By Moses Adeniyi

For the societal problems to be tackled or reduced to the barest minimum, there is need for social workers to complement the efforts being made by State Government by total commitment to their job. No society can do without social workers because they play an indispensable role in helping to keep the fabrics together in order to meet the ever increasing demands being made on us by Lagosians,” the Lagos State Government has said.

The State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende gave this charge during his familiarisation tour to the Rehabilitation Training Centre and Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Persons With Disabilities located in Ikorodu on Wednesday.

In appreciating the job of the social workers which he described as “great work,” Ogunlende said, “the State Government can have the best facilities without positively affecting the lives of the citizenry, if there are no persons with commitment to use them to deliver the needed services to the citizenry.”

In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu said: “As social workers, you have given hope to the children in our Centres as many of them were seen in a joyful mood on seeing us. Some of these children were found on the streets without parents. You have given them a sense of belonging through the love and care you showed them.”

Pharm (Mrs) Oke-Osanyintolu urged the staff at the Centres to raise the bar of service delivery in view of the fact that the THEMES+ Agenda of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu “has put rollercoaster on the feet of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development” by broadening its responsibilities.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre for Persons With Disabilities was established by the State Government in 1997 with the aim of empowering people living with disability to become productive through acquisition of skill in either tailoring, shoemaking, bead making, catering or any other vocation .

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has called on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) campaigners to team up with it to tackle the menace which is growing in bound as a source of concern.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Hon. Mrs. Cecelia Dada made the call to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence experts across various organisations, to intensify campaigns in curbing  the increasing menace of violence against women and girls in Lagos State.

Speaking during a Walk procession to commemorate the 16 days of Activism themed: ‘Invest  to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls Today,’ being organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other women-focused Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Dada reiterated that, November 25th marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which ends with the International Human Rights Day, December 10th.

Dada stated, “As a leader, and a woman, gender equality and women’s empowerment are causes that are near and dear to me, for they are priorities for the Lagos State Government and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as well, which has made gender-equity and equality, a cornerstone of his Administration, with a first-ever national strategy to advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls.” 

She explained that the Ministry has established call toll line  767 centres for victims of SGBV, in order to enable them make complaints during emergencies. 

While reiterating on the motive for effective consultation, the Commissioner disclosed that domestic desks were located in the 57 Local Governments/ Local Council Development Areas to enhance easy reach for survivors in addressing issues of SGBV.

Still speaking, she averred that the recuperating homes for the rehabilitation of survivors will soon be ready, with available facilities to ensure that they become financially stable by acquiring skills at the Skills Acquisition Centre within such homes.

Dada said the Ministry under her watch had embarked on a continuous sensitisation programmes to educate women and girls on their rights through past organised advocacy and sensitisation programmes on ways to curb SGBV for students in tertiary institutions, religious leaders, market leaders, community leaders, marriage registrars, because such will help to communicate the State Government’s policies on SGBV to residents in their areas.

She opined that the State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has promoted an integrated, comprehensive package of community interventions, including health and counseling services, to prevent and respond to SGBV.

The Commissioner stated “the State Government has invested so much in the campaigns against SGBV in partnership with the United Nations Population fund, United States Agency for International  Development and some other women-focused NGO’s in Lagos State. Hence, Nations that have gender parity have greater economic and developmental growth, less conflict, and higher rates of literacy than those that do not. Fundamentally, we see it as our duty – and that of everyone who seeks a just and equitable society – to ensure women and girls have opportunities not just to participate, but also to lead in all aspects of life.”

The Programme Manager, USAID and the Coordinator, South West Gender, IPS,  Mrs. Mojisola Alewe in her remarks, stated that, the 16 days of Activism is a laudable initiative earmarked by the United Nations to curb SGBV around the world. 

She emphasised that every year, collaborative efforts were put together with partners of SGBV, in order to find areas of curbing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence amongst women and girls.

She informed that the USAID has collaborated with various partners on Art land projects and IPS projects  to curb soaring incidence of SGBV with clear indication of reporting it on the Lagos State Dashboard.  

The Director, Domestic Violence Unit, in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Oluwatoyin Olorunfemi stated that the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a continuous programme that must reach every area of the State and the country and the world at large.  

She said that the importance of the collaboration is to strengthen the ongoing campaigns on SGBV and expect that the Lagos State Government will enact the VAPP Law so that perpetrators of SGBV can be adequately prosecuted for such gruesome offense

By Moses Adeniyi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said in as much as his administration seeks to preserve the cultural heritage of Lagos, conscious attention will not suffer to respect the diversity representation of the Country in the State.

This, he noted, was essential to keep and enhance harmony of peaceful co – existence among socio-cultural and ethnic representations in the State, while assuring Lagos will continue to be home to everyone irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations. 

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance while addressing the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omonoba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, who on Sunday harped on the diversity and unity of Nigeria when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Marina.

The Oba stressed the need for unity of Nigeria, mentioning the diversity and unity of Nigeria made the country big and the giant of Africa.

According to him, it is good for Nigerians to be together, and iron out the differences of the different  groups.

“Nigerians should know that diversity is good for the people. Nigeria is big but we are still together. We will remain together like this but have to iron our differences. We should learn to live together like one big family,” he said.

The Oba further congratulated President Bola Tinubu, saying that it was the will of God that he would be the president of the country.

He also congratulated Gov. Sanwo-Olu on his re-election, and urged him to uphold his electoral promises to the masses.

Reacting, Sanwo-Olu thanked the Oba of Benin for visiting, as he rarely left his kingdom, hence, Lagos would not take such visit for granted.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who eulogised the Oba of Benin for distinguishing himself among the traditional rulers, said his protection of culture and promotion of traditional values have earned him maximum respect across the country.

 Sanwo-Olu while conveying the greetings of President Bola Tinubu to the Oba of Benin, urged the traditional ruler to continue his support for the present Federal Government to ensure citizens benefit from dividends of democracy which he noted are becoming evident in the third quarter of the year with a rise in the country’s GDP.

The governor also thanked the Oba for his fatherly role, prayers, best wishes for President Tinubu’s government, assuring the president will not disappoint.

“I am sure that he will not disappoint you. He will do everything possible to ensure the real dividend of democracy that helps our country to reduce the poverty in the land, to give us a new sense of hope and to redefine social economic development.

“We are beginning to see some of these interventions. Just last week, we saw another quarter of GDP growth in the country. The GDP growth has improved from what it was the last one or two quarters.

“So, we believe that with him at the helm of affairs, he will do a good job,” he said.

He described Lagos as the shoulder and neck of the country, hence, the government will continue to make sure that it remains home to the masses far and wide.

Sanwo-Olu also conducted the Oba around the John Randle Center for Yoruba Culture and History at Onikan.

“We are preserving the Yoruba culture and heritage for today and future generations,” he said.

The Oba commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for promoting culture and tradition with the centre.