••• pledges collaboration with relevant stakeholders to make it functional
The wife of the Governor of Osun State, Mrs Titilola Adeleke, has reiterated her commitment to collaborate with relevant stakeholders with a view to reviving the State Sexual Assault Referral Center soon.
She made this known during an inspection visit to the Centre, located within the premises of the State Teaching Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo.
The governor’s wife explained that, the visit was in line with the recently concluded training on Gender Based Violence held in Abuja, by Nigeria Governor’s Wives Forum, as part of campaign to ensure that sexually assaulted and abused victims receive adequate medical care and advice.
Mrs Adeleke noted that Sexual Assault Referral Center,(SARC) offers wide range of services which include, medical care, forensic examinations of sexually assaulted victims and testing for sexually transmitted infections among others which should be giving necessary support by her office in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“I am displeased over the spate of rape cases and other assaults in the society and this requires drastic approach to nip them in the bud.
“I will like to call for harmonious relationship among the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Human Right Activists,The Nigeria Police and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs to make the society habitable for Women, Children and the Vulnerables”, she concluded.
In her remark, the Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Abayomi Oni explained that, the Center has competent consultants to provide counseling and mental health support to sexually abused victims, stressing the need for all and sundry to join their support for the protection of Women, Children and Vulnerables against Violence.
On the entourage of the wife of the Governor to the SARC center, Osogbo were the Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Hon (Mrs) Ayobola Awolowo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Children Affairs, Hon. Sekinat Temilade Khalid, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Children and Social Affairs, Mrs Abimbola Babatunde, Wife of the Speaker, Mrs Monsurat Egbedun, Wife of the Chief of Staff , Alhaja Balikis Akinleye,the PDP Women leader and Iyaloja general of Osun state , Mrs Alice Otunla and Chief Mrs, Oyebode Aderonke Mary among others.
