Ekiti inaugurates gender based molestation committees

From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has  inaugurated two  committees to fight against girl-child molestation in the state.

The two committees are, Child’s Right Implementation Committee and Gender Based Violence Committee, with a charge to fight against all forms of violence against women folk in the state.

Fayemi said his administration will continue to maintain zero tolerance to all forms of gender molestations in the state.

Fayemi also appealed to parents and guardians to properly utilise the free education policy of his government, by not allowing their children to be on the streets during school hours.

The two committees chaired by the First Lady of the state, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, also have the Commissioners for Women Affairs, Mrs Moji Fafure, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice  of the state,  Mr. Wale Fapohunda, Health Commissioner , Dr  Moji Yayaya Kolade and others  as  members .

Fayemi said the committees were  constituted to work with his administration with a view to protecting the rights of the common men.

The governor lamented that the committees were also in operation during his first term in office, between 2011 and 2014, but  were abandoned after his exit by the immediate past government in the state.

Fayemi said he considered the child rights law as an  appropriate legal framework that can protect and safeguard the younger population, especially the young female folk.

“Today in Ekiti, education is free up to secondary level, and there is no reason why any child should be on the streets hawking or loitering about while they were  supposed to be in school.

The Governor explained that his administration will frown on any parent or guardian  who fails to make use of the opportunity of the free education in the state.

He said his government will deal decisively with those who have penchant for child rights violation to save the future of the state.

Responding, the Chairman of the two committees, Erelu Fayemi advised members to take the task of ridding the state of violators very seriously.

She expressed her delight over the setting up of the two committees and promised to work and fulfill the purpose for  which the body was inaugurated by the Governor.