Date: 2013-09-24

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed on Monday distributed car loan worth N3billion to teachers and other civil servants in the state and also commissioned an NUJ ultra-modern press centre in Ilorin, the state capital.  
 
 
Making the presentation of the car loan to beneficiaries at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin, the state Governor said the loan was "another opportunity to demonstrate this administration's long-standing commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants across the state, including Secondary and Primary School Teachers".
 
According to the Governor, civil servants are the foot soldiers of good governance and those who work silently to ensure that government's vision for the uncommon development of Kwara State comes to fruition on an effective and efficient basis.
 
 Ahmed continued: "We accord the welfare of civil servants the highest priority as demonstrated by the prompt payment of salaries and especially by today's flag-off of N3b in vehicle loans to qualifying civil servants.
 
"This government approved the renovation of offices in Ministries of Health, Commerce and the Local Government Service Commission. Also put in place are welfare policies and programs such as training and retraining of staff for better performance, employment opportunities for the teaming youths of the state through KWABES, approval of the sale of government quarters to sitting civil servants and the recent negotiation with Estate Developers for providing houses at affordable rate to workers in the state."
 
Meanwhile, commissioning the ultra modern NUJ Press Centre, Governor Ahmed said responsible journalism sustains the people's faith in democracy by disseminating accurate information about what governments at all levels are doing or are capable of doing to better the lives of the people.
 
 "The truth is many laudable government initiatives will fail without appropriate advocacy through the media. The media also has the capacity to promote transparency through its surveillance function while also setting an agenda for good governance," the Governor reiterated.
 
He said his administration recognizes the invaluable roles of journalists and their partnership with the government in areas of enlightenment, propagation of government Policies and for their valuable feedback in the form of constructive criticism.    
 
The Governor urged the media to continue to set agenda for good governance by holding a mirror to the society and reflecting the needs of the people while willingly acknowledging good performance at all levels of governance. 
 
"I urge you to remain apolitical and resist the temptation to descend into the arena by remaining balanced, objective and fair in your reportage," he said.
 
Earlier in his remarks, Kwara State Head of Service, Alhaji Dabarako Muhammed praised the NUJ members for waiting patiently for the completion of the centre and assured them that the state government would not relent in its efforts at creating conducive atmosphere for them to operate.