…as NUJ Ekiti Chair Pleges support for the initiative, calls for massive rural awareness
By Akubulu Ngozi
As parts of efforts to campaign against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM in Ekiti State, the Gender Mobile Initiative, GMI, Ekiti has revealed intent to partner the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti to propagate the initiative.
This was made known today by the State Leader of GMI, Omotunde Blessing during a courtesy visit to the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela at the Press Center in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.
According to her, the partnership would help heighten campaign against FGM, adding that, with the support of the Media other stakeholders would be recruited into the initiative to foster high engagement of adolescents to end FGM in the State .
She said, ” We strive to End Female Genital Mutilation, FGM in Ekiti State. We have been tasked to get 1m people for the movement against FGM. In line with this, we have recognised the role of the media in educating the people, so, having you as our partner would be able to assist in ending FGM.
“We seek your endorsement of the project and campaign to end FGM in Ekiti State, that you will issue a statement condemning FGM and declaring your commitment to ending it.
“To Use your esteemed office to mobilise and encourage all registered members to use their various offices and platforms to publicise and encourage members of the public to pledge and join the movement for good to End FGM in our dear state.That Nigerian Union of Journalists will liaise with office of commissioner for
Information to promote FGM cases”.
Reacting, Ojomoyela pledges support for the Campaign, urging the Advocacy Group to introduce massive rural training and enlightenment into the initiative to propel positive acceptance.
He said, “The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti stands against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, we are not strangers to the battle against this practice. I want to also urge you to partner UNICEF not just to train people about the ills of the practice as Africa is very practical Continent and loves doing what is practicable.
“Ekiti is a religious State where advocating against this kind of thing might be sentimental, as such, this would require the need of an extra mind, sustained massive campaign in all sector, rural campaign and training of traditional birth attenders.
“Also, tradition aided by religious is what is restricting this movement, as such, you must find a way to strike a balance between tradition and religion in local delivery centers and hospitals. Call for massive training, make massive us of the traditional media in the rural areas, train the media and the people on how to use words that would not suggest obscene meanings to the hearers and also promote war against harmful practices against women in the State.”