Fresh Facts Magazine recognises Kwara council boss for achievements in roads, education, healthcare, security, water supply and economic development
By Fresh Facts Magazine
Hon. Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has received the 2026 African Game Changer Award in recognition of his contributions to grassroots governance, infrastructure development, public service and community advancement.
The award was presented by Fresh Facts Magazine as part of its recognition of outstanding African leaders selected for the 2026 edition of the 100 African Game Changers Compendium, a continental publication scheduled for launch in Accra, Ghana, in November 2026.
Yusuf, who assumed office in September 2024, has reported the execution of more than 100 capital projects within his first two years in office, covering education, healthcare, rural roads, water supply, electricity, security, agriculture and commercial infrastructure.
The recognition followed an assessment of his administration’s reported development initiatives and commitment to improving the welfare of residents across Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Over 100 Capital Projects in Two Years
One of the major highlights of Yusuf’s administration is the reported execution of more than 100 capital projects aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps and improving living conditions across the local government.
The projects include the construction of classroom blocks at St. Martins LGEA, Adio; Budo Owode Fajenwe, Share; Bayero Primary School; and Ajagun School, Oro-Ago.
In healthcare, the council reported the completion of a health centre in Oreke Community, Ile-Ire Ward, and the employment of more than 100 health workers. It also sponsored 43 students to study health-related courses at the Osun State College of Health Technology, Osogbo, as part of efforts to develop manpower for the health sector.
The administration has equally invested in water infrastructure, listing solar-powered boreholes in Atanda, Gaa Orioke Share, Atiran, Aalo, Gaa Eleyele, Olohuntele, Adio and Arola. Additional hand-pump boreholes and repairs to existing water facilities have been reported in several other communities.
These interventions are intended to improve access to essential services, particularly in rural settlements where inadequate infrastructure has affected residents’ daily activities.
Roads, Markets and Local Economic Development
Road construction, grading and expansion have featured prominently in the council’s development agenda.
Among the reported projects is the grading and expansion of the 12.5-kilometre Idofian–Igbaja Road, which connects more than 10 communities. Other roads receiving attention include the Isanlu-Isin–Owa-Kajola–Oke-Oyan Road, Agbee–Labaka Oja–Asungbale Road, Igberi–Basanyin Road and several routes linking communities across the local government.
The council also reported grading more than 30 kilometres of township roads within the Amoyo network, alongside other road improvement projects intended to facilitate transportation and economic activities.
In the commercial sector, the administration has established the Amoyo Community Market and commenced construction of a 50-unit modern shopping complex at Afon Junction, Ganmo, as well as 60 shops at the Amoyo Ultra-Modern Market.
The projects are designed to provide additional trading spaces and support the activities of small businesses, traders and other entrepreneurs.
The council also reported refurbishing four tractors to support agricultural production and commencing dry-season farming at Lakanla Community.
In the power sector, the administration listed the installation of a ring main unit to restore the Abayan transformer, which serves more than 20 communities in Agunjin and Oke-Ode wards.
Security and Rural Safety
Security has been another major concern for Yusuf’s administration, particularly in communities affected by kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Speaking during an interview after the award presentation, the chairman said the local government faced serious security challenges when he assumed office, noting that the administration had worked with the state government and security agencies to address the situation.
He credited Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with providing support and facilitating cooperation with relevant federal authorities and security leadership.
Yusuf said the administration had adopted a more proactive approach to security operations and that the situation had improved considerably. He also claimed that criminal cells and hideouts previously operating in the local government had been deactivated.
Among the council’s reported interventions are the procurement of 20 motorcycles for security operations, the creation of the Ifelodun Road Traffic Marshal, renovation of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps office at Amoyo and the commissioning of the Idofian Division of the National Forest Guard in September 2026.
The administration’s security efforts reflect the importance of collaboration between local authorities, security agencies and communities in addressing threats to rural safety.
Yusuf: I Am a Grassroots Person
Speaking after receiving the award, Yusuf described the recognition as encouragement to intensify his administration’s development efforts.
He said his closeness to the people had helped him understand their needs and determine the priorities of his administration.
According to him, effective local government administration requires leaders to visit communities, listen to residents and ensure that public resources are directed towards projects that address genuine needs.
