November 25, (THEWILL) – Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairperson of the State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, has issued a serious warning to rapists, paedophiles and perpetrators of gender-based violence, saying such persons would no longer go scout-free in the state.
She called on all hands to be on deck, to assist in her quest to rid the State of all forms of gender-based violence and such vices.
Pastor Patience Eno, read the riot act on Saturday in Uyo, during the flag-off of a 16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence in the State.
The First Lady, who frowned at incessant rape and molestation against women and minors, said such criminal acts 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,” the First Lady stated.
She charged parents not to cave in when being pressured, but rather to demand and stand for justice, averring that the state government through the GBV management committee, has put in place measures to curb the ugly trend.
Speaking further, Pastor Patience noted that the ’16 Days Activism’ was an advocacy targeted at raising awareness on the alarming rate of rape and abuse in society, saying, “No one should feign ignorance when the law catches up with him or her.”
In her tone setting, the Secretary of the 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 in general.
“Akwa Ibom State has always been in the front line against perpetrators 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.
To Flag off the advocacy, the first lady led a walk which started off at the waterfront, Nwainba Road by Four Lanes, and 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.
