Kwara govt reiterates commitment to women empowerment, gender equality

The Kwara State Government on Tuesday reiterated its unwavering dedication to promoting gender equity, economic empowerment, and the protection of women’s rights across the State.

Hauwa Nuru, the Commissioner for Finance, gave the assurance while delivering her keynote address at the FinXperience 2.0 conference held at the University of Ilorin.

The event, themed “Women in Finance: Breaking Barriers and Promoting Gender Equity,” brought together finance students, industry professionals, and stakeholders to discuss the pivotal role of women in the financial sector.

Nuru highlighted the significant strides Kwara State had made under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in fostering an environment that supports and uplifts women.

She emphasised the State’s commitment is evident in its policies and appointments that prioritise gender inclusion.

A statement by Babatunde Toyin, the Ministry’s Press Secretary quoted her saying, “Kwara State is proud to witness a dynamic wave of female leadership and collaboration, driving transformation from the grassroots to the corridors of power.”

She assured the finance students and the people of Kwara State that the current administration wouldncontinue to create pathways for women to thrive, noting that the strength of every thriving society is anchored on the unity, resilience, and active participation of its women.

The Commissioner, however, ,commended Governor Abdulrazaq’s visionary leadership, which hadd positioned Kwara State as a beacon of gender inclusion.

In 2019, the State made history by appointing a female-majority cabinet, with women constituting majority of the cabinet members. Furthermore, in 2021, the Gender Composition Law was enacted, mandating at least 35% representation of women in all public sector appointments.

The Commissioner also highlighted notable appointments that exemplified the State’s commitment to female leadership in finance, including the appointment of Shade Omoniyi as the first female Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) and Nuru’s appointment as the Commissioner for Finance.

In recognition of her contributions to financial management and women’s empowerment in the State, Nuru was honoured with the Award of Excellence by the Finance Students Association at the University of Ilorin.