HOSEC Director, Otesile, Yemi Farounbi, Others Advocate Aggressive Enlightenment On VAPP Law.
... Organizes Stage Play On VAPP Law
The need to embark on aggressive enlightenment on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law, VAPP in Oyo State took the centre stage of discussion at a drama presentation of the law in Ibadan.
The drama presentation titled “Make Am/Break Am” presented in pidgin language and organized by the Hope For Second Change Foundation, HOSEC in support of Leadway Pensure was to sensitize the people on the content of the law.
The stage play also use comic relief to sensitize the audience on the position of the law on rape, female genital mutilation, incest, domestic violence, different forms of abuses and the punishments attached to them.
In his address, former Nigerian ambassador to Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi said it was important for Nigerians to be well informed of the laws that govern them, to avoid being victims of such laws that should protect them.
Dr Farounbi said many Nigerians have become violators of laws of the land as a result of ignorance and low sensitization campaign from relevant government agencies.
He however advised lawmakers in the state house of assembly to engage in massive public enlightenment campaign on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law for residents to be aware of the content, provisions and the protection they are to enjoy.
“It is a major flaw in Nigeria, that we will just make laws. And when you arrest somebody, he will say, I don’t know about the law but the court would say ignorance is not an excuse. We should seek to educate our people, particularly on laws that are pertinent to the protection of lives, protection of property” He explained
Dr Farounbi said “We can make the society better, crime free and make it habitable if we reduce Violence at homes and by extension, the society.”
He also emphasized the need for mentorship for the youth which he said was necessary to nurture them to become better citizens.
Dr Farounbi commended Hope For Second Chance Foundation for deeming it fit to sensitize the public on the VAPP law through the stage play.
Responding, Executive Director, Hope For Second Chance Foundation, HOSEC, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile said the purpose of the drama presentation was to use entertainment to pass the message across to the public.
Otesile said the VAPP law would not serve its purpose if people were not aware of it’s content, provisions and punishment.
She appealed to theatre practitioners to mainstream the awareness of the Vapp law into movies, music and theatre.
While appreciating partners for their supports, Mrs Otesile said one hundred and eighteen cases of gender based violence were attended to in HOSEC within 2021 and 2022, with the provision of psychosocial supports where necessary.
In his goodwill message, Mr Tunde Odunlade explained that the use of art and culture can be adopted to enlighten, inform and correct all social ills in the country.
