By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned the newly remodeled Police Gender-Based Violence and Family Support Unit in Ikeja, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring justice, protection, and dignity for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.
The refurbished facility, located at the Lagos State Police Gender Unit on Harold Shodipo Crescent, Ikeja, is designed to provide timely, survivor-centred services and a strengthened response to gender-based violence across the state.
Speaking at the formal handover of the upgraded centre, Dr Sanwo-Olu described the intervention as a further testament to the government’s collective resolve to tackle gender-based violence.
She noted that the transformed unit is now better equipped to offer hope, healing, and rapid support to survivors.
The commissioning coincides with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a period dedicated to raising awareness and mobilising action to end violence against women and girls.
The First Lady highlighted the campaign’s focus on the rising threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, urging governments, tech companies, donors, and individuals to take decisive action.
“Gender-based violence is not just a crime; it is a violation of humanity, a breach of dignity and remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations of our time, affecting nearly one in three women globally,” she said.
Dr Sanwo-Olu called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to curb the menace, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment through the THEMES+ agenda. She added that the revamped facility stands as a tangible demonstration of the administration’s intervention in addressing GBV.
In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, commended the First Lady for her steadfast advocacy in protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls. He announced that the centre would be named in her honour to acknowledge her tireless efforts.
The Commissioner described the remodelled unit as a milestone aimed at reinforcing justice mechanisms and strengthening the protection of vulnerable persons. He noted that the increasing number of GBV cases necessitated the urgent overhaul of the facility.
The event was attended by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), who represented the Chief Judge; Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Bolaji Ogunlende; Permanent Secretaries; Local Government Chairmen; top government officials; members of COWLSO; POWA; and various non-governmental organisations.
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