Kwara gov’s wife pushes for stronger UK-Kwara partnership on healthcare, others

First Lady of Kwara State, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has called for stronger collaboration between Kwara State and the United Kingdom in the areas of healthcare, education, women empowerment, climate resilience and community development.

While receiving the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever, and members of her delegation in Ilorin, she said, “Your Excellency, I will implore that we forge partnership with the state sectors of the economy such as health care, education, skills development, climate resilience and gender inclusion.

“We want you to support my NGO, the Ajike People Support Centre in skill acquisition, women, children and youth development. Sustainable development will be effective when driven through partnerships. The Ajike People Support Centre, has over the years trained and equipped hundreds and thousands of women in vocations of their choice and intensify sensitization and awareness against gender based violence and provided support to victims and survivors alike through the creation of Sexual Assault Referral Centre, shelters and victim support schemes for survivors of abuse,” she added.

Mrs AbdulRazaq, who is the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, 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.

“Kwara State government and my NGO, the Ajike People Support Centre, have over the years partnered with various UK institutions on development initiatives, capacity building and institutional support. This 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.

The First Lady noted 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.

She said 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.

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 noted that the state had won several awards in primary healthcare delivery and the campaign against open defecation.

Mrs AbdulRazaq further said the state had been recognised as one of the best places in Nigeria for child survival and wellbeing.

She reaffirmed her commitment to promoting micro, small and medium-scale enterprises through grants, cooperative support and access to funding for women and youths.

British envoy Lever, for her part, encouraged stronger private sector engagement and urged greater attention to investment opportunities across the state.

The Deputy High Commissioner described UK-Nigeria relations as enduring, citing the contribution of over 500,000 Nigerians living in the UK to economic growth, cultural exchange and development initiatives in both countries.

During the visit, Mrs Lever inspected the Ilorin Innovation Hub, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Sobi Specialist Hospital, and the Olufolake Safe Haven at the Stella Obasanjo Centre in Ilorin.