No fewer than five communities in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun have on Friday declared an end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the area courtesy the aggressive advocacy of the state’s first lady, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola.
At the event which took place in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government, the leaders of the five communities made the official declaration, following the total conviction about the negative effects of FGM after six months of sensitisation by Mrs Oyetola’s Ilerioluwa Development Initiatives.
The very elated Osun State first lady while addressing the crowd urged relevant stakeholders in the country to key into the advocacy of puting an end to Female Genital Mutilation, FGM.
The wife of the governor who enjoined all and Sundry in the state to be vigilant by ensuring that no one engages in the age long bad and harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation any longer expressed happiness and satisfaction with the public declaration on the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation by the five Communities.
She noted that the cheering news came after a six month of sensitisation, engagements and mobilisation through dialogues and consensus building initiative among stakeholders in the State of Osun by her NGO, IleriIOluwa Development Initiatives.
Mrs Oyetola at the occasion also appreciated the United Nations Population Funds’ Activities and Action Health Incorporated for their consistent gestures and supports in making life better for all categories of people especially the girls and women who are always at the centre stage of this age long harmful practises.
She particularly recalled the interventions of the United Nations on a number of development oriented issues which she added have been central to the growth and development of the entire society.
The Osun first lady did not mince words in acknowledging the roles and supports of traditional rulers in the rigorous campaign aimed at putting in abeyance this age long dangerous act.
The IOD president and WASH ambassador in the Osun State also recalled that in January last year she had good cause to visit the Ologele Community where people declared their resolve to stop Female Genital Mutilation.
Mrs Oyetola said, she believes that with the series of declaration being made by various communities in Irepodun Local government and other local government area in the state,the entire society will soon heave a sigh of total relief on this hazardous practise of FGM
While re-emphasising its many dangerous side effects, Mrs Oyetola maintained that it has no benefit of any kind to the girls and women who are mostly the victims over the years.
Mrs Oyetola therefore called on other communities who are yet to make an open declaration of their denouncement of female genital mutilation to do so with immediate effect for the overall happiness and development of the Society.
The Osun first lady’s delegation was at the occasion entertained with different cultural activities and displays by the natives as a mark of their love for Mrs Oyetola and her efforts to make the Society a better place for girls and women all the time.
She was accompanied with the wives of top government officials in the state
Certificates of participation were later presented by the first lady to the various Communities.
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