NGO commends Aregbesola on advocacy against female genital mutilation

By Abdulrofiu Agboola

A Non Governmental Organization, Girl-child Right Awareness Initiative in Africa has commended the  wife of the Governor of Osun, Mrs Sherifatl Aregbesola on her recent advocacy against female genital mutilation (FGM) in the state.

The organisation gave the commendation on Thursday July 28, 2016 in Osogbo through its Managing Director, Mrs Olayinka Ajibola -Ojomo, in an interview with newsmen.

She said the proactive move by Mrs Aregbesola was in the right direction, saying the recent statement issued by the UNICEF, declaring Osun as the first state among the three States of the federation with prevalence case of female genital mutilation was worrisome and required urgent attention.

Ojomo added that the advocacy initiated by the governor’s wife would awake the consciousness of parents in the state the more and serve as an eye-opener for them to see the danger embedded in cutting part of genital composition of young girls.

According to her, the act of mutilation is being done in ignorance, by a  misconception of guiding against abnormal libido, which  could stimulate a female to be wayward and promiscuous.

She maintained that such misconception must be eroded in the minds of the people through constant and comprehensive advocacy  programme like the one Aregbesola was embarking upon in Osun.

“We commend Mrs Aregbesola for a bold step taking so far to nip the menace of female genital mutilation in the  bud, and  protect the girl-child from dangerous traditional practices that are inimical to the healthy growth of a child.

“The intervention of the first lady was timely and laudable, considering the level of that practice  in Osun, with the prevalence level of 74 per cent according to UNICEF.

“She as shown to us by this action that she is a passionate mother and  caring leader, the attribute  we are expecting other wives of state executives to display,” Ojomo said.

She also encouraged traditional rulers to complement the efforts of government and other non-state actors in their quest to put an end to female genital mutilation in Nigeria