VAPPA implementation: Ondo State first Lady Visits Assembly
Ondo State First Lady, Chief (Mrs) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has paid a Courtesy Visit to the State House of Assembly where she urged the assembly for the breaking down of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, (VAPP) and ensure that the law is implemented, effortlessly.
The First Lady who was represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluwaseun Ayedatiwa commended the House of Assembly for supporting the office of the first Lady by the passaging of the bill into law.
The First Lady solicied for gender sensitive budgeting, and implored the house to make it a priority so that their will be a particular budgeting in that regards which will help the state at Large.
While imploring the assembly for sensitisation of the law from the grass-root, as many people may not understand the VAPP law and the consequences if they violated the law, she noted that a Non-governmental organisation, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, (WFD), has also arrived the State to provide support for the effective implementation of the VAPP law, with a week-long advocacy and training programme for stakeholders.
Meanwhile while Explaining the purpose of their presence in the state, Mr. Adebowale stated that, WFD, which is being funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, is here to support the deepening of the protection of women and girls’ rights ,using the instrumentality of the law.
Adebowale who hinted that the organisation had helped in supporting some bills in Nigeria, including the passage of legislative autonomy bill, and passage of the VAPP bill in some states, said they are committed to providing necessary support for the State Agency Against Gender Based Violence (OSAA-GBV), to ensure that VAPP law is implemented, effortlessly.
According to him, “We are aware that Ondo State has passed the VAPP law and after the passage, implementation becomes crucial, advocacy for commitment from leadership becomes very important; even awareness creation among citizens to let them know that a law exists that protects their rights is also very important. That’s what we are going to be supporting OSAA-GBV to deepen in Ondo State”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun appreciated the first Lady for the visit and also for her support to the State House of Assembly so far
Oleyelogun who commended her for all her various programmes in the state which has added a great value to the State at large ,noted that the house was happy when they brought the bill to them as the bill tooked care of everyone in the state and that is why the house do proper justice to it.
The Speaker who said, even though the law has not been fully practiced, noted that since the bill has been passed into law it has enhanced the protection of women, children and less privilege in the state.
The Speaker also appreciated the effort of the security operative and the judiciary for their support. He hinted that some of the offenders will soon be charged to court as the law has empowered the security operative with better way to prosecute the offenders since it’s existence.
The Speaker was later presented a commitment plaque, as well as ICT equipment and other Materials to commence the process.
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