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| (L-R): Hon.Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, Mr KazeemAdeniji (Attorney-General /Comm for Justice,Lagos), His Excellency,Gov Akinwunmi Ambode, Hon. GbolahanYishawu and others... |
The campaign against domestic violence in Lagos State was taken
to new heights on Thursday when the Lawmaker representing Ikeja Constituency 2 at the Lagos
State House of Assembly, Hon. Adedamola
Richard Kasunmu flagged-off the first ever All-Male Walk Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
The historic walk, which was part of the efforts of Lagos
State Government to holistically eradicate the menace of domestic violence in
the state, commenced from Ikeja under the Bridge and proceeded through Obafemi
Awolowo Way up to the Governor’s Office in Alausa.
In a brief speech delivered at the flag-off point, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu,
popularly known as ARK, stated that
“A large portion of work on response to Domestic and Sexual Violence has been
directed at women and girls; less attention has been placed on men. One of the
aims of this ALL-MALE WALK is to change the narrative by purposefully engaging
the men, who statistics show are most often perpetrators of these heinous
crimes and empower the men folk to become agents of positive change in the
society”.
Apart from Honourable Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports
and Social Development, other state officials who participated in the walk
include Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji
Kazeem; Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Olufemi
Odubiyi; Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu; Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission and
Special Adviser on Sport to Lagos State Governor, Mr Deji Tinubu and other
dignitaries.
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| Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, Teju Babyface,Ali Baba,Mr Deji Tinubuand OmoBaba |
Notable entertainers and showbiz personalities such as ace
comedians Ali Baba, Teju Babyface,
Omobaba and music artiste Bez Idakula also lent support to the campaign
against sexual and gender based violence by participating in the walk.
It was a colourful sight as the men-only procession moved
from Ikeja under the Bridge through Obafemi Awolowo Way to Allen Junction and Ikeja
City Mall displaying banners with various anti-violence messages and
distributing fliers to passers-by and motorists.
The walk finally terminated at the Governor’s office, Alausa
where His Excellency, Gov. Akinwunmi
Ambode personally received and addressed the participants.
In his address, Governor Ambode said “The scale of men’s
violence against women is enormous and its effect, demoralising. Men as
grandfathers, fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and public advocates have
pivotal role to play in condemning all forms of violence against women, girls
and boys”
Speaking further, the Governor said, “I will like you to join
hands with me to say no to rapists and women beaters. We are looking for the
first 11 scapegoats whether highly or lowly placed in the society”.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode commended the Lagos State Domestic and
sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), organisers of the Walk, for its
efforts and gave assurance of his administration’s continued support for the
fight against all forms of violence in the state. The Governor later led the
walk around the Lagos House.
