisted the union to complete the physical structure of our Skills Acquisition Hub, which has been named Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari Complex, in honour of our royal father, His Highness, the Emir of Ilorin .

” The primary trades for which our youths will be trained at the centre include computer application, tie and dye, fashion designing, aluminum fittings, tiles laying, POP installation, catering, carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, electrical installations, solar fittings, photography and printing,” AbdulMalik said.

He said the union would need a lot of money to purchase the equipment needed for the training of the youths at the Skills Acquisition Centre, soliciting the governor’s further support in that regard.

The chief launcher, Dr AbdulHakeem Oyeniyi announced a star- donation of N50m.

In an emotion – laden voice, Oyeniyi recalled how the mother of Governor AbdulRazaq rescued him from the state of hopelessness by providing him shelter when he first arrived in Abuja some years back.