Wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Tamunomini Makinde wants well to do Nigerians and NGO to continue to partner government in infrastructure development. Mrs Makinde made this known while commissioning a solar powered facility at the female hostel of the Oyo state rehabilitation center for persons with disabilities. Mrs Makinde who commended the gesture tasked other wealthy individuals not to relent in giving back to the society. She noted that since government had a huge task before it, philanthropic gestures were welcomed by good spirited individuals. Chief Executive officer of the energy company that donated the solar facility to the center, Mr Emeka Nwankwo, said rendering helping hands to humanity especially vulnerable members of the society was a good gesture.
Also speaking, director social welfare,in the Ministry of women affairs and social inclusion, Mr Olubukola Akande described the gesture as a welcome corporate social responsibility. The solar and energy storage facility which has a 5 kilohertz battery and can last 20hours when fully charged was donated to ease the challenges of epileptic power supply at the hostel.
Effective communication between mother and child has been identified as a key factor to early detection of sexual and gender-based violence in children.
A public speaker, Mr Anthony Fasehun stated this in a lecture entitled “Responding to the crime of child defilement” at a 2-day seminar organised by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Oyo State Command.
Our correspondent, Rasheedah Makinde, captured the moment for Radio Nigeria.
Mr Fasheun said building a bond between parents and children would enhance cordial relationship that would encourage an open communication to avoid keeping sexual violence secret.
He noted that sound parenting education was key if there would be a stop to any form of violence towards children, especially the girl-child.
Mr Fasheun opined that monitoring the character and movement of children would build support and awareness among all stakeholders in order to ensure adequate protection.
Another speaker, Mrs Ibukun Otesile said the role of community in preventing children from sexual and gender violence could not be overemphasised.
She said people should shun the act of shielding sexual violence suspects but work collectively with relevant stakeholders to reduce the menace to the barest minimum.
Mrs Otesile added that the community should always encourage and support victims of child violence to the nearest hospital for prompt attention.
Some mothers at the conference expressed appreciation and promised readiness to support the law and protect their children against any form of violence.
Contributing, the guest of honour, wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs Omini Makinde who spoke through the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora, Mrs Bolanle Sarumi-Aliu, said mothers should deploy all means possible to protect their children and safeguard their tomorrow.
Mrs Makinde therefore called on government at all levels to partner the relevant stakeholders in collectively fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence, SGDV.
Earlier, while declaring the conference open, NSCDC commandant in Oyo state, Mr Iskilu Akinsanya, said the conference became imperative in order to sensitive the public on what to do reduce the menace.
The two day capacity building programme with the theme “Responding to the crime of the child defilement” featured different activities including presentation of award to some distinguished officers of the NSCDC.