As part of activities for ‘16 Days of Activism against GBV’, the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has urged students of tertiary institutions to shun drugs and those things capable of triggering gender-based violence.
The First Lady noted that efforts to eradicate GBV, which she described as a monster, should be relentless in the interest of society, saying, “GBV scuttles the socio-economic development of a nation.”
Mrs. Oyebanji, who is also the chairperson of the state gender-based management committee, made the call on Thursday during her GBV sensitisation visit to Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology, Ikere Ekiti.
While stressing the need for collective actions in combating gender-related violence in society, Mrs Oyebanji commended BOUESTI authorities for the prevailing zero-tolerance for GBV in the institution.
She said, “GBV is something to be condemned in society, especially in the academic environment.
“This institution has taken the challenge headlong. BOUESTI management has always been proactive in the handling of the menace and other condemnable anti-social vices.”
She solicited the cooperation of stakeholders in addressing the scourge as she cautioned the students, adding, “Do not engage in what can trigger anti-social behaviour and the need to do away with drugs.
“Again, you have to say something when they see something; speak out when you see something; do not keep quiet or silent. There is no excuse for any form of abuse.”
The governor’s wife also called for the establishment of effective committees dedicated to tackling gender-based violence in Nigerian universities and the inclusion of GBV awareness in the universities’ curricula.
She stressed the need for collective actions in combating gender-based violence (GBV) in society, emphasizing the essence of taking proactive steps towards ensuring a safer and more supportive environment for students, particularly women and girls in academic communities.
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“It is essential that universities in Ekiti State play their parts in eradicating GBV, and that starts with establishing dedicated committees that can ensure swift action, provide support to victims, and make the necessary provisions to prevent various forms of violence,” she stated.
Additionally, Mrs. Oyebanji advocated the creation of support services for survivors and sensitization programs, as well as the provision of financial, material, and technical resources to mitigate GBV mitigation.
She stressed that it has become imperative for Universities to utilize all available opportunities to establish their commitment to ending gender-based violence towards creating a sustainable environment where everyone feels safe and empowered to speak out against violence.
According to her, billboards should be erected in prominent areas across the campuses to create awareness and as an affirmation of their commitment to curb GBV.
She said, “We cannot achieve the desired lasting change without strong partnerships with higher institutions, law enforcement, and the community at large.
“We must unite in the fight against gender-based violence and create an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and creating a safe space for all.”
BOUESTI Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Adeoluwa, who hailed the First Lady for the advocacy visit, stated that her efforts in gender matters were not only impactful in Ekiti State but across the country.
Adeoluwa bemoaned the increasing GBV, which he hinged on drug use, saying, “These days, even teenagers have made people aware of different types of drugs.”
According to him, Mrs. Oyebanji’s advocacy visit to the tertiary institutions was important and timely as it would largely address the rise of GBV, especially in the higher institutions, which his school has zero tolerance for.
The VC noted that it behoved academic leadership to ensure peace in society by bringing to the fore measures that would prevent the emergence of issues or developments that were inimical to societal wellbeing.
Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN), stressed that every hand must be on deck to eradicate all traces of GBV in university communities, adding that the awareness tour was planned to sensitise the populace on the existing law on the GBV.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Police, Ekiti State, Mr Adeniran Akinwale, lent credence to the call for a united front in the battle against GBV.
He reiterated the police commitment to uphold the law and ensure gender equality, adding that offenders would be prosecuted according to the law
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