The Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji has pledged to scale up the fight against the menace of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in all nooks and crannies of the State.
Dr. Oyebanji gave the pledge during a meeting of the Gender-Based Violence Management Committee (GBVMC) on Wednesday.
The First Lady who is also the Chairman of the committee called for an increase in collaboration with key governmental and non-governmental institutions including the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Faith-Based Organizations, tertiary Institutions and the State Council of Traditional Rulers among others to tackle the scourge.
She expressed confidence in winning the battle through more aggressive public enlightenment, arrest and prosecution of offenders to deter potential offenders.
Stressing that Committee is very key in spearheading the fight to reduce the menace of GBV in the state, Dr. Oyebanji emphasized the importance of proper management and collaboration to achieved better result in the task ahead.
She said the target is to reduce the menace of GBV to the barest minimum in the state, stressing the commitment of the Committee to ensuring proper coordination and synergy towards achieving the desired result.
According to her, Local Government (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) Chairmen in the state would be enlisted into the fight against GBV to give impetus to the advocacy at the grassroots level.
Noting the remarkable success achieved so far in the task of curbing GBV, Dr. Oyebanji stated that the committee is very aware that there is still a lot to be done stressing the need for all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to achieve optimal result.
The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun,in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti explained that the committee resolved to embark on advocacy campaign both within and outside the State particularly the nation’s capital, Abuja to seek support for efforts of the State Government to stamp out the menace of GBV.
The committee also resolved to create sub-Committees with a mandate to come out with reports to chart a better course in the fight against GBV, while submissions were made by representatives of the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ministry of Women Affairs, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Office of the First Lady and civil society organizations.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN); Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi; Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Folorunso Olabode; Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun amongst other relevant government officials.
