The Kwara State House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 8, 2025, held a plenary session presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, during which key issues ranging from appointments to disaster response were deliberated.

One of the highlights of the day’s proceedings was the formal communication from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, seeking the lawmakers’ confirmation of Mr. Alayande Fatahi Olajide as the Auditor General of Kwara State. The nominee was described as a seasoned professional committed to transparency and accountability in public service.

In response, the Speaker directed the nominee to submit 35 copies of his curriculum vitae to the Clerk of the House by Monday, April 14, and appear for screening on Tuesday, April 15.

A petition was also presented by Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu (Omupo) on behalf of Alhaji Aliu Olayiwola Kazeem, a UK-based indigene of Kwara, seeking legislative intervention in a property dispute. The petitioner, who alleged threats to life and non-enforcement of court judgments in his favour, is battling to reclaim ownership of a property in Ilorin. The matter was referred to the House Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary.

Lawmakers took time to honour two former members of the Assembly who recently passed on. Hon. Lawal Ayanshola Salihu paid tribute to Chief (Hon.) Stephen Wole Oke, a former leader of the second Kwara State Assembly and a community leader from Moro Local Government. He died on March 23, 2025, at the age of 78.

Similarly, Hon. Mohammed Baba Salihu (Okuta/Yashikira) announced the death of Hon. Ibrahim Bio Ja’afar, who passed away on March 6 at the age of 65. Ja’afar’s legacy spans several roles, including legislator, commissioner, newspaper chairman, and council member of the Federal University in Ebonyi.

“He was a dedicated public servant who sacrificed a legal career to serve his people and made a lasting impact on the political and development landscape of Baruten and the state,” Hon. Baba Salihu noted.

A minute of silence was observed in honour of the two departed statesmen.

The House also deliberated on a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Yunusa Oniboki (Afon), concerning the widespread destruction caused by a rainstorm in Ogele and surrounding communities in Asa Local Government Area on March 30. The storm reportedly damaged homes, schools, and hospitals, leaving many families homeless.

“The scale of destruction is beyond what the local government can handle. We need swift intervention from state and federal authorities to prevent further hardship,” Hon. Oniboki said.

Other lawmakers, including Hon. Rukayat Shittu, Hon. Halidu Danbaba, Hon. Yusuf Gbenga, Hon. Yusuf Musa, and Hon. Mohammed Baba Salihu, echoed similar sentiments, calling for prompt relief efforts.

Following deliberations, the Assembly resolved to:

1. Urge Governor AbdulRazaq to direct the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to work with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide urgent relief to affected communities.
2. Request the Bureau of Statistics (BOS) to conduct a detailed assessment of the damage.
3. Call on the Asa Local Government Council to immediately offer palliative support to victims.

The session was adjourned following a motion by Hon. Abdulraheem Medinat Motunrayo (Lanwa/Ejidongari), seconded by Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Razak (Share/Oke-Ode).