By correspondent in Ilorin.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday; during her second day of her three-day official visit to kwara state, inaugurated two major flyovers in Ilorin named after the General Tunde Idiagbon Flyover and the Prof. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Flyover.
Our correspondent reports that
the Tunde Idiagbon Flyover, stretching 562 meters, and the Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Flyover, measuring 457.4 meters, are expected to ease traffic congestion and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the state capital.
Our correspondent recalls that General Babatunde Abdulbaki Idiagbon (14 September 1943 -24 March 1999), was a Nigerian military officer who served as the 6th Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.
He held this position as second-in-command to General Muhammadu Buhari, the military head of state, from 1983 to 1985.
Professor Ibrahim Gambari was the immediate past Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He played a key role in the transition of power, overseeing the handover of the democratically elected government to Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu in 2023.
Speaking at the occasion,the first lady commended the governor of the state Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, for his commitment to development, expressing her admiration for the numerous infrastructure projects and initiatives under his administration.
“I am so, so glad with what I have seen. This is truly amazing, and I am going back home to tell the President what I have seen. You (Governor) are a man truly in love with your people. You have really done so well,” the First Lady noted.
She was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; the Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Wives’ Association, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq; and several First Ladies from across the country.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu described Governor AbdulRazaq as an outstanding leader and remarkable achiever who is transforming Kwara State with impactful projects.
Reacting to the gesture accorded her late husband, Mrs Cecilia Idiagbon, described the project as a historic honour and a reflection of Governor AbdulRazaq’s respect for past leaders.
Our correspondent reports that the First Lady also laid the foundation stone for the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hospital, a multi-storey healthcare facility set to replace the old Civil Service Clinic in Ilorin’s GRA.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed el-Imam, the hospital will offer premium medical services to residents and beyond.
Senator Tinubu,who also flagged off the distribution of 10,000 professional kits for midwives in the North Central region, explained that the initiative aligned with the federal government’s ongoing retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide.
“This is to complement the federal government’s efforts. So far, 54,346,000 health workers have completed their training, and to support them, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 crocs for distribution across the six geopolitical zones,” she disclosed.
Governor AbdulRazaq hailed the gesture, noting that the kits would not only enhance healthcare delivery but also demonstrate solidarity with dedicated health workers.
The First Lady also visited the Ilorin Innovation Hub, a technology center aimed at nurturing digital talents in the state where praised the governor’s vision and hinted the possibility of establishing a Dream Centre to empower underprivileged but talented youths.
“What I have seen here is borne out of a clear dream about where the Governor wants his people to be. This dream is coming alive. You have enough projects to showcase, and I am indeed very proud of you,” she remarked.
Senator Tinubu wrapped up her visit at the Sugar Factory Film Studio, a state-of-the-art facility, designed to boost Kwara’s entertainment and creative industry.
The First Lady expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality in Kwara, describing it as a model for other states to emulate.
“This is the standard we want to see in other states. Everything we have seen here is of very good quality. Despite the short notice, the hospitality has been amazing, and I want other First Ladies to copy this as a template,” she said.
She announced that her next engagement in Kwara would be the launch of the “Free to Shine” and “Triple Elimination” campaigns for HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis, reinforcing the government’s commitment to healthcare improvement across the country.
The events were graced by the Deputy Governor,Kayode Alabi and his wife Abieyuwa; the Speaker,Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu; Senator Sadiq Umar; Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya; cabinet members; religious leaders; and community heads.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
