His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has issued the following statement to mark International Women's Day 2025:

"On this International Women's Day, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the women of Kwara State and across the globe for their resilience, creativity, and the indelible joy they bring to every sphere they inhabit.

"Women are indispensable partners in our societal progress and in our pursuit of sustainable development. Their contributions to development, social cohesion, and national advancement are immeasurable. My administration acknowledges this and has consistently championed policies, initiatives, and legislative measures aimed at safeguarding women's rights and ensuring equitable opportunities for all."

The theme of this year's celebration is Accelerate Action. I believe we have measured up to this in Kwara -- and will do more.

From making history with our female majority cabinet in 2019, we now have a pathfinder law that guarantees at least 35 percent affirmative action for every government appointment. We also enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law, ensuring a safer environment for our girls and women and every other person.

We have, among other things, keyed into the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme to get more girls enrolled in school and make their learning journey an exciting experience.

On this special day, I recommit myself to empowering our women and creating more opportunities for them to thrive.

Happy International Women's Day!