Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has described the rising wave of kidnappings and other violent crimes across the country as a direct violation of Nigerians’ constitutional right to life.
Speaking on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti during the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, organised by ABUAD in partnership with UN Women, the legal luminary said the federal government must deploy urgent and decisive measures to curb the worsening security situation.
The event, themed “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” provided a platform for Babalola to condemn the spate of attacks in various parts of the country.
He lamented the climate of fear gripping citizens, noting that insecurity has robbed many Nigerians of the courage to engage in daily activities, including working and farming.
Babalola reminded authorities of their constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and welfare of citizens, stressing that meaningful development is impossible in an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness.
Quoting Section 13 of the 1999 Constitution, he said: “The duty of the government is the welfare and safety of the citizens. I appeal to the government to prioritise the safety of people on the farm, on the road, so that we can have a safe society. Many people are now being killed, everybody is afraid of going to work and farms.”
While supporting the global campaign against violence targeting women and girls, he emphasised that society must also acknowledge abuses against men and boys.
He added that ABUAD’s strict adherence to discipline and respect has ensured that no student, male or female, has suffered abuse on the institution’s grounds since its establishment.
ABUAD Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to collaboration with government agencies, private institutions, development partners, and multinational organisations to address challenges affecting women and girls.
Delivering the keynote address, gender advocate Tosin Tume warned that digital violence has become a pervasive threat to women and girls. She described its impact as “multifaceted and unsettling,” leading to emotional trauma, social exclusion, mental health crises, physical harm, and in some cases, death.
Tume outlined key strategies for tackling digital abuse within academic spaces, highlighting the importance of education and awareness, policy strengthening, resource support, advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved communication.
She stressed that curbing digital violence requires coordinated action across institutions, communities and governance structures.
