INTERVIEW: Ilorin West remains most peaceful local government area in Kwara State – Council chairman

The Executive Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government Area, Mallam Shehu Abdulrahman Ladan, has declared that the council remains the most peaceful in Kwara State. Ladan, a banker with over fifteen years of experience before venturing into politics, stated this while highlighting his achievements since assuming office in September 2024, in an interview with Western Post correspondent, Mosunmola Ayobami.

Kindly share with us the achievements recorded in the last one year of your reign as local government chairman.

We assumed office on September 23, 2024. We give glory to Almighty Allah because there are many things we have achieved in the local government, especially in terms of projects. I will mention a few.

Starting with education, when we resumed, we visited schools across the local government. His Excellency, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has already done a lot in the education sector compared to previous governments. He has built and renovated many classrooms and provided equipment. However, we noticed some schools still needed intervention.

At Oko-Erin ward, we built classrooms with furniture at Jooro Junior Secondary School. At Oloje Junior Secondary School, we also constructed classrooms and provided furniture. In Mogaji Ngeri, there was no community primary or secondary school for almost 20 years, apart from one built by missionaries (ECWA). The community had written several letters before we came in. They later provided land, and we built two classrooms with furniture, which the people appreciated.

In Wara Egbijila, I visited a school where pupils were sitting on the floor to learn. We provided furniture for them. We also gave scholarships, including 50 free WAEC registration forms, 50 free NECO registration forms, and 500 free JAMB registration forms.

We established an ICT centre at Agbo-Oba in Adewole ward, where we trained nearly 1,000 students. They were equipped with laptops, SMEDAN registration, and company certificates to start small businesses.

On infrastructure, we sank one borehole in each of the 12 wards, as well as in 10 additional selected areas. We repaired between 50 and 60 boreholes, ensuring water supply is no longer a challenge in Ilorin West.

On security, we recruited 60 more security personnel, in addition to the 30 we met on ground. As you know, no community can develop or attract investors without security. Today, Ilorin West remains the most peaceful local government in the state.

In terms of electrification, many areas were using old transformers that needed replacement. So far, we have procured and installed about 10 new transformers across the wards, including Alanamu, Wara Egbijila (3), Oja-Tuntun, Badari, and Oko-Erin. We also introduced solar-powered streetlights to improve security. Nearly 100 solar lights have been installed in different locations, and more are ongoing.

In health, we renovated the healthcare centre in Sarumi ward and completely refurbished the building. We also purchased equipment to complement the governor’s efforts in the health sector.

Ilorin West is considered the ‘mother’ of all local government areas in Kwara State. How do you intend to uphold this position?

Local government is the third tier of government, and it is the closest to the people. As a born and bred Ilorin West citizen, I know the nooks and crannies of the community. I make myself available to residents, chiefs, and Baloguns, always listening to their concerns. Whatever happens in Ilorin West has a ripple effect on other LGAs in the state. That is why we take governance seriously in areas like security, health, electrification, and social amenities.

Ilorin West shares borders with LGAs facing insecurity. How are you working with security operatives to prevent this from reaching your territory?

Security is key to everything. Ilorin West shares borders with Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and parts of Moro LGAs. Through ALGON, we regularly meet to discuss issues affecting our LGAs.

Every month, we hold a security meeting that includes all security agencies, the National Orientation Agency, and community chiefs such as Balogun Alanamu and Balogun Ajikobi. At these meetings, we identify challenges and provide solutions.

We also built the Ilorin West Civil Defence headquarters in Adewole, which is the biggest in Nigeria today. We provided them with an operational vehicle—one of our major achievements in security.

This LGA is known for its possession of arable lands. What plans are there to help farmers succeed?

People often say Ilorin West lacks farmland, but I disagree. Since assuming office, I have discovered large expanses of land that can benefit farmers. For example, we are working on acquiring 1,000 hectares of land after Mandi for next year’s farming season.

We are also partnering with L-PRES to organize training for livestock farmers. After the training, we will empower them, especially youths, many of whom are already into livestock farming around Oko-Olowo. We plan to establish a livestock market and acquire about 20 acres of land for this purpose.

What programmes are there to improve the lives of women in the local government?

We are partnering with the Office of the First Lady of Kwara State on gender programmes. The First Lady of the local government has been chosen to champion this campaign, which includes sensitization of women on healthcare and empowerment initiatives.

We also provide quarterly cash disbursements for business start-ups to help women become financially independent.

The road leading to the secretariat is in poor condition, alongside other community roads. What steps are being taken to address this?

The road from Mandate Junction to Wara, which leads to the secretariat, is indeed in bad shape. We are in talks with the state government, and we believe work will soon commence. Meanwhile, we have sand-filled potholes as a temporary measure.

What message do you have for residents of your local government?

I urge our people to remain peaceful in all they do. Ilorin West is one of the most peaceful LGAs in the state and Nigeria as a whole. The rate of expansion and development in the state is remarkable, and I must thank our governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for the transformation. Ilorin is indeed wearing a new look.