Zainab Commits To Expanding Healthcare To Vulnerable Women

…As she launches Arike Hopeful Hearts Foundation

The wife of the Kwara State governorship candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 general elections, Hajia Zainab Kale Lawu, has reiterated her commitment to expanding access to basic healthcare and supporting vulnerable women, children and families across the State.

She reiterated this commitment while launching her pet project, Arike Hopeful Hearts Foundation, on Monday in Ilorin, the state capital, as part of activities to mark her birthday.

Speaking at the event, the founder said the initiative was inspired by her desire to give back to society and respond to some of the challenges confronting vulnerable members of the community, particularly in accessing healthcare and obtaining timely health information.

“I believe life is measured not only by what we achieve, but by the lives we touch, the burdens we ease and the hope we give,” she said.

Kawu said the foundation would focus on basic healthcare, health awareness, prevention and early detection, with particular attention to conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as post-menopausal health.

She noted that many health conditions could be better managed when detected early, stressing that lack of access to appropriate information and screening often allowed manageable ailments to develop into serious complications.

“Our mission is to provide compassionate and practical support, particularly for women and children, while promoting health awareness, prevention and early detection,” she said.

According to her, the foundation would not limit its activities to material assistance, but would seek to restore dignity, take healthcare closer to communities and provide people with the information and support needed to make better health decisions.

“For me, this foundation is about more than assistance. It is about restoring dignity, creating awareness, bringing healthcare closer to people and, most importantly, giving hope,” she added.

She explained that the name Arike Hopeful Hearts reflected her vision of encouraging compassion and collective responsibility towards people facing hardship, saying even seemingly small interventions could have a lasting impact.

“Sometimes, changing a life begins with simply reminding someone that their life matters,” Kawu said.

She called on healthcare professionals, development partners, philanthropists, organisations, community leaders and individuals to support the foundation in achieving its objectives.

Kawu also thanked her husband and family members for their encouragement and support, pledging that the foundation would operate with integrity and remain responsive to the needs of its beneficiaries.

“As we begin this journey, I make this promise: We will listen, we will serve, we will act with integrity and we will continue to give hope,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, the PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu, pledged his support for his wife’s humanitarian initiative, describing her as a woman passionate about helping people in need.

The PDP governorship candidate said he was confident that the foundation would make meaningful contributions to improving the wellbeing of women, children and other vulnerable groups in Kwara State.

He said his wife’s commitment to humanitarian service had continued to earn his support, adding that initiatives targeted at addressing the challenges of ordinary citizens deserved encouragement from individuals and organisations.

“I am 100 per cent dependent on somebody that thinks she is a fine woman, but we decided to go through this situation with support and support,” he said.

Kawu urged well-meaning members of the public to support the foundation, expressing confidence that it would translate its objectives into practical interventions for people in need.

For Hajia Zainab, the launch of the foundation coincided with a personal milestone but represented a broader commitment to community service.

“As I celebrate another year of life, I am reminded that every birthday is an opportunity to grow, serve and make a meaningful difference,” she said.

She prayed for the wisdom, resources and compassion to sustain the initiative and ensure that its interventions bring tangible improvements to the lives of beneficiaries.