The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has advocated the eradication of female genital mutilation (FMG) through an End FMG Inter-Secondary School Oratory Competition for schools in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Oyo State-based NGOs, YouthHubAfrica, the state chapter of the Young Men’s Network Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (YMNASGBV), and Onelife Initiative provided implementation support for the event, with funding support from the UNFPA.
The executive director of Onelife Initiative, ’Sola Fagorusi, noted that at the final round of the competition, aimed at creating awareness and raising adolescent gender champions to end FGM, Abadina College, University of Ibadan, L-R: Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi and special adviser to Lagos State governor on Health, Dr
Kemi Ogunyemi, during a news conference on the forthcoming state-wide screening and public health enlightenment campaign, “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers,” a public health campaign on hypertension and diabetes in Lagos on Friday. PHOTO: NAN
came first after three rounds of competition among eight secondary schools.
The oratory contest demonstrated the power of using oration to drive learning into health issues while growing soft skills and also unveiling a new corps of advocates to end a harmful tradition like FGM.
“We are happy at the growth of the students in the last three meetings with them during the competition and thank their teachers who coached them,” he said.
He disclosed that the preliminary round of the competition at the Oba Akinbiyi Model College, Mokola, Ibadan, had the participation of 16 contestants from eight secondary schools, including Abadina College, University of Ibadan; Bashorun High School, Bode Wasimi; Methodist Secondary School, Favos, New-Bodija and Oba Akinbiyi Model College.
Others were St Gabriel’s Secondary Commercial Grammar School, Sabo; St Patrick’s Grammar School Orita Bashorun; Oke Ibadan High School, Oluyoro and Queen of Apostles Secondary Commercial Grammar School, Oluyoro, all in the Ibadan North and Ibadan North-East local government areas of the state.
