Earlier in the day, I joined my colleagues at the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum on Zoom webinar to espouse on the theme, "The Role of The Entertainment Industry in Addressing Drug Abuse and Gender Based Violence(GBV)". The event, in partnership with the Ford Foundation had movie stars and musicians such as Kate Henshaw, Ali Nuhu, Toyin Abraham, Ifeoma Fafunwa, Timi Dakolo, Dija as speakers, and Joke Silva as Moderator.

The opening remarks were made by Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Chair, Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum while goodwill messages came from Her Excellencies, Mrs. Hadiza El-Rufai and Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, Chair, Northern Governors’ Wives Forum and Southern Governors’ Wives Forum, respectively.

Also, we had the goodwill message of our partner -Ford Foundation, represented by Mrs. Funke Baruwa (Program Officer, Gender, Racial and Ethnic Justice).

At the end of the event, Her Excellency Ambassador (Dr.) Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Secretary NGWF, while granting the vote of thanks, noted that ending GBV requires multifaceted approaches, increased advocacy and partnership between the international community, government, multinational organisation, private sector and grassroots advocates. It also requires empowering women and girls to speak up for themselves and educating the men and boys to do same as they are also survivors of sexual violence. Finally, she highlighted the need for an adequate legal and judicial framework to get people off social vices.

H.E. Barr. Chioma Uzodimma
First Lady, Imo State