Lagos State Government has recognised individuals and organisations that are committed to the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence at the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency’s Annual Commendation and Awards Night with the theme: “SGBV? NOT IN MY LAGOS!”
The Event which usually wraps up the month-long activities and programmes is designed to showcase the government’s achievements to further encourage other stakeholders in the fight against the SGBV scourge while inspiring stakeholders to scale up their commitment to bringing relief to the victims and eradicate the menace in the society.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that various initiatives and advocacy programmes carried out by the agency towards raising public awareness, rehabilitating victims and ensuring justice for domestic and sexual violence offenders have positively impacted the target audience by encouraging more victims to speak out and end the cowardly culture of silence.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hudenyin, commended the Agency for its noble work and appreciated individuals and organisations who have joined the State Government to eradicate SGBV in Lagos.
He explained that the high number of victims of domestic and sexual violence seeking intervention from the agency between May 2019 and July 2023 is a pointer to its acceptability and confidence in the service delivery by the public.
The Governor, however, commended the Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and her team for their hard work and commitment to actualise the Agency’s mandate by offering the required support to survivors.
This, according to him, will enable them to overcome the physical and psychological trauma, stressing his administration’s expectations for more convictions of perpetrators in the State to serve as a deterrent to others.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as evil, wicked and inhumane and called for collaboration and partnership with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency to end the scourge in Lagos State.
Earlier in his welcome, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro explained that the State has been relentless in the fight against all forms of Abuse and SGBV through a robust and fruitful engagement across the State.
He noted that the time of complacency is long gone and urged the public to help sustain the conversation at work and religious places, institutions, residential and social areas to enable the government to build a progressive society.
The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje in her goodwill message averred that domestic violence is not tolerated in Lagos State, urging the agency to continue to work in line with the six Strategic Development Pillars of Governor’s Administration with the acronym ‘T.H.E.M.E.S’ Plus towards ensuring “A Greater Lagos”.
In their contributions, the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, the Chief Judge of Lagos State and the Commissioner of Police, through their representatives at the event, lauded the effort of the state government towards fighting the menace while restating their unrelenting commitment to supporting the agency.
