Date: 2020-12-30

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 55TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ILORIN EMIRATE DESCENDANTS PROGRESSIVE UNION HELD IN ILORIN FROM FRIDAY,25TH TO SATURDAY,26TH DECEMBER, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, the apex sociocultural organisation of the people of Ilorin Emirate, held its Annual National Delegates Conference from Friday, 25th to Saturday, 26th December, 2020.

The opening ceremony of the conference was held at the Fore-court of the Emir of Ilorin's Palace while the Business Session took place at the Ilorin-West Local Government Secretariat, Wara Road,Islamic Village, Ilorin.

The conference, which was attended by several prominent sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate from all walks of life as well as delegates from 92 Branches across the country and beyond, deliberated on some critical issues affecting the nation in general and Ilorin Emirate in particular.

At the end of the 2-day deliberations, the following resolutions were adopted: (i)APPRECIATION AND COMMENDATION

The Union appreciates the contributions of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq; the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji(Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR; the Chairman of the Occasion, Engr. Lanre Sagaya;MFR,OFR, FAEngr; the Chairwoman, Hon. Justice Halima A. Saleeman; the Chief Launcher, Engr. Kamilu Dauda; Senator Rukayyat Gbemisola Saraki, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Hon. Abdulganiyu Cook-Olododo, past National Presidents of the Union and other dignitaries, who are too many to be listed, to the success of the conference. The Union particularly appreciates the patriotic roles played by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq; the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR; and the Sardaurna of Ilorin, Alhaji Umaru Aminu Saro,MFR, OFR in ensuring the preservation of Ilorin Yidi(Eid) Praying Groundfor posterity. Those also highly appreciated include three of its ex-Presidents, namely Alhaji L. A. K. Jimoh, Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar, OON, the Danmadani of Ilorin and Alhaji Yinusa Gada for facilitating the interventions of the earlier mentioned trio.

The Union notes, with profound appreciation, the efforts of the Kwara State Government towards enhancing status of the social and infrastructural facilities in the state.

The conference is particularly impressed with the appreciable support,which the proposed Police Secondary School, Ballah, has received from the Kwara State Government as it also appreciates the comprehensive rehabilitation of secondary schools in the Emirate, especially the Ilorin Grammar School Ilorin, and some health facilities as well as increase in roads construction and rehabilitation in various parts of the state.

The Union, however, calls on the Federal Government to expedite actions towards the completion of work on the Ogbomoso-Oyo section of the Ilorin-Ibadan Express road.

The conference, in addition, appreciates the efforts of the Federal and the State Governments in the provisions of palliatives to the vulnerables in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic that is ravaging the country. The Union equally notes with appreciation, the generous contributions of its life patron Emir of Ilorin,Alhaji(Dr)Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,CFR, and other philanthropists towards alleviating the sufferings of the masses during the trying period of the COVID-19 scourge and the rainstorms which destroyed property in Ilorin.

The Union calls on well-to-do indigenes of Ilorin Emirate to offer more consistent financial support to the Management of the Ilorin Central Jumaat Mosque so as to ensure the continuous maintenance of the edifice.

EDUCATION

The conference notes with regrets that since the creation of Kogi State in 1992 and the subsequent ceding of the only FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION in Okene,(then in Kwara) to that state, Kwara State is yet to have its own FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

The Federal Government is, therefore, urged to promptly replace the ceded institution toprovide greater opportunity to tertiary education for youths in Kwara State

While thanking the Federal Government for citing the Police College at Ballah in the Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, the Union appeals for the speedy completion of the project to ensure prompt commencement of full academic activities.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Delegates at the conference express concern over the increasing security challenges in various parts of the country. Members are particularly worried about persistent kidnapping activities and insurgency especially in the Northern part of the country and therefore call on the Federal Government to beef up its security architecture as well as establish synergy with traditional institutions on ways to effectively curb the menace.

The alarming increase in the establishment of Petrol and Gas Filling Stations, particularly in the traditional areas of Ilorin metropolis has become a source of concern for the Union.

In view of the attendant dangers of such structures within high density residential areas, theUnion is calling on Kwara State Town Planning and Development Authority as well as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)to, as a matter of urgency, take necessary steps towards arresting the dangerous trend. The Union condemns, in totality, the wanton destruction of properties and looting by hoodlums during the EndSars protests in Kwara State and urges the State Government to bemore proactive in crisis management as well as adopt more effective ways of positively engaging our restive youths.

The conference appreciates the continued efforts of the Kwara State Government towards ensuring the safety of lives and property generally in the State and specifically in Ilorin Emirate .

The Union reminds all and sundry that security is the responsibility of all. While the government does it bit, communities and families must also play significant roles as the various security outfits must also be up and doing in ensuring the protection of live and property.

It, however, notes with displeasure the increasing number of drug addicts and hoodlums within Ilorin metropolis and calls on the appropriate authorities to intensify its efforts towards ridding the state of hard drugs dealers and their patrons to drastically reduce drug abuse and criminality and thereby make the state safer for law-abiding citizens.

The Union expresses its appreciation to the authorities of the Ilorin West Local Government Area for successfully hosting this year's annual national conference. Finally, the Union apologises for the restriction placed on attendance at the conference. It was done in accordance to the demands of COVID-19 protocols to stem the spread of the disease among our people.

Alhaji Aliyu Otta Uthman, fsi,

National President.