…As youths canvass end to FGM
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Nigerian youths from different secondary schools in Ibadan have lend their voice for call to end Female Genital Mutilation among the girl children.
The youths selected from from different parts of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital city made the call during an Inter-School Debate Competition to commemorate the 60th birthday celebration of the Director General, Nigerian Institute Of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Prof. Antonia Taiye Simbine and her twin brother, Mr Anthony Kehinde Okoosi.
The debate was organised by a Non Governmental Organization, Gender Alive Foundation (GAF) in collaboration with NISER, Ibadan.
According to the students in their various submissions, everyone must come together to save the future of girls in Nigeria by ending the practice of FGM.
Stressing the negative impact of the practice on the girl-child, the students noted that while many girls have bled to death after the cutting, some suffer during child birth in their reproductive age and others face one challenges or the other emanating from FGM.
Ten participating students were drawn from Senior Secondary Schools including: Ojoo High School; Sam Adegbite Secondary School; Aroro Community School, GOFAMINT secondary school; Army Day secondary school; University of Ibadan International school and Abadina Secondary school among others.
The Chairperson of the occasion Prof. Adanze Asinobi, in her opening remarks emphasized that addressing FGM requires a collective effort, with communities, governments, and organizations working together to eliminate the practice and protect the rights and well-being of women and girls.
Prof. Asinobi also spoke on the menace of FGM, calling for awareness creation in every parts of the country, noting that this would help in preventing the continuity of harmful practices in Nigeria and the world at large.
During the students stage contest, FGM was described as unlawful practice of altering the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, which is recognized as a severe violation of human rights.
The students, in one voice, agreed it was time for people to put an end to the practice and allow female children to grow up free from harm, make their own choices, and to live healthy, fulfilling lives without the trauma of genital mutilation.
The Guest Speaker, Mrs Oloruntomiwa Oyetunde, Program Coordinator, Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH) noted that FGM represents a severe violation of human rights.
Oyetunde stressed that FGM can lead to scarring, infections, and complications that may contribute to infertility in the long run, adding that the practice is still ongoing despite the widespread awareness of its dangers and the legal frameworks against it.
This persistent practice, she emphasized, need to be addressed through education and advocacy.
At the end of the competition, the student from Abadina College, JB Mark came first, the student from the International school came second while the student from Sam Adegbite Grammar School, came third.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Country Lead, Gender Alive Foundation, Mr Yinka Adeniran spoke extensively on the role the Foundation has been playing in the society as well as support being given to women and children.
He said the NGO will continue to strengthen efforts made by individuals and organisations to support the vulnerable groups
Giving the vote of thanks, the celebrants, Prof. Antonia Simbine along with her twin brother Sir’ Anthony Okoosi expressed their gratitude to every one for the honor, acknowledging the importance of nurturing young talent, saying, “I am deeply honored to witness the creativity, passion, and dedication of the students here today”.
