Facilitate the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of all pending rape cases in Oyo State, some women groups and non-governmental organisations have charged Governor Seyi Makinde.
The women group under the aegis of Coalition of Women Groups also urged Governor Seyi Makinde to support the state House of Assembly to review the Oyo State Sexual Violence Law with stiffer penalties for offenders.
The groups made the calls while addressing a press conference at the state Secretariat of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Oyo State chapter, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The chairperson of the coalition who is also State Amirah, Federation of Muslims Women Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Dr Bushrah Oloso, in calling the attention of the government to the plight of the women, said “the recent happenings of sexual violence against women across Nigeria and Oyo State in particular offends our sensibilities as human beings and most importantly as women.”
“Specifically, we condemn in highest of terms the cruel actions and vile disregards for the sanctity of our girls, defilement of their honour and pride. Recent examples of these were the rape and killings of two students Barakat Belo and Azeezat Somuyiwa in Ibadan last week by yet to be identified persons.
“We reiterate the fact that this barbaric act of violence against women and girls is alien to Yoruba culture. Our women are home builders and are to be protected and handled with care. Suffice to say the recent trend is unacceptable. Our coalition therefore seeks the following: “Immediate arrest and prosecution of the peretrators of all pending rape cases in the state.”
“We implore the State Governor, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde to support the Oyo State House of Assembly to review the Pyo State Sexual Violence Law with stiffer penalties for offenders.
“We urge the State Government to establish a Sexual Violence Rehabilitation Centre. The Centre should provide psychological, medical, social and legal supports to victims of sexual violence.
“The law enforcement agencies should commit to protection of lives of all citizens, all categories of vulnerable members of the society inclusive,” she said.
Towing the same path, the Oyo State chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Jadesola Ajibola, lauded Governor Makinde, and the state Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, for the efforts at getting the family courts functional.
This is as she also called for the prosecution of rapists.
She urged the state government and well meaning individuals to support the younger siblings of deceased Barakat with scholarship to ease the burden on the parents while also empowering the mother.
She appealed to the members of the state House of Assembly to support the only female lawmaker, Hon. Wumi Oladeji, to be able to fight the cause of women and girls accordingly.
Some of the women groups and Non Governmental Organisations in the coalition include FOMWAN, NAWOJ, Down To Heart Speak Out, Pure Hear Foundation, Al-Muminat Organisation of Nigeria, We Build and Islamic Theological Centre of Nigeria, ITEN.
