Governor Seyi Makinde alongside his wife, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, on Monday, staged a walk against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The walk, which was part of activities for the 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the state, started from the Oyo Government House to the office of the wife of the Oyo governor.
Those in the walk carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Every Voice Counts”, “Zero Tolerance to Gender Based Violence”, “Oyo State Say no to Gender Based Violence” among others.
While speaking, Mrs Makinde hinted that the State Government would soon open a Sexual and Gender-based offence register in the state.
She expressed gladness at the existence of police desks to take records of GBV offences.
She added that the state is creating its own record of such offenders will also serve as a deterrent and prevent unsuspecting persons from falling prey.
She expressed displeasure that cases being brought to her office of female children being raped, impregnated by their close relatives in the state are worrisome.
While noting that the state government had the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and family court to deal with similar incidents, she said it was imperative for all and sundry to join the fight against GBV in the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who joined the walk, said the state would not tolerate GBV and would continue to ensure enforcement of relevant laws
The governor in his remark said the campaign was to draw attention of the public to vulnerable groups in the state, and to demonstrate that gender based violence will not be tolerated in the state.
He noted that people think because of the prevalence of poverty, they cannot do what is right to protect vulnerables in society.
He commended security agencies for their fight against GBV, saying the menace won’t stop if security agencies are not up and doing.
