The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has re-stated her commitment to the implementation of various initiatives aimed at stamping out Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially against women and children in the State.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu gave the re-assurance when she led a group of secondary school students on an educational tour of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday, December 4, 2023. The tour was part of activities lined up for the State’s 2023 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Sensitization Program.
The Program is in commemoration of the Global Sixteen (16) Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a major international event to call for an end to violence against women and girls. It commenced on November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and it will run until December 10, 2023 (International Human Rights Day).
The students, selected from the Alausa, Ikeja axis of the State, explored various facilities and places within the university campus including the iconic Senate House, resource warehouse: UNILAG Main Library, historic J.F Ade-Ajayi Auditorium, serene Professor Adeotunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Park, contemporary UNILAG Fire Station, and first campus radio station in Nigeria, UNILAG Radio 103.1F.M.
During the visit to UNILAG Radio 103.1F.M, one of the highlights of the tour, the students had the opportunity to observe how a campus radio station operates. They gained insights into media production and broadcasting while learning about communication and dissemination of information to a wider audience.
In an interactive session on the mid-day belt of the campus radio station, Dr. Sanwo-Olu explained the significance of this year’s program themed: Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls. She underscored the need for Nigerians to embrace the essence of the campaign to rid the society of GBV.
The UNILAG Alumna explained that the visit is part of efforts to sensitize students, in the quest to frontally stamp out all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially against women and children in communities across the State.
Her words, “Essentially, we are here to unveil activities we have lined up in furtherance of the Lagos State Gender-Based Violence Week designed to scale up awareness and galvanize action. This is with the view to ensuring eradication of the menace of violence against women and girls in our dear State.”
At the UNILAG Main Library, the students had the chance to witness firsthand the vast collection of academic resources available to university students. They were also introduced to the Senate House, where important administrative decisions are made, giving them a glimpse into the governance structure of the university.
Similarly, at the Fire Station, the students were exposed to fire safety measures and emergency response protocols. This experience provided them with valuable knowledge about campus safety and security procedures.
Earlier, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Development Services), Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa was on hand to welcome Dr. Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-olu who was accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat into the university.
The students’ educational tour of UNILAG is the brainchild of the Wife of the Governor as part of her advocacy to support children, and expose secondary students to vast prospects and self-development opportunities within the State.
