Wife of the Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hajia Zainab Bolakale Kawu, on
Monday floated a health service pet project: Arike Hopeful Hearts, offering free healthcare services to over 500 people in the state.

She pledged to promote access to basic healthcare and support vulnerable women, children and families in the state.

Beneficiaries of the free medical services were provided with free medical check up on diabetes, hypertension, malaria, as well as post-menopausal health.

Kawu said the initiative was driven by her desire to give back to society and respond to some of the challenges confronting vulnerable members of the community, particularly in the areas of healthcare, health awareness and social support.

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

“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.

Arike, who said that many people continued to face difficulties accessing basic healthcare and obtaining timely health information, added that simple interventions could prevent manageable health conditions from developing 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.

She explained that the foundation was not established merely to distribute material assistance, but to restore dignity, bring healthcare closer to the people and provide hope to those facing difficult circumstances.

According to her, the name Arike Hopeful Hearts reflects the vision of encouraging compassion and collective responsibility towards people experiencing hardship.

She said interventions such as medical screening, providing useful health information, caring for a child or supporting a woman could have lasting effects on individuals and families.

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

Zainab called on healthcare professionals, development partners, philanthropists, organisations, community leaders and other well-meaning individuals to support the foundation in achieving its objectives.

She also expressed appreciation to her husband and family members for their encouragement and support, assuring 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, her husband, Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu, pledged full support for the initiative, describing his wife as a woman passionate about improving the lives of people in need.

The PDP governorship candidate, who expressed confidence in the foundation’s potential to make a difference in Kwara, said he would continue to encourage his wife’s humanitarian efforts.

He urged members of the public and supporters of the initiative to provide the necessary encouragement and support to enable it achieve its objectives.

The launch, which coincided with Zainab Kawu’s birthday celebration, marked the beginning of what the founder described as a long-term commitment to promoting healthier communities and providing practical support for vulnerable people in Kwara State.

“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