**Promoting Equality in Girl-Child Education: Kwara First Lady’s Advocacy**
The First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, recently took a stand for equal access to quality education for every child, irrespective of their socio-economic background. At a gathering organized by the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation, themed “The Need for Girl-Child Education,” a significant step was taken towards promoting educational equality in the state.
**Empowering Underprivileged Students**
During the event, school bags, exercise books, mathematical sets, uniforms, and other essential educational materials worth N50 million were distributed to 700 students from 14 public schools. This initiative aimed to equip these students with the tools they need to succeed academically and break barriers that may hinder their educational progress.
Represented by the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Dr. Afeez Abolore Alabi, the First Lady stressed the vital role education plays in alignment with Kwara State’s Ten-Year Strategic Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She expressed gratitude to the organizers for their unwavering dedication to education and their support for underprivileged students in the state.
**Fostering Educational Equity**
At the event, various stakeholders reiterated the importance of ensuring that every child has equal opportunities in education. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Rebecca Bake, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its “every child counts” educational policy. She encouraged the beneficiaries to make the most of the educational materials provided, stay focused on their academic goals, and avoid distractions that may hinder their progress.
**Collaborative Efforts for Change**
The Chidimma and Havilah Foundation, through its National Technical Lead, Tiwatope Olumide, highlighted the organization’s ongoing collaboration with Seed of Praise, SUBEB, and the Ministry to bridge the gender and educational equity gaps in the state. These partnerships aim to implement strategies that ensure girls have equal access to education and opportunities for growth.
**Gratitude and Hope for the Future**
As a token of appreciation, the Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Tanke, Ilorin, Mrs. Kuburat Olumoh, expressed profound gratitude to the donors for their unwavering commitment to education, particularly for adolescent girls in the community. She emphasized that such gestures significantly contribute to advancing the cause of quality education and gender equality, instilling hope and inspiration among the students.
The collective efforts of all stakeholders involved in this initiative underscore the importance of promoting equality in girl-child education and creating a more inclusive and empowering educational environment for all students in Kwara State.
