Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Saturday launched President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP) in the state, with about 193,000 residents across the 193 wards expected to benefit from the grassroots intervention.
The programme, a non-partisan socio-economic initiative of the Federal Government, is designed to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty and stimulate economic activities at the ward level.
Speaking at the launch in Ilorin through his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, the governor described the initiative as a practical demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing poverty and driving inclusive growth.
According to AbdulRazaq, the programme reflects the President’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through targeted, data-driven social interventions.
“This is the most innovative grassroots social programme rolled out to address poverty irrespective of religion, political affiliation, tribe, gender or place of birth,” the governor said.
“This is a practical demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s love for the poorest of the poor. It is also one of the most data-driven federal government interventions aimed at achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.”
The governor added that the initiative aligns with Kwara State’s social investment programmes, which focus on empowering the elderly, vulnerable groups and small-scale business owners.
He thanked President Tinubu for his continuous support to Kwara State and for entrusting him with the responsibility of chairing the National Steering Committee for the programme.
“I urge all Kwarans to support this innovative programme rolled out by Mr President to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty,” AbdulRazaq added.
The event was attended by top government officials, local government chairmen, party leaders led by APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, leaders of artisans’ associations, market women groups and representatives of community-based organisations.
Speaking at the event, Fagbemi expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress would secure more than 75 per cent of votes in the 2027 general elections, citing the party’s development-driven governance.
“There have been several programmes targeted at improving the lives of Nigerians. The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme is not the beginning, but it will be the largest intervention yet at the grassroots,” he said.
“We are not propagandists. Our works will speak for us. APC will continue to grow stronger because of the impact we are making across the country.”
State Coordinator of the RHWDP, Mubarak Salau Bello, explained that the initiative is designed to ensure that economic growth reaches communities directly, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that achieving a $1 trillion economy would require a growth rate of about 15 per cent, compared to the current rate of less than five per cent.
“The programme targets sustainable economic support for a minimum of 1,000 economically active individuals in smaller wards and 2,000 in larger wards,” Bello said.
He added that the stakeholders’ engagement was organised to promote inclusive participation, accurate data capture and feedback from local communities.
Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa, said the programme is non-partisan and aimed at improving the welfare of grassroots citizens.
He highlighted several pro-people programmes and projects executed by the APC-led federal and state governments, noting that the initiatives demonstrate genuine commitment to national development.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Magaji, commended the governor for prioritising sports and youth development, adding that several sporting facilities had been revived and upgraded under the current administration.
Representing community-based organisations, Kadir Rasheed Ajao pledged cooperation to ensure that the programme benefits the intended beneficiaries.
Similarly, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Mallam Ali Nasim-Yusuf, said youths in the state had strong reasons to support both President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq, citing multiple youth-focused empowerment programmes.
The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to deepen grassroots development and reduce poverty nationwide.
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