ByNational Updates
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has praised the efforts of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria (TBI) in its relentless advocacy to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across Oyo State and the southwest region of Nigeria.
UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Mr. Denis Onoise, commended TBI’s community-driven approach and strategic interventions that have contributed significantly to changing attitudes and behaviors around the harmful practice.
Mr. Denis made this known in Ibadan during a working visit to assess the progress made in FGM eradication efforts by Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria.
He said, as Nigeria continues its fight against FGM, collaborative efforts between international partners, government agencies, and civil society organizations remain essential in achieving a future free from this hamful practice.
Ealiar in his Welcome address, the Executive Director of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye said UNICEF’s recognition of TBI’s work underscores the critical role of Civil Society Organizations in driving meaningful change.
He highlighted the organization’s commitment to ending FGM through grassroots mobilization, education, and policy advocacy.
According to him, “Since 2018, our partnership with UNICEF has empowered communities, engaged stakeholders, and directly sensitized over 4.8million people, including traditional leaders, religious leaders, women’s groups, traditional birth attendance/ health workers and young people.”
TBI’s impact extends beyond awareness campaigns; the organization is actively working to strengthen legislative frameworks, provide survivor support programs, and drive sustainable, community-led solutions to eradicate FGM.
He stressed that, TBI has played a crucial role in pushing for the effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2020. Through persistent advocacy, we have secured commitments from lawmakers to include FGM awareness in constituency town hall meetings and policy discussions.
With UNICEF’s continued backing, the initiative is poised to expand its reach, ensuring more communities are educated and committed to abandoning the practice, he said.
Adaramoye urged government to ensure proper enforcement of laws, allocate budgets for FGM response programs, and operationalize technical committees to track progress.”
With this renewed commitment from stakeholders, Oyo State is positioning itself as a model in Nigeria’s fight against harmful traditional practices.
The team also paid advocacy visit to the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Rilwanu Saminu on strengthening the Oyo State Sexual Assult Referral center (SAC) and advancing legislative efforts to support the elimination of FGM across the state.
The visit had in attendance UNICEF Child Protection Officer (Abuja) Miss Pragna Jui Chiknia, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist (Abuja) Miss Kenechukwu Asuku, UNICEF SBC Consultant (Oyo State) Mr. Samuel Olatunji, Child Protection Network (Oyo State Chapter) Dr. Rosemary Odigwe, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Oyo State Chapter), Amb. Quadri Abdulsalam and Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria members of staff.
