Connect with us

News

Comrade Ike Seeks Govt Funded Compensation Scheme For Victims Of Sexual, Violent Crimes+PHOTOS

Published

on

By Gloria Ikibah
As emotional and psychological trauma and mental health continue to deteriorate among assaulted Nigerians, the Chairperson, House of Representatives Press Corps, Comrade Grace Ike, has advocated for government funded compensation scheme for victims of rape and violent crimes.
Comrade Ike stated this on Wednesday in Abuja,during the launch of ‘Tears from the Grave’, a publication by Mr Lemmy Ughegbe of “Men Against Rape Foundation”, MARF, dedicated to the memory of victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, in Abuja, which she described the absence of fund for compensation to also help victims restart their lives as a critical gap that demands urgent attention.
Ike who is also the Vice Chairman, Correspondents Chapel, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, commended the Foundation and organizers of the launch, which indicates their patriotism and commitment to shedding light on the harrowing experiences of SGBV victims with ‘Tears from the Grave’ that demonstrates the collective resolve of Nigerians to confront and eradicate the pervasive issue.
Author of Tears From The Grave, Lemmy Ughegbe, Secretary of Guild of Editor and Editor of ThisDay Nation’s Capital, Mr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Chairperson, House of Reps Press Corps, Comrade Grace Ike and former Chairman NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Jacob Edi during the unveiling of the book in Abuja today
She said: “The statistics are alarming—a recent survey in Nigeria revealed that 31.4 per cent of sexually active adolescent females and 5.7% of males experienced forced sex (rape) at sexual initiation.
“Shockingly, female adolescents living with HIV are disproportionately affected by this violence.
“It is truly heartbreaking when individuals, regardless of age or gender, fall victim to such abhorrent acts. The normalization of sexual violence is spreading like wildfire, leaving victims in unimaginable physical and psychological anguish.
“Every day, we are confronted with distressing accounts of girls and women enduring unspeakable trauma due to sexual violence. What is even more disturbing is the growing trend of perpetrators committing murder, killing their victims after these heinous acts—an act that must be condemned in the strongest terms.
“SGBV knows no boundaries—it transcends age, ethnicity, color, socioeconomic status, and geography.
“While the list of victims in Nigeria is extensive, many cases remain unreported due to fear of stigma and inadequate support systems.
“Despite existing legislation imposing severe penalties for SGBV offenses, prosecution rates remain dismally low. Victims often shy away from reporting due to fear of stigma and the arduous legal process.
“I am particularly troubled by the absence of a government-funded compensation scheme for victims of sexual and violent crimes in Nigeria. This is a critical gap that demands urgent attention from our policymakers.”
However, she called on CSOs to ensure justice for SGBV victims, and also appealed to the National and State Assemblies to establish special courts basically for sexual offences across the country.
“Furthermore, civil society organizations such as the Men Against Rape Foundation play a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of SGBV victims and ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve.
“I call upon our lawmakers at the national and state levels to prioritize the establishment of Sexual Offenses Courts across the country, modeled after successful initiatives in Lagos and other regions.
“Once again, I want to express my deep appreciation to Mr. Lemmy Ugegbe and the dedicated team at the Men Against Rape Foundation for not just coming up with this initiative but for your relentless pursuit of justice.
“I have followed your trajectory, especially on the case of Karen, a teenage-victim who also lost her life as a result of rape and many other cases. You people are doing an extremely difficult job but I pray that God will continue to give you the courage, strength, financial enablement and the grace to accomplish this onerous task.
“Together, let us stand united against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. We must continue to strive for a society where every individual lives free from the fear of violence and injustice”, she added.
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

PHOTOS Of Prisoners Who Escaped Borno Prison And Those Recaptured

Published

on

By Mario Deepromoter

Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday disclosed that about 281 inmates escaped from Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following severe flooding in the capital city.

NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said the agency had alerted the Nigerian Immigration Service, and Nigeria Police Force among other security agencies to help recapture the fleeing inmates.

“Every security agency in the country has been notified and they are on alert to help track down the fleeing inmates wherever they may be. With their help, we will capture them and return them to our custodial centre,” Umar said.

Advertisement

In a statement on Sunday, he said of the 281 fleeing inmates, seven had already been recaptured and returned to the facility.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment.

The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri as well as the staff quarters in the city.

“Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service, with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.

Advertisement

Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody,” the statement read in part.

Abubakar further stated that details of the fleeing inmates had been made available to the public while noting that efforts were underway to track them.

“However, it is important to note that the service is in the custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public. The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.

Recall that the flood affected many parts of Maiduguri, leading to the displacement of over 300,000 residents and the deaths of over 30 people, including children.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Saturday said he was “seriously worried” that jailed Boko Haram terrorists might have escaped from the prison facility.

See Pictures Below;

Prisoners

Continue Reading

News

SEE new price of petrol across all 36 states

Published

on

By Mario Deepromoter

Despite the counter accusations by both Dangote Refinery and NNPCL over prices, the price list of petrol has emerged online.

According to reports, this is because NNPCL bought petrol at a higher price from Dangote Refinery on Sunday.

NNPCL also mentioned that Dangote Refinery sold the petrol in US Dollars, not naira, against the federal government’s directive.

Advertisement

However, Dangote Refinery will sell its petrol in naira starting in October.

According to a breakdown from NNPCL, Dangote Refinery sold petrol to NNPCL at N898.78 per litre.

NNPCL paid Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fee of N8.99, inspection fee of N0.97, a distribution cost in Lagos of N15, margin N26.48.

NNPCL’s statement added that the estimated pump price in:
Lagos will be N950.22
Sokoto State N999.22
Kano State N999.22
Borno State N1,019.22
Kaduna N999.22
FCT N992.22
Oyo State N960.22
Lagos State N950.22
Rivers State N980.00
Imo State N980.22

Advertisement

An analysis of the chart showed that except from Lagos State, other states of the federation will be paying higher because of distribution costs.

The distance from Dangote Refinery and NNPCL‘s depot in Lagos State to other states of the country majorly would determine the price differences.

The report also showed that the six geo-political zones would be paying differently.

The North East states would be paying the highest per liter from N1,019.22, followed by North West states from N999.22, followed by North Central states from N992.22, followed by South East states from N980.22, South South states from N980.22 and South West states paying the least from N960.22, except Lagos State paying from N950.22.

Advertisement

At the time of filing this report, the presidency is yet to speak on the latest development.

Continue Reading

News

Rivers 2027: Ogoni powerful men snub Fubara, throw weight behind Wike

Published

on

By Mario Deepromoter

Political heavyweights from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones have formally withdrawn their support for Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The leaders have dumped Fubara and lace their boots with the action packed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The leaders gathered on Saturday in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area, at an event tagged “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.”

Advertisement

The assembly, which focused on fostering unity between the two ethnic zones, was heavily attended by politicians loyal to Wike, who remains locked in a bitter political feud with Fubara, his estranged protégé.

Prominent personalities, including Senators Barinada Mpigi and Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom, attended the meeting.

The group emphasized that after years of marginalization, it was time for Ogoni and Oyigbo to produce the next governor of Rivers State.

Speaking on behalf of the assembly, Senator Mpigi declared, “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, met today to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.

Advertisement

“We also reiterate the obvious fact that the senatorial district’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.”

Tensions between Wike and Governor Fubara have been mounting, with Wike publicly withdrawing his support for his former ally.

Wike, who was instrumental in Fubara’s rise to power, has accused the governor of straying from their shared vision for the state.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News