Journalists, lawyers march against rape

Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
|
As part of moves to reduce incessant rape, defilement and child trafficking in Ekiti state, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti state council and the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Thursday held a sensitization programme against the scourge in the state.

 At a procession which started at about 7:am, the unions expressed sadness at the increasing rate of rape, defilement ,  teenage prenancy and child abuse in the state, saying strong actions must be taken to stem the tide and protect the rights of children.

 The procession, which was part of the activities lined up for the  2019 NUJ press week in the state, took off at the NUJ’s office located at Oke Bareke, Ado Ekiti and moved down to Irona Market , Atikankan , Okeyinmi junction,  Okesa and Fajuyi areas of capital city.

 Addressing the people, the Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs Seyi Ojo, advised those with uncontrollable libidos to be cicumspect of their actions, saying the laws are already in place to deal decisively with such individuals.

 “Ekiti had sought amendments to the Gender Based Violence Prohibition Law to include life jail for rape offenders, instead of the usual five years.

The NUJ Chairman, Ekiti Council, Com. Rotimi Ojomoyela, said it sounds incredible and appalling , for a 50 years old man to be having sex with a minor.

The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Com. Sola Adigun, urged parents to comply with the government’s directive that all children of school age must be registered in school.

“Don’t make children slaves by asking them to hawk during the school hours. This can expose them to sexual molestation or deprive them of education. Monitor your children’s movements and don’t allow  anyone you can’t trust to take them away for sexual slavery”, he said.