Date: 2014-10-16

FORMER Minister of Transport and Sports Hon. Ibrahim Isa Bio on Thursday at a colourful ceremony at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Ilorin, Kwara State formally declared his ambition to contest for the Governorship of Kwara, on the platform of PDP.

The occasion was graced by party leaders, supporters, well-wishers and the cream of the media. With the shout of SAI BIO KWARA GO BETTER Hon Bio said,

‘‘My detailed programme and plan of action covering all sectors of our economy will soon be made available. But as most of you have seen on my posters in all the nook and crannies of Kwara, my slogan is Sai Bio, Kwara Go Better. Kwara is the only state I know of that is still a toddler at age 47 and without a legacy. My government will make Kwara better in all ramifications, but we shall pay special attention to -Education, Agriculture, Infrastructural Development, Sports, and Transparency and Good Governance.’’

Bio posits that before the advent of information technology and other inventions that make schooling easier today, Kwara was a leader in education in Nigeria. The civil service in the whole of Northern Nigeria was dominated by Kwarans, ‘‘but today the standard of education in Kwara has fallen to an unacceptable standard. My government will emulate the South West where education is priority. That is why the South West indigenes are not only leaders in Nigeria today, poverty is low in the region. Once our children are educated, they will use the knowledge and wisdom acquired to excel, either in government service, personal business or as artisans. Our aim is to catch up with the South West and lay a foundation that ensures Kwara overtakes them in the nearest future.’’

Bio also vows to turn Kwara potentials in agriculture into a reality and create wealth for our people. He argued that Kwara soil is fertile, but what we do today is just peasant farming. ‘’Investment in foreign farmers by previous administration has not translated into wealth for Kwara and Kwarans because it was not designed as a people oriented programme. We shall, on assumption of office, invite experts who will teach our people modern mechanized farming. Instead of giving billions of naira to foreigners, we shall organize our people into co-operative societies, invest our resources in our people and turn them into large scale farmers.’’

He also promised to invest heavily in infrastructural development. ‘’At 47, most areas of Kwara are not linked by good roads, the few tarred ones are in very bad shape and the impact of poor infrastructure on our development is obvious. We shall provide good healthcare, affordable housing, good and affordable transportation, work hand in hand with the Federal agencies to provide adequate security and generally make the lives of Kwarans better.’’

A former Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Bio promised to pay urgent attention to and invest enormous resources is sports. ‘‘We have seen how sports have turned many of today’s youths into global icons, millionaires and employers of labour. Kwara used to be a national and world leader in sports decades ago. Then, we were a force to reckon with in football, athletics, volleyball, basketball, boxing, handball, table-tennis and school sports. Our state then produced Olympics medalists, World Champions, continental and national champions. Today, sports in Kwara has been reduced to recreational exercise. If Jamaica, a country the size of Kwara, can do it, we shall also do it’’.

He assured Kwarans that his government will be transparency and enthrone good governance.