By Emmanuel Uffot
The wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairperson of the State Gender Based Violence Management Committee, Pastor Patience Umo Eno has issued a warning to rapists, paedophiles and abusers, to refrain from their unwholesome acts of rape as it not going to be business as usual as far as she is concern.
She has also called on all concerned stakeholders to join hands to rid the State of all forms of gender based violence.
The Governor’s wife bared her mind on the vexed issues on Saturday, November 25, 2023, in Uyo, during the flag-off of the 16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence in the State.
The First Lady who frowned against rape and molestation said, these crimes must not be treated with kid gloves, adding that anyone found to be a rapist or shielding rapists and paedophiles would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“I am here today as the Chairperson of this Committee to flag-off this 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence in the State. Henceforth, it will not be business as usual. I am calling on our men to support this advocacy by saying no to rape and all forms of abuse against women and the girl-child. Let’s put a stop to this menace,”.
She equally charged parents not to cave in when being pressured, but rather to demand and stand for justice, stressing that the state government through the GBV management committee has put in place measures to curb the ugly trend.
The Governor’s Wife explained that the ’16 Days Activism’ was an advocacy targeted at raising awareness on the alarming rate of rape and abuse in the society, saying, noting that no culprit should feign ignorance when the law catches up with them.
In her remarks, the Secretary of GBV Committee, Barrister Emem Etteh stated that the flag-off walk for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is a demonstration against GBV in the state and the world.
Akwa Ibom State has always been in the front line against perpetuators of rape and will not relent to be a voice against GBV, she said.
On hand to lend their voices to the campaign were the State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey, Wife of the SSG, Dr. Inemesit Uwah and a host of others.
The walk which started off at the waterfront, Nwainba road by Four lanes, went through Nwainba down to the University of Uyo main campus.
The female youths, traditional leaders, religious leaders, women groups and civil society organisations were all in attendance.
The Governor’s wife is no doubt following the footsteps of her predecessors in making case against rape and gender violence against women.
