FOMWAN at 40: Kwara Chapter Demands Women’s Rights and Greater Inclusion

The Kwara State Chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to the promotion of education, social welfare, and community development as it commemorates its 40th anniversary. The Public Relations Officer of the association, Professor Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, made this known in a statement issued on behalf of the […]

The Kwara State Chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to the promotion of education, social welfare, and community development as it commemorates its 40th anniversary.

The Public Relations Officer of the association, Professor Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, made this known in a statement issued on behalf of the Amirah of the chapter, Hajia Nimat Oluwatoyin Labaika, in Ilorin.

The association expressed gratitude to Muslim women across Nigeria, particularly those in the sixteen local government areas of Kwara State, for their steadfast commitment and contributions over the years.

Founded in 1985, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria was established to unite the voices of Muslim women and uphold Islamic values.

In Kwara State, the association maintains strong affiliations with several Asalatu groups including Taoheed, Ansarul Islam, Ansarul Deen, The Criterion, Unilorin Muslim Ladies’ Circle, and many others.

As part of activities marking its nationwide 40th anniversary celebration, the Kwara chapter joined other states in advocating for stronger recognition of the role of women in national development and the full protection of their rights across all sectors.

The chapter highlighted major milestones recorded since its inception. Under its pioneer Amirah, Alhaja Raliat Oyenike Sanni, and her successor, Hajia Muslimah Kamaldeen, who are both members of the National Board of Trustees, the association introduced several impactful initiatives.

It listed the adult literacy programmes and a crèche established at Baboko Market in 1994. This crèche was upgraded to a nursery and primary school in 1998 and eventually expanded to accommodate special needs education by 2009.

According to her, the association presently runs three nursery and primary schools, one secondary school, twenty Islamiyyah schools in Kwara North, and a fully functional adult literacy class.

In partnership with the Non Governmental Associations for Literacy Support Services, the group, she said, has extended learning opportunities to other communities across the state.

To support educational inclusion, the Amirah revealed that the association has provided scholarships to children with special needs and vulnerable backgrounds, with one of the beneficiaries, who is visually impaired, now a proud owner of a shoe making business.

In the area of grassroots development efforts, the statement said training and mentoring School Based Management Committees in over two hundred communities have been carried out, including donating wheelchairs to children with special needs, empowering indigent women, and fostering vulnerable and Almajiri children.

“One of the fostered children, who graduated with first class honours from the University of Ilorin in 2023, is currently serving in the National Youth Service Corps”, she added.

“In 2019, the association facilitated the enrolment of two hundred out-of-school children, mostly Almajiri, into formal education. By 2022, its newly introduced foster care model improved retention and progression, with fifty six pupils currently benefiting.

“On health intervention, FOMWAN Kwara partnered with the State Ministry of Health to support routine immunisation campaigns and trained one hundred people living with HIV and AIDS in vocational skills. The group also provided them with seed funding to start their own businesses.

“The association’s humanitarian services include the provision of clean water through boreholes and wells in rural communities and distribution of food and household essentials to the needy,” she submitted.

Hajia Labaika said that the religious group has completed a multipurpose hall that now serves as a source of income, established a mosque, and is operating an orphanage which recently received official approval, adding that “its guidance and counselling unit offers career and premarital advice”.

“FOMWAN Kwara also runs a vibrant youth wing that focuses on nurturing the next generation of female Muslim leaders. The wing has been instrumental in civic education and advocacy for good governance.

“As the chapter marks forty years of service, it has pledged to continue championing the cause of women and the underprivileged in society while deepening its role in inclusive national development,” she noted.