UNICEF, NOA seek elimination of FGM in Ebonyi

United Nations International Children’s Funds (UNICEF) Tuesday called on traditional leaders of Onicha local government area of Ebonyi state to sensitize the communities on the need to eliminate Female Genital Mutilations (FGM) practice.

The Blueprint reports that they made this appeal during advocacy dialogue with traditional leaders to seek their support for elimination of FGM at  Isu Civic Center, Onicha LGA.

The program was organized by National Orientation Agency, NOA , Ebonyi state with support from UNICEF.

Addressing the people, UNICEF desk officer with NOA, Mr Uchenna Una explained that the organization has achieved public declaration on the denouncement of FGM practice in seven local government areas of Ebonyi state.

He said, “we are working in nine local governments in the state, Afikpo North, Ivo, Ohaukwu, Izzi, Ohaozara, Ishielu, Ebonyi, Onicha and Ezza North.

“Seven LGAs has made public declaration against FGM practice, Afikpo north and other, it is remaining Onicha and Ezza North.

“Initially we were working in seven LGAs, we just entered Onicha and Ezza North to achieve same goal.”

Meanwhile, Director NOA Ebonyi state, Dr Emmanuel Abah, encouraged the traditional leaders of the area to sensitize their people against the practice.

Chairman Onicha LGA council of Ndieze, HRH Josephat Nnanna Ikegwu  of Ishinkwo 1 and his counterpart Ezeogo Ambrose O. Ogbu of Isu community lamented how Nigeria police releases culprits handed over to them.

According to Ezeogo Ogbu, “I have personally arrested a man that raped a girl, take him to Abakaliki  and handed over to the police, before you know it calls started coming and that was the end.