Kwara Women Urge AbdulRazaq to Seek Second Term

By Hammed Shittu

Thousands of women from various backgrounds on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urging him to re-contest for a second term in office so as to continue with his laudable programmes for the people of the state.

The women commended the administration for its first-of-a-kind gender inclusion in political appointments and programmes designed to lift as many women as possible out of poverty line.

Speaking at a rally held at the main bowl of Ilorin Sports Stadium, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Deborah Aremu, said the administration has made a huge difference in the lives of the people, especially women in the state.

The commissioner said: “His Excellency has achieved so much in the past two years. These cut across women inclusion and empowerment, health care, infrastructure, security, welfare, agriculture, environment, sports, arts and culture, capacity building and development as well as social justice

“Governor AbdulRazaq’s achievement are visible for all to see. This is true for women as it is for other segments of the state.

“Apart from gender inclusion, some specific pro-women interventions include signing into law the violence against persons prohibition bill to further create a social support system for victims of sexual and gender-based violence in the state; renovation of children reception centre, establishment of sexual assaults referral centre at Oko-Erin, women empowerment and skill acquisition programme.”

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Empowerment, Hajia Bolanle Ismail, called on the governor to run for another term, having achieved remarkable successes in education, healthcare, road infrastructure, support for farmers and provision of basic amenities in the last two years.

Hajia Ismail explained that the rally was organised to show support for Governor AbdulRazaq whom she said had proven to be the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has gone down in history as the first African leader with the highest number of female cabinet members and political appointees. There are over 56% female in the cabinet which is way far over the 35% sought by Beijing declaration.

“The governor has appointed women to head strategic government offices. Also, the appointment of 12 female permanent secretaries remains the highest in the history of the state.

“Dearest Kwara women, it is now time to reciprocate the good gesture of this administration of His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Kwara women are known for paying good with good. AbdulRazaq’s unprecedented achievements deserve to be acknowledged. Thus, AA deserves a second term. On behalf of Kwara women I say one good term deserves another,” she said.

Also, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Saadatu Modibo Kawu, said: “Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been doing great things for women in Kwara State. We have never had it so good for women in the history of the state.

“This is a first time in the country that you see a governor who gives women special recognition in his cabinet. That is why we owe him our support and we have to celebrate him as well.”

Dr Shaadat Yetunde Yusuf, another attendee, said the mega rally was to publicly declare women’s support for Governor AbdulRazaq, adding that the governor had done extremely well especially in terms of women empowerment and inclusion in the decision making process.

“This is the first time we are having very significant number of women in state cabinet. He recognises us as women. He knows that without women, there cannot be the world. That is why he gives us special recognition. With this mega rally, we are telling him that Kwara women are in full support and we are also telling him that he should come for second term,” she said.