*says it’s time to end it
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Coordinator of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) for Ilua Community, in Oyo State, Princess Victoria Adetona at the weekend, said that it is now time to put an end to the practice due to its bad side effects.
Princess Adetona made this known during a public declaration ceremony of Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision abandonment held in Ilua community, Kajola, Okeho area of Oyo State.
The FGM Coordinator emphasized that, “it is against the law of Nigeria to practice genital mutilation and anybody caught indulging in it will be arrested and prosecuted” .
She stressed further that Oyo State Government on its part, ” is trying their best to eradicate FGM in some towns in which the practice of FGM is prevalent like Oyo, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa,Okeho among others .
Mrs Adetona at the the public declaration hinted of the introduction of ‘Testing Machine’ to all to detect FGM operation on female students, saying, ” female genital mutilation and circumcision abandonment have been a source of concern and health challenges to the African society especially people living in the rural areas.”
” This is why the UNFPA in conjunction with other concerned organisations like Center for production and productive health, Oyo State Government, Global Affairs and Rural People development initiatives organized a declaration program to sensitized the Ilua community to the dangers associated with FGM / circumcision” she said.
The Coordinator of UNFPA UCH Ibadan, Mrs Oladoye while speaking said FGM destroys female future careers and well being and that naive and ignorant beliefs should put aside to face realities of dangers associated with FGM and Circumcision.
Mrs Justina Oladoye declared that ” educating female and male children is very important and implore the parents and community at large to cooperate with government and concerned organisations to eradicate FGM.
Representative of Olugbuse of Ilua Land, Chief Emmanuel Egbeyale tasked the people of the community to cooperate with the government and the law enforcement agencies in eradicating FGM in the community.
Chief Egbeyale lauded the Oyo state government, UNFPA and other concerned organizations for their selfless efforts to eradicate FGM in the community.
At the end of the public declaration certificate of public declaration on FGM and circumcision abandonment was given to the community.
The public presentation was attended by religious and community leaders,NURTW representatives, artisans and others in the community.
