The Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs has applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women, protection of children’s rights, support for persons with disabilities, and continuous advocacy for orphans and other vulnerable groups across the state.
Speaking on Wednesday during the third-quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall, Ilorin, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs.) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, highlighted the Governor’s instrumental role in promoting the welfare of women and children in Kwara State.
She noted that the state government has intensified efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through consistent public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement. These initiatives, she said, have significantly reduced cases of FGM and other forms of abuse in the state.
Chief Afolashade further explained that, as part of its humanitarian responsibilities, the Ministry operates the Olufolake Safe Haven, which currently provides care, nutrition, and educational support for 18 children — including a set of twins who lost their mother at birth. The facility also offers protective custody for children whose parents are undergoing divorce proceedings.
The Commissioner added that the present administration has strengthened collaboration with other State Ministries of Women Affairs across the federation. This synergy has been crucial in addressing sensitive cases such as missing persons, citing the recent case of Sofiat Abdulganiyu, who went missing in Kwara but was later repatriated through the assistance of the Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs.
She listed other notable achievements of the AbdulRazaq-led administration to include:
Conducting a needs assessment exercise to identify priority areas for intervention;
Distribution of educational and nutritional support materials to vulnerable children;
Empowerment programmes for widows and economically disadvantaged women;
Launch of the domestication of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy; and
Formation of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Committees in three Local Government Areas to tackle gender-related offences.
Chief Afolashade commended the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing Committee and Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, for organising the event, noting that it provides an excellent platform to showcase the achievements of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration to the world.
