Offa Local Government Area.

03/08/2016

Sequel to the Kwara State Government's directive for a stakeholders meeting on the financial position of the local government Council, all is now set for an all embracing stakeholders meeting at Offa Local Government secretariat.
Present are the Executive Council members, Legislative Council members, House Leader KWHA, Party Executives, NULGE Exco, DPM, Treasurer Offa Local Government Council and other community stakeholders.

19/06/2015

Offa.

19/11/2014

13/11/2014

The drainages at the Level crossing/Total axis of the Olofa way have been opened while the deplorable road, which has cried for attention over the years have been rehabilitated. As at the last count, Ita Erin/Igosun road; Alubata /Anifowose road; Muu road; Afolabi/Ola compound road; Ojoku/Bintilaye road; Amuyo/Tipper garrage junction; and Igbawere road in Igboidun ward have all been graded to ease vehicular movement.

13/11/2014

The drainages at the Level crossing/Total axis of the Olofa way have been opened while the deplorable road, which has cried for attention over the years have been rehabilitated. As at the last count, Ita Erin/Igosun road; Alubata /Anifowose road; Muu road; Afolabi/Ola compound road; Ojoku/Bintilaye road; Amuyo/Tipper garrage junction; and Igbawere road in Igboidun ward have all been graded to ease vehicular movement.

31/10/2014

Official page of Offa Local Government Area, Kwara State.

20/10/2014

Olanipekun: The change Agent

20/10/2014

State of Offa roads and the Olanipekun in their ignorance.
By Babatunde Opoola.
Listening to the vituperation of an Okada rider and the many reactions to the state of roads in Offa, especially the post on social media pioneered by my good friend, Barrister Muhydeen Raji and Barrister Leke Ijaiya, initially I was numbed with shock because it was like the Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Prince Segun Abdulwaheed Olanipekun had committed unpardonable sins against the community.
Many would not be persuaded that, what we are witnessing this year is unexpected especially in terms of the volume of rains so far. which is a disorder in climate that has affected roads every where . The state capitals that have well monitored master plan are also not spared of this disasters.
What should matter is not whether problems exist, but whether his administration is responding to these problems and whether those responses are yielding results where they are implemented. And that, he is doing. Many are probably unaware or deliberately decided to be mischievous in their comments as to the foresight of Olanipekun in mitigating this problem which is to some extent beyond the capability of the Local Administration.
Last year, as part of his proactive approaches to governance, he believes every Offa resident should be a change agent and he demonstrated this few days into his administration, when he took shovel and joined in the de-silting of blocked drainages along Olofa way at the Idi-Ogun motor park area. This development drive is a task that every citizen, irrespective of areas should be a change agent.
Monday October 20, 2014 is another milestone. The drainages at the Level crossing/Total axis of the Olofa way have be opened while the deplorable road, which has cried for attention over the years is being rehabilitated.
It is simple logic to state facts here because we would not dignify some watery statements with response. This is to ensure that genuine and mischievous critics do not capitalize on our deliberate silence to misinform people.
Most importantly, we should cultivate a healthy environmental standard. The reckless manner at which people dump waste in our drains should be discouraged.
I was also taken aback by the attempt to want to compare Olawoyin's administration with the one year old administration of Olanipekun and further crucify Saraki as the cause. As a matter of fact, I want to state without fear of contradiction that Dr. Bukola Saraki, under whom Olawoyin served as Chairman, targeted Offa for strategic infrastructure . What Olawoyin achieved then was to the glory of God and Saraki and not by his making, except we want to start outlining local government projects and Joint account financed projects. Anybody, given the state of finances then, could have achieved what Olawoyin did or even better. That is essentially a topic for another day.
We are in serious financial gridlock now, propelled by the PDP led federal government at the centre. An average over400million Naira shortfall monthly from the Federation Account is alarming, and not until we vote out the epileptic and malfunctioned PDP Federal Government, we are in for disaster.
Back to the matter at hand, we commend Offa Students Union for the community service. If fair must be fair, we are all change agents in the development of our fatherland. Offa Agbe wa ooo.

