Kwara South residents tie support for governorship aspirants to measurable impact

By Aliyu Adam

Indigenes of Kwara South have stated that their support for any aspirant seeking to govern Kwara State will be based on measurable impact, stressing that such a candidate must demonstrate genuine, unifying leadership across the three senatorial districts—North, Central, and South.

Residents across the region emphasised that leadership should not be judged by recent visibility, but by sustained presence, consistency, and verifiable contributions to communities over the time.

Within this context, many communities in Kwara South have continued to reference the longstanding engagement of Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, popularly known as Amana.

Although Sulaiman hails from Kwara Central, residents maintain that leadership transcends geographical origin, noting that his interventions reflect a strong connection with people across the state, particularly in the South.

In the education sector, residents frequently cite his sponsorship for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration and examination fees as one of the most impactful initiatives in the zone.

Over the years, the programme is said to have supported hundreds of students, significantly reducing financial barriers to tertiary education and opening pathways for academic and career advancement.

Beyond this, community members also point to the donation of classroom blocks, renovation of dilapidated school structures, and the establishment of computer laboratories in communities such as Babanloma and others across Kwara South. These interventions, they say, have contributed to improving the quality of learning environments.

Residents further highlighted employment opportunities facilitated during Sulaiman’s tenure in public office. According to them, numerous qualified individuals from Kwara South and other parts of the state were supported to secure roles in federal agencies, including the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

They also noted that during his time as Minister of National Planning, appointments were distributed across various local governments in the state, with notable representation from Kwara South.

Similarly, his role as Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), opportunities for legislative aides and related positions were extended to individuals across the state.

Residents opening up these efforts have not only created employment but also enhanced skills development, career growth, and the participation of Kwara indigenes in national institutions.

Concerning the economy, the Farm2Feed programme has been widely described as a significant intervention in the region. According to residents, the initiative supported farmers with financial assistance of up to N200,000, improved seedlings, and fertilisers.

Mechanisation services, including tractor deployment for ploughing, harrowing, tilling, and ridging, were also provided. These efforts they note have improved agricultural productivity, boosted food production, and increased income levels among rural farmers.

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Residents also acknowledged ongoing social support initiatives, particularly during the Ramadan period. These include daily feeding programmes reaching over 2,000 people across local government areas, financial support for Imams, distribution of Eid packages, and annual children’s Eid celebrations attracting thousands of participants.

Speaking on the developments, Tunji Alao, a resident of Omu-Aran, said, “We have seen these efforts consistently over the years—from education support to employment and agricultural programmes. It is not something that started recently.”

In Offa, Adewale Ganiyu added, “The impact cuts across different sectors. People here can point to students supported, individuals employed, and farmers empowered. These are verifiable outcomes.”

Segun Olalekan, a youth leader in Ijagbo, also remarked, “We are not saying others are not making efforts, but when it comes to consistent and tangible impact, Prof. Amana stands out.”

While acknowledging that other aspirants may also have good intentions, residents maintain that Sulaiman’s interventions are widely recognised for their consistency, scale, and direct imp act across communities in Kwara South.