The news of the emergence of Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the new chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum ( NGF) was greeted with wild jubilation in Ilorin, the state capital.
Virtually all the segments of the society, including highly revered traditional rulers, school food vendors and socio- cultural groups like Arewa Consultatives Forum(ACF), Gamji Members Association (GAMA) and Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressives Union (IDPU) rolled out the drums to celebrate one of their own, whom God has placed in a vintage position in the nation’s body polity.
The Emir of Ilorin and chairman of Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari led the pack of those that rejoiced with AbdulRazaq over the new golden feather that has been added to his cap.
The Emir in a statement by his spokesman, AbdulAzeez Arowona sought the support of other governors for their new chairman.
Such support, he said is necessary for the NGF and the governors to achieve the desired unity, peace and prosperity among Nigerian citizens.
He thanked the members of the NGF for trusting and having confidence in AbdulRazaq becoming their chairman, adding that, “Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will no doubt live and lead beyond their expectations.”
Sulu-Gambari, on behalf of the entire members of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council expressed his heartfelt felicitation to the governor for ensuring that Kwara State remains strategic to the economic and democratic growth of the nation.
While wishing him laudable accomplishments in his new tasks, the monarch expressed confidence that the new leadership of the NGF will pilot and support the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the actualization of his Renewed Hope agenda for the people of Nigeria.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Kwara State chapter also congratulated AbdulRazaq on his emergence as the chairman of the NGF .
The state chairman of ACF, Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya described Governor AbdulRazaq’s election as well deserved.
Alaaya who said the emergence of AbdulRazaq as the chairman of NGF did come to ACF members as a surprise, added that: “ His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq earned this appointment by the dint of hardwork, commitment and selfless sacrifice towards the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections at both the federal and Kwara State.”
He expressed delight that AbdulRazaq has continually making Kwara State proud amongst committee of states in the country.
He congratulated the government and the people of Kwara State over the honour that AbdulRazaq has once again brought home.
The ACF chairman prayed Allah to continue to guide the governor aright in all his endeavours, especially in steering the affairs of the state and NGF.
Alaaya called on all the state governors, irrespective of political affiliations to join hands with their new chairman in the onerous task of moving the NGF and Nigeria forward.
He posited that Nigerians stand to benefit a lot from AbdulRazaq’s chairmanship of NGF, giving his robust relationship with the president- elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
In the same vein,the Gamji Members Association (GAMA) in Kwara State described the emergence of AbdulRazaq as the NGF’s chairman as well deserved.
The group, committed to the ideals of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir, Ahmadu Bello, said it was delighted about AbdulRazaq’s unanimous adoption by his colleagues as the new NGF chairman.
GAMA in a statement signed by its state president general, Alh Tunde Akanbi and the director of publicity, Alh Abdullahi Olesin congratulated AbdulRazaq on his election .
It also congratulated the government and the people of Kwara State on the development, adding that,” this positive development has once again brought Kwara to the front burner in the affairs of our dear nation- Nigeria”.
The association expressed confidence in the ability of Governor AbdulRazaq to deliver as NGF chairman, giving his track records of enviable achievements in his first term tenure as the governor of Kwara State.
It enjoined other states governors who had reposed confidence in the ability of AbdulRazaq to provide effective and efficient leadership for NGF to join hands with him in moving not only the NGF, but Nigeria forward.
GAMA prayed Allah to continue to guide, guard and protect AbdulRazaq in the herculean task of steering the affairs of NGF.
While expressing the continued support of GAMA members to Governor AbdulRazaq, the association expressed delight that one of the disciples of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello has emerged as the NGF chairman.
It prayed Allah to grant AbdulRazaq a memorable , eventful and successful tenure of office as NGF chairman.
The food vendors under the government’s school feeding programme, through the focal person for the National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP) in Kwara State, Dr Rabiat Shehu-Jimoh Alabere have also felicitated with the new NGF chairman.
Alabere, in a statement she personally signed described the emergence of AbdulRazaq as NGF chairman as meritorious and well deserved.
She posited that the governor will continue to achieve greater heights because the Kwara women who he holds in high esteem are solidly behind him and will continue to pray for his success in all his private and public endeavours.
“ On behalf of the beneficiaries of N- SIP programmes in the state, especially the cook who have become breadwinners of their families, I congratulate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on his emergence as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
“ While thanking His Excellency for his support for thousands of women who are beneficiaries of N- SIP programmes in the state, we also acknowledge our God sent governor’s kindness to women folk as clearly shown in the composition of the state executive council where women took over 50 percent slots.
“This singular act has earned His Excellency the award of ‘He for she’ governor from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and National Council for Women Development.
“ Ride on Your Excellency, the Kwara women, especially the beneficiaries of N-SIP programmes who have become breadwinners of their families are solidly behind you,” she stated.
In a goodwill message,the speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu described the emergence of AbdulRazaq as NGF’s chairman as a great achievement.
Danladi-Salihu, in the message signed by his chief press secretary, Sheu Yusuf, noted that the emergence of AbdulRazaq to lead his brother-governors across the 36 states in the country is a testament to his leadership skills, competence and experience as governor of Kwara State.
“Hearty congratulations to Your Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on your emergence as the NGF Chairman, indeed this is a recognition of the trust and confidence that your colleagues have in you to lead and represent them at the national level”, the speaker added
He expressed confidence that AbdulRazaq would lead and work with his colleagues to address common challenges facing the 36 states and ensure that the interests of all Nigerians are well represented.
“On behalf of my colleagues at the Ninth Assembly, I wish Governor AbdulRazaq all the best as he takes on this new responsibility, and I have no doubt that he will bring his wealth of experience, leadership skills, and commitment to the service of the people to bear in this new role,” he stated.
For his part, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti congratulated AbdulRazaq on his emergence as NGF chairman.
The monarch, in a statement through the community’s spokesman, Olayinka Owolewa, described the AbdulRazaq’s emergence as deserving because of his people’s oriented projects and policies.
He commended the governor for his leadership and dedication to the people of the state, expressesing the hope that the governor’s new role will bring greater development and progress to the state and the nation.
Oba Adeoti also described AbdulRazaq as a trailblazer who has since assumption office changed the face of governance for good.