14/09/2014

OFFA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Olanipekun's 11 months of service as a positive agent of change.
By Babatunde Opoola.
Prince AbdulWaheed Oluwasegun Olanipekun's focal point is excellence and he acknowledges the people as his primary constituency in the determination to deliver to them the fruits of governance. Since he assumed office in September 2013, Prince Olanipekun has left no one in doubt as to how quickly he wants the people of Offa to feel the impact of governance.
Having understudied his leader, the former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Abubarkar Bukola Saraki (CON) as a Special Assistant on Investment and later Special Assistant on Price Intelligence, coupled with being a member of various committees such as; committee on assessment for repossession of Kwara Plaza Phase 1, Abuja, committee on road towards attaining a blue print for Kwara State, committee on financial misappropriation in Edu, Moro and Patigi local government areas, investigative committee on the activities of ministry of commerce and co-operatives and committee on assessment of projects executed by local government councils in Kwara state, all these between February 2009 to September, 2010 when he served under Saraki, it was clear that he was not only ready for the challenges of governance, he was also on a familiar path.
Thus, when his remarkable achievements of 11 months is gauged against the backdrop of his vast experience, it becomes clear that Prince Olanipekun arrived Offa Local Government Council with a readymade blue print on how to transform Offa local government area to an enviable height.
All his projects and programme initiatives and implementations converge on this philosophy of competence propelled by experience. Indeed, on assumption of office on Tuesday September 3, 2013 as the 13th Chief Executive of Offa Local Government Area , he solicited for the cooperation of the management and staff of the council in the collective effort to bring dividends of democracy to the people.
In his open meeting with the Director of Personnel Management (DPM), and the Head of Departments, Olanipekun stated that he would not discriminate against anyone as he would not want to be distracted from his responsibility of developing the area.
'' There would not be discrimination with anyone, and I would not play politics with development,'' he stated, adding that he would not encourage divisive tendencies which would undermine productivity.
Earlier, the DPM, in his welcome address had expressed the cooperation of the members of Staff of the Council, stressing that the mandate of civil servants is to be loyal to the Chief Executive, maintaining that having served under the immediate Chairman, they were not partisan or sympathizer of an opposition political party.
He further stressed that they believe in the ability of Prince Olanipekun to turn things around and move the Local Government Area to a greater height.
The President of National Union of Local Government Employees, had in his remark towed the path of the DPM as he attempted to disabuse the mind of the Chairman of the insinuation of being partisan, adding that they are faithfully in support of him.
Meanwhile, Olanipekun had received an heroic triumphant reception as a tumultuous crowd lined the major roads to welcome him from the swearing-in ceremony held at the state capital earlier in the day , which punctured the rumor that there was a protest against his emergence the previous week, in Offa.
The convoy had paid homage to the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Oloyede Gbadamosi in his palace before proceeding to the local government secretariat.
In his entourage were the then Chairman of the PDP in Offa, Alhaji Goke Rabiu; former Chairman of Offa Local Government, Barrister Segun Olawoyin; then State Treasurer of PDP, Alhaji Tajudeen Raji and many supporters of the party.
After thanking the public servants for the support, he set the tone for what to expect in the next 100 days. And when he walked into the Council Chamber of the local government secretariat on Wednesday 13 December 2013 to brief the press on the activities of his 100days in Office he was not like a cat on hot bricks. Instead, he let his hair down, exchanging pleasantries with invited guests at the occasion.
With vivid description and animation, the Prince of Peace reeled out his achievements, beating the drums on his performance since he assumed office as Chairman of the council. Despite the fact that the area had being in dire need of strategic development, Olanipekun noted that he has been able to turn things round in his first100 days.
Realizing that poor road network was a challenging task that could have adverse effects on other sectors of the economy of the area, he stated that he decided to embark on '' Operation no potholes'' which had covered nine major tarred roads hitherto at deplorable state with potholes, and now rehabilitated and filled with asphalt.
Three other roads; the Jango road, Irra-Olalomi-Unity road and GRA-Ipee road have been graded, while the grounded council's grader is under repair to facilitate the council's effort at improving rural roads.
The administration also procured and installed three 500KVA transformer , with over 50 boreholes being repaired across the 12 wards of the area. The Chairman also announced that about 137,000 exercise books have been produced to be distributed free to various public primary and secondary schools.
On his empowerment and poverty eradication programme to mark the 100days in office, 12 sewing machines, 12 Hair dressing dryers, 12 Bajad motorcycles, five Mazda 323 cars, 12 Grinding Machine, 12 barbing clippers and generators were distributed to over 200 beneficiaries, in addition to over 250 people who had collected financial assistance in the first 100days.
As part of Olanipekun's proactive approaches to governance, he believes every Offa resident should be a change agent and he demonstrated this few days into his administration, when he took shovel and joined in the de-silting of blocked drainages along Olofa way at the Idi-Ogun motor park area. This development drive is a task that every citizen, irrespective of areas should be a change agent.
He said his administration would be people friendly, he would take their needs and expectations seriously and true to his words, empowerment initiatives have been consistent, while Muslims and Christians have also benefited from festival gifts of his administration.
Taking a cue from the Chief Executive of Kwara State, Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed that governance is all about appropriation of the limited resources available, he owes his successes to the commitment of Ahmed who has facilitated access to funds for strategic development of the area. And in furtherance of this, the administration is constructing two new police stations. One along Ojoku road and the other along Igosun road, to enhance the security of life and property in the area, which is premised on the belief that sustainable development can only be guaranteed in an environment of peace. The Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Prince Waheed Segun Olanipekun (FCA) had during the visit of the former Commissioner of Police, Oshodi Glover, in November 2013, called for additional police division in Offa Local Government Area in view of the metropolitan status of the area, adding that there are many security challenges necessitating police presence.
He stated that the town has grown seriously over the years and requires more policing considering the number of financial institutions and tertiary institutions in the area, even as he stated that the then Divisional Police Officer, CSP Bosso is trying but maintained that the manpower of the division is inadequate to effectively police the area. Evidently, Olanipekun had translated his many words into amazing dividends of democracy for the people within a short period of time.

