2025 - Page 28 of 28 - SAO-LEGEND ENTERPRISES

Kwara State Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology has played a crucial role in driving economic transformation across the state through strategic blend of innovation, entrepreneurship and infrastructure development.

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, stated this on Wednesday while presenting a comprehensive update on the Ministry’s achievements and ongoing projects during the first quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing, held at the conference room of Ministry of Finance, Ilorin.

Hon. Damilola noted that the Ministry is currently overseeing 10 strategic projects across Kwara Central Senatorial District – four of which have been completed, while six are still ongoing, highlighting that these efforts align with the vision of the current administration of the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON, who remains committed to business development, digital innovation and creation of economic opportunities for all residents.

Among the completed projects are the Ilorin Innovation Hub, now a vibrant centre for technological advancement; the successful pilot of the Gasoline-to-Electric Vehicle Conversion Project, executed in partnership with Kwara State University, Malete, which resulted in the delivery of two electric buses and a Hilux EV to the Ministry; the operational Kwara Garment Factory and the Sugar Film Factory, established to boost the creative industry and position Kwara as a leading entertainment hub in Nigeria.

The Commissioner provided updates on ongoing initiatives such as the Ilorin International Conference Centre, a landmark infrastructure featuring a 1,500-seat auditorium, a 129-room hotel and other state-of-the-art amenities, which is slated for completion by Q1 of year 2026.

She also mentioned the Kwara Hotel Remodeling Project, currently at 63% completion and expected to be delivered by October, 2025; the 50-ton Shea Butter Factory in Kaiama; the rehabilitation of Patigi Regatta Motel; the Daada Pottery Facility; and the ICT Hub in Shonga, each designed to stimulate sectoral growth and promote inclusive economic development across the State.

Hon. Damilola listed several initiatives driven by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital and Innovation, notably the Kwara State Government Coding & Digital Literacy Programme (Holiday Edition), saying this initiative is a bold step toward building a tech-savy, youth-driven future, targeting students from 50 public schools across all the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.

The Commissioner noted that the Ministry is facilitating business support through soft loans and grants, in collaboration with Federal Agencies and the Bank of Industry, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to fostering a robust business ecosystem that supports innovation, empowers local industries and promotes job creation.

Hon. Damilola commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support, assuring the public that the Ministry will continue to be steadfast in its mission to deliver sustainable development across all sectors.

A stunning admission has been made in Ilorin, Kwara State, when a man who was arrested for kidnapping confessed that he belonged to a ritualist syndicate and had kidnapped numerous children. The suspect, whose name is yet to be officially released, admitted that he could no longer count the number of children they had kidnapped in the past.

The suspect was arrested by the local security forces after he attempted to lure another child into an isolated area. His activities allegedly attracted the attention of people passing by, and the suspect was arrested before he could escape. When questioned, the suspect openly admitted to conducting ritual child kidnappings.

It was to him that he explained how his gang worked with herbalists who used the children for all sorts of ritual operations. He continued to reveal that most of the operations were carried out in other towns, and that their targets were usually vulnerable street children or abandoned kids.

Flashback: Similar Cases Still Fresh in Public Memory
In October 2022, another ritual-related arrest shocked the nation when three men were apprehended in Oyo State for attempting to use a teenage girl for money rituals. That event prompted severe public outrage and led to renewed demands for vigilance by the community and enhanced security. In that scenario, one of the men confessed that they had employed the same method on multiple occasions before they were apprehended.

Back to the Ilorin Incident
When questioned to tell the security officials how many children he and his gang had kidnapped, he said that he lost count. “We have done this so many times, I honestly can’t remember how many,” he told the security officials.

The arrest has generated fear and anger among the residents, especially parents who are afraid for the safety of their children. The local government officials report that they are working to identify other members of the group and recover any missing children involved in their activities.

The Kwara police has vowed to probe the issue and ensure that all those engaged in the acts are brought to book. They also warned people to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious event.

The suspect is meanwhile still in detention as investigations continue.