- Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq immortalizes historic figures with legacy projects.
- Major facilities renamed to celebrate Nigeria’s trailblazers and Kwara heroes.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved the renaming of several new and old projects in the state to honor notable historic figures and leaders, cementing their contributions to the state and the nation.
Among the notable honorees is Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who will have the multibillion-naira Civil Service Clinic project named after her. As part of her official visit to Kwara from January 28 to 30, 2025, Senator Tinubu is set to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which will involve a complete reconstruction of the old Civil Service Clinic into a state-of-the-art multi-storey health facility.
The late football legend Rashidi Yekini, renowned for scoring Nigeria’s first World Cup goal, will have the main bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex named in his memory. Additionally, the entire stadium complex has been renamed the Major-General George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex to honor the military leader’s contributions to the state.
The initiative also includes renaming other significant infrastructure to celebrate Kwara and Nigeria’s trailblazers. The Tafawa Balewa Road now leads to the Gen. Tunde Idiagbon flyover, earlier dedicated to the late disciplinarian and former military leader.
The governor also named the Unity Flyover, Ilorin after the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
In the realm of sports, several facilities have been renamed to reflect the achievements of iconic figures:
- The Table Tennis Arena is now named after Atanda Musa, a national table tennis champion.
- The Indoor Sports Hall bears the name of Gabriel Babatunde Ladipo, regarded as the father of sports in Kwara.
- The Squash Court honors Bolakale Mogaji, a pioneer coach and former national squash champion.
- Hostels at the stadium have been named after athletes Salihu Ishola, Bolaji Eniola, and Bola Esan, the state’s first female director of sports.
Other renamed facilities include:
- The ICT Centre at the Kwara State University of Education, now named after Amina Ndalolo, former Minister of State for Health.
- The Executive Ward at the Kwara State Teaching Hospital, named after the late Dr. Amuda Aluko, a celebrated physician and politician.
- The state’s first secretariat, now called the Brigadier General David Bamigboye Secretariat, in honor of Kwara’s first military administrator.
- The new state secretariat, named after Rear Admiral Muhammed Alabi Lawal, the state’s governor from 1999 to 2003.
Governor Abdulrazaq’s decision reflects his commitment to preserving the legacy of individuals who have significantly shaped Kwara’s history and Nigeria’s development.
