Muiz Banire, Lola Akande, others speak on way out

Following the increasing case of domestic violence across the country, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Muiz Banire; Hon. Lola Akande and other eminent personalities will be speaking on the legal and other options open to victims and what should be changed in the legal system to hasten justice for victims.

This issue will dominate discussions, as the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) holds its yearly week. The weeklong event started yesterday with a thanksgiving service at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, Ikeja, Lagos. A 5km Fitness/Sensitisation Walk from Ikeja Local Council to Lagos State House of Assembly Alausa, Ikeja, is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, by 7am.

The seminar with the theme, Ending Domestic Violence: A Task for All will hold on Thursday, August 4 at the Combo Hall of Lagos Television, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Sekinah Lawal, the purpose of the seminar is to enlighten Nigerians, empower and protect all, most especially, the girl-child, not just as female media professionals, but as mothers.

For this year’s event, the special guest of honour is Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, while Executive Vice-Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta is guest of honour.

The guest lecturer is Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), while the Director-General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, is the keynote speaker.

The final day, Friday August 5, will be devoted to Special Jumat prayers at the Alausa Secretariat Mosque by 1:30pm.

“It is our belief that ending domestic violence requires holistic and multi-dimensional approach from proper home training, prompt and just judicial system, right societal values to proper orientation of all stakeholders; victims, parents, police, nurses, doctors, lawyers, judges and others,” Lawal said. “We believe the onus is also on us to set the agenda in getting it right in this direction and other areas too as media professionals and we are working seriously towards achieving that in line with the objectives of our parent body, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.”