At the 2024 Stakeholder’s Coordination Meeting on implementing the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) of 2015, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Bello highlighted the agency’s commitment to eradicating violence against persons. Represented by the Director of Research and Programme Development, Mr. Josiah Emerole, Bello said: “The proposed FCT Command will enhance quicker responses to SGBV cases, improve coordination among stakeholders, provide specialized support services for survivors, and strengthen the investigation and prosecution of offenders.”
She expressed optimism that the new command would serve as a model for other states, bolstering nationwide efforts to eliminate SGBV.
The meeting also emphasized synergy among stakeholders. Bello urged participants to see the fight against violence as a shared responsibility, stating, “The days of working in silos are over. The time for better coordination is now, starting with the outcomes of this meeting.”
Mrs. Toyota Odugbesan, Acting Director of NAPTIP’s Violence Against Persons Department, expressed gratitude to the Ford Foundation for its support. She noted the meeting’s focus on evaluating progress, identifying gaps, and strengthening strategies for implementing the VAPP Act across the country.
She added, “To achieve gender equality and end all forms of discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against women and girls, we must increase the tempo of our efforts to protect vulnerable groups and uphold their rights.”
The initiative aligns with global goals, including the Beijing Declaration and Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aim to empower women and girls while eradicating violence and exploitation.
