By Peter Omopo
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ekiti State has renewed its commitment to the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), human rights abuses, and poor hygiene practices through an intensified grassroots sensitisation campaign.
Speaking at a public awareness programme held on Monday in Ado Ekiti, the NOA State Director, Mrs. Kemi Akomolafe, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to eliminate FGM in the state, especially among women and children.
“NOA is committed to fully eradicating female genital mutilation/cutting in Ekiti State. Citizens must take responsibility for their actions and work together to improve the state’s development,” Akomolafe said.
The event brought together stakeholders from several key agencies, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Ekiti State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
Akomolafe stressed the importance of the agency’s community-based approach, leveraging the efforts of NOA’s community orientation officers to promote public education at the grassroots.
She urged residents to prioritise both personal and environmental hygiene, describing it as a foundation for healthy living. Addressing the dangers of FGM, she said, “It is a harmful practice that constitutes a violation of human rights and has severe health and psychological consequences. It must not be tolerated in any form.”
The sensitisation campaign forms part of NOA’s broader efforts to promote social responsibility, gender rights, and public health awareness across Ekiti State.
