By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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The United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) in partnership with Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and other critical stakeholders have vowed to stop the practice of Female Genital Mutilation in the state.
The stakeholders, also included the market women, religious leaders, students and top government functionaries, agreed that the practice had damaged the reproductive health of many Nigerians and destroyed their marriages.
They reached the agreement in Ado Ekiti during a one-day workshop organised by UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information on Female Genital Mutilation(FGM).
A Southwest UNICEF, FGM Consultant , Mrs Oluronke Adetayo, in her presentation, urged stakeholders to do everything possible to stop violence against children, especially the girl child.
She added that Ekiti has the highest prevalent rate in the Southwest, having overtaken Osun that was leading in 2013, with Imo State rated highest in Nigeria.
She described the practice as manifestation of gender inequality, abuse of human rights and violation of women and girls, which she said could create instability in the system, if not stopped.
The Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Adegboyega Morakinyo, revealed that Ekiti State has enacted anti-FGM law since 2011, which was amended in 2019, saying the statute stipulated a fine of N200,000 or one year imprisonment for offenders.
Speaking against the backdrop of the high FGM in Ekiti, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti and Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, said the established myth that any girl who doesn’t do it would be promiscuous, had no scientific proof, saying it was meant to create fear in people’s minds.
Oba Adejumo urged the government to reinforce action for prosecution of offenders, the way they have been tightening noise against those engaging in sexual abuse, particularly rape .
Also, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, appealed to stakeholders to sensitize their people at the local level about the evils inherent in the harmful practice, saying some were still indulging in the pernicious act due to ignorance.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr. Akinjide Akinleye, commended UNICEF for its initiative , saying stakeholders in Ekiti are greatly worried and bothered by the fact that the state is leading in this harmful practice in the Southwest
The Chief Imam of Ekiti and Southern Nigeria, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, represented by Alhaji Utzas Kolawole, said the campaign against FGM was highly beneficial and was targeted to make life better for all populace.
Kewulere said the Holy Quran and Islam was against FGM , saying all Muslim faithful must propagate this in mosques while also telling the the dire consequences of such practice, to dissuade practitioners.
The Iyaloja of Ado Ekiti, Mrs Waye Oso, said the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has given empowerment to FGM practitioners across the state after they surrendered their tools, saying there wasn’t any need for anyone to indulge in it despite the government’s efforts .