METROGIST: walk against domestic violence

(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.

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.

Thursday 15th October, 2015

Domestic Violence Must be eradicated

Perpetrators of Domestic and Sexual Violence will no longer find it easy to operate in Lagos state. This is the resolve of the Government of Lagos State and the participants of year 2015 Walk Against Domestic Violence which took place in Lagos on Thursday 15^th October, 2015.

The awareness walk, organised by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), is part of the week-long activities lined up to commemorate this year’s Domestic Violence Month. DSVRT is made up of top level representatives drawn from Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Office of the Public Defender; the Nigeria Police; Ministries of Health and Education; Office of Youth & Social Development; the Media and Civil Society Organisations involved in the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence crimes. The Team, which is being coordinated from the Office of the Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, was founded in September, 2014.

Honourable Adedamola Richard Kasunmu(right) with Ikeja LGA Executive Secretary, Hon. Dally Adeokun during the Flag-Off ceremony at Ikeja

The year 2015 Walk Against Domestic Violence was flagged off by Honourable Adedamola Richard Kasunmu at Ikeja Bus Stop. Conducting the Flag-off ceremony this morning, Hon. Kasunmu, representing Ikeja Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, expressed deep concern about the rising cases of Domestic and Sexual Violence in the state. Honourable Adedamola Richard Kasunmu later joined the team at the Governor’s Office. Speaking with reporters during the Flag-off ceremony, Hon.Kasunmu stated that “the effects of domestic and sexual violence especially on girls, women, youths, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups should be a source of worry to all right-thinking persons in the society. That is why we all need to play our parts in confronting this criminality with everything it takes and one the areas we need to improve on is the aspect of awareness. How do I mean? As far back as 2007, the Lagos State House of Assembly has enacted a law known as “Protection Against Domestic Violence”. Section 18 (g) i-ix of that Law listed 10 things as acts of Domestic Violence. They are:

(i) Physical abuse;

(ii) Sexual abuse, exploitation including but not limited to rape, incest and sexual assault;

(iii) Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse;

(iv) Hazardous attack including acid both with offensive or Poisonous substance

(v) Intimidation among others things”

Now the law is there, but our people are not taking advantage of it because of low level of awareness and because people tend to see domestic violence as ‘family affair’ that does not need to be exposed. There is need for all arms of government form a synergy and tackle this problem ”.

Speaking further, Hon Kasunmu said “ Today’s event is about increasing our level of awareness on this issue and that is why it is important and I think we must commend the organisers”

Shortly after the flag-off, the hardworking Lawmaker took time off to join his colleagues in the House of Assembly for the day’s Plenary sitting.

Also at the event were, Executive Secretary, Ikeja Local Government, Hon. Dally Adeokun; Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Bola Akingbade; Director, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Tola Akinsanya; Coordinator, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi; Mrs Monisola Niyi-Adewale of Citizens Right Office; Members of the Nigeria Teachers Union (NUT); Coordinator, Walk Against Rape, Mrs Esther Ijewere-Kalejaiye and other notable personalities and organisations.

Forming an impressive procession from the departure point under the fly over bridge at Ikeja Bus Stop, participants marched through Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja down to Allen Avenue Junction and then straight to the Governor’s office at Alausa with placards and banners bearing various messages. It is instructive to note that throughout the procession, there was a free-flow of traffic along the ever-busy Awolowo Way. This was made possible by the orderliness of the participants and the presence of LASTMA officials who accompanied the team.

The Walk terminated at the State House, Alausa Ikeja where the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Boladele Dapo-Thomas received the participants on behalf of the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Boladele Dapo-Thomas addressing the gathering

Introducing the team to the Permanent Secretary and other officials present, DSVRT Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the walk was organised to create more awareness on the need to curb Domestic Violence in the state. She thanked the state Government for its support since inception of the organisation and solicited for continued assistance.

In her response, Mrs Dapo-Thomas commended both organisers and participants for their determination in stamping out domestic violence from the state. She expressed the State Government’s resoluteness in reducing domestic and sexual violence to zero level in Lagos.

Other dignitaries at the event include Director of Protocol, Governor’s Office, Mr Tunde Onigbanjo; Director, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms Adefunke Odutola and many others.

Below are some of the pictures taken at the event by Sola Folowosele

Participants lift their fists to give Domestic Violence a hard Punch

Governor Ambode's representative, Mrs Boladele Dapo-Thomas addressing reporters

Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu of Lagos State House of Assembly &
Governor Ambode's representative, Mrs Boladele Dapo-Thomas (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation)

Founder, Rubies Ink & initiator, Walk-Against-Rape,Mrs Esther Ijewere-Kalejaiye(left) with another top official of NUT

Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu of Lagos State House of Assembly (Ikeja II) & Chief Dally Adeokun(ES, Ikeja LGA) during the Flag-off ceremony at Ikeja Bus Stop

Participants forms a colourful procession Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja

Participants march past Buhari/Osinbajo Lagos Campaign office, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja

Participants in the Walk Against Domestic Violence

Money wont take away the pain!!! Dont Start it

Another Strong Message. Speak Out; Domestic Violence is not a family affair

On the way to Governor's Office

Coordinator, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi

LASTMA Official on duty

The Walk Team in front of Lagos State House of Assembly enrouteGovernor's office

The Walk Team in front of Lagos State House of Assembly enroute Governor's office

The Team arrives the gate of Lagos House, Governor's office

Director, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Tola Akinsanya leading the Walk to Governor's Office

Mrs Dapo-Thomas, Hon. Kasunmu,Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi, Mrs Ijewere-Kalejaiye with others

(L-R): Director, Public Relations,Ministry of Justice, Mrs Bola Akingbade;
Coordinator, DSVRT, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi; Director, WAPA, Ms Adefunke Odutola; Perm Sec, WAPA, Mrs B.A. Dapo-Thomas; Hon Kasunmu;Director, Min of Justuce, Mrs Tola Akinsanya & Director of Protocol, Lagos Governor's office, Mr Kunle Onigbanjo