FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs Maria Oligbi-Edeko has promised to sponsor people-oriented laws that would directly impact on the people.
Oligbi-Edeko made the pledge while delivering a keynote address at Benson Idahosa University Law Students’ Association dinner which ended their Law Week in Benin.
Represented by her Special Adviser, Tom Usigbe, Oligbi-Edeko disclosed that as a former commissioner, she worked tirelessly to ensure the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, law which had become a milestone in the state in particular and the country in general.
The law, according to her, covers rape, sexual harassment, intimidation coercive behaviour, emotional, psychological and economic abuse.
She added that there has been tremendous success in the reduction of gender based violence in the state, following the implementation of the law.
According to her, as a lawmaker in the 8th Assembly, I will do more by ensuring that laws impact directly on the citizens.
She, however, appealed for collaborative and cooperative efforts to achieve a sane, order and egalitarian society where no man is oppressed and where truth and justice reigns.
The deputy speaker advised the law students and youths to stay away from drugs, stressing that it is ravaging the society.
