Youth Minister’s CoS Unveils Support Group, Rolls Out Grassroots Empowerment in Kwara

The Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Mohammed Funsho Abdullahi (MFA), has unveiled the Mohammed Funsho Abdullahi (MFA) Support Forum in Ilorin, Kwara State, with a strong focus on grassroots mobilisation, education, and community empowerment.

The unveiling ceremony, held on Saturday at PADA Hall, Pakata, attracted party stakeholders, community leaders, youths, and education stakeholders, combining civic engagement with tangible social impact.

Speaking at the event, Abdullahi said the support forum was created to serve as a platform for selfless service, transparency, and commitment to the welfare of ordinary citizens. He noted that his decision to formally associate with and launch the forum was inspired by the integrity and compassion shown by its members, particularly in their consistent support for the less privileged.

He recalled that after an initial engagement with the group, he provided financial support of ₦500,000, only to discover that the funds were promptly used to purchase items for vulnerable members of the community.

“That singular action showed me that this is a forum driven by sincerity and genuine concern for the people. It was easy for me to identify with them and officially launch the group,” Abdullahi said.

As part of the empowerment activities, Abdullahi announced cash support of ₦10,000 each to 123 community members, describing the initiative as a reflection of people-oriented leadership and a commitment to giving back at the grassroots.

The event also featured the MFA Primary Schools Knowledge Championship, a quiz and debate competition that brought together public primary schools across the Ilorin metropolis. Schools that participated included Mount Camel School A, Oloje; Adeta LGEA School B; Pakata LGEA School; Baboko LGEA School; Barakat LGEA School; Gbagba LGEA School, among others.

Commending the impressive performance of the pupils, Abdullahi praised the Kwara State Government’s investment in education, noting that programmes such as KwaraLearn and other interventions are already yielding positive results in public schools.

Prizes were awarded to outstanding pupils and schools during the competition. Each participating pupil received ₦10,000, while the overall best school went home with ₦50,000 and a laptop. The first runner-up received ₦30,000 and a laptop, while the second runner-up was awarded ₦20,000 and a laptop.

In further support of education, the Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, presented cash gifts to teachers in attendance, while the Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Hon. AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan, awarded ₦50,000 each to the three best-performing pupils at the event.

Abdullahi also reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and pledged continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, describing their leadership as people-focused and development-driven.

Dignitaries at the event included the Special Assistant on Digital Innovation to the Kwara State Governor, Hon. Ishola Kayode, the APC North Central Zonal Youth Leader, Hon. Zubair Aliyu Rogun, as well as other party leaders and government officials.