Oyo State Governor, ’Seyi Makinde, on Monday, applauded the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the excellent work it has been doing towards ending gender-based violence in the state.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, made the commendation while receiving the coordinator and members of the Oyo State chapter of NHRC.
Oduyoye also received, on behalf of the governor, a communiqué issued at the final validation meeting by the stakeholders on the theme: ‘unite; end violence against women and girls to commemorate the 2022 International Human Rights day.’
He charged the NHRC team to remain focused and work hand-in-hand with the Oyo State House of Assembly to ensure the enactment of laws towards protecting human rights.
Oduyoye, who expressed the commitment of the governor towards improving the lives of the residents of Oyo State, reassured the team that the communiqué will be presented to the governor and that it will receive due attention.
The former lawmaker equally urged the NHRC to also approach the Wife of the Governor with a view to collaborating with her office on human rights protection.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the NHRC in Oyo State, Mrs Olamide Akintayo, urged the Oyo State Government to consider setting up of special courts to handle cases of Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
Akintayo said the establishment of such courts would ease the current long and most times exhausting struggle of access to justice by victims in regular courts.
According to her, the advocacy visit is to present a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting with the theme - Unite, End Violence Against Women and Girls.
She said the communique contained resolutions/ recommendations that would curb Human Right abuses, especially issues pertaining to sexual and gender-based violence.
The NHRC coordinator stressed that state government should also take urgent steps in strengthening all enforcement mechanisms of existing laws in order to build trust and confidence in the minds of its citizens on the ability of the state to ensure justice for victims.
She added that such steps would bring all perpetrators to justice, thereby serving as a deterrent for future offenders.
She further said the move would motivate and encourage the hard work of first responders doing their best to provide necessary care and support for victims as well as seek justice through legal means.
