Kwara State was one of the two States in the spotlights at the Voice of Women (VOW) 2024 Conference and Awards held on Thursday, 3rd October, 2024 at the NAF Conference and Suites, Abuja.
The Conference which showcased the gains for women inclusion from Kwara and Ekiti States described the Kwara Model as a desirable Nigerian model for more impact as a result of its high inclusion of women in governance.
The theme for the VOW2024 Conference, “Achieving Women’s Inclusion for A Sustainable Nigeria” was said by the Convener, Toun Okewale Sonaiya to be inspired by His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, who was also one of the VOW He4She awardees in recognition of his outstanding commitment and support towards women empowerment and inclusion.
The Kwara delegates who were invited to speak and share the Kwara experience at the Conference included the Kwara State House of Assembly (KWHA) Member Representing Asa Local Government, Honourable Rukayyat Motunrayo Shittu; Honourable Commissioners for Education, Communication and Environment, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, Mrs Bola Olukoju and Hajia Nafisatu Musa Buge respectively, and the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi.
The delegates shared thoughts, policies and practices for others to emulate to foster women inclusion at all levels including in leadership and at the grassroots. These included the 50% women inclusion in the State Executive Council, and five women members in the KWHA in the 10th Assembly, a 500% increase from none in 9th Assembly which puts Kwara as the second in the country after Ekiti, with 6 women members. Also noteworthy is the enacted 35% affirmative action which is a Gender Composition Law that mandates the State to have at least a 35% gender representation in all public sector appointments.
Shade Omoniyi spoke on the ways women have done things better and more impact has been experienced as a result of their inclusion. She informed participants that Kwara State has successfully doubled its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) since she came onboard as Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service. Another fact which she shared and many participants found interesting particularly for a government agency, was being able to implement prudence processes that reduced expenditure and brought about savings.
These savings have now been channeled into the construction of a multi-storey building for the IRS.
She was also invited to present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Onyeka Onwenu which was accepted by a representative.
The delegates attributed the successes achieved to the will and determination of His Excellency, adding that not only have people been enlightened on women inclusion, they have also witnessed the gains of the Governor’s selection of high-performers who have achieved laudable results for all to see. These, in addition to legal frameworks, they resolved, make a great recipe to sustain women empowerment and inclusion in a State.
The organisers, participants and representatives of the media present were all in awe of what is being done in Kwara. The gave kudos to His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State and the highly intelligent Kwara women setting new records on their various portfolios.
Signed
Corporate Affairs Department, KW-IRS
04/10/2024