Long before the first flashbulbs popped or the red carpet unfurled at the plush Abuja for PAMSHAA 2025, whispers already filled the hallways: “Kwara is coming in strong this year too”
At the 3rd edition of the Papyrus Magazine State Houses of Assembly Awards (PAMSHAA) — often dubbed the “Met Gala of Legislative Impact” — all eyes are on the Kwara State House of Assembly, whose members swept a record number of accolades in before the night comes defined by political star power, fierce legacy-building, and the growing influence of subnational governance.
But this wont just be about plaques and photo ops. It will be a quiet flex — a calculated, well-earned moment of legislative pride.
The Mastermind and the Masses
At the center of this political constellation stood Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, Speaker of the House, hailed as “The Masses’ Most Loved House Member.”
Sources close to the event revealed that Salihu’s overwhelming endorsement by PASAN wasn’t merely symbolic — it represented a rare alignment between a leader’s backroom influence and front-row popularity. His style? Less hammer-and-gavel, more handshake-and-results. As one insider quipped, “He’s got the grassroots in one hand and the gavel in the other.”
Voices that Move the Needle
Hon. Oba Abdulkadir Magaji, the strategic Majority Leader, will be recognized for shaping debates that “don’t just echo — they land.” His motions are increasingly becoming blueprints for executive policy shifts in Kwara.
On the other end of the rhetorical battlefield, Hon. Arinola Fatimoh Lawal of Ilorin East will be crowned the “Most Vocal and Eloquent Member”. Her performance on the floor of the House has become a masterclass in persuasive argument, making her a fixture on national media roundups of ‘Legislators to Watch’.
Powerful Women, Powerful Agendas
Kwara’s women legislators made it clear: they’re not just filling seats — they’re reshaping narratives.
Hon. Maryam Yusuf Aladi, known for turning overlooked community needs into legislative headlines, clinched the Outstanding Female Legislator for Inclusive Development. Her focus? Schools, maternal health, and clean water — “the basics that build future.
Meanwhile, Hon. Shittu Rukayat Motunrayo and Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu were quietly rewriting laws — literally — with private member bills that have already begun to ripple through their constituencies.
Constituency Kings and Champions of Change
Hon. Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq has become something of a folk hero in Share/Oke-Ode, thanks to his tireless constituency outreach. Locals say his projects don’t just arrive — he shows up with them.
The evening’s wild card? Hon. Ogunniyi David Oluwaseun Adato, who walked away with Distinguished Champion of Public Health and Human Development Award. His focus on nutrition and education programs has drawn praise even from international development agencies — a first for his district.
The Quiet Architect
The night’s final nod goes to Rt. Hon. Abdullah Halidu Danbaba, dubbed “Exemplary State Legislator.” While not one for loud politics, his performance behind the scenes — from bill drafting to constituency consultations — has made him a model for legislative diligence.
The Verdict
While Abuja glittered, the real shine comes from what these awards symbolized: a deepening of democracy where it matters most — the state level.
As the ballroom lights dimmed and the lawmakers returned to their seats of power, one thing will be clear — Kwara won’t just be attending PAMSHAA 2025. They will own it.
And perhaps more importantly, they reminded Nigeria that legislative excellence is no longer a whisper. It’s a wave.
Congratulations to our Kwara Recipients.
