•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN – STAKEHOLDERS in Oyo State have called for sustained political will, stronger enforcement of existing laws, and increased investment to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), warning that gains recorded over the years could be reversed without deliberate and consistent action.
The call was made on Friday in Ibadan during a media briefing organised to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
The event was organised by the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH) in collaboration with the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Community Development, Hon. Dr. Mrs. Olufunke Comforter Olajide, described the protection of the girl child as a collective responsibility that must be prioritised by government and society.
According to her, the wellbeing of every girl child is critical to societal growth and development.
“The welfare, growth, and development of our society rest heavily on the wellbeing of every girl child. We must nurture, protect, and preserve their future,” she said.
Olajide condemned FGM, describing it as a harmful cultural practice with severe health and psychological consequences.
“FGM poses immediate and long-term complications that create psychosocial, emotional, and unhealthy imbalances. We must strive for a community where every girl can thrive without fear of being cut,” she added.
“We must strengthen laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and ensure strict enforcement. Relevant ministries and agencies must create budget lines for anti-FGM programmes, while policies must be sustained across administrations if we are to meet the 2030 target,” Olajide said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and State Economic Planning, Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola, noted that while Oyo State has relevant laws in place, effective implementation remains a major challenge.
“The problem is not the absence of laws but their effectiveness. We are introducing post-legislative scrutiny to review how laws perform after execution and make necessary improvements,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Olatunji Muideen Babatunde, called for collective responsibility and increased investment in preventive measures.
“This is a call to duty for everyone. We must invest more and ensure all stakeholders wake up to their responsibilities in protecting girls from this harmful practice,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Kehinde Ayinde, stressed the need for accountability across all levels of healthcare delivery.
“Stakeholders must be accountable. From primary healthcare centres to secondary facilities, everyone must be involved in the fight against FGM,” he said.
Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of NUJ, Oyo State Council, Mr. Yinka Adeniran, reaffirmed the media’s commitment to advocacy and public enlightenment against harmful traditional practices.
“The media will continue to play a frontline role in advocacy, public sensitisation, and holding institutions accountable in the collective effort to end FGM and other harmful practices,” he said.
Representing the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Olajumoke Rofiat-Yusuf, highlighted legal challenges faced by survivors seeking justice, despite the domestication of the VAPP Law in the state.
“Though the VAPP Law has been domesticated in Oyo State, victims still face challenges. We must encourage people to speak up and support stakeholders in upholding justice,” she said.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Emeritus Professor Oladosu Ojengbede of the CCPRH said the 2026 global theme emphasises the need for consistent financing and sustained political commitment.
“The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is a global accountability moment. Commitment without investment will not end the practice,” he said.
Ojengbede disclosed that Nigeria’s FGM prevalence has declined to 14 per cent, while Oyo State recorded a significant drop from about 65 per cent to 18 per cent, attributing the progress to sustained government action and community partnerships.
The event drew participation from lawmakers, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, and media practitioners, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to ending FGM in Oyo State before 2030.