By Gbenga Sodeinde
As the Wife of Governor Kayode Fayemi Erelu Bisi Fayemi no longer in office as the first lady of Ekiti State in October 16th 2022, there have been jubilations in some quarters in Ekiti State with some people saying, “Olorun Seun, a le na iyawo wa ati omo wa obirin “, meaning, we now can be beat our wives and female children without any fear of litigation.
“Because the wife of Ekiti Governor Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi who many people feared greatly is leaving office as the first lady, the fear of being prosecuted by her does not arise” these were the talk by these set of people who felt Erelu Fayemi has been the one hindering them from committing Child Abuse, and gender violence against women in the state.
Many of them who have not been finding it easy to give the deserving respect to women or those who are habitual wife beaters and child abusers have started to have a sigh of relief because Mrs Fayemi who have been enforcing gender based violence in the state is going.
However, there is a bad news for these people, because there has been a declaration that the Gender Based Violence Law is still In force In Ekiti despite the Change in Government in the state
The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi who made the declaration disclosed further that the Gender Based Violence (prohibition) law will continue to be in force even after the end of this present administration.
Erelu Fayemi, stated this in Ado Ekiti during the Ekiti State Gender Based Violence Management Committee meeting.
Erelu Fayemi who is the Chairperson of the Committee appealed to residents of the state to eschew wife battering, child labour and other forms of violence that could affect the wellbeing of women in the society.
The Wife of Governor said Ekiti is now known across Nigeria and beyond for her effort against Gender Based Violence noting that a lot has been achieved which included, Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (Moremi Clinic) in Ado, Ikole and Ikere, Ekiti Transit Home and Vocational Centre for GBV Survivors and many others .
She gave an assurance that the incoming wife of Ekiti State Governor – Dr Yemi Oyebanji would continue where the Fayemi administration ends its works on Gender Based Violence .
Responding, the wife of the newly inaugurated Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Yemi Oyebanji appreciated the governor’s wife and pledged her readiness to use all necessary machineries to protect the interest of women and girls.
She , however, sought the cooperation of the Gender Based Violence Management Committee members on implementation of more action plans.