Mrs Makinde Urges Students to Guard Personal Information, Avoid Harmful Online Behaviour

…As She warns that digital harassment now fuels emotional trauma and teen suicides.

The First Lady of Oyo State, Her Excellency Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, has cautioned students to use the internet responsibly, warning that careless online behaviour contributes to the rising cases of digital violence against women and girls.

Speaking at the flag-off of the 2025 Edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mrs. Makinde urged young people to protect their personal information, avoid harmful posts, and engage only with positive online content.

“Violence against women and girls is no longer just physical. It now also happens in the digital space,” she warned. “Use your phones and social media wisely. Do not put up posts that will tarnish your image or anyone else’s.”

She drew attention to the psychological and emotional damage caused by digital harassment, including cyberbullying, blackmail, and the non-consensual sharing of private photos.

“Digital violence silences voices, destroys confidence, and has led some girls to take their own lives,” she said.

Mrs. Makinde urged teachers to guide students on safe online practices, encourage them to report harassment without fear, and create classroom environments where girls can speak freely.

She reminded young people that “the internet never forgets,” cautioning them to consider the long-term impact of every post and comment.

This year’s theme, “Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” underscores the global concern about the rising rate of online abuse.

Reaffirming Oyo State’s commitment to tackling gender-based violence, the First Lady highlighted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2020, enacted under Governor Seyi Makinde, which provides legal protection for all residents.

Mrs. Makinde also commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Ministries of Justice, Women Affairs, Social Inclusion, and Health, along with partner organizations for their contributions to the fight against SGBV.

She stressed that despite progress, gender-based violence, whether digital, emotional, sexual, economic, or psychological, continues to threaten the health, dignity, and future of women and girls.

As the 16 Days of Activism commence, she called for collective action to build a society where every woman and girl in Oyo State can live without fear, both online and offline.

Earlier in her Opening remarks, The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. Mrs. Toyin Balogun, emphasized the urgent need to address the growing cases of digital harassment, cyberbullying, sextortion, and other forms of online exploitation targeted at women and girls.

She noted that violence is no longer confined to physical environments, urging students to use digital platforms responsibly.

“Use your phones wisely. Protect your personal information and avoid careless posts that can harm others or damage your own image. The internet never forgets,” she cautioned.

The Commissioner stressed that digital violence, such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, inflicts deep emotional wounds, destroys confidence, and has driven some victims to suicide.

“Imagine the trauma of a girl whose private photos are shared online. Some never recover; some, sadly, take their own lives,” she lamented.

Furthermore, Hon. Balogun invoked the memory of Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje, the 13-year-old girl whose death from prolonged sexual abuse shocked the nation.

She also recounted the heartbreaking case of Ibukun (not her real name), a 16-year-old Oyo State girl who, along with her two younger sisters, suffered years of abuse at the hands of their father, resulting in pregnancy and the tragic loss of her premature baby.

“Ibukun’s father is currently undergoing prosecution, and we will see this case to its logical conclusion,” she assured.

The Commissioner highlighted the significance of this year’s observance, noting that it coincides with three historic milestones; 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action, 28 years since the establishment of Oyo State’s Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Inclusion, 25 years since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

“These anniversaries are not just markers of time,” she said. “They challenge us to measure our progress in the lives we protect, the justice we secure, and the survivors we rehabilitate.”

Despite modest national declines in sexual and physical violence, according to the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey, the Commissioner warned that digital abuse is rising sharply.

She cited examples including the suicide of a British teenager following online extortion linked to Nigeria, and cases of women lured to their deaths through digital romance scams.

Hon. Balogun reaffirmed Oyo State’s commitment to eradicating all forms of violence. She outlined key initiatives underway and new programs scheduled for rollout in 2025, such as: Digital safety and empowerment programs, Cybersecurity awareness and resilience training for women and girls, Digital literacy programs to support innovation and entrepreneurship

The Ministry’s SGBV Rapid Response Team has also been strengthened through a quarterly grant approved by Governor Seyi Makinde, with vehicles and additional work tools to aid faster response.

Major Policies and Projects for 2025 include, Domestication of the National Gender Policy, Domestication of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, Onboarding of Oyo State onto the World Bank’s Nigeria for Women Project, unlocking a $15 million grant to benefit at least 500,000 women, Governor Makinde has approved the ₦450 million matching fund for the initiative, Strengthened support for SGBV service providers, Establishment of a State Technical Committee on GBV, Domestication of the 3rd National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325

A panel session featured the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Matters, Mr. Debo Akande, former Attorney General Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, and Mrs. Christiana Abioye, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion.

The experts addressed emerging trends in online gender-based violence and proposed solutions including: Stronger cybercrime legislation, Community digital literacy, Technology-driven reporting systems, Improved multi-agency coordination.

Panelists emphasized that protecting women and girls in the digital age requires innovation, collaboration, and zero tolerance for abuse.

As the 16 Days of Activism begins, the Commissioner urged parents, teachers, students, and community leaders to unite.
“Create safe spaces. Teach responsible internet use. Promote kindness and respect. Let us build a society where every woman and girl in Oyo State can live free from fear,” she said.

The event concluded with renewed hope and a strong reminder that ending violence, whether offline or online, demands collective will and sustained action.