The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has nominated Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the leadership and governance category of the UNDP/UN Women’s inaugural International Women’s Day Awards Gala.
The awards gala holds on Saturday in Lagos.
A statement by the governor’s chief press secretary Rafiu Ajakaye quoted a notice of nomination by the UN bodies as saying that AbdulRazaq’s nomination serves to recognise his unprecedented efforts to mainstream gender inclusion in government positions in Kwara State.
“On behalf of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the UNDP and in recognition of your efforts in advancing gender equality, we are honoured to announce that the Steering Committee of the IWD’s Awards Gala has selected you as a finalist in the category for Leadership & Governance,” the notice said.
“The IWD Awards Gala is convened in partnership with the British High Commission, the European Union Delegation and the Embassies of France, Germany and the United States of America. The awards gala will celebrate champions in promoting women’s leadership and gender equality in Nigeria.”
AbdulRazaq has drawn widespread applauses for his gender policy. In December 2021, he signed a first-of-its-kind law in Nigeria which pegs public service appointments for either of the genders at no less than 35 per cent. That means the state must have at least 35 per cent women representation in appointive positions, including the state cabinet.
In December 2019, he inaugurated a cabinet that was 56.25 per cent female.
