Gov. Adeleke issues executive order to free unjustly incarcerated women
Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has directed the Ministry of Justice, to prepare an executive order to free all unjustly incarcerated women in the state.
Adeleke, in statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, gave the directive after a meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja.
The Governor tasked the Ministry of Justice to compile a list of affected women across the state to be granted executive pardon in furtherance of protection of women rights.
He said, ” I am also directing immediate implementation of the resolution of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum for the establishment of Mobile Courts dedicated to addressing issues of sexual and gender based violence, child abuse in the form of street begging and expedited trial of women and children held in correctional facilities.
“The Nigeria Governors Forum recognizes that these issues impact on the well being of women and children and the forum is committed to supporting the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in proffering lasting solutions to the issues. Osun is enforcing the resolution immediately.”
Adeleke, who described his administration as pro-women and youth said Osun will also continue to partner with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for the realization Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu affirming that “all agreements reached will be put to immediate implementation.”
Speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye applauded the decision of the Governor to be the first Governor to implement the decision of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum to set up mobile courts on sexual and gender based violence, child abuse in the form of street begging and expedited trial of women and children held in correctional facilities.
“Your decision is revolutionary. You are indeed a true agent of democracy and development. We are elated that you walked into our Ministry to give us this good news. Nigerian women are grateful to you for leading the way for a new life for our womenfolk.”
The meeting which lasted for almost two hours concluded with a four point communique namely commitment by the Ministry to fully integrate Osun State into the many empowerment programmes being implemented by the Ministry, the decision of the Osun State Governor to implement the resolution of the Governors’ Forum for mobile courts on Women Affairs, the decision of the Governor to free unjustly incarcerated women though an executive order, request by the ministry for Osun to supply adire clothes for the various women programmes and the promise of the Governor to be the voice of Nigerian women at the Nigeria Governors Forum.
The Osun State team was led by Governor Ademola Adeleke; his wife, Mrs Titi Adeleke; the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi, the Commissioner for Federal Affairs, Hon Adenike Adeleke and other top officials.
