Etsu Kwali, Luka Nizassan III, a traditional ruler in Abuja has revealed plans to establish a gynae-forensic laboratory to uphold the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him, this laboratory would serve as a database for GBV-related evidence. He further explained that the laboratory would help prevent the loss of crucial evidence and facilitate seamless legal proceedings in GBV cases.
“My first project, with the concept completely developed, is to have a gynecological laboratory that will be community-owned and will be divided into two sections.
“One is to promote reproductive health, which my wife is going to drive, and the other side is to take forensic evidence for GBVs.
“We don’t have much cases here in Kwali but we want to be pacesetters.
“We want to create it so that others can come, leverage on this gyne-forensic laboratory to keep evidences because we know that between the incidents and prosecution, a lot of evidences are lost,’’ he said.
He added that when evidence of violent acts is lost, courts are sometimes compelled to either impose lesser sentences on culprits or dismiss cases altogether.
Nizassan described the initiative as one of his greatest aspirations in the fight against GBV, stating that his commitment to women and girl-child advocacy played a crucial role in bringing the project to fruition.
“I played vital role in developing the National Gender Policy, I mainstreamed the establishment of the Gender Unity in the Nigerian Correctional Service and I played that role passionately.
“I was one of those who attended the first course in NDC and also played a vital role in coordinating different security organisations in gender mainstreaming.
“I played a technical role in the review of the Women’s Centre Act, I think the Act should be with the National Assembly now,’’ he said.
Nizassan who called himself a child protection expert said that his expertise, along with collaborations with relevant stakeholders in both private and government organisations, including the Ministry of Justice, had helped him to fully develop the concept.
“So, we hope that by the first week of March, this concept will go out to different organisations,’’ he said.
He said that women’s reproductive health and advocacy were paramount and that the facility would serve as a vital platform for this purpose.
Speaking on youth development in the community, the traditional ruler highlighted his council’s engagement in various youth-focused activities, including sporting events, talent hunts, and music competitions.
He emphasised that friendly tournaments helped unite the youth while fostering tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among the people.
According to him, the initiative has helped identify and promote young talents in music, particularly rap, as well as in sports like skating.
The Estu assured that these talents would receive support from the council and be given opportunities to showcase their skills through festivals, concerts, and public performances.
One such opportunity, he said, was an upcoming festival in April aimed at promoting the culture and heritage of the indigenous people of Kwali and its surrounding communities.
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