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The First Lady of Osun State, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adebusola Adeleke has renewed her resolve to eliminate the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across the state.
She pledged that her office will continue to champion the protection of women and girls.
Mrs. Adeleke made this known at a one-day high-level symposium on FGM’s legal provisions, enforcement, and prosecution, held at the State Banquet Hall, Government House, Osogbo.
She described FGM as “a harmful traditional practice that violates human rights and threatens the health, dignity, and future of women and girls.”
The First Lady warned that offenders would face the full wrath of the law.
“We will ensure strict enforcement of penalties to serve as deterrence. Osun State will not tolerate Female Genital Mutilation in any form. As a mother, a leader, and a woman, I am committed to ensuring every girl grows up free from the pain and trauma of this harmful practice,” she said.
She commended the contributions of Action Health Incorporated (AHI), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, assuring stakeholders of closer collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society groups to achieve a zero-FGM status for the state.
She also called on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to reject the practice and safeguard the well-being of young girls.
Speakers at the event, including the wife of the Deputy Governor, Deaconess Olusola Adewusi; Mrs. Mojisola Aina, wife of the Head of Service; and UNFPA’s representative, Mrs. Uzoma Ayodeji, hailed the First Lady’s advocacy against FGM and her push for sustainable solutions.
The symposium featured deliberations on practical action plans to make Osun FGM-free while highlighting the medical, psychological, and social consequences of the practice.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedotun Abolarin; Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Hon. Abiola Jeremiah Awoyeye; Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Biodun Afeez; Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Oyerinde; and Special Adviser on Children Affairs, Hon. Temilade Khalid.
Others were representatives of the Commissioners for Health and Justice, Dr. Famakinwa and Barr. Folasade Akinjowon respectively; AHI’s Mrs. Fatima Idris; Executive Secretary, Bureau of Disability, Rotarian Ayobami Oyewumi Oyekunle; Grand Imam of Osun State, Imam Abdulsalam Akinwumi; Chairman of CAN, Rev. Adeleke; alongside political functionaries and development partners.
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