AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq
AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq

EXCLUSIVE: Why Kwara governor nominated 26-year-old corps member As commissioner-designate

NEWS DIGEST – Kwara State Government has opened up on Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazak’s decision to nominate a 26-year-old serving NYSC Corps Member as a commissioner-designate in the state.

Recall on Tuesday news broke that the governor had sent the name of one Joana Kolo who is a serving Corps Member to the State Assembly for confirmation as a commissioner, a development that attracted mixed reactions from the public.

While some persons questioned her pedigree to lead as a commissioner in the state, many others argued that there were other youths in the state who should have been appointed.

However, speaking with the News Digest on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed that the nomination was based on merit and the need to engender youth inclusion in governance.

Mr Ajakaye said: “During the last election in the state, no female emerged for any elective position, all those appointed were male.

“So, we are trying to encourage as many females as possible into the government and, thus, a decision to appoint women as commissioners.”

According to the CPS, the appointment has given a good signal for youth inclusion in governance in the state.

He added that, “no one has brought up a position on why the appointment may be illegal.”

“The appointment has been done and the governor has a prerogative to appoint anyone who can carry out the task ahead based on merit.

“Also no one has come out with concrete reasons why she should not be appointed, the lady in question absolutely has the pedigree enough to ensure that the task ahead be carried out,” he noted.

“Regardless of who is appointed, even if it is a professor from Harvard, people will still complain but the best interest of the people formed the decision on appointing a young commissioner,” the CPS stressed.