By Simeon Osajie
The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, has vowed that any person who henceforth cought indulges in rape would be given the judgement and punishment he deserved.
The Commissioner who led a peaceful protest against rape to the Edo State Council of tge Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) premises, emphasized that the Godwin Obaseki-led administration is making everything possible to making sure rape culture is totally eradicated in the state.
In the protest organised by The Women Aid Collective (WACOL) in collaboration with Edo Women's Development Initiative (EWDI) supported by Action Aid Nigeria (AAN) and the Global Affairs Canada under the Women Voice Leadership Nigeria (WVL) Prof. Omorogbe said not only does she believe rape can be totally eradicated, she added that Governor Godwin Obaseki has been working to make sure this come through soonest.
“All we are trying to do is to make sure there is no more rape in Edo State. Not only do I believe that rape can be totally eradicated in the state, the government of Godwin Obaseki is committed to ensuring there is total eradication of rape culture in this state, and to ensure that all rapists get their judgement and given the punishment that they deserved. We are doing all we can to make sure that this becomes a reality”, she added
Reacting to falsehood being peddled on social media that Omozuwa Vera Uwaila (UNIBEN 200L student that was recently raped and murdered) was impregnated by her pastor before setting her up, the Commissioner said the claim was not only false but misleading, stressing that autopsy carried out on Uwa shows she was not pregnant and was also a virgin.
“We were all terribly shocked to what happened to Uwa. It was terrible; it was a brutal experience. We were further shocked by different things we saw on social media, and that is why it is important we come here."
Speaking to journalists, Roseline Okosun, Chairperson, Edo Women’s Development Initiatives, expressed worry at the increasing rate of rape in the nation, just as she expressed fear that mothers, children no longer safe in the nation.
While stating that it has never this bad since she was born, Okosun lamented that even neighbours, relations do go into rape, stressing that fathers too do rape their biological daughter.
“I grew up here in Edo and I have not heard it this bad before that fathers, young boys are raping our daughters in the universities and down to primary school. I don’t know the curse that has been placed on our land”, she lamented.
She lamenting that children of months old are being raped, Okosun called for a stop to the menace, just as she advocated that anywhere the girl child find herself she must be secured and safe.
“What is the problem with us in this country that a three-month-old is being raped. We are saying no to all of these. It must come to an end, Our children must be safe!” she noted.
On her part, Barr. Stella Obehi said they were out to express their deep sadness, anger, and dismay over the incident of rape and defilement in the land, adding that they do not want women and children to be raped anymore but be treated with respect and dignity.
While calling on law enforcement agencies and the government to put in place laws that will protect women and children against rape, she noted that rape thrive because stakeholders are silent about it.
"We are saying we do not want our women and children to be raped anymore. We want our women to be treated with respect and dignity. We are calling all stakeholders to join us to form forces against rape."
“We do not want the culture of silence anymore because probably this is why the menace has thrived so long. We want law enforcement agencies to be up and doing in their jobs. We want government also to put in place all needed to protect us from rape," she appealed
Speaking on behalf of the Christian Women Organization, Lady Esther Obinyan (LKJSI) called on the governments to address the delicate issue from the root.
"We can no longer leave our children especially the girl child alone at home. Despite the issue of rape and sexual harassment which has eaten deep into our society there is limited awareness on the subject in our environment. I think government should create and target programs inclined towards the curbing or elimination of sexual crimes in our society," she appealed.
Receiving the protesters to the premises of the NUJ, Sir Roland Osakue, Chairman Edo State NUJ disclosed that journalists are against rape and are ready to provide all the necessary support so as to put an end to the menace.
Sir Osakue said that rapists are criminals in the society and hey needed to be treated as criminals without pity.
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