By Patrick Ochei
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu has tasked the Delta State Working Group on the Implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law, to advance effort at prioritizing the act of justice for victims of gender based violence and sexual assaults within the Delta society.
He gave this charge while playing host to the State Working Group on the Implementation of the VAPP law and other Non Governmental Organisations on a courtesy visit to the NUJ Press Centre.
He affirmed that the time has come when Government should start prosecuting NGOs who are financially induced to obstruct the course of justice in some gender based offences.
The Chairman therefore, commended the Group for visiting the NUJ Press Centre to seek partnership with the media in her effort to sensitize and create awareness on the law.
According to him, “We are here to serve the public as purveyors of information, as well as continue to mount surveillance on the happenings in and around Delta society.
“The media is indispensable; therefore, we must do everything possible to collaborate with those who come to us for synergies and also reach out to those who don’t come to us, for the purpose of serving everyone as we uphold our constitutional mandate.
“It is no longer a hidden truth that Nigeria is in a state of quagmire at all levels. Everyone, including supposed credible organisations are doing things to undermine systems and due processes for pecuniary gains.
“In spite of all these, some of you are passionate about humanitarian services and community development by continuing to fight against immoral and devious behaviours that are prevalent in our society.
“I appreciate you for this selfless and worthwhile services. I urge you to keep up the good job until our society becomes free of all forms of intimidation, oppression and sexual harassment of women and girl children”, Ikeogwu posited.
Earlier while addressing the Chairman and members of the SWC of the NUJ on behalf of the State Working Group on the Implementation of the VAPP law, the Coordinator, Dr. (Mrs) Rachael Misan Ruppee gave a background of the VAPP Act, which she said was enacted at the federal level in 2015.
She said the law was domesticated in Delta State in 2020, thereby giving vent to a renowned NGO in Abuja – Women Advocate, Research and Documentation Centre (WARD-C) to take up the coordination to ensure effective implementation of the law across the states of the Federation.
Her words, “We are here to visit with the NUJ to help us propagate the message that there is the VAPP law in town, and that anybody who runs foul of the law, is likely to be arrested, prosecuted and possibly jailed.
“We sincerely believe that NUJ as a critical stakeholder would help to create awareness of the law in order to truly carry every citizen along before wielding the big stick when there is infraction. We believe that if the information is out there in the public space, the law will not be difficult to implement”, Dr. Ruppee said.
The Group Coordinator, however, commended the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for helping to establish the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, while appealing for another two at the Warri and Ughelli Central Hospitals.
“Once this is done and with the support of all stakeholders, particularly the media, security and judicial arms of the society, we will definitely go a long way in helping to fight to reduce incidences of violence against women and girl children to the barest minimum”, Dr. Ruppee added.
