Sexual violence: FG charges Nigerians on useful information

By Albert Akota

The Minister of Women Affair and Social Development, Paulina Tallen has urged Nigerians to provide useful information to special investigation panel on asexual and gender based violence to enable it summit comprehensive report to appropriate authorities.
Tallen who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while inaugurating the eight-man panel said the ideas was timely because the sexual and gender based violence are facing Nigerians badly not just female as well the male counterparts.
According to her, “ I am convinced we are in the same page condemning the sexual and gender based violence because the act is not acceptable in Nigeria, we must stand firm to condemn the evil act being perpetuated”.
She thanked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for selecting competence and unquestionable characters to handle the panel without fear or favour no matter high placed the person that may involve during the investigation.
Speaking earlier, chairman of the panel who doubles as Executive Secretary of the NHRC Tony Ojukwu said the commission will advocate for the policy of tagging of first offender on all sexual and gender based violence in any neighborhood where such people are working, residing or looking for official and residential accommodation.
According to him, the neighborhors will be informed of the presence of the offender so as to exercise extra care with their children and families adding that first offender will be compelled to report to the nearest police station.
He noted that the commission will partner with the Students Union, Parents Teachers Association and school authorities and other learning institutions to establish human rights violation especially as it related to sexual and gender based violence in tertiary and other institutions of learning.
Members of the panel were Tony Ojukwu chairman, Abdulrahrahman of NHRC, Rachael Andrew of FIDA, Itoro Ababa from Civil Society, Prof. Isa Chiroma Academia, Prof. Joy Ezeilo women and gender rights expert and two young Nigerians expected to be added.