Hon. Oludaisi Elemide Challenges Govt, Agencies On Implementation, Enforcement Of Laws To Protect PWDs

The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide on Monday called on the executive arm of government, as well as relevant government agencies in the country, to ensure the implementation and enforcement of laws passed by various legislative houses, to ensure sanity as well as equality of all Nigerians.

Elemide made the call, while speaking with newsmen at a Parliamentary Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence, Gender-Mainstreaming& Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Legislative Framework In Ogun State, organized by the State Ministry of Women Affairs, the State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) in conjunction with Women Advocates Research & Documentation Center, WARDC.

He disclosed that the Ogun State House of Assembly has inaugurated a committee tagged ‘Legislative Compliance Committee’, saddle with the responsibility of ensuring the implementation and enforcement of all laws passed by the Assembly.

Elemide reaffirmed the Assembly’s dedication to gender justice and inclusive legislation, stressing that

the bill is to protect the right and privileges of all sex, be it woman or man.

The Speaker, while calling on Nigerian women to rise and claim their rights, he said, “power is not served. Power is taken. Women, take what belongs to you.”

“Don’t look back. Don’t hesitate. Victory is yours. That is the true value of leadership—and the meaning of freedom.”

“The popular acronym is GBV and it goes beyond that, It’s not only peculiar to female, we want to protect the right and privileges of all sex, be you a woman or a man.

“We have seen occasions or cases where men were raped by women that is also gender based violence. We are looking at equal opportunities for all sex to grow economically, to achieve their aim in life, so that some will not see themselves as being ridiculed or relegated,” he said.

Speaking at the programme, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, said, child abuse, violence and discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), are not only social issues, but also an economic pandemic that threatens the country’s developmental goals.

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She said, “when a child is molested or a woman is silenced, a generation loses its voice. When survivors cannot access justice, we all become part of that silence. The real perpetrators don’t carry placards, they hide behind our silence, our inaction, and the loopholes in our systems. Today’s Dialogue is our chance to close those gaps permanently”.

“A law not enforced is just a well-written wish. To make real progress, we must match our intentions with action, and ensure that justice is a right accessible to every child, woman, survivor of GBV, person with a disability, and every minority groups in our beloved Gateway State.

“The legislative tools before the State House of Assembly, including the Gender Mainstreaming Bill, the FRILIA Bill, the VAPP Law, and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission Bill are not just policies. They are tools for protection and transformation.

“The proposed DEI Commission Bill, with its 45 Sections, aims to establish a body that will promote fairness, equal opportunity, and social justice. It will prevent discrimination, ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups in policymaking, monitor laws and institutions, advise the government, and work with stakeholders to build a truly inclusive society.

While commending the State House of Assembly for its responsiveness and dedication to social justice, Adeleye noted that the first reading of the DEI Bill at last Friday’s plenary is more than a formality, it is a strong signal of legislative commitment.

“This is not just another gender engagement, it is a turning point. Let’s address root causes, invest in survivor support systems, child safety, women empowerment, promotion of equal society and make sure predators no longer find comfort while victims suffer in silence.

The commissioner, on the other hand, stated that the ministry will continue to act as a bridge, working to ensure that no child loses their innocence, no woman loses her dignity, and no family is broken by indifferent behaviour.

In her goodwill message, the sponsor of the bill, Deputy Speaker of the House, Ajayi Lateefat, said the bill is proposed to monitor, remove negative stereotypes and offer guidance to institutions on how to include and treat everyone equally.

In her presentation, Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) Project Coordinator, Mosunmola Owo-Odusi, called for legislative support in enacting and funding GBV, allocating funds for SARCs, women development centres and technical school maintenance, as well as strengthening land-right protection through agency legislation and the FRILIA framework.