The Member representing Onuimo State Constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. James Uba Esile, popularly known as “Fresh Air,” has assured the First Lady of Imo State, Her Excellency, Barr. (Dr.) Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, of his full support for her sustained campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Hon. Esile gave the assurance during the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Imo State programme held on December 2, 2025, at Rockview Hotel, Owerri.
The programme, organized by the First Lady’s foundation, GoodHope Women Flourish Initiative, a non-governmental organization, brought together key stakeholders from across the country. The epoch-making event featured an interactive session with wives of traditional rulers, women groups, and other relevant stakeholders, all united in the fight against FGM.
In a press release signed by the lawmaker and made available to the media, Hon. Esile disclosed that his non-governmental organization, Fresh Air Movement, is partnering with the Office of the First Lady through her foundation to actualize the programme’s noble objective—the total eradication of all forms of harmful cultural practices against women, particularly female genital mutilation.
Condemning the practice in strong terms, Hon. Esile described FGM as “barbaric, unacceptable, anti-culture, anti-religion, and an affront to human dignity.”
He stated: “I commend Her Excellency, the Wife of the Governor, Barr. (Dr.) Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, for this intervention, which is an added service to humanity. It is a courageous, compassionate, and legacy-building initiative that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly *SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).”
Hon. Esile noted that female genital mutilation, also known as female cutting, dates back to ancient cultural practices across parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He emphasized that the practice predates both Christianity and Islam and is therefore not supported by any religion, culture, spiritual belief, or medical science.
According to him, FGM has survived solely due to misguided rites of passage, patriarchal myths, and the violation of bodily autonomy, despite its lifelong physical, psychological, and reproductive health consequences.
He further highlighted that the international community now recognizes FGM as a gross violation of the rights of women and girls, with sustained global efforts led by the United Nations, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), African Union (AU), ECOWAS, as well as national and state ministries, civil society organizations, and faith-based groups.
Hon. Esile recalled that Nigeria demonstrated its commitment to ending the practice through the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act), which criminalizes FGM. In Imo State, he said, awareness and community-driven actions have intensified under the leadership of the First Lady.
Praising Barr. (Dr.) Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, he described her as: “A beacon of hope for young girls across Imo State; a mother of deep compassion and visionary leadership; and a champion of gender justice, dignity, and human rights.”
He added: “I further commend Her Excellency for her relentless efforts in mobilizing communities, empowering women, engaging traditional rulers, and championing the safety and well-being of the girl-child across all local government areas of Imo State.”
Hon. Esile concluded by reaffirming his support: “Her campaign against FGM is not just timely—it is historic. It demonstrates that true leadership is measured by the lives we uplift. I stand firmly with Her Excellency and support every effort to protect our daughters from this harmful practice.”
Report By Fredrick Njoku