By Comrade Lanrey Osho
AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR ABDULRAZAQ
Your Excellency, Sir,
It has become customary for me to address you openly on pressing issues affecting Kwara State. Driven by my unwavering commitment to your progress and as one of your most ardent constructive critics, I feel compelled to share my thoughts with you. Our past encounters have consistently demonstrated your profound appreciation for honesty and your preference for collaborating with individuals of untainted integrity, particularly the youth of kwara state.
Our first meeting, during the official presentation of my organization’s (ENetSuD) evaluation report of College of Education road, Ilorin,As you stepped out of your official vehicle, you specifically mentioned my name and you commended me and my organization for fostering transparency in Kwara State, left a lasting impression on me.
Our second meeting, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,It was Dr. Lawal Olohungboebe, now the Commissioner of Education, who led us to the meeting with you at presidential lodge adjacent government house in ilorin, and the first thing you said was that you believe we are representatives of civil society, not politicians, and you wanted sincere advice from us. showcased your willingness to listen to the truth and seek advice from CSOs on mitigating the challenges and revitalizing the state’s economy. I was heartened by your attentiveness to our contributions.
Our third meeting, at Kwara Hotel, prior to its demolition, focused on budget formulation. I spoke on behalf of kwara state CSOs candidly about the shortcomings in the state’s budget preparation and was pleased with your receptiveness to constructive criticism. The subsequent year’s kwara state budget presentation reflected the positive impact of our input.
Sir, I write to bring to your attention the crippling hardship and business closures plaguing Kwara State, largely due to the unavailability of funds through KWASSIP. It has been over a year since small-scale businesses received support, and I, along with many colleagues, remain stranded. My frozen and poultry food’s store, located at Apaokaji junction Arounmaradun Lane Alfa yahaya ilorin mere minutes from your family residence, is struggling to stay afloat.
KWASSIP has been a proactive initiative, effectively alleviating the suffering of our people since its establishment by your government, and this is indeed commendable. I vividly recall the public hearing for the enactment of the law establishing KWASSIP, where Hon. Saheep Popoola chaired the committee proceedings in the chamber plenary, which was attended by market women, community representatives, transporters, traders, and traditional rulers. Speaking on behalf of civil society organizations, I emphasized that KWASSIP should operate continuously, with its programs running consistently to mitigate the hardships faced by our people. I also advised that the program should remain non-partisan, fair, and inclusive, which my good brother, the General Manager, Dr. Abdulwasiu Tejidini, has been doing. However, I, along with other Kwarans, are puzzled as to why the activities have ceased without any intervention over the past year, since July of last year. This demands explanation, as Kwarans are suffering, businesses are shut down, hunger has become the order of the day, and Kwarans are struggling. Something urgent must be done to ameliorate the suffering of our people.
Your Excellency, I implore you to intervene in this crisis. Many businesses are shutting down, leading to layoffs and exacerbating the state’s economic woes. While salaries are being paid, the cost of living remains prohibitive. I urge you to recognize the critical role SMEs play in driving economic growth and employment. As an entrepreneur yourself, you understand the challenges we face.
As a patriotic citizen, human rights activist, and anti-corruption crusader based in Kwara State, I am compelled to express my concerns. When citizens do not receive support from KWASSIP for a year, they naturally begin to question the contributing factors. A similar occurrence took place during the 2016 recession under the previous government, where a certain amount of billions of naira was disbursed to the Kwara State Ministry of Commerce for small-scale businesses, with the flag-off ceremony conducted by Vice President professor Yemi Osinbajo. My organization (ENetSuD ) submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) letter to the Kwara State Government, requesting Megida to provide details on how the funds were distributed to beneficiaries, their businesses, and contact information. However, they were unable to provide this information until we threatened to drag former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele to court through our letter.
I personally delivered the letter to the CBN office at post office in Ilorin, after it was sent to the CBN headquarters in Abuja, which led to the deployment of staff from Abuja to Ilorin. We were preparing to escalate the matter to EFCC when your government intervened and brought them before EFCC. Consequently recovered the funds, citizens of Kwara demand transparency and accountability, which prompted my organization to submit FOI requests to 8 State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under your government.
I respectfully request your prompt attention to this matter, ensuring the revival of KWASSIP and the injection of much-needed funds into kwara struggling businesses within three weeks. Together, we can alleviate the suffering of our people and secure a brighter future for Kwara State.
Your Excellency, I respectfully urge you to address the requests outlined in this letter within three weeks of receipt, aiming to alleviate the suffering of our people. I recall the President’s recent statement at the Nigeria Governors’ meeting, acknowledging the prevailing hardship and advising governors to release funds to bolster small-scale businesses, implement poverty alleviation programs, and prioritize “stomach infrastructure” initiatives. By doing so, we can collectively stimulate economic growth and improve the lives of our citizens.
I wish you success in your endeavors and reaffirm my commitment to serving as your constructive critic, unafraid to speak truth to power. Kwara Onibaje ooooo!
Signed
Comrade Mashood Lanrey Osho is a Human Right Activist, Anti-corruption Crusader, Author and public policy Analyst.
27th of October,2025
