(Oluseye Ojo, IBADAN)
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday said a bill is before the state House of Assembly to outlaw Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as part of the efforts to protect the future of Nigerian children.
He disclosed this in his address in commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day, which was instituted to encourage and bring joy to all children by drawing the society’s attention to the key issues that touch all and sundry.
According to Ajimobi, the fact that children are the future and the leaders of tomorrow is not just a cliché, but a statement of fact, saying: “That is why we see issues bordering on your (children) care, welfare and protection as mandatory and on top of our government’s list of priorities.
“That is indeed why we are committed to your welfare through the provision of quality healthcare, qualitative education and recreational facilities that are fit and proper for your development.
“We are also committed to ending the scourge of female genital mutilation. To this end, a bill is before the State House of Assembly to outlaw the primitive practise and that is why at every opportunity, I do not shy away from talking about the urgent need to end the awful practice. Our Government is out to protect all our children, regardless of the gender.”
Ajimobi, however, challenged the children to be worthy ambassadors of the state, imbibe good virtues, and embrace education, which he described as the solid foundation upon which the children could build their future.
“My dear children, you can be all you wish and aspire to be through total belief in God, diligence to your study and hard work,” he said.