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KWSG Promotes Exclusive Breastfeeding, Launches Zero Water Campaign for Infants

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The Kwara State Government has reiterated the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for infants during their first six months of life, urging mothers to give only breast milk without water or any other liquid to ensure optimal growth, healthy development and protection against preventable diseases. The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, stated this on Monday during a press briefing held at the Agency’s Conference Hall, Fate, Ilorin, to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week. Prof. Elelu explained that World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1 to 7, is a global campaign aimed at promoting breastfeeding as the foundation for a healthy and sustainable start to life for every child. She commended the Kwara State Government for its remarkable strides in promoting exclusive breastfeeding, particularly Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s approval of the six-month maternity leave policy...

KWSG Calls on Nursing Mothers to Embrace Exclusive Breastfeeding

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A call has gone to all nursing mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding, emphasising that it is a vital strategy for preventing malnutrition and ensuring healthy growth and development of children across the state. The Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Ronke Arinde, stated this today while receiving a delegation from the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency during a courtesy visit to her office. Dr. Arinde noted that the state government has continued to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, describing it as one of the most effective and affordable ways of promoting child survival and improving nutrition She highlighted several nutrition-focused interventions of the present administration, stressing that the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, approved six months of paid maternity leave for female civil servants to enable nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their...

Kwara Restores Pharmacist Internship Accreditation, Sends off Pioneer Batch

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The Kwara State Hospital Management Board (KW-HMB) has sent forth its pioneer batch of Pharmacist Interns following the restoration of the state’s pharmacist internship accreditation after more than 20 years. The development marks a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical services and develop a skilled healthcare workforce in Kwara State. Speaking at a send-forth ceremony organised in honour of the interns on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr AbdulRaheem Malik, appreciated the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his support and commitment to investment in healthcare development. Dr Malik said the successful completion of the internship programme reflected the state government’s commitment to improving pharmaceutical services and strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals across the state. In his welcome address, the Director of Pharmacy, Hospital Management Board, Pharm. Mustapha Jimoh...

KWSG Supports 2,000 Maize Farmers With Improved Seeds, Farm Inputs, other

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The Kwara State Government has supported 2,000 maize farmers with improved drought-resistant maize seeds, herbicides, pesticides, NPK and urea fertilizers, extension services and a guaranteed off-take of their produce upon harvest under a strategic partnership with Flour Mills of Nigeria. The initiative, according to the Supervising Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, adopts a value-chain approach by supporting farmers from production through to marketing, ensuring higher productivity, increased incomes and reliable market access. She further explained that the programme is intentionally designed to boost maize production and reinforce Kwara State's position as a leading hub for agricultural development. As part of the initiative, the Commissioner explained that the Ministry, in partnership with Flour Mills of Nigeria, trained Agricultural Extension Officers and Heads of Department of Agriculture from the 16 Local Government Area...

KWSG Commends Peaceful Conduct of 2026 Common Entrance Examination

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The Kwara State Government has commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the 2026 Common Entrance/Placement Examination into Junior Secondary School One held across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state on Saturday. The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, gave the commendation while monitoring the exercise at Offa Grammar School, Offa; Government Secondary School, Offa; and Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin. Dr. Olohungbebe attributed the hitch-free conduct of the examination to the prompt release of funds by the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, saying the state government's support ensured a seamless and well coordinated exercise. According to him, "The exercise was peaceful, orderly and one of the best we have had in recent times. I commend the pupils, invigilators and all officials for their commitment.” The Commissioner reaffirmed the state government's commitment to inclusive and quality education,...

KWSG APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF 65KM OVERHEAD LINE FEEDER FROM JEBBA PAPER MILLS INJECTION SUBSTATION TO BOKUNGI VILLAGE AND REHABILITATION OF JEBBA/BACITA 33KV FEEDER

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The Kwara State Government has approved the construction of a 65KM Lafiagi/Patigi 33KV overhead electricity line feeder from the Jebba Paper Mills Injection Substation to Bokungi Village, off the Lafiagi/Patigi Road, as well as the rehabilitation of the Jebba/Bacita 33KV feeder from Bokungi to Gbugbu, along the Lafiagi–Patigi main line in Edu Local Government Area of the State.    The project forms part of the Government’s unwavering commitment to improving electricity access and strengthening power infrastructure across Kwara State. The Commissioner for Energy, Engr. AbdulAzeez Kola AbdulGaniy, disclosed this while speaking in his office on Friday.  Engr AbdulGaniy said “the project underscores the administration’s resolve to provide reliable and sustainable electricity to Lafiagi, Patigi, Gbugbu, Bokungi, and other neighbouring communities."  According to him, the project will stimulate socio-economic development, improve the quality of life of resident...

