The Lagos State House of Assembly has tasked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the need to increase sensitisation and advocacy on the importance of girl child education and its impact on ensuring a sustainable future.
Given the strange paedophilia tendencies on the increase in the society the state legislature also resolves that early marriage should be discountenanced in its entirety.
These resolutions were sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay (Amuwo-Odofin 1) during plenary session on Tuesday in commemoration of World International Day for the girl child.
Alli-Macaulay, who chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, noted that the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had set aside October 11, every year to celebrate the girl child and recognise her rights and the unique challenges she faces around the world.
She added that the 2022 theme ‘Our Time is Now – Our Rights, Our Future’ was informed by the world’s girl child universal demand for recognition, inclusiveness and sustainable pathways to political participation.
Alli-Macaulay harps on the fact that “girls all over the world have shown interest in politics, education, poverty-related issues, environment, climate change amongst others.”
She noted the enactment of the Child Right Law and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law by the House of Assembly as part of its efforts to keep the girl child protected.
Hon. AbdulSobur Olawale in his own contributions stressed that the society should change its perception on the girl child, noting that the girl child deserves and excel in all ramifications if afforded equal opportunities like the male gender in the society..
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate were Hon. Lukmon Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), Hon. Wale Rauf (Amuwo-Odofin 2), Hon. Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2), Hon. Setonji David ( Badagry 2) and the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade.
They appreciated the various non-governmental organisations championing the cause of the girl child, carrying out advocacy and ensuring their protection.
Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, presiding over the day sitting however,commended Hon. Alli-Macaulay, noting that “The International Day for the Girl Child is an opportunity to bring to the fore the challenges facing the girl child such as violation of babies by men, abuse of drugs, and cultism.
“It is also an opportunity to scrutinise the performance of government agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting the girl child,” the Speaker said.
Obasa commended Sanwo-Olu for his efforts at ensuring that the girl child in Lagos has equal opportunities as the male gender.
In a related development, the ‘Bill for a Law to Amend the Office Of The Public Defender Law, 2015’ was read for a second time with the lawmakers describing it as important.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, noted that the amendment is to introduce new sections that would help to strengthen the extant Law.
Thereafter, Speaker Obasa committed the bill to House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC chaired by Hon. Victor Akande.
The Committee is expected to report back to the House in two weeks.