Date: 2014-05-19

The Kwara State government said the transformational branding agenda embarked upon to position the state as an investment hub in the middle belt and Nigeria has started yielding positive results.

The government noted that the unveiling of the state's investment and re-branding logo on May 29, 2012 democracy day celebration has put the state on the radar of investors, both local and international.

Taking an overview of the performance index of set plans to transform the state, the government of Abdulfatah Ahmed, incumbent governor of the state observed that it is time to measure its micro and macro economic performance.

How the state is able to attain this height, is to the credit of the investment logo or sign designed and tagged: "Its Good Here", which exposes the plans of the state to existing investors and prospectives.

However, in terms, logo connotes different meaning for different agenda. Logos as signage system works as an instrument of information, identity and stimulation. For instance, Buenos Aires, Argentine underground signage designed by Diseno Shakespear between 1995 to 2007, code named, 'Subte', was chosen following local survey and focus groups studies that showed a need for a collective memory term.

The government of Kwara state on its own carried out survey that pointed the way to achieve a prospective economic and branding agenda for the state.

Like Shakespear put it, "a sign is not just a panel with images, figure and letters. They are active expressions of identity that go beyond giving directions and solving basic circulation and communication problems."

Thus, the Kwara State logo was fully integrated to its surrounding. The result was a multi-level information system that helped prospective investors understand and identify the state's different agenda for locals and international investors.

According to SBA website, the cost-per-thousand, is a common method employed to measure the cost of reaching a thousand potential consumers, this tool worked for the Kwara government.

Elements of the logo:

The antelope, 'Tragelaphus Eurycerus', (biological name ), represents humility, goodness, down-to-earth and natural beauty of the land and people.

Cassava represents abundant agricultural potential. The Cowries connotes the forebearers of enterprise and deep cultural heritage.

For the Crown on the logo, it depicts royalty and deep cultural heritage, the Flowing water is a source of natural goodness.

The Precious stones represents abundant natural resources, while the Shield means the unyielding spirit to succeed and excel.

Blue represents flowing water and the beautiful seasonal belts. Deep red represents the pride, passion, royalty and great spirit of enterprise that has been a life long heritage

Black represents being part of the African race as Nigerians, while Gold represents the minerals and industrial wealth, and Green represents the rich agricultural and potential)

And that was why Ahmed said in his May 29, 2012 speech, "It is in line with this quest to grow our state for greater prosperity that we are re-branding Kwara State. This campaign and the new logo that comes with it are designed to promote our state as a top investment destination using our reputation for peace, our strengths in agriculture, commerce, solid mineral development, tourism and strategic infrastructure.

We intend to strongly market our state as a haven for lucrative domestic and foreign direct investment. Let me state here this is not a mere political gimmick. Rather, we are setting the foundations for the long-term prosperity of our great state and its people."

Continuing, he had said: "As you are all aware, the previous administration placed the state on a global stage through innovative programmes and policies. Today, we make history by midwifing a new Kwara, one which gives us all a greater sense of pride, ownership and participation.

Contributing, Dr. Femi Akorede, SSA Media and Communication stated: "Both Shared Prosperity programme and the State Logo have down really well with the people. People can relate to Shared Prosperity and the logo slogan, "Its Good Here". People can easily relate to both and grasp the meaning. It is interesting to chant Kwara State and hear people reply "Its Good Here'. Both have streamlined how we communicate both our brand identity and government programmes."

Aside its economic growth, and support to agriculture, human capital development is another area the government has fared well, even as it strengthened healthcare delivery through 500 meter access to quality primary health centres supported by a cluster of secondary health institutions.

Testimonies:

Residents of the state have varying views on the performance of the state government at different levels, in education, Mrs. M.T Ogunifa, Teacher, Gaa-Akanbi GBA School B, said that the renovation of the school has improved enrolment.

Hajia Abdul Malik Mariam, Principal, Govt. High Sch. Senior Section said the the Info Tech and Food and Nutrition laboratories were renovated. whilst the school has been provided with f bore hole.

Akeem Lawal, Mechanic, Fate Road. The government is working, we used to encounter problem on this road during rainy season but since the reconstruction of the road, we have not witnessed any flooding.