By Michael Adeyemo
The Violence Against persons (prohibition) Act (VAPP) has today passed first reading at the Osun State House of Assembly.
The bill which was passed into law in 2015 by the National Assembly was read for the first time at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Timothy Owoeye.
The bill if passed into law will eliminate violence in private and public life; prohibit all forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, domestic, harmful traditional practices; discrimination against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.
The bill which is sponsored by the Lawmaker representing Ilesha East State Constituency, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, passed first reading after a motion by Hon. Maruf Olanrewaju and seconded by Hon. Festus Komolafe.
The House has also suspended plenary for four weeks to enable lawmakers embark on their annual recess.
The lawmakers are expected to resume on January 26, 2021.
The Speaker thanked his colleagues for their commitment to the success of the 7th Assembly and the development of the State. He also beseeched them to shun politics of rancour and division.
The 7th Assembly has in the past six weeks been engaged with the consideration of the 2021 appropriation bill submitted by Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
The bill which was later passed by the Assembly on the 18th December was assented into law on Tuesday, 22nd December by the Executive Governor.