From Yakubu Busari, Jos
FIDA, leading the protest in Jos, the Plateau state capital
The Plateau State Chapter of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, has embarked on awareness campaign to educate the general public against the danger attached to the scourge of rapes and defiling of minors in Africa .
The two unions, during the public procession to sensitisation of the public, expressed sadness at the increasing rate of rape, defilement of minors, child trafficking , teenage pregnancy and child abuse in the country and beyond, saying that strong actions must be taken to stem the tide and protect the rights of the children.
The procession, which started at the NUJ Secretary in Jos, ended up at the Plateau State House of Assembly, where the legislator representing Jos North-West Constituency, Esther Dusu, addressed the gathering.
Speaking also at the gathering, the former Vice -chairperson of FIDA, Plateau State, Barrister Christina Ezekwem, advised “those with uncontrollable libidos to weigh the consequences of their actions,” saying the laws are already in place to deal decisively with such individuals.
Ezekwem who is also the current FIDA mentor in Plateau, also