Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has received resounding praise from the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for his administration’s focus on critical infrastructure projects that aim to transform the state into a thriving “service economy hub.”
The commendation came during a courtesy visit to the Governor’s House in Ilorin by a delegation led by NIPR President Dr Ikechukwu Neliaku. Dr Neliaku singled out the ongoing construction of an Innovation Hub and an International Conference Centre as particularly impressive, highlighting their potential to place Kwara on the global map.
“The projects that really caught our fancy are the ICT Innovation Hub and International Conference Centre,” Dr Neliaku declared. “You are building Kwara state as a regional hub. We also notice your fiscal responsibility and prudence in managing the affairs of governance.”
The Governor, in his response, elaborated on his vision for Kwara as a “hub for service economy,” attracting investments and creating jobs through the development of conferencing and hospitality infrastructure. He cited Las Vegas and Dubai as successful examples of this model, emphasizing the potential for Kwara to replicate their success on a smaller scale.
“What we are trying to do here is to build an ecosystem, a hub for conferencing,” Governor AbdulRazaq explained. “A conference centre and hotels are a catalyst for national development as it births a strong service economy. We want to do here with the International Conference Centre and our investment in building the Kwara hotel.”
The NIPR delegation also commended the Governor’s commitment to capacity building for information and public relations officers in the state government, as well as his support for the Institute’s initiatives like the “REBIRTH NIGERIA” programme. This programme, focused on values reorientation, citizens’ education, service delivery excellence, and promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, resonated with Governor AbdulRazaq, who pledged to work with his colleagues at the NGF to support its implementation.
Beyond infrastructure and economic development, the Governor and the NIPR delegation engaged in a thoughtful discussion about the importance of patriotism and a strong value system in addressing Nigeria’s current challenges. Governor AbdulRazaq identified a lack of patriotism and declining values as root causes of insecurity and economic woes, emphasizing the need for an “attitudinal rebirth” among citizens.
“The challenges we have are going to do with rebirth and attitude,” he stated. “The Nigerians are no more as patriotic as we used to be. We are only patriotic the day the Nigerian National Football team plays; this has to change.”
The Governor’s call for a national rebirth resonated with the NIPR delegation, further solidifying the common ground between the state government and the institute. As Kwara continues its ambitious journey towards becoming a “service economy hub,” the Governor’s partnership with the NIPR and his emphasis on rebuilding national values offer a promising roadmap for the state’s future success.
