In a rare display of responsive leadership, Kwara State Governor, Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed on Saturday pledged protesting students of University of Ilorin regular power supply with the provision of electricity transformers.
Governor Ahmed who was on his way to an engagement, stopped his convoy on Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin on sighting the students who were peacefully protesting against irregular power supply at Tanke, Ilorin where majority of them reside.
Breaking protocol and defying the advice of his security detail, Alh. Ahmed stepped onto the step-board of his car, amidst the protesters, and asked them to state their grievances.
Responding, the students complained about irregular power supply in the Tanke area of Ilorin which they described as unacceptable.
In his response, Governor Ahmed advised the students to convey their complaints and requests in writing to his office, stressing that although the state government could not guarantee uninterrupted power supply, he will ensure that additional transformers are provided to the area to ease the problem once the letter was received.
Governor Ahmed commended the students for conducting themselves peacefully and pledged that ‘once I receive the letter stating the areas of need, I will take action’.
In the Governor’s convoy were the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Isiaka Gold, Head of Service, Alh. Mohammed Dabarako, Commissioner for Works, Dr. Amuda Kannike, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alh. Saka Onimago, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Mr. Yinka Aje and special assistants.
It was the second time Governor Ahmed will ignore protocol and security advise to engage protesters. In January 2012, the state governor engaged fuel protesters who stormed Government House, Ilorin to protest the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
