TheCable

Ibrahim Bio, former minister of transport and Sports, has declared his intention to contest the governorship election of Kwara state next year in order to save the state from remaining “a toddler at 47”.

While speaking at a declaration ceremony at the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, Bio said he would cater to all the sectors of the economy, while paying special attention to education, agriculture, transparency and good governance.

“My detailed programme and plan of action covering all sectors of our economy will soon be made available. But as most of you have seen on my posters in all the nook and crannies of Kwara, my slogan is Sai Bio, Kwara Go Better,” he said.

“Kwara is the only state I know of that is still a toddler at age 47 and without a legacy. My government will make Kwara better in all ramifications, but we shall pay special attention to education, agriculture, infrastructural development, sports, and transparency and good governance.”

He also hailed the educational prowess of the southwest and spoke of the need for Kwara to perform even better.

“The standard of education in Kwara has fallen to an unacceptable standard. My government will emulate the southwest where education is priority. That is why the southwest indigenes are not only leaders in Nigeria today; poverty is low in the region,” he said.

“Once our children are educated, they will use the knowledge and wisdom acquired to excel, either in government service, personal business or as artisans. Our aim is to catch up with the southwest and lay a foundation that ensures Kwara overtakes them in the nearest future.”

The 57-year-old vowed to transform Kwara potentials in agriculture into a reality, while creating wealth for the people.

“Investment in foreign farmers by previous administration has not translated into wealth for Kwara and Kwarans because it was not designed as a people oriented programme,” he explained.

“We shall, on assumption of office, invite experts who will teach our people modern, mechanised farming. Instead of giving billions of naira to foreigners, we shall organise our people into cooperative societies, invest our resources in our people and turn them into large scale farmers.”

Lamenting the decline in infrastructural development within the state, he added: “At 47, most areas of Kwara are not linked by good roads, the few tarred ones are in very bad shape and the impact of poor infrastructure on our development is obvious.

“We shall provide good healthcare, affordable housing, good and affordable transportation, work hand-in-hand with the federal agencies to provide adequate security and generally make the lives of Kwarans better.”

As an ex-minister, Bio, promised to revive sports in the state, comparing Kwara to Jamaica.
“We have seen how sport has turned many of today’s youths into global icons, millionaires and employers of labour,” he said.

“Kwara used to be a national and world leader in sports decades ago. Then, we were a force to reckon with in football, athletics, volleyball, basketball, boxing, handball, table tennis and school sports. Our state then produced Olympics medalists, world champions, continental and national champions.

“Today, sports in Kwara has been reduced to recreational exercise. If Jamaica, a country the size of Kwara, can do it, we shall also do it.”

Kwara state was created in May 1967 by the federal administration of Yakubu Gowon.