Ministry of Justice stand Against Sexual and Gender based Violence
#NotOnMyWatch #TurnAlausaPurple #AwarenessCampaign #LagosMoj #LagosStateGov
Governor’s Awards and Commendation Night
The Lagos State Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, was a Special Guest at the Governor’s Awards and Commendation Night organized by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on Friday, 29th of September at the Whitestone Event Centre, Billings Way, Oregun Ikeja. The event also had in attendance the representative of the Governor of Lagos State and Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary MOJ, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje, Executive Secretary Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi; Directors and members of staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and other Notable Dignitaries.
PRESS RELEASE – SGBV AWARENESS MONTH: LAGOS MOJ FELICITATES WITH DSVA
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Monday, felicitates and received the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) team led by the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, as the agency continued its #TurnAlausaPurple Awareness Campaign to commemorate the month long awareness program themed “NotInMyLagos”. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje commended the Executive Secretary, DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and her team for putting together the campaign all over the nooks and crannies of the State. Mrs Titilayo Shitta-bey-Jeje stressed that the theme “NotInMyLagos” is apt based on the compelling need to ensure that residents of the State realize that eradicating the menace of Sexual and Gender based Violence is a collective effort from all and sundry, while noting that violence against women and children will not be tolerated in Lagos State.
Lagos Orders Coroner’s Inquest into Death of Bimbo Ogbona
The Lagos State Government has ordered a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of death in the case of the late Bimbo Ogbonna who allegedly died recently as a result of severe fire injuries. The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN ) gave the directive recently noting that thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause if death. “A Coroner’s Inquest has immediately been requested , in line with section 14 and 15 of the Coroners’ Systems Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to determine the cause and circumstances of death. By Section 14(1)(d) of the Coroners’ System Law of the State: “A report of death shall be made to any of the agencies for the report of death or the office of the Coroner and be subject to post-mortem examination where there is reasonable cause to believe that the cause of death was: violent, unnatural or suspicious.” Section 15(1) and (9) further enjoins the Coroner to hold an inquest whenever he or she is informed that the death of the deceased person was in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation or believes an inquest is desirable following the report of a reportable death. The commissioner noted that as a government, the security and wellbeing of citizens are of utmost importance while assuring the public that everything will be done to ensure that the cause of death is known. “The findings of this investigation will be made public in due course and appropriate sanctions meted out to anyone found culpable”. The Attorney General also charged the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to assist the Police and other law enforcement agencies in investigating the case and ascertaining the cause of death of the late Bimbo Ogbonna which which had attracted wide media attention. The Executive Secretary, Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour Adeniyi also reiterated the State government’s resolve to ensure perpetrators of Sexual and Gender Based Violence crimes are brought to face the full wrath of the law and urged residents to report cases of domestic and Sexual Violence cases to the DSVA office in Alausa Ikeja or call the toll free number 08000333333 (24/7).
TurnAlausaPurple Campaign Awareness
The State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) today continued its #TurnAlausaPurple campaign awareness to the Ministry of Justice as part of the agency’s activities to commemorate the month long awareness campaign themed “IT’S ON US”. The Attorney General and Chairman Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) commended the Executive Secretary, DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and her team for putting together the campaign all over the nooks and crannies of the State. Mr Onigbanjo stressed that the team “IT’S ON US” is apt based on the compelling need to ensure that residents of the State realize that eradicating the menace of Sexual and Gender based Violence is a collective effort from all and sundry and basically a collaboration of all members of the society .
