Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has approved the naming of several key legacy projects in the state in recognition of notable figures who have significantly contributed to the region and the country. This initiative is part of the governor’s effort to preserve the legacies of these influential individuals.
Among the major honorees is Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who will have the multibillion-naira Civil Service Clinic project named in her honor. The old Civil Service Clinic will be completely reconstructed into a multi-storey health facility.
The late football legend, Rashidi Yekini, will be commemorated with the naming of the main bowl at the Kwara State Stadium Complex.
In an official statement issued on Monday, the Kwara State Government revealed that Senator Tinubu will perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Civil Service Clinic as part of her official visit to the state from January 28 to 30, 2025. During the visit, she will also inaugurate several legacy projects, including an ICT center at the Kwara State University of Education, built under the Renewed Hope Initiative, as well as the Unity Flyover, the ultramodern Intensive Care Unit, the Executive Ward, and the Gen Tunde Idiagbon Flyover, named in honor of the late military leader.
Additionally, the government has renamed the road leading to the flyover as Tafawa Balewa Road, honoring Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, who was tragically killed in the 1966 military coup.
The Governor’s office also announced that several other significant projects in the state will be named after prominent figures. The ICT center at Kwara State University of Education will bear the name of Amina Ndalolo, a former health minister from Kwara North. The Executive Ward at the Kwara State Teaching Hospital will honor Dr. Amuda Aluko, a respected physician and politician.
The first state secretariat will now be called the Brigadier General David Bamigboye Secretariat, in tribute to the first military administrator of the old Kwara State. The new secretariat will be named after Rear Admiral Muhammed Alabi Lawal, who governed the state from 1999 to 2003.
Further reflecting the state’s dedication to honoring its heroes, the Kwara State Stadium Complex will now be known as the Major-General George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, recognizing his contributions to Kwara. The main bowl of the stadium will be named after Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria’s first World Cup goal scorer and the country’s all-time top goal scorer.
Several sports facilities within the stadium will also carry the names of influential figures. The Table Tennis Arena will be named after Atanda Musa (Manza Musa), a national champion in 1979. The Indoor Sports Hall will bear the name of Gabriel Babatunde Ladipo, the first black principal of the Government Technical Training School Ilorin, regarded as the father of sports in the state. The Squash Court will honor Coach Bolakale Mogaji, the pioneering coach and national champion in squash, while the KFA Academy will be named after Coach Usuman Adenuja, who led Kwara Academicals to the finals of the Academical football competition.
Additionally, the stadium’s Hostel A will be named after Salihu Ishola, Kwara’s first Commonwealth Games medalist, while Hostel B is named after Paralympic badminton bronze medalist Bolaji Eniola. Hostel C will be named after Bola Esan, the first female director of sports in the state.
Governor Abdulrazaq’s decision to name these projects after influential figures reflects his commitment to celebrating individuals whose legacies have significantly shaped Kwara State and the nation.