Wife of Kogi State Governor Amina Oyiza Yahaya Bello has appealed to well meaning individuals and corporate organizations to support FIDA to eradicate all forms of violence against women and children in the State.
She also condemned in totality the 14 years old school girl who was raped and impregnated in the state.
The wife of the governor stated this during the opening ceremony of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kogi State branch week held in government house Lokoja.
She stated that violence against women and children in the society has become a scourge that required the attention and support of relevant stakeholders to rid the menace in the interest of Nigerians.
According to her, the appalling crime of violating Women and Children has become worrisome, noting that the scourge is a global crisis that calls for global action.
She called on Government and Civil organization to adapt new strategy to effectively combat violence against Women and Children in a bid to create a safer and more just society to leave.
The wife of the governor who is also the patroness of FIDA Kogi state branch called for awareness campaign at the grassroots and charged FIDA to leverage on media advocacy to perform their functions of safeguarding and upholding the rights of women and children.
She commended Governor Yahaya Bello for using his authority to protect women through his numerous empowernment programmes and appointment of women into positions of governance.
She also commended the governor for show of concern over a fourteen years girl that was gang raped and got pregnant, noting that the perpetrators have been apprehended and awaiting prosecution in the law court.
According to her, Governor Yahaya Bello has awarded scholarship up to university to the girl as well as the welfare of the child.
The Chief Judge of Kogi state Justice Josiah Majebi who declare the programme open advised parents to sensitize their children on the importance of values for sanctity of life in order to reduce the societal ills.
He assured that court will continue to ensure that every laws enacted to curb violence against women and children are complied with and urged judges and magistrates to prioritize speedy trial of cases under such laws.
The Chief Judge mentioned that a lot has been put in place by judiciary to support FIDA in achieving their mandate.l
In his keynote address the FIDA Kogi branch patron and a prominent advocate for gender equality, Richard Osaseyi said women empowernment is key to the eradication of violence against women and children and called on spirited individuals to give back to the society.
While acknowledging the effort of FIDA in the fight against violence, he emphasized on the need for empowering girls to become good wives and mothers and appealed for the inclusion of boy child in the struggle.
He charged FIDA and other relevant organisations to go after rapists who are tormenting girl’s child, assuring that he is ready to finance the prosecution of such cases.
The Kogi State Chairperson of FIDA, Ajuma Lilian Okolo in her remarks said the fight against violence is an ongoing battle that requires constant adaptation and development of new skills to end the menace.
She promised that FIDA will equip itself with new knowledge and skills that will enable them serve the communities and advocate for the right of women and children in Kogi state.
In her remarks, Hajia Falilat Musa the Solicitors General and Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Justice urged FIDA not to limit itself to court identification of perpetrators of violence against women, but also to device means of prevention.
She advocated for women education to enable them know their rights and also know what they should do at all time, stressing the need to encourage schools to adopt programme that promote gender equally.