Lagos Introduces Compulsory Pre-Marital Preparatory Counseling for Intending Couples
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has introduced the Compulsory Effective Pre-marital Preparatory Counseling for intending couples. The three-day intensive interactive training workshop which was held between the 22nd- 24th of August, 2022 at Ostra Halls & Hotels, Ikeja, were facilitated by Personal and Family Life Experts; Mr. Praise Fowowe, Founder of The Institute of Family Engineering & Development Africa, Mr. Oladele Emmanuel Temilade, The Founder, Institute of Marriage Counselors of Nigeria and Dr. Tolu Oko-Ighaire, Provost, Institute of Counselling of Nigeria Relationship Expert. In attendance were a total of sixty-two Marriage Officials drawn from all twenty Local Government/LCDA’s in Lagos State. Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs Mrs. Kikelomo Sanyaolu who was ably represented by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adeniji, applauded the Agency for the brilliant move. She said that the initiative is timely, having observed the increasing cases of domestic violence in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. Conclusively, she pledged her continuous support for the Agency, in upholding the initiative. In her Welcome Address, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour- Adeniyi disclosed that recent statistics from the Agency shows that at least 80% of clients that report matrimonial abuses had pre-existing knowledge of their partner’s anomalous behaviour but proceeded with the union ignoring red flags. The topics discussed were carefully selected from the developed eight-weeks intensive Pre-marital Effectiveness Counselling curriculum, to enhance the knowledge of marriage officials and to equip them to effectively administer pre-marital counselling to intending couples, which will help intending couples take an informed decision before saying ‘ I DO’. Mr. Praise Fowowe, a Family Engineer, enlightened the participants on Gender and Sex Roles, the concept of marriage and understanding love and love codes. He gave the true definition of marriage as the coming together of a man and a woman from two different nations (families) to create a new nation (family) that will promote the best interest of all and whose culture will give our world rest. Mr. Oladele Emmanuel Temilade enlightened the participants on concepts that promote marital wellness, statutory Roles, Behavioural and Administrative Roles of marriage registrars, whilst Dr. Tolu Oko-Ighaire enlightened the participants on Counselling and Best Practices for Counselling. The Lagos State Government remains committed in ensuring holistic response is issued in assistance to matters of Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Trains Newly Recruited Doctors on Sexual Assault Management
In line with the mandate of the Agency to ensure continuous capacity development of all responder agencies, the Lagos State domestic and sexual violence agency in partnership with the Primary Health Care Board recently engaged forty newly recruited doctors drawn from the twenty Local Government/Council Development Areas in an intensive training on sexual assault management services. The three-day non-residential training which was held on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of August, 2022 respectively at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Ikeja, was facilitated by medical experts Dr. Sodipo Oluwajimi (Family Physician, Head Family Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital), Dr. Veronica Iwayemi (Reproductive Rights and Health Focal Officer, Primary Health Care Board) and Mrs. Omotola Rotimi (Legal practitioner and SGBV Expert). In an introductory speech, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi stated that there is a compelling need to train the newly recruited doctors, to effectively respond to the issues of sexual assault in their respective Primary Health Centres in the State. She also reminded health workers of the establishment of the Sexual Intervention Fund which now makes the access to medical services FREE for survivors at all designated State health facilities. During the training, participants were exposed to various topics, which include Responding to Sexual Assault -Direct Patient Care, Medico Legal Issues in Management of Sexual assault as well as the use of Medical Assessment Tools ranging from rape kits, medical report sheets, to enhance and ensure optimal service delivery. This will ultimately facilitate examination and management of patients after sexual assault, and improve the quality and documentation of evidence collection. The Training is in furtherance of Mr. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s resolve in ensuring that all individuals, especially, survivors of sexual assault, irrespective of their status are able to receive comprehensive and professional medical care post assault.
