UK Envoy Gill Lever Concludes Visit to Kwara State

Gill Lever, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, completed a three-day visit to Kwara State from May 11 to May 13, 2023, focusing on enhancing economic cooperation and women's inclusion. During her visit, she met with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and First Lady Prof.

Olufolak Abdulrazaq, as well as civil society groups, religious leaders, and security officials. The discussions included exploring opportunities for economic expansion and job creation, with specific support for two Kwara-based firms: Bespoke Design Concept and Bacita Sugar Company.

Lever emphasized the UK’s development trade scheme that offers duty-free and reduced tariff access for 3,000 Nigerian products in the UK market, highlighting the export potential of Kwara's agricultural products. Additionally, she addressed women's economic empowerment and efforts to combat gender-based violence, noting the UK government's support for the Nigerian Governors' Spouses Forum.

Lever visited the Olufolak Safe Haven Sexual Assault Referral Centre to understand the services available for vulnerable children and survivors of sexual violence. She praised Kwara State's commitment to increasing women's representation in government.