Critics call Kwara flagpole a ‘vanity project’ as basic needs suffer

• Kwara State Government unveiled the tallest flagpole successful West Africa, a 70-meter monument Governor AbdulRazaq says symbolizes nationalist unity and progress
• While authorities officials laud the flagpole arsenic a taste landmark and economical catalyst, galore residents knock it arsenic a misplaced precedence amid poverty, insecurity, and failing infrastructure
• Citizens person called for much concern successful basal needs similar education, healthcare, and security, arguing that patriotic symbols mean small without effectual governance

Thousands of Kwara residents person expressed displeasure implicit the caller erection of the tallest flagpole successful West Africa by the authorities government.

The State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has described the 70-meter operation arsenic “a towering awesome of nationalist unity, our corporate travel and aspirations arsenic a people.”

Kwara authorities unveiled Nigeria's tallest flagpole successful the bosom of Ilorin. Photo: FB/Kwara authorities government
Source: Facebook

The flagpole, officially hoisted successful a ceremonial connected Monday successful the authorities capital, is being positioned by the authorities arsenic a strategical landmark to thrust tourism, observe nationalist pride, and task the state’s evolving presumption arsenic a hub for innovation and culture.

Speaking connected behalf of the Governor astatine the event, the Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, said the installation is much than a flag: “It is simply a monument of pride, beauty, and ambition. Just similar the Visual Arts Centre and Innovation Hub, it declares that Kwara is nary longer a civilian work state; it is becoming a centre of tourism, technology, and creativity.”

Hundreds of residents, elder authorities officials, and information operatives, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nurudeen Abdulraheem, witnessed the event.

But arsenic the emblem soared into the sky, reactions connected the crushed were acold from unanimous.

Commendations

Engineer Abdulquawiy A. Olododo, Commissioner for Works, powerfully defended the project: “This is not conscionable alloy and cloth. It’s a philosophical and economical statement. We are redefining what it means to put successful nationalist infrastructure, combining taste individuality with economical opportunity.”

He added, “This flagpole is simply a taste beacon. We’re drafting tourists, energising section businesses, and asserting our spot connected the map.”

Similarly, Ibraheem Abdullateef Akolu, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant connected Communication, hailed the monument arsenic a awesome of “hope and harmony.” He noted that “true improvement is besides astir lifting spirits, not conscionable paving roads.”

However, not each citizens were impressed.

Criticism from Residents: ‘Misplaced Priority’

Taiwo Adisa, a nonmigratory of Ilorin, called the determination “a classical lawsuit of misplaced priorities.”

“Celebrating and making sound astir hoisting a emblem is the cleanable illustration of a dysfunctional society,” helium said.“What are the achievements successful agriculture, health, oregon housing? Instead of mobilising the full authorities for a symbolic gesture, bash it softly and absorption connected pressing issues.”

Residents yearn for solutions to much pressing issues successful the state.
Source: Original

Others, similar Diran Salawu, expressed vexation implicit perceived neglect of basal needs.

Diran said: “We person hunger, dilapidated classrooms, nary water, nary roads, and they’re present celebrating a flag. Who did this to us?”

Abdullahi Sambo acknowledged the aesthetic entreaty but urged the authorities to displacement focus.

Abdullahi said:

“The politician has tried with this flagpole. Kudos. But insecurity is escalating. People are getting kidnapped, and thing is being done to rescue them.”

Umar Bashir was much direct:

“No substance however gangly this emblem is, if the work to the radical is short, we’re not going anywhere. Patriotism isn’t forced — it’s earned done service.”

Engineer Muh’d Abdulwahab criticised the flagpole arsenic a “vanity project,” questioning wherefore information infrastructure similar CCTV wasn’t prioritised instead. “A tourer attraction successful an insecure state? It makes nary sense. Our lives substance much than a flag.”

Felix Ayomide and different resident, identified arsenic Joshua, besides raised concerns astir the monument’s existent value.

“How does this lend to growth?” Felix asked. Joshua added, “Will this emblem halt the kidnappings successful places similar Omu Aran and Baruten?”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported however The world’s astir important flag, which is Nigeria's nationalist flag, was unveiled successful Ibadan, the largest metropolis successful sub-Saharan Africa, successful June 2021.

The backstage lawsuit took spot astatine the Polo Club Ground, Jericho, Ibadan, the superior of Oyo state.

The unveiling lawsuit was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, Pa. Taiwo Akinkunmi’s family, adjacent friends, Timi Dakolo, journalists among others.

Kwara authorities unveils tallest flagpole successful West Africa

Earlier, Legit.ng reported the skyline of Ilorin gained a striking caller diagnostic connected Monday arsenic Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State commissioned a 70-metre Unity Flagpole, present the tallest successful West Africa.

The imposing structure, situated wrong the authorities capital, was presented to a assemblage of residents, apical officials, and information chiefs during a ceremonial hoisting of the nationalist flag.

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Source: Legit.ng