2027 Kwara Guber: Kale Kawu Promises 13th-Month Salary, N100b Security Trust Fund, Hardship Allowance For Rural Teachers At Manifesto Launch In Ilorin
Kwara State PDP governorship candidate, Engineer Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu, on Thursday formally unveiled his 2027 campaign manifesto in Ilorin, promising a 13th-month salary for workers in the state and the establishment of a N100 billion Security Trust Fund if elected governor next year.
Presenting the policy document titled ‘The SBK Manifesto: A Covenant With The People Of Kwara’ at Arca Santa Event Centre, Ilorin, Engineer Bolakale Kawu outlined a governance blueprint centered on security, welfare of workers, enhancement of education in the rural areas, as well as infrastructure development and growth of the three senatorial districts.
Team@orientactualmags.com reports that key financial pledges in the manifesto include:proposed establishment of a N100 billion Security Trust Fund to finance intelligence-led operations against banditry and kidnapping, establishment of a N40 billion ‘One Kwara Regional Development Agency‘ to drive equitable infrastructure and viable projects across communities and introduction of a 13th-month salary bonus for the civil servants.
He also promised to earmark N4 billion for a special monthly hardship allowance for teachers serving in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
The event drew party stalwarts, members of the G-15, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders. Celebrated compere, Mr. Gbenga Adeyinka moderated the event, assisted by Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadri..
Engineer Bolakale Kawu, who arrived at the venue at 12:32 pm, presented a summary of the ‘important’ document to an enthusiastic crowd chanting ‘Baba Solar’,‘O da nle’ and ‘O da nta’ between 1:27 pm and 1:59 pm.
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The PDP guber candidate noted that the manifesto was shaped by extensive fact-finding tours across local governments in the state noting that his team encountered communities grappling with insecurity, dilapidated roads, unreliable power supply, inadequate healthcare, and limited economic opportunities.
Recounting his visit to Woro community in Kaiama Local Government, Engineer Bolakale Kawu described the state of insecurity in the state as deeply distressing, promising that protecting lives and property will be his administration’s foremost priority.
‘One of the most painful experiences in my entire life was my visit to Woro community in Kaiama Local Government. I stood before the destruction. I saw blood on the ground. I witnessed firsthand the pain and fear of a traumatized community’ he said.
The PDP guber candidate also disclosed that what he saw in Woro strengthened his resolve to show total commitment to protection of lives and property in the state if elected governor next year.
‘The faces of the people, the anguish of families and the deep sorrow of those who had lost their loved ones made a deep impact on me.
That visit brought home to me the urgent reality of the security challenges confronting our state. It reinforced my belief that security must never be treated as a mere government policy or political promise. It is about human lives. It is about families who deserve to sleep in peace in their homes. It is about farmers who must be able to go to their farms without fear and it is about communities that must never be abandoned to the mercy of criminals.
I left Woro with a stronger determination that we must build a Kwara where no community is forgotten. No citizen is left unprotected. And the safety of every life is treated as a serious responsibility of government.
Security is the foundation of development. The first responsibility of government is to protect the lives, property and livelihoods of the governed. This aspect of the contract is for the people who have lost somebody dear to them.
It is for our people who have been displaced from their homes as a result of banditry and kidnapping. It is for those who have been prevented from freely conducting their businesses.
As a governor I will not rest or sleep when the life of any Kwaran is under threat’ he added..
Giving insight into how government contracts will be handled under his administration, he promised to patronize indigenous contractors while also introducing a special grassroots development initiative.
‘In the award and execution of government contracts, we will give consideration to qualified and competent indigenous contractors where they meet the required standards. This policy will help to retain government investments within Kwara, strengthen local businesses, create jobs, develop local capacity, and ensure that our people directly benefit from the economic activities generated by government projects.
This translates to an assurance of capacity to deliver on viable projects and ensure equitable development across all communities. That is why we hope to establish a ₦40 billion One Kwara Regional Development Agency. Also, a minimum of ₦5 billion will be provided as counterpart funding for donor funding sources in this area over four years.
In addition, our government will introduce a special grassroots development initiative under which ₦50 million will be allocated to each of the 193 wards in the state within the first 100 days of our administration. This represents a total initial commitment of ₦9.65 billion.
Under this initiative, development projects will originate directly from the various wards. Communities will identify and choose their most pressing needs, propose projects, and participate in their implementation. Required mechanisms will be put in place to ensure transparency, accountability, technical supervision, and value for money’ Engineer Kawu said.
Noting that ‘our young people are not a problem to be managed’, he added that they are an enormous resource waiting for the right opportunities. He also promised to pursue a comprehensive employment and economic empowerment strategy built around skills development, enterprise support, investment attraction, and productive partnerships.
He further disclosed plans to enhance the lives of women in the state.
‘We will expand vocational training, skills training, digital skills programmes, and entrepreneurship support. We will also encourage partnerships with private employers and industries to connect training with actual employment opportunities.
Our government will create 200,000 new youth employment opportunities and 5,000 enterprise opportunities annually.
We will support women-owned businesses by establishing a ₦3 billion Women Enterprises and Empowerment Fund to provide affordable finance and business support to them.
Additionally, artisans and skilled workers will receive business support grants, with at least 1,000 artisans benefiting annually’ he said.
Promising a leadership that will truly serve the people at all times, Engineer Kawu also asserted that in his manifesto ‘every sector, every area and every individual who is from Kwara or lives and works in any part of Kwara State has something that is in it for him or her’.
‘The manifesto is a product of my belief that Kwara can do a lot better and that the challenges confronting our people can be addressed through thoughtful leadership, competent administration and purposeful government’ he added.
The event had in attendance PDP bigwigs and members of the G-15 including Alhaji Kawu Baraje, who represented former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, PDP National Legal Adviser, Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, Director General of the state PDP Campaign Council, Hon Omar Bolaji Gambari, Deputy Governorship candidate, Reverend Cornelius Olaosebikan Fawenu, the state PDP chairman, Hon Isa Bawa, Senator Saliu Mustapha, former senator Makanjuola Ajadi, former senator Ahmad Mohammed, Hon Moshood Mustapha, Hon Saheed Popoola, Professor Ahmad Ali, Professor Muritala Awodun, Hon Moshood Bakare, Hon Saka Eletu, Chief J.B Ayeni, former rep Faruk Saruk, Alhaja Ayinke Saka, Alhaji Tajudeen Aro, Hon Atolagbe Alege, Hon Sulaiman Warah, Alhaji Wahab Oba, Hon Akintoba Fatigun ,Professor Abdulfatai Ayinde Aremu, Hon Mudasiru Babaita, Comrade Abdul-Rahoof Bello (Labelabe) among others.
Giving his speech, Chairman of the State PDP Campaign Council, Hon. Omar Bolaji Gambari noted that Thursday’s event will be remembered as the day Engineer Bolakale Kawu publicly presented his plans, policies, and programmes that will improve the lives of Kwarans.
The manifesto, he added, is not a document of empty promises noting that it will not be like the actions of the state’s current leader, who, according to him, decried high tuition fees and promised to address them but has failed to act in almost eight years of his administration.
‘The manifesto is a solid contract, a promise, and a covenant, a blueprint that came into being through consultations with the stakeholders’ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, the state PDP Chairman, Hon Isa Adamu Bawa also described ‘The SBK Manifesto: A Covenant With The People Of Kwara’ as a valuable document that will change things for the better in the state if the party is voted into power in the upcoming governorship election-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
