We welcome you all.

Against the background of years of struggle against patriarchy and non inclusion of women in governance at all levels, Nigerians woke up to the news on 22nd October 2019 of the giant stride made by the government and people of Kwara State. The announcement of the final batch of appointed commissioners which included 5 more women (youths inclusive) to the cabinet of Kwara State. This now takes the proportion of women in the cabinet of Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq to 56%

We consider this as a great achievement not only for the people of Kwara State but for Nigerians as a whole and the world at large. It is a demonstration of the will to fastrack the deepening of democracy in Nigeria and to close the gender gap in order to achieve the much required and desired development. The political will of the governor is an acknowledgment of the need for the experiences and expertise of women and men working together in the development of the state and the country.
While Nigerians, particularly women commend this effort we call on other state governors and leaders to demonstrate their commitment to fastracking the development of their states by mainstreaming gender in their administration.
No doubt this is a historical moment. We congratulate the women and urge them to strive for excellence in all endeavours particularly in the delivery of their assignments.
We are proud that from the state level Nigerian women can smile; that all the international conventions signed by the Federal government of Nigeria on gender such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW), The international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Beijing Platform for Action and the Regional Optional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as well as the Nigerian National Gender Policy can actually be a lived reality.

We applaud the Governor and people of Kwara state for making history as Nigeria’s most gender friendly government.
We congratulate all nominees.

Signed
Ebere Ifendu Women In Politics Forum
Mufuliat Fijabi Nigerian Women Trust Fund
Toun Okewale Sonaiya Women Radio 91.7

On behalf of
Nigerian Women Groups
25 October 2019