During the agency’s awards and commendation ceremony Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has praised the administration of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), led by Executive Secretary Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, for assisting the State in its efforts to develop a Greater Lagos free of sexual and gender-based violence.
The Governor made the remark during the Agency’s Commendation and Awards ceremony, which took place recently at the Grandeur Events Centre in Ikeja. He added that the occasion was organized to show appreciation for the beneficial impact the winners’ efforts had produced.
“Through this Award and Commendation ceremony, we express our gratitude for what you have done and the great impact your efforts have generated,” he says. The Lagos DSVA struck the ground running and, with the help of your stakeholders, has achieved the success we are celebrating today.”
The Governor, who was represented by the First Lady of Lagos, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, stated that the fight against all forms of abuse has been on the front burner since the inception of his administration and that the state government has been unrelenting with the initiation of various programs and strategies, particularly in breaking the culture of silence under which the heinous crime of domestic and sexual violence has continued to be perpetrated with impunity.
“There is a need to reinforce the family as the foundation of society, whose stability may create strong capable leaders for the Lagos of our collective objectives,” he stated. As a result, there is a need to address challenges to the peace, quiet, and beneficial evolution of the family unit.”
Sanwo-Olu congratulated the recipients for exemplifying excellence and devotion to service and challenged them to work even harder and come up with more innovative approaches to achieve more attainable goals.
He emphasized that his administration’s zero tolerance approach on matters of gender-based violence is non-negotiable, and he stated willingness to work with organizations and well-meaning individuals to address the problem.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, described domestic and sexual violence as one of the most pervasive violations of human rights in the world that is least prosecuted, and one of the greatest threats to long-term peace and development.
He praised the state government’s resolve to proactively combat the heinous crimes by assenting to the Law establishing the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, whose mandate is to increase victim safety and offender responsibility by providing a cross-jurisdictional response that is uniform in approach in responding to all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and, ultimately, to reduce the occurrence of SGBV in Lagos State.
Onigbanjo stated that it is critical to prioritize adequate reporting and a concerted effort toward the timely prosecution of reported cases in order to assist survivors in receiving holistic support, including medical, legal, psychosocial support, and justice, even though data shows that the issues continue to be grossly underreported.
The Commissioner commended the Lagos State Judiciary, led by the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, for ensuring fast dispensation of justice and rekindling faith in the legal system, while also calling for increased collaboration with all major stakeholders. Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of the DSVA, thanked the Governor for always making accessible all of the machinery of government to support the Agency at all times. Vivour-Adeniyi also thanked everyone who helped the Agency, as well as the nominees and winners at the occasion.