Mammoth Crowd Receive Hakeem Lawal In Ilorin South

•SDP Candidate Promises To Disparity in TESCOM/SUBEB Salary Structure

••Bemoans Deplorable State of Roads in Ilorin Metropolis

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Kwara State, Alhaji Hakeem Lawal on Sunday took his consultation tour to Ilorin South local government area where he was received by mammoth crowd.

Hakeem Lawal with Kwara SDP Campaign Council led the two Directors General; Kahlid Bolaji and Arc Kale Belgore as well as State Party Chairman, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Afolabi paid homage to Alangua of Tanke, Alhaji Umaru Salaudeen.

The Alangua of Tanke, Alhaji Umaru Salaudeen in his remarks, said Hakeem Lawal would continue to enjoy goodwill of his late father, Admiral Mohammed Alabi Lawal, noting that he recorded unprecedented achievements from 1999 to 2003. 

According to him, local contractors and suppliers were empowered through government patronage leading to economic boom in the state.

"We will continue to intensify prayers for you. God will answer our prayers. It will come with ease." The Alangua prayed for Hakeem Lawal. 

The SDP gubernatorial candidate later moved to Excellence Hall, Pipeline road-Ilorin for Interactive Session with Artisans, Market Men/Women, Transporters, Party members and other critical stakeholders. 

The 48 year-old International Financial Expert hinted on his plan to address disparity in salary structure of teachers under Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), when elected.

"I feel the pains of our teachers, especially in area of salary disparity between TESCOM and SUBEB. It is demoralizing to be doing the same job and getting different salary. We will look into it, when you give us your mandate by voting SDP in 2023." He explained.

Hakeem Lawal however noted that the Civil Servants would need to work with government to block leakages for collective gains. 

Speaking on his plans for Artisans, he said the SDP government will boost the State economy by supporting Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) with grants to acquire modern work tools. 

Hakeem Lawal also engaged some Community Leaders, Opinion Moulders and rural dweelers in Ago Ayekale, Tanke Ajanaku, Olometa, Agbabiaka, Opolo and other stakeholders to another round of Interactive Session held in front of Primary Health centre, Ago which recently renovated by the only SDP House of Representatives member, Hon Gani Cook Olododo.

The SDP gubernatorial candidate for 2023 election in a chat with newsmen bemoaned the deplorable state of roads across Ilorin Metropolis, noting Gaa Akanbi-Agbabiaka road, Pipeline road, Awolowo road, Aga to Ganmo road and others are fast becoming death traps. 

Hakeem Lawal therefore promised to reposition Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency (KWARMA) for quality and durable road rehabilitation by procurement modern equipment as well as retrain staffers.

Earlier, the Director General (Operations) SDP Campaign Council, Arc Kale Belgore said the Party is changing approach to political campaign by having interactive session with different stakeholders.

His words: "We will the old way of political engagement is not productive. SDP is changing the narrative. Kwara SDP kind of politics centred on bringing development and progress to the society. The interactive session is to dialogue with the people in order to have understanding of the citizenry. This will help us understand the populace better and know how to tackle problems facing the people/various communities effectively.