Wife of Governor seeks stronger UK-Kwara partnership in healthcare, others
Wife of Governor seeks stronger UK-Kwara partnership in healthcare, others
The Wife of the Kwara Governor, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, seeks stronger collaboration between Kwara and the United Kingdom in the areas of healthcare, education, women empowerment, climate resilience and community development.
AbdulRazaq made the call while receiving the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever, and members of her delegation in Ilorin on Tuesday.
She described the visit as a reflection of the enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, built on mutual respect, shared interests and commitment to development.
The governor’s wife said that the state government and her NGO, the Ajike People Support Centre, had over the years partnered with various UK institutions on development initiatives, capacity building and institutional support.
According to her, the engagements had resulted in the training and capacity development of magistrates and judicial officers in Kwara through collaboration with the Judicial College of England and Wales.
She added that members of the visiting judicial team from England and Wales also supported a pottery community in Ilorin East Local Government Area after visiting the area.
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AbdulRazaq said the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) later provided learning and WASH facilities for the community school, while plans were underway to inaugurate the project on June 9.
She said that the Ajike People Support Centre had trained and empowered thousands of women and youths through vocational programmes and advocacy against sexual and gender-based violence.
AbdulRazaq further said that the centre also established sexual assault referral centres, shelters and victim support schemes for survivors of abuse.
She said her office had championed campaigns on routine immunisation, malaria eradication, tuberculosis control, menstrual hygiene, mental health and support for persons living with sickle cell disease.
The governor’s wife disclosed that Kwara currently records less than six per cent malaria prevalence among children under five years.
She also said that the state had won several awards in primary healthcare delivery and the campaign against open defecation.
According to AbdulRazaq, the state had been recognised as one of the best places in Nigeria for child survival and wellbeing.
She highlighted efforts of the state government and her NGO in supporting indigent pupils with school bags, shoes and scholarships.
The wife of the governor also recounted the story of a woman and her two daughters with blue eyes who were once stigmatised and labelled witches in their community.
She said her office intervened by providing accommodation, scholarships and vocational training for the family, while public enlightenment was carried out to educate residents on genetics and heredity traits.
According to her, the intervention helped to eliminate discrimination against the family, who are now widely accepted in the community.
AbdulRazaq urged the British delegation to explore more opportunities for partnership with Kwara in skills acquisition, women and youth empowerment, healthcare and enterprise development.
In her remarks, Lever described Kwara under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a model for gender equity, praising the governor as a trailblazer for women’s rights and political inclusion.
“First of all, you are a strong advocate for women’s representation in governance and I think Kwara, under your leadership, has been a trailblazer for women’s rights and women’s participation in the political life of your state.
“We know that you have appointed over 50 per cent of your cabinet members as women.
“Women’s representation in political life and lawmaking is essential to Nigeria’s economic development, and I think we all recognise that.
“So, I strongly commend you, Your Excellency. You are a model state for gender equity and your endorsement of the special seats bill for women has earned you the ‘HeForShe’ Ambassador recognition,” she said.
Lever said the British government was partnering with states across Nigeria to improve digital skills and support young talents in the technology sector.
“We are visiting the Ilorin Innovation Hub today to see the progress of that particular UK-supported initiative and how it has helped to develop skills and aspirations in the tech sector.
“This is enabling innovators to access global networks and opportunities.
“We are also keen, through our digital access programme, to improve digital skills, nurture talent and support the aspirations of young men and women in technology, while helping them access employment opportunities.
“You may also know that we launched, a couple of months ago, a community hub in Olayinka, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which we hope will benefit over 50,000 people through improved tech skills and digital access,” Lever added.
