As Kwara stand still for Megida swearing-in

The metropolitan Square of llorin, the Kwara State capital last Friday was jam-packed; the weather was bright and warm. It was during the second term swearing-in ceremony of His Excellency, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The square was filled to capacity of people from different parts of the state and beyond who came to witness the historical event, it was a mammoth crowd of well-wishers from far and near.

The traditional rulers and chiefs, political leaders and elders turned up en masse to grace the eventful occasion. It was a day of joy and happiness. It was an assembly of big and small, privileged, and less privileged people. The early calls are members of the Ilorin Emirate Magajis/Alanguas Forum followed by the high chiefs in the Emirate, the Baloguns and the Magaji Are of Ilorin respectfully. Various social and religious organizations were not left behind. It was indeed a moment of joy for "Megida Nkwara". The ceremony had women adorning different attires including religion Clerics, political associates of the celebrant as well as members of the APC across the state who converged to celebrate with the governor. The police and other law enforcement agents have less to do as the surging crowd was orderly and peaceful. Also, the police were very polite and courteous while traffic officers were professional in the discharge of their duties and there were a lot to drink and eat. The local entertainer and drummers led by the popular musician "Pele Wura" entertained the audience. It was a moment of celebration galore as Kwara highs and lows stand still for Governor Abdulfatah - Sai Megida. It was an unprecedented huge crowd of well-wishers. The man of the moment "Megida" arrived the venue at past 10am the huge crowd surged to catch a glimpse of him. He wore Babariga with a black cap to match. It was an historical occasion and eventful. The Kwara State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Garba Salihu and other service chiefs in the state were seated; they were very friendly and exchanged pleasantries with the joyful audience. Before the swearing-in take off, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Mohammed Bahir Salihu, (OON) offered the opening prayer, the foremost Kwara State Muslim Cleric prayed for continuation of peace and harmony in the state and the country, special prayer was also offered for the successful second term tenure of the celebrant. At the venue were the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Alhaji Suleiman Durosinlohun Kawu, the State Grand Kadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Salihu Olohuntoyin Mohammed and other distinguished Judges and large number of renowned legal practitioners and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The honourable members of Kwara State House of Assembly serving and retired were in attendance; they were led by the Speaker of the House, Barrister Rasaki Atunwa. The Kwara State Chief Judge administered the oath of office first to the Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, JP and later to the man of the moment, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. It was a great occasion witnessed by the dumb and deaf, while other physically challenged, males and females turnout in their best attires to give honour to whom honour is due. The Kwara State Police Band were on hand to entertain the joyful celebrants and the delighted audience immediately after been sworn-in, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in a police Land Rover was driven round the unprecedented crowd to appreciate their support. It was a hectic and challenging moment for him as the crowd surged forward to catch a glimpse of him. The shout of "Sai Megida" rented the air while the newly sworn in Kwara State Chief Executive cannot hide his joy as he waved to the teeming crowd of highly delighted loyalists and party members. It is not gainsaying to say that the heaven celebrated as the early dull weather became bright. The Kwara State Council for Art and Culture Performing Troupe entertained the crowd. Mounting the podium, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed promised the people he would strive to improve on his performance in the first term, in a nutshell, he promised to create more jobs, construct additional roads across the sixteen local government area councils of the state, improve his giant stride in education and agriculture sectors of the economy. He promised to make lives more bearable and comfortable for the people. He also pledged to improve the health services by building more hospitals and health centres and urged the people to continue to be veritable partner in progress. The visibly enthusiastic, dynamic and visionary governor promised to make lives more comfortable to Kwarans and improve on security so that all manner of people will go to their normal businesses without fear of molestation or harassment. The elated governor commended exemplary leadership of the Kwara State political gladiator for his qualitative leader in making the dream of his winning the second term a reality and called on Kwarans to continue to pray for Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki's senate presidency ambition. He lauded the royal support of the Emir of llorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR to his administration and the unflinching cooperation and loyalty of other traditional rulers in the state. He also expressed his gratitude to the civil servants, the clerics and members of Magajis/Alanguas Forum for their wonderful support to his political success. Dear readers, this writer is proud to note that the first tenure of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed - Sai Megida in office have no doubt brought joy and happiness to every homes in the state. During the period in view, the workaholic governor created jobs for the jobless youths and many hundreds of jobless women folks, civil servants during the period enjoy their promotions as and when due and enjoyed regular payments of their monthly salaries. The governor stride can also be felt by the people on road construction and construction/renovation of classrooms in various local government area councils of the state. In nutshell, there have been laudable improvements in the education sector, as qualified teachers were employed massively and students from various higher institutions of learning in the state and beyond enjoyed regular payment of scholarships, the pensioners from the state were not left behind. Megida's first term indicated that he is a friend of weak and the oppressed. In a bid to make justice available to the masses, more courts were constructed while more judges and magistrates employed to deliver justice to the people. The poor, the orphans and the widows were catered for by his administration. It is also noteworthy to mention that commercial transporters enjoyed the support of his administration as they were encouraged by the government through distribution of "Okada" motorcycles, commercial taxis and buses as well as "Keke Megida" at the affordable regular payments. His government is indeed a people friendly. My dear good people of Kwara State, as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed begins his second term in office let us continue to support and cooperate with him to succeed. He needs our loyalty and prayer to take the state to the Promised Land. We should resolve to live in peace and harmony, because without peace nothing can be achieved by the government. We must resolve to be our brothers' keepers but not in crime. We should brace our courage and report any suspicious characters to the police and other law enforcement agents. There must be peace in our various working places, at homes and places of worship. Religious leaders must preach peace and harmony during congregational prayers while community leaders, parents and guidance must be the veritable agents of peace and harmony. There must be peace in the markets, towns and streets. I have the vision that the second term of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed shall bring joy and happiness to the good people of the state; therefore let us continue to pray for the survival and progress of democracy in the hand. We should also extend our prayer to the Senator Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (CON) on his senate presidency ambition, considering his unprecedented contributions to political, social and economy growth of the nation. “Mohammed is the Magaji Nda of Ilorin”