World Population Day 2026: Kwara Prioritises Youth Development Through Strategic Investment

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…Commences development of the Kwara State Demographic Dividend Roadmap. The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising youth development through strategic investments in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and evidence-based planning aimed at unlocking the full potential of the state’s youthful population and driving sustainable development. The Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Ronke Arinde, stated this on Tuesday during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Population Day, held at Silvergate Hotel, Ilorin. Speaking on this year's theme, "Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People – Today and for the Future," Dr. Arinde described young people as the greatest asset of the state, stressing that with over 60 per cent of Kwara's estimated four million population comprising youths and adolescents, deliberate investments in human capital development remain crit...

KWSG Calls for Preservation of Nation's Cultural Heritage

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The Kwara State Government has called on Nigerians to preserve and promote the nation’s rich cultural heritage, describing culture as a vital tool for national unity, identity and sustainable development. The Secretary, Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Jamiu, made the call recently while receiving the Zonal Director, North Central of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Princess Dr. Priscilla Gondoaluor, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Ilorin. The Secretary highlighted the critical role of the arts in promoting government policies and strengthening social cohesion, explaining that one of the primary responsibilities of the Council is to disseminate government programmes and policies through cultural activities such as drama, music, dance and other creative expressions.  Mr Jamiu noted that these platforms remain effective means of educating the public and fostering national consciousness, adding that culture is the identity of every society...

WEE Policy: Kwara Leads North Central States in Policy Domestication

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The Kwara State has validated its Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, becoming the first state in the North Central zone to domesticate the national framework designed to expand women’s access to finance, skills and economic opportunities. The validation meeting was held on Friday at the conference room of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Ilorin. Delivering the keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs.) Oluwakemi Opeyemi Afolashade, said the domestication of the policy aligns with the present administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and sustainable development. “For us in Kwara State, women’s economic empowerment is not a slogan. It is the bedrock of societal prosperity. When you empower a woman, you uplift families, strengthen communities and drive economic growth,” she stated. The Commissioner expressed appreciation to the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON and the Nigeria G...

KWSG Receives State-of-the-Art Equipment To Boosts Maternal, Newborn Care

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Kwara State Government has received a major boost in its drive to reduce maternal and newborn deaths following the donation of state-of-the-art Safer Birth Bundle of Care (SBCC) equipment and supplies by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) under the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) programme. The life-saving equipment, formally handed over to beneficiary health facilities yesterday in Ilorin, is expected to strengthen emergency obstetric and newborn care. The equipment is also expected to improve skills of frontline health workers and enhance the quality of maternal and child healthcare services across the state. Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, described the intervention as another milestone in the Kwara State Government's sustained partnership with UNICEF and the European Union to safeguard the lives of mothers and newborns. She reaffirmed the adm...

KWSG Charges Women to Embrace Women Economic Empowerment

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The Kwara State Government has charged women across the state to take full advantage of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the state’s economy. The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, gave the charge on Tuesday during a capacity-building training on the WEE Policy as part of the week long programme on the Domestication of WEE Policy held at the Ministry’s conference room in Ilorin, with participants drawn from traders, farmers, artisans and civil servants across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state. The Commissioner explained that the programme is being driven by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and affirmed the states’ readiness to domesticate the policy, declaring that Kwara State is fully committed to implementing the policy to ensure women benefit from available opportunities. Chief Afolashade encouraged women to register and participate in the WEE programme in order to gain ...

KWACReSAL Holds Site Inspection, Pre-Bid Meeting for Eruda Stormwater Management, Land Reclamation Project

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The Kwara State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) Project has taken another significant step towards addressing erosion and flooding challenges in the Ilorin metropolis with the inspection of the Eruda gully erosion site and a pre-bid meeting with prospective contractors. The State Project Coordinator of the KWACReSAL Project, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe, on Monday led the project team on a joint site inspection of the Eruda gully erosion site alongside the bidders. The inspection enabled the contractors to assess the existing conditions and gain firsthand knowledge of the scope of the proposed stormwater management and land reclamation intervention. Following the site visit, the team proceeded to the KWACReSAL State Project Management Unit (SPMU) Office, where a pre-bidding meeting was held to provide further technical and procurement clarifications ahead of the formal bidding process. Speaking during the meeting, Alhaji Aregbe said the ...

KWSG, NOA Deepen Partnership to Combat Drug Abuse Among Transporters

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The Kwara State Government and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kwara State Directorate, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at eradicating drug abuse, narcotics consumption, and other forms of substance abuse, particularly among commercial transport operators across the state. The State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Korasabi, reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to the partnership while receiving a delegation of the National Orientation Agency, led by the State Director, Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry's headquarters in Ilorin, Tuesday. Hon. Lafia Korasabi expressed appreciation to the NOA delegation for the visit and the insightful discussions on forging a strategic partnership to address the growing concern of drug abuse among transporters.  He described the initiative as timely and assured the agency of the Ministry's readiness to take decisive steps toward ac...

