a result of the increasing number of rape cases in Nigeria, the office of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Broadcast Media has organized a one day Sensitization and road walk against rape in Awka.
The exercise was in collaboration with Anambra Broadcasting Service, Association Against Child Abuse and Gender Based Violence, National Women Council of Nigeria, Anambra State Branch and many other groups.
Participants trooped out en-masse to sensitize people about the dangers of rape, especially its psychological, emotional and traumatic effects on the victims.
The road show which started at Anambra Broadcasting Service corporate headquarters, Awka, had the member representing Nnewi North Constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nonso Smart-Okafor, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Uche Nworah and others marching through Arroma Junction, through Nkwo Amaenyi, Eke Awka market and Amawbia.
They had inscriptions that read, “Stop rape,” “any sexual activity must be on consent,” “educate your girl or boy child, rape is a serious crime, “justice for us, act civil” among others.
Speaking shortly after the walk, the member representing Nnewi North Constituency, Mr. Okafor said he joined in the walk to show solidarity to young women all over the world who are seeking an end to rape.
He maintained that Anambra legislators have made a lot of laws against rape and called on government to implement the laws in order to ensure that any culprit who perpetrated such inhuman act, faces the consequences of his or her action.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Uche Nworah, represented by the Acting Director, Programmes Department of the ABS, Mrs. Nneka Ekwunife, said the ugly dimensions which rape has taken is a source for concern, noting that the walk will help to bring an end to the ugly menace.
Chief Nworah called for stiffer penalties for anybody caught in the act, as such punishment will serve as a lesson to others who have such illicit act in their minds, while advising parents to guard their wards and children jealously.
In her speech, the organizer o f the program and anchor of the Light TV Show, Mrs. Ify Aronu-Okafor who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Broadcast Media said that she wanted to ensure the message gets to the rural areas and urged all to join hands to see an end to rape and other forms of sexual molestation.
The Legal Adviser, National Women Council of Nigeria, Mrs. Ifeoma Chijioke, representative of people living with disabilities, Miss Gloria Mary, Tochi Godspower of Wazobia FM and other On Air personalities of the ABS who joined in the walk, also collectively added their voices to say “no to rape.”
Credit: ABS