Lagos Govt Reacts To Awolowo’s Grandson, Seyi’s Remarks on ‘Running Trains’ on Girls

Ilesanmi AdekanbiAugust 21, 2023

2 minutes read

The Lagos State Domestic and S€xual Agency (DSVA) has expressed its strong disapproval of the comments made by Seyi Awolowo, a housemate in the ongoing Big Brother Naija All-Stars reality show.

Seyi, who is the grandson of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Nigerian nationalist, and statesman, sparked outrage on social media after he bragged about his plans to raise his sons to s€xually exploit other people’s daughters.

In a video clip that went viral on Sunday, Seyi was seen telling his fellow housemates, Pere, Soma, and Whitemoney, how he was saving money for his sons to “run trains” on other people’s daughters when they grow up. He also said he had opened a “miscellaneous account” to use and have s€x with other people’s daughters.

“I’m giving birth to boys so they can run trains on people’s daughters. I’ve opened a miscellaneous account to use and have s€x with people’s daughters,” he said.

The DSVA, which is an agency established by the Lagos State Government to provide and coordinate end-to-end response to incidents of domestic and s€xual violence in the state, issued a statement on Sunday condemning Seyi’s remarks as harmful and unacceptable.

“We strongly condemn the comments made by Seyi Awolowo in the disturbing video that has surfaced. Such remarks perpetuate harmful attitudes and contribute to a culture of violence and abuse,” the statement read.

The agency also criticized the other housemates who were listening to Seyi without challenging him or speaking up against his views.

“The bystanders’ passive response in the video is also deeply concerning because it only enables such behaviour to persist. It is important for us all to actively speak up in circumstances like this,” the statement added.

The DSVA reiterated its commitment to addressing issues of domestic and s€xual violence and urged anyone who needs support or wants to make a report to call its 24/7 toll-free line at 08000 333 333.

“DSVA is a collection of professional service providers and officials that respond as a group and in a timely fashion to the various needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors by providing legal, medical, emergency assistance, counselling and psychological and psychosocial support,” the agency stated on its website.

The Big Brother Naija All Stars is an edition of the popular reality TV show that features selected housemates and fan favourites from previous seasons. The show premiered on July 23, 2023 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 292. The winner of the season is expected to win a total of ₦120 million grand prize.