Comrade Saliu Berkindo Bolakale, widely known as ‘Arakunrin Bolakale’, a leading voice in the fight for good governance in Nigeria, particularly in Kwara State, has declared that he will continue to hold the government accountable—especially the Kwara State Government.
He said this at the official launch of Kwara Express which was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ hall in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara.
Bolakale praised the state government’s achievements in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, but made it clear that his inquisitive spirit would not be stifled.
He singled out the multi-million naira garment factory project as an area that raised questions, which he would not shy away from asking.
In his call for transparency and accountability, Bolakale emphasized that it was his duty as a citizen and a good governance advocate to ask questions when warranted, even if it ruffled some feathers.
“I won’t stop asking questions,” he vowed, “If the answers are unsatisfactory, I will continue to ask until I get the truth. It’s my right as a citizen to know what’s happening with my tax money.”
Embracing the spirit of patriotism, Comrade Ibrahim Sheriff Dayo Gold took to the podium, painting a vivid picture of the landmark achievements of the Abdulrazaq’s led administration.
He praised the government’s prudent management of resources, citing several projects and initiatives that had positively impacted various sectors. “You can see it for yourselves—the massive investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.
With a call for continued support for the government, he added, “We should all offer our prayers and remain loyal to the government.”
Meanwhile, their words echoed the mission of Kwara Express, a media outlet determined to shake up the journalism landscape with a renewed focus on impartiality and accountability.
While speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Kwara Express, Basheer Luqman Olarewaju anipr said the platform aim is to bring back the core values of journalism which are not limited to objectivity, integrity, and a commitment to uncovering the truth.
“We believe that this is the way forward, and we invite our readers to join us on this journey,” he said.
With the sound of applause still ringing in the air, it was clear that Kwara Express’s mission had struck a chord with the audience. However, Bolakale, a renowned activist in Kwara, concluded his remarks by underscoring the importance of staying vigilant and using the power of the press to ensure that the government remained accountable to the people.
“The media has a crucial role to play in this fight,” he said, “So, let’s use our voices to speak out against corruption, injustice, and the abuse of power.”