Kwara ACReSAL, IITA Deepen Partnership as Ijagbo Emerges Pilot Community for Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative

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The Kwara State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) Project has advanced its partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) through a stakeholders' engagement in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area, to commence the formation of Community Interest Groups (CIGs) for the implementation of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) interventions. Leading the KWACReSAL delegation to the community Thursday, the State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe, described Ijagbo as one of the pilot communities selected for the intervention under the ACReSAL-IITA collaboration aimed at strengthening farmers' resilience to climate change through sustainable agricultural practices. Aregbe explained that the engagement marks another milestone in the partnership between ACReSAL and IITA to promote sustainable agriculture through demonstration plots, farmer capacity building and ...

KWSPHCDA, UNICEF Commence 10-Day BEmONC Training for 60 Frontline Health Workers

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The Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), in collaboration with UNICEF, has commenced a 10-day Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) training for 60 Primary Health Care Doctors, Nurses and Midwives drawn from health facilities across the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State. The training, which commenced on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Silver Gate Hotel, Ilorin, is expected to end on August 6, 2026. It is aimed at strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers to provide quality emergency obstetric and newborn care, ultimately reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality across the state. Declaring the training open, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, congratulated the participants on their selection to be part of the training, describing it as an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills under the guidance of ...

KWARA GOVERNMENT REASSURES MOTORISTS, INSPECTS NEW MORO BRIDGE BYPASS

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The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that road infrastructure across the State continues to support economic growth, ease transportation, and improve the daily lives of residents. This assurance was given by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Elder Anthony Gana Abu, during an inspection of the newly completed bypass to the Moro Bridge at the weekend. According to the Permanent Secretary, the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq understands the importance of accessible roads to businesses, farmers, commuters, and communities, and will continue to prioritise projects that make movement safer and easier for everyone. He described the newly completed bypass as a timely intervention put in place to minimise the hardship caused by the collapse of the Bailey Bridge while work continues on the new Moro Bridge and the Ilorin Igbeti Federal Highway. Elder Abu thanked transport unions and members of the public for their patience, und...

Kwara, WHO Develop Costed Health Promotion Strategic Framework

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The Kwara State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has commenced a three-day workshop to develop the State Health Promotion Strategic Framework Costed Implementation Plan aimed at strengthening health promotion interventions and improving public health outcomes across the state. Speaking at the opening of the workshop in Ilorin, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, who represented the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, described the workshop as a critical step towards enhancing the health status of residents through a coordinated and evidence-based approach. Dr.El-Imam explained that the workshop would enable the state to adapt the National Health Promotion Communication Strategy to its peculiar needs, ensuring effective implementation based on local realities. According to her, the development of a state-specific framework would provide a clear strategy for shaping positive health behaviours, improv...

2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking: KWSG Collaborates Stakeholders to Tackle Illegal Migration, Insecurity

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As Kwara State Government prepares for the celebration of the 2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking, the State government has taken a bold step to tackle insecurity bedeviling some parts of the state through collaboration with major stakeholders'in the state. The state Attorney General and the Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman who dropped the hint in Ilorin, spoke of the government's intention to partner the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and other security agencies to stop illegal immigrants into the state. Speaking during his visitation to the state Commands of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Ilorin, the Commissioner who also doubles as the Chairman of the state Task Force on Human Trafficking, explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening partnerships with relevant authorities in the state to stem the tide of insecurity. Represented by the Director, Gender-Based Violen...

Kwara Monthly Sanitation Holds Saturday, July 25th

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The Kwara State Government has announced that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise for this month will come up on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 across the state, between the hours of seven o' clock and ten o' clock (7:00am to 10:00am) in the morning.  This announcement was contained in a statement issued from the Office of the state Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge. The statement, enjoined members of the public to participate fully in the sanitation exercise as there will be no vehicular and human movement across the state during the period of the exercise. The Commissioner further stated that waste management trucks will be made available for waste collection and subsequent disposal at government approved dump sites, adding that security agents and environmental officers have been detailed to apprehend offenders and move them to the nearest mobile court for prosecution. The statement also warned residents against dumping refuse on pedestri...

Gov. AbdulRazaq Approves Free Common Entrance Examination Across Kwara on August 1

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The Kwara State Government has approved the sponsorship of the 2026 Common Entrance Placement Examination for pupils seeking admission into Junior Secondary Schools across the state, emphasising that no registered pupil is required to pay any fee for the examination, as the state government has taken full responsibility for the cost. The examination will be held on Saturday, 1 August 2026, simultaneously in accredited centres across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state. The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, announced the approval and examination date on Tuesday at the Ministry's Headquarters in Ilorin. Dr. Olohungbebe stated that the examination will commence at 8:00 a.m. prompt and advised candidates to arrive early at their designated centres. He explained that the sponsorship of the examination was approved by the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in line with the administration's commitment to expanding...