The Delta State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has urged the State Working Group (SWG) on Implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law, to prioritise justice for victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
Chairman of the chapter, Michael Ikeogwu, made the call on Friday during an advocacy visit by members of the SWG on the Implementation of VAPP law and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Asaba.
The NUJ chairman said the time had come when government should start prosecuting NGOs who were financially induced to obstruct the course of justice in some gender-based offences.
Ikeogwu 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.
“We also reached out to those who don’t come to us, for the purpose of serving everyone as we uphold our constitutional mandate.”
According to him: “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.”
He expressed appreciation to the SWG for their selfless services and enjoined them to keep up the good work.
“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 said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of SWG, Dr. Rachael 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 in 2020, thereby giving vent to a renowned NGO in Abuja – Women Advocate, Research and Documentation Centre (WARD-C) – to take up the coordination.
Her words, “We are here to meet 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,” she said.
She commended Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for helping to establish the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the Asaba Specialist Hospital.
She, however, appealed for more centres in 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,” she said.