He explained that the council conducts needs assessments before embarking on projects and adopts different funding approaches, including the use of local government resources, partnerships and community participation.
Yusuf also acknowledged the support of Governor AbdulRazaq, saying the freedom given to council chairmen to determine local priorities had helped them implement projects according to the needs of their respective communities.
He dedicated the award to the governor and the people of Ifelodun, describing the recognition as a motivation to continue serving them.
The Award Is About Service and Accountability
In his speech at the award presentation, Dr. Monday Iyke Ojomah, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Fresh Facts Magazine and leader of the Fresh Facts delegation, said the recognition was intended to celebrate public service, grassroots leadership and measurable contributions to community development.
Ojomah, who spoke on behalf of the Advisory Board, Editorial Board and Management of Fresh Facts Magazine, said the award went beyond the presentation of a plaque or certificate.
“Today is not merely about presenting an award. It is about recognising service, celebrating leadership at the grassroots, and acknowledging those whose contributions demonstrate that meaningful development begins with leaders who understand the people they serve,” he said.
He noted that local government administration was particularly important because it brought government into direct contact with the everyday realities of citizens, including farmers, traders, artisans, young people, women, students and vulnerable members of society.
According to him, public office should be understood not merely as a position of authority but as a mandate to serve the people.
Ojomah said Yusuf’s recognition was based on the importance of acknowledging community-oriented initiatives, particularly in grassroots administration, youth empowerment, local economic development and efforts to improve residents’ welfare.
He added that the 100 African Game Changers Compendium was established to document outstanding contributions across governance, business, education, healthcare, security, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, innovation and community development.
“The objective is simple: to document service, preserve exemplary stories, and inspire the next generation of African leaders,” he stated.
The Fresh Facts Magazine chief further observed that awards carried responsibilities, noting that the true value of recognition lay in the positive difference made in people’s lives.
“Society is watching, communities are depending on their leaders, and future generations will judge leadership not merely by titles held, but by the lives touched and the positive difference made,” Ojomah said.
He congratulated Yusuf on his selection for the continental compendium and expressed the hope that the recognition would encourage an even stronger commitment to the people of Ifelodun, Kwara State and Nigeria.
Presenting the award, Ojomah described Yusuf as a public servant entrusted with the responsibility of grassroots leadership and commended his administration’s reported contributions to community advancement.
He formally presented the 2026 African Game Changer Award to Yusuf in recognition of his contributions to grassroots governance, community development, public service, youth empowerment and local economic development.
From Student Leadership to Public Administration
Yusuf’s career in public service includes experience in student leadership, party administration and legislative service.
Born on July 29, 1972, in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area, he attended St. John Primary School, Maraba, and Government Secondary School, Ilorin.
He obtained a Diploma in Law and a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kwara State Polytechnic, as well as a Diploma in Computer Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He later graduated in Law from the University of Ilorin in 2024.
His previous positions include National President of the Federation of Igbaja Students Association, Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara South and pioneer Chairman of the Kwara State House of Assembly Service Commission.
He assumed office as Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area in September 2024.
Recognition and the Task Ahead
The 2026 African Game Changer Award places Yusuf among the individuals selected for recognition in the 2026 100 African Game Changers Compendium, produced in collaboration with the African Network for Accountability (ANFA), Ghana.
The planned continental launch in Accra, Ghana, in November 2026 will bring together recognised individuals whose work spans different sectors of African society.
For Ifelodun, the projects reported by the council represent an extensive development agenda spanning roads, schools, healthcare, water supply, security, agriculture and commercial infrastructure.
However, the lasting impact of these initiatives will depend on the quality and completion of ongoing projects, their maintenance and their measurable benefits to residents.
As Yusuf’s administration continues its work, the challenge will be to consolidate the reported achievements, sustain security improvements and ensure that communities across the local government experience tangible and lasting development.
For Fresh Facts Magazine, the recognition underscores the importance of documenting grassroots leadership and drawing public attention to initiatives that seek to improve community welfare.
The African Game Changer Award, Ojomah emphasised, is not only a celebration of service rendered but also a call for greater responsibility, accountability and continued commitment to the people.
