A legal luminary expert and others have described one of the greatest challenges affecting women, children and persons with disability law implementation, as lack of adequate enforcement.
The legal guru, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN) who is also the Pro-Chancellor of Osun state University, UNIOSUN made this known at the Legislative Stewardship and good Governance program organized by Osun Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Osun NAWOJ.
At the programme which narrowed on the Appraisal of Women, Children and Persons with Disability related friendly bills and laws in Osun, Mallam Ali maintained that it is clear that in this state and country at large, we have not done enough advocacy for women, children, persons with disability and other vulnerable till date.
Citing the persons with disability as example, he pointed out lack of ramp provision for access in public places, saying that the PWDs need more than the law being agitated for, while using different climes as illustration, he said there are countries with more crime rate than Nigeria, he added that what makes them not profiled is because their law is effective to deal with anyone and any issues that acts contrary to it.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria who emphasized that the gatekeepers needs more Orientation to handle sensitive issues relating to women, children and persons with disability urged stakeholders to make the law work for the people, stating that implementation of laws makes crime less attractive.
Saying that his institution have handbook with rules and regulations guiding all, the UNIOSUN Council Chairman charged the female University students present to face their studies, take precautions, know their rights and use it effectively while also avoiding harassment to themselves, and of their lecturers.
In his address, the Speaker Osun state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Timothy Owoeye said the assembly have done what is practically necessary legislative wise, stressed that the bills passed are tailored alongside National assembly stipulation.
He opined that the federal government have assented laws, and domestication by each states to key into it is important, adding that Osun state is not left out in accepting and assenting the laws in favor of the target beneficiaries.
Speaker Owoeye who was represented by Hon Kunle Akande representing Osogbo constituency said, that the law makers have a division of duty, that it is not the duty of the assembly to implement law, pointed out that is left for the other organ of the government.
Osun Assembly is persons with disability friendly with provision of ramp and appointment of a person with disability as Senior Special Assistant to the Speaker on Disability Matters, he stated.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olaleye S. Faleye reiterated that the police have been working very well before the creation of relevant laws to protect the women, children and persons with Disability among others.
He opined that the law is above all and is there to work with, that it is accessible to youths and everyone via their mobile phones, saying ‘information is power, and you need to know about the law which is handy in your android phone via Google search’.
CP Faleye who was represented by CSP Folasade Odoro urged the participants which includes University students not to be afraid of the police or their counsel, be forthright with your issues, take immediate action, don’t be afraid of anyone and report your cases in time, the constitution stipulates that everyone, including a person with disability have rights, make good use of your rights, – he stated.
Other speakers such as the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary: Ministry of Justice, Barr. Mrs Morufat Bello, the Coordinating Director Min of Women And Children Affairs: Mr Jide Falade, Osun Joint Association of Persons with Disability Chairman: Mr Oluwafemi Stephen, Chairperson Nigeria League of Women Voters Chief Mrs Grace Omotoso, Chairperson National Council of Women Society: Mrs Ayoola Rebecca, and Federation of Women Lawyers state Vice Chairperson Chief Mrs Akintajuwa applauded the initiative of Osun Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists in the objective of being the voice of the voiceless in the society.
The all maintained that stakeholders must unify to fight for the rights of the target beneficiaries, adding that this will make the law implementation easy, while pointing out that continuous sensitization must be embarked upon because they are still many victims ignorant of the law and of their rights.
They said the Child Right Acts, and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in Osun needs amendment, adding that the forthcoming Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Law will go a long way in improving the lives of the targets.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Osun NAWOJ Chairperson Mrs Motunrayo Ayegbayo said the Legislative Stewardship and Good Governance program was decided to know, access and monitor the level of impact of the legislative bills/laws made for the target objectives.
At the program which also had students participants from Fountain University Osogbo, the Chairperson emphasized on what is the issue with the system in Osun, saying we know the legislative are working but do the have feedback mechanism to know the status or Implementation of every bill passed into law?
Frowning at the worrisome state of victims despite the law, she called on everyone to make the law work, by rising up to protect women, children, persons with disability and other vulnerable who are victims of vices, while perpetrators of crime against them must face the wrath of law in due process and speedily, lets use our pen to protect this identified persons, she clamored t members of the fourth realm.
