Oyo First Lady Rallies Stakeholders Against FGM, Seeks Total Eradication Before 2030
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, has intensified the call for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), describing the practice as cruel, harmful and a violation of the fundamental rights of the girl-child.
She made this known at the 2026 commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation held at the Local Government Service Commission Secretariat, Ibadan, where stakeholders gathered to strengthen advocacy and community-based actions against the practice.
Represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Ajibike Lawal, the First Lady said the global observance provides a critical platform to confront harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls.
“Female Genital Mutilation, commonly known as FGM, is a harmful practice that exposes a girl-child to life-threatening physical and emotional trauma. It is a violation of human dignity and a denial of a girl’s right to bodily integrity and freedom,” she said.
Rejecting cultural and religious justifications for the practice, she added: “No tradition or belief should ever justify harming a child.”
While commending advocacy efforts that have reduced the prevalence of FGM in Oyo State, she stressed that the fight was far from over and called for sustained grassroots sensitisation.
“I want to call on community leaders, traditional rulers and law enforcement agencies to continue educating society and encourage people to speak up against this harmful practice,” she urged.
“Every girl deserves to grow up whole and healthy. Our daughters are not objects to be harmed, but treasures to be protected.”
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Toyin Balogun, described the theme of this year’s event, “Towards 2030: No End to FGM Without Sustained Commitment and Investment,” as a call for decisive and sustained action.
“This theme is not just a slogan; it is a call to action. Ending FGM requires enduring resolve, strategic investment and collective accountability,” she said.
Balogun noted that despite ongoing campaigns, the practice continues to inflict severe health and psychological consequences on victims, even though it has no medical benefit.
“Practices that harm our daughters cannot be defended in the name of tradition. Protecting our girls is an affirmation of our shared humanity,” she added.
Speaking from the health perspective, Dr. Tunde Oyewole Aremu of the Ministry of Health warned that FGM remains a serious public health concern.
“FGM has no health benefit. It exposes victims to infections, excessive bleeding, complications in childbirth and long-term psychological trauma,” he said noting that survivors often face lifelong reproductive health challenges.
On the legal implications, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Olubunmi Aare, emphasised that offenders would be prosecuted.
“Female Genital Mutilation is a criminal offence. Practitioners, parents and accomplices risk prosecution under existing gender-based violence laws,” she warned, adding that enforcement would be strengthened through collaboration with communities.
Also speaking, Chief Abobade Muftau, who represented the Circumcisers Association, disclosed that traditional practitioners were undergoing re-orientation.
“We are being sensitised on the dangers of this practice and encouraged to abandon it. Many of our members are willing to support the campaign,” he said.
The event attracted government officials, civil society organisations, development partners, as well as traditional and religious leaders, all reaffirming their commitment to ending Female Genital Mutilation in Oyo State before 2030.