PRESS RELEASE: LASG REACTS TO ALLEGED VIRAL VIDEO OF DISMISSED CUSTOMARY COURT MEMBER ,MR ISHOLA RAZAKI ADEYEMI
The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a viral video circulating the social media space wherein one Mr. Olayemi Ayeni ( The Complainant )alleged that a former Customary Court Member, Mr. Ishola Razaki Adeyemi, abused his office by exhibiting unprofessional conduct in a customary court case involving the Complainant and his wife and proceeded to snatch his wife and children from him. The matter which occurred between 2014/2015 was investigated by the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission. The findings of the investigation subsequently led to the termination of the appointment of the Member of the Customary Court. It was discovered that the viral video was posted by “Ogbongefriends” sometime in 2016. Members of the public are informed that the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has attempted to reach out to Ogbongefriends on their various social media accounts, but unfortunately their accounts have not been active since 2018. All efforts to reach out to the complainant have been to no avail. We therefore use this medium to encourage anyone with useful information about the complainant to please reach out via our social media handles- @dsvrt on twitter or @dsva on instagram or on 0813-796-0048. Titilola Vivour Adeniyi Executive Secretary Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency 4th of July, 2022
LASG Reaffirms Commitment to the Girl-Child
In response to the increasing cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in partnership with the Ministry of Education have launched a timely intervention called the ‘Queens Club Initiative’. The initiative is to create a sustainable social structure in educational institutions, that will help debunk socio-cultural misconceptions, dismantle patriarchy, encourage gender equality, bring about behavioral as well as attitudinal change and ultimately raise empowered girls. At the induction ceremony of 310 girls into the Queens Club, which took place on 29th of June, 2022 at Ikeja Senior Grammar School Hall, Bolade, Oshodi, the first Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu commending the efforts of the DSVA in ensuring attitudinal change in the society while urging members of the newly inaugurated Queens Club to see themselves as ambassadors and change agents. She stated that by virtue of the knowledge they have received, they have become peer educators and would be able to affect the desire change for a better world. The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Sherifat Folashade Jaji who was ably represented by Mrs. Shonibare, Director, Office of the Secretary to the State Government urged the students to continue to strive for excellence and champion a world free of all forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence. The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, noted that over the course of 6 weeks over 300 secondary school students, drawn from 31 schools in Education District 2 & 6 have been exposed to the Queens Club curriculum. At the end of the program, the girls were exposed to modules on Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Health, Femininity, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Anger Management, Grit, Resilience & Tenacity and Transitioning from Girl to Woman. After taking the pledge of allegiance, the students were subsequently inducted into the club and awarded certificates as well as identity cards to validate their induction into the club. In a bid to show gratitude for their sacrifices, selfless service and for a job well done during the course of the six weeks training, the various mentors and facilitators were presented with plaques and certificates. The Queens Club initiative would be replicated across all Education Districts in Lagos State.
Lagos Sensitizes Mushin Local Government Residents On Sexual And Gender Based Violence
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on thursday held its fifth local government town hall meeting at Mushin local Government to sensitize residents on the rising cases of domestic and sexual violence across the State. The town hall meeting themed “It’s on us to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence” is coming on the heels of the State Government’s resolve in heightening awareness about domestic and sexual violence amongst members of the community, inform them of the provisions of the laws and support services available for victims and survivors. Addressing the gathering, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi reeled out the statistics in the past year, highlighting the prevalence of SGBV in Mushin Local Government Area and the need for all participants present to join hands with Government in the fight against Domestic and Sexual Violence. The Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye ably represented by his Special Assistant, Mr Babatunde John Kehinde encouraged residents of Mushin to speak up if they are subjected to violence in their relationships in order to curb the rate of violence in the society. Mrs. Ronke Oyelakin, the Chairman of Child Protection Network, enlightened the audience on the various forms of Sexual and Gender Based violence whilst urging people to stop victim blaming as this could discourage victims from reporting incidences of violence. She rather encouraged residents of Mushin to be active bystanders and expose abusers. Dr Adeola Obasanya, the Adolescent Focal Person of the Primary Health Care Board on her part,informed participants of the medical centres available to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Mushin some of which include Ayantuga PHC, Mushin PHC and Palm Avenue PHC. She charged sexual assault survivors to report immediately to any of these hospitals to seek medical attention free of charge The meeting had in attendance over 200 stakeholders drawn from Community Development Association and Councils, Community Development Authorities, religious leaders notably the Chief Imam of Oshodi Isolo, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Mushin Branch, traditional rulers including market men and women, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, artisans, captains of industries as well as other relevant stakeholders. The toll-free line for reporting domestic and sexual violence cases (08000333333) was inscribed on memorabilia and distributed to all participants. One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of plaques to the local government in recognition of their commitment towards ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence in their LGAs and LCDAs. The town hall meetings would be held in all the LGAs and LCDAs across the state.