Senator Ashiru Hosts ASKOMP Media Parley, Says 2024 Will Be Juicy For Kwara South

Arc Oyelola Ashiru, the senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District and deputy leader of the Senate, has declared that his constituency will receive more significant projects in the 2024 budget.

This was revealed on Wednesday by Senator Oyelola Ashiru during his hosting of the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) at the Media Parley in his Offa GRA residence.

The senator claimed that the recently signed 2024 budget by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addresses the interests of all seven local government units in Kwara South.

He claims that Kwara South residents will receive a reasonable portion of the 2024 budget for capital projects, programs, and constituency projects. We make sure the projects are implemented quickly in order to favorably affect the lives of our constituents. We will undoubtedly be counting projects and getting praise from people and communities that benefit by next year.

“The budget includes numerous capital projects, infrastructure initiatives, and zone interventions. I can promise the people of Kwara South that there will be a lot of interesting projects and interventions in 2024. Let’s keep an eye out. Although we have accomplished a lot over the past five years, we are still improving, and this year will see the first fruits of our labor.” Senator Ashiru continued.

The politician from Offa claimed to have helped build nine vocational centers—which he referred to as economic hubs—to empower women, girls, and other marginalized groups and to provide long-term employment.

“I believe we have built nine Vocational Centers, which I typically refer to as Economic Centers,” he said. We intend to construct twelve: three in the local government of Ifelodun, two in Offa, two in the LG of Irepodun, and one in each of the councils of Isin, Oke-ero, Ekiti, and Oyun. In order to ensure that our youth receive certification following training, we intend to work with institutions. We’re talking about working together with Federal Polytechnic Offa. Their executive team and I met last week. To ensure that this agreement endures over time, we wish to institutionalize it.

Speaking about the nation’s insecurity problem, he called for cooperation from all parties involved, including members of the Kwara Assembly, two House of Representatives, and others.

The Senator praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his efforts to improve the security framework in Kwara South and other regions of the state, emphasizing that security is a prerequisite for economic growth.

According to Ashiru, poor road infrastructure is a cog in the nation’s socioeconomic progress on the Ilorin-Kabba (Kogi) Highway.

“Actually, it is difficult to allocate resources to all bad roads in the country,” the Deputy Senate Leader stated, emphasizing the significance of the route to Kwara South. I shall, however, make a request of the Federal Government, in particular of the Honorable Minister of Works, to give our important highways—including the Ilorin-Kabba Road—priority. I am collaborating with the Senator who represents Kogi West to get the Minister’s attention. Thankfully, I succeed him as Deputy Senate Leader, and I think he would pay attention to us.”

Speaking about education, the senator stated that plans to build the University of Archeology in Edison are still underway and that history must be taught in schools around the nation.

Additionally, he argued that the current College of Education has the infrastructure necessary to house the University and supported the proposed Kwara State University of Education’s location in Oro, Irepodun local government area.

Senator Ashiru expressed sympathy for the kidnapped Alkhadriyah family as well as other victims of Nigeria’s instability. He stated that in order to address the suffering of Nigerians, the 10th Senate is working both publicly and privately.

“To address the insecurity, all hands need to be on deck. States, local governments, and the federal government all have duties to play, and those tasks must be fulfilled.”

Senator Ashiru stated in regards to 2027 politics: “Aspirations are welcome and it is not illegal.” However, in my opinion as a politician and office holder, it is too early. Let’s put in a lot of effort now and handle politics later. Zoning is not done in Kwara State. It’s all about interest-based politics. Anyone wishing to run for office should put in a lot of effort and persuade the public to cast their ballots. We need someone who is capable and prepared. Senator Shaaba Lafiagi worked for the zoning arrangement; he did not just happen to be there. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is the same. While I sympathize with the people of Kwara North, candidates for governor ought to undertake talks with interested parties. Give and take is the nature of politics; what are you going to give my folks in addition to other issues?

The lawmaker stated that the legislature had allocated N200 million for the senatorial district and N100 million for the federal constituency for Food Palliative, which would be overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and run till March 2024. He made reference to each senatorial district and constituency at the appropriate moment, implying that the processes is still ongoing.