Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has explained that the $60million loan is a Federal Government initiative called Rural Access and Mobility project.
Speaking while receiving traditional rulers from Kwara South led by Oloffa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, who paid him sallah homage at Government House, Ilorin, he said the project is in partnership with the World Bank and the French Development Agency.
The Governor said the funds will be made available to state governments willing to partner with the federal government to rehabilitate some rural roads especially those that link up with commercial environments.
According to Dr Ahmed “the fund is expected to contribute 95% of the projects while the states contribute 5% counterpart funding to access the $60million World Bank loan. The money would be used purely for rural roads”.
Gov Ahmed pointed out that the loan is a soft loan given to the Federal Government by the World Bank.
He said that Kwara state is only part of those states to enjoy the second tranche of the soft loan to make roads available to people in the rural environment, noting that some states like Adamawa, Cross Rivers, Enugu and Kaduna have enjoyed the first tranche of the fund.
Reacting, the Oloffa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, thanked Governor Ahmed for the various projects in Kwara South and promised that traditional rulers in the area will continue to support and pray for the success of the current administration in the state.
In another development, Governor Ahmed has congratulated the Head of Mass Communication Department, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Professor Tanure Ojaide, for being one of the three finalists for the 2017 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature.
In a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahaab Oba, Governor Ahmed said he is excited for the display of Ojaide’s poetic prowess which earned him the award.
The Governor noted that the academic feat of Prof. Ojaide has further brought honour and glory to the state. “This feat, among several other honours recorded by the university and its staff, has further demonstrated that Kwara State University, KWASU, is, indeed, a leading citadel of learning in the country”.
Dr Ahmed promised that the government will spare no effort in making KWASU the best among its peers in the country. “Our goal, and indeed the aim of its founding fathers, is to ensure that graduates of the school are current and future centuries compliant”, the governor said.
“As the governor of the state, I will continue to provide enabling environment and lend support for everyone to showcase his skills particularly in the area of scholarship,” the governor said.
Governor Ahmed urged academics in the state to continue to bring honour to the state through their scholarly works in order to properly place the state on the global academic map.
Ojaide’s entry, Songs of Myself: Quartet, was shortlisted for the Nigeria LNG-sponsored $100,000 Literature Prize, alongside two others.
This followed an initial shortlist of 11 released in July by the Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo-led Advisory Board.
