Soroptimist International moves to curb sexual harassment of young girls in Enugu

Dr Anthonia Ekwo, President, Soroptimist International, Enugu, has expressed concern over the increasing rate of sexual harassment of young girls in Enugu State.

Ekwo made the observation in Enugu on Thursday, NAN reports.

She said that the development was worrisome, adding that if not checked it would take a dangerous toll on the society.

The president said that the group, which is a global organisation recognized by the United Nations, had noted with dismay reports of domestic violence targeted at women and even toddlers.

Ekwo, who is the Nigerian representative of the group, said that the services of the club were centred on the empowerment of the girl-child and vulnerable women.

“Our concentration is on women and the girl-child. We have an adult literary centre at Agbani, Enugu and have empowered no fewer than 30 women.

“Our target is to reduce domestic violence and to ensure that our young girls are not sexually harassed.

“We want to make sure that women are not treated like slaves and for their voices to be heard in all spheres of life,” she said.

Ekwo also frowned at the level of poverty among women in rural areas of the state,read more

Man rapes 11-year-old daughter, impregnates neighbour’s child

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 46-year-old man, Morris Ndidwe, for allegedly raping his 11-year-old daughter and for impregnating a neighbour’s daughter.

According to reports, Ndidwe’s wife alleged that her husband had made several attempts to have carnal knowledge of his 11-year-old daughter in the past before the last one that landed him in police net. She claimed that her husband’s behaviour had made her quit the marriage initially and that she only returned after several appeals and an assurances that he had turned a new leaf.

She said, “I initially moved out of my matrimonial home after my husband impregnated a neighbour’s daughter.

“My daughter always told me what she went through in the hands of her father whenever I was not around and when I confront my husband, he will deny every bit. One afternoon, I returned from church and caught him with our daughter. Again, after much pleading, saying he will stop the act from that moment, I relented on my resolve to quit the marriage.”

Ndidwe’s wife added that the last straw that broke the camel’s back was the event that transpired recently. She said, “A few days ago at about 9pm, my husband drove me to the church for a vigil. He was alone with our children. The following day when I returned, my daughter told me what her father did to her. When I decided to check her private part, my husband refused and almost beat me, but my neighbours intervened.”

Punch reports that the victim has asked the police to prosecute her father, saying she wanted him jailed because he might do worse things to her.

The state Police Commissioner, Alkali Baba Usman, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect, said he had made useful statements to the police and would be prosecuted and charged to court as at when due.

source: the Punch

Ayisha Osori: When Will ASUU Wake Up To Its Responsibilities?

There is a justified presumption when children go to school that they will be safe and protected by those in authority. It is the ultimate betrayal when they are abused and taken advantage of by those they trust and ignored by those with fiduciary obligations.

Exams on a Saturday contrary to regulations, exam paper torn, locked up, and raped twice – the details of the allegations against Prof Cyril Ndifon of the University of Calabar are horrifying and incredible in its audacity. So is the brazenness of Afeez Baruwa of University of Lagos who raped an 18-year-old prospective student sent to him by her father.

These are only two stories that have had extensive media coverage in the last month, reopening for the umpteenth time the discussion about sexual predation in our universities and the lack of interest in...http://leadership.ng/opinions/463685/when-will-asuu-wake-up-to-its-responsibilities...read more 

Alleged oldest man in Rivers state die as police storm the community

An 83-year-old man, identified as Mr. Maxwell Acho Chukwu, who is allegedly the oldest man in the Mgbuoshimiri Community in Obia/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Saturday, reportedly slumped and died when some policemen stormed the venue of a community meeting and started shooting sporadically.

It was reported that three members of the community allegedly brought in the policemen to stop the meeting. After the death of Mr Chukwu, the community called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the alleged killing.

Mr. Ohazurume Chukwu, the President-General of Mgbuoshimiri Community Council said the policemen began to shoot into the air even when they (police) were told that members at the meeting were not cultists.

He said, “We were in a meeting in the morning when some people came with some policemen to invade the venue of our meeting. We tried to find out the reason and the policemen told us they were informed that the meeting constituted cult members.”

The president went further to say they told the policemen it was a community meeting but they insisted it was a cult gathering, probably because they have been induced.

“Thus, they insisted that they had to arrest some persons and we resisted. While we resisted, the policemen started shooting. They started shooting to the point that the oldest man in the community, Mr. Acho Maxwell Chukwu, fell down and died as a result of their shooting,” Chukwu said.

“The youths in the area who were angered by the incident, then embarked on a violent protest but the police brought it under control,” Chukwu stated.

He, however, called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the shooting.

Speaking on the matter, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, said the matter was already under police investigation.

Mohammad said, “This is a mere allegation. I can’t say much for now because the matter is under investigation.”

source: Punch