The Kwara State Government has called on the state chapter of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) to intensify efforts in mobilizing and sensitizing women toward active participation in government policies and programs.
The State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Community Development, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Bata, made this appeal during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the women’s council to his office in Ilorin.
Hon. Bata described the role of women in community and grassroots development as critical, emphasizing that their active involvement in governance would significantly enhance the impact of government initiatives at the local level. He encouraged the NCWS leadership to sustain and improve its advocacy campaigns across the state to ensure that women are adequately informed and fully engaged in state and local government programs.
To facilitate this, the Commissioner assured the delegation of the government’s continued support and promised to provide a framework that will enable the Council to interface directly with Local Government Chairmen. This, he noted, would allow the women’s group to gain firsthand knowledge of council mandates and create more opportunities for women to contribute to local administration.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Iyabo Modupe Adekeye, congratulated the newly inaugurated executives on their appointment, reminding them of the significant responsibilities that lie ahead. She assured the delegation of the Ministry’s commitment to a continuous partnership aimed at advancing female empowerment and promoting community development.
Earlier, the State President of the NCWS, Hajia Ajoke Yusuf, thanked the Commissioner and his management team for the warm reception. She explained that the visit was intended to formally introduce the new leadership and to seek the Ministry’s backing for the Council’s upcoming programs.
Hajia Yusuf specifically solicited the Ministry’s assistance in facilitating the Council’s engagement at the local government level. She noted that given the Ministry’s statutory responsibility for overseeing local government affairs, such a collaboration would be instrumental in ensuring that women play a more prominent role in grassroots administration and decision-making processes.