Also additional four new Transformers have been installed at Alubata Ojurin, General hospital ,Atan Oba and Alape compound.
What should matter as he plans for his first year anniversary is not whether problems exist, but whether his administration is responding to these problems and whether those responses are yielding results where they are implemented. Positive change is what Prince Olanipekun strives to give to the people of Offa, even as he leverages on the windows of opportunities in the Governor Ahmed's Shared Prosperity Programme. His confidence for a successful tenure he stated, is premised on the support and co-operation expected from the State Governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed, whose leadership he acknowledges as developmental driven.
In all, the last 11 months have proved to be one period of great strides. Though, it is not yet '' UHURU'', it is work-in progress, building the Offa of our dreams.
Portrait of a Change Agent.
By Babatunde Opoola.
At the swearing-in ceremony of the Vice Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Olayinka Olayoonu and the inauguration of the Legislative Arm of the local government on Friday 6th September, 2013 which marks his first official assignment, Prince AbdulWaheed Segun Olanipekun made a pact with the people. In his words, he said: '' My mission as the Chairman is to carry out my assignment in such a way that those that voted for us can take pride in having done so, while those who did not vote for us, would be surprised by our achievements and be encouraged by our feats to team up with us in moving the Council forward.''
And about 11 months after that solemn declaration, Olanipekun has no doubt acquitted himself creditably well, giving value to his mandate.
He is hardworking, focused, honest, unassuming, a true professional and a goal getter, who is never flustered by any emergency. An achiever who has impacted on the lives of many.
Born on the 22nd July, 1968 at Offa to the royal family of the immediate past Olofa of Offa, Oba Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun (21st August, 1970 to 11th March, 2010), he attended Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School from 1975 - 1980; Offa Grammar School, and later wrote his West African School Certificate at Oyun Baptist High School Ijagbo in 1986. He was at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin for his A level / IJMB between 1986 and 1988, before proceeding to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained B.Sc.(Hons.) Accounting in 1991. He had his National Youth Service (NYSC) in Plateau State with Adetona Isichei & Co (Chattered Accountants) between 1991 and 1992, and was subsequently retained as Audit Assistant, and served meritoriously from 1992 to 1994.
He worked briefly with Trimco Ltd. as an Accountant from 1994-1995, before joining Adekanola & Co ( Chartered Accountants) as Tax Consultant from 1st February to 5th July, 2002. He later established Segun Olanipekun & Co (Chartered Accountants) on 22nd July, 2002.
Armed with requisite competence as a technocrat, he started his political career when the then Governor of Kwara State, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki appointed him as a Special Assistant on Investment in July 2009. His competence earned him a bigger office as he was later made the Special Assistant on Budget and Price Intelligence on 30th October 2009, a position he occupied till September 30, 2010.
A Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and an Associate of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI), Olanipekun has attended many international conferences, such as; Governors Business and Investment Forum at Hague, Netherlands in 2009 and the 2009 US-Africa Business Summit at Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington DC, USA.
His outstanding contributions in the drive for change has earned him many honors and awards. These include: Award of Excellence by Senior Staff Association in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN),Oro branch in Decenber,2013; Best Historical Chairman, by Offa Youths Intellectuals, December 2013; Merit Award by Young Barbers Association in Offa Local Government Area in 2014; Outstanding Leadership Award by Okada Riders (RTEAN Chapter) in Offa Local Government Area,2014; Gold Merit Award by Intercontinental Magazine, 2014; Fellow, Corporate Administration Institute (FCAI), August 2014, and on Saturday, September 13, 2014, Prince AbdulWaheed Segun Olanipekun, would be honored with the prestigious Commonwealth Leadership Award Prize in Governance, as the Best Performed Local Government Chairman in Kwara State.
He is happily married to Engr.(Mrs.) Omotayo Olanipekun and blessed with children.

Official page of Offa Local Government Area, Kwara State.

14/09/2014

Being extract of Interview of The Herald on Sunday, 14th September,2014.

My scorecard is left to the masses - Olayonu
Olayonu Olarinoye Tope, member, Kwasra StateHouse of Assembly, representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency of Offa Local Government Area,. In this interview with the Ag. News Editor, The Herald on Sunday, Babatunde Opoola, he speaks on h is mission in the House, failure of the PDP led Federal Government and why the people must be allowed to choose their leaders. Read on:
T he last three years in the House, how has it been?
Well to God be the glory. We were voted in by the people, we are the servants, the people are the masters. Our functions are; To make laws, be the check and balances on the government, represent the people of my constituency, we act as the voice of the voiceless. The last three years has not been easy. We had the pre-merger and post-merger periods We were formally in the opposition . We were minority of only two members, and the house rules we met on ground is that when you are not up to a minimum of three , you cannot have a Minority Leader. However, we thank God for the kind of Speaker we have, he was a Speaker to all, irrespective which political party you belong.. He did not rule based on party affiliation, we may not have our ways but we always had our say with regards to issues of governance, issues that affect our people. As opposition then, we made strict and constructive criticism, anything we believe was the right of the people, we bring before the House. Before we came to the House of Assembly, we know the level of roads in Offa, the health facilities were in deplorable condition, the sector was a right-off. Today, reverse is the case because of the issues raised by us. You can see the General Hospital has been upgraded, even though there is yet to be significant success in roads rehabilitation. All is not too well. We are lacking behind in terms of infrastructure . Though, there are many things hanging that we have exceptions to with the Governor. All the same, It has not been easy, but we need to improve, especially in our checks and balances in Kwara state. There are things that are no longer dividends of democracy but the right of the people. Good roads, good and affordable education and health facilities are rights of the people, water is the right of the people.
What is responsible for these deficiencies?
It is the government at the centre. Sorry to say, honestly, the PDP led federal government is the worst thing to happen to Nigeria. A government that is rooted in fraud, that is the benchmark of the PDP in Nigeria. Because Kwara state is no longer in the PDP, we are no longer in their good books, so it is affecting many things, so we witness about 40 percent reduction in the revenue that accrue to the state from the Federation Account. It is affecting Kwara state and a lot of things. And there is a level to how we can generate internal revenue, because we cannot overburden our people with tax.
But the State Government had just paid the 17 billion bond and about getting another 23 billion. As a member of the House, do you think the last 17bn was judiciously used?
It was, we cannot condemn them, there are many things associated with bond, base on the circumstances, the government has done its best.
What are the chances of APC winning the forthcoming elections in Kwara state?
That is a serious question. One, the federal might is there to contend with. Secondly, we must show our achievements to the people to consider. All political office holders are servants, people that voted us are our masters. It is left for the people to determine. Any political office holder that did not measure to the expectations of the people, such person should be voted out. If you have a bad driver in your vehicle , you cannot hold the steering with him along the way, you can only play along with him till you reach your destination, collect your keys and get another driver, that is the beauty of democracy, where anyone, starting from the President , did not perform, the people should vote him out. With particular reference to Kwara, we know we are not in the good books of the PDP which is desperate to capture Kwara, what we need to do is to give Kwarans what they want and remain in the good books of the people. What matters is on the type of Candidate and popularity of the person we put forward for election. My advice to the people is that they should use their votes wisely.
Do you think you have fulfilled your mission for seeking election into the House of Assembly?
Yes, about 70 percent. My people should do the scorecard, God has helped me to do the little I can in representing my people well, the scorecard is left to the masses, to the people I am representing, at least within my conscience, I do not find myself guilty. I have represented my people well, and I will not betray or mortgage my conscience.
How would you access the Local Government administration in Offa?
He is trying his best with the meager resources available. It is the belief that as the revenue accruing to local government councils increases, more developments would be recorded.
What is your message to the people?
Let the people continue to the support the All progressives Congress (APC), believe in their votes as a means to positively change governance for their benefit and remain resolute in the determination to build a better Nigeria of our dreams.