Exclusive: Hard Talks, Glamour and Political Fraternisation At 5th Fresh Insight Summit
Oyewale Oyelola and Abiola Alanamu
The atmosphere and ambience at 5th Annual Fresh Insight Summit held inside Banquet Hall, Ilorin reflects the fresh breathe in state as technocrats, business people and politicians from different political divide mingled as well as discusses affairs of harmony state without fear of intimidation or harassment.
The programme with the theme ‘Kwara; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ was chaired by Alhaji LAK Jimoh while Chairman Sobi FM, Mallam Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha serves as the Guest of Honour.
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission Alhaji Ishaq Moddibo Kawu who is the guest speaker at the event said the last sixteen years have been the worst in the history of kwara state, and if the state will move from under development everyone must join hands together to move the state forward.
He said the summit is coming at a time the state on its path to development in line with the vision of the present administration in the state, saying that it is hoped the government will take one or two things from the recommendations at the end of the summit.
He added: ”Governor Muhammed Lawal is now with hindsight, being appreciated better today, years after his death, as actually fighting the consolidating hegemony. I think it has taken the sixteen years, from 2003 to 2019, for most people to walk the shores of hindsight, to learn to appreciate the late Muhammed Lawal.
”And with that hindsight, we can now recall that Governor Lawal did not attempt to sell off our patrimony. On the contrary, he tried to reclaim what had been lost and also made the conscious effort to empower people, including local contractors. There was a trickle down which benefitted the local economy.
”Unfortunately, the forces of history and their political manipulation, as well as some of Governor Lawal’s own mistakes, allowed the incipient hegemony, to mobilize historical emotions and the powers of the Nigerian state, to remove him to power.
Alhaji Lukman Mustapha in a brief chat with newsmen called on the present administration in the state to run an open government where issues will be discussed and ideas shared in its bid at developing the state.
Mallam Mustapha said the timing of the summit is apt and couldn’t have come at a better time than when the emancipation of Kwara from bad governance is being celebrated.
Mustapha used the opportunity to call on the youth of the state to see themselves as partner in process of developing the state by contributing their quota that will compliment the efforts of the present administration in the state.
The convener of the summit comrade AbdulRasheed Akogun said the theme of the summit was chosen to chart a way that the present administration can key into its quest at developing the state.
Comrade Abdulrasheed Akogun stated rapporteur will comply discussions at the summit and make communiqué available to government and other stakeholders.
Panelists including Chief Iyiola Oyedepo Akogun, Prince Habiru Dansoho Mahmud, Engr Akeem Oyetunde, Rt Hon Ali Ahmad represented by Dr Bolaji Allege, Dr. Yinka Danfulani and Kwara Commissioner Designate, Aisha Ahman Pategi agree that all must be on deck to moving the first generation state forward.
Dignitaries at the occasion include , Comrade Bisi Fakayode , former SA Labour /Student Affairs to Government of Kwara state, Special Adviser on Special Duties to Kwara Governor, Hon. Yinka Aluko, Parents of the Convener, Alhaji and Alhaja Kunle Akogun and others.
