British envoy praises Kwara governor's pioneering role in gender parity and women's rights

British Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever said that Kwara State, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is emerging as a model for gender equity, describing the governor as a trailblazer for women’s rights and political participation, according to Deputy Chief Press Secretary Mashood AbdulRafiu Agboola of Government House.

“First of all, you’re 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,” Lever said during a visit to the Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin on Tuesday.

“We know that you’ve appointed over 50% of your cabinet roles to women. So women’s representation in political life and lawmaking is essential to Nigeria’s economic development. I think we all see 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 ‘HeForShe’ ambassador.”

Lever added that the British government is supporting several Nigerian states to improve digital skills and nurture young talent in the technology sector.

“We’re visiting the Ilorin Innovation Hub today to see the progress of that particular set of UK assistance; see how it’s helped to develop skills and develop aspirations in the tech sector. This is allowing innovators to access global networks and opportunities,” she said.

“So we’re very keen through our digital access programme to help improve digital skills, nurture talents, and further the aspirations of young men and women in tech and help them into employment opportunities.”

“You may also know that we launched, a couple of months ago, a community hub in Olayinka (Ifelodun Local Government), which we hope will benefit over 50,000 people in the local government with tech skills and digital access.”

Lever noted that the British government backs a free, peaceful and credible election in Nigeria next year, emphasizing that Downing Street does not favour any political party and will not interfere in domestic political matters.

“We all want to see elections that are peaceful, that are inclusive, that are credible, with space for participation, with respect for institutions,” she said.

“The British government, as you’ll understand, Excellency, are entirely neutral. We do not favour one party or another, and we would never be in the business of telling Nigerian people how to vote. But peaceful and credible elections, of course, are not only a democratic objective.

“This is not only about the Commonwealth values and the values of democracy that we’ve long shared, they’re also an economic objective or imperative as well.”

Governor AbdulRazaq responded that his administration has reversed the state’s fortunes, citing notable progress across health, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

“We have made significant progress in different sectors of the economy: from health, education, agriculture and road infrastructure. When we came in 2019, things just weren’t working in the state. From backlogs of pensions and gratuities to payment of half-salaries to blacklist of Kwara by Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC),” he said, countering earlier narratives from some opposition elements.

“When we came in, 99% of schools did not have WASH facilities and no fencing of schools; teachers were in fact owed months in salary arrears. Today, we are up-to-date in investment in basic education with payment of counterpart funds to UBEC. We have expanded access to education, healthcare and we are making prompt payment of salaries as well as improving the welfare of the workforce. We have cleared backlog of salaries we met. In fact, we are planning to raise minimum wage again this year to N100,000.”

AbdulRazaq explained that investments in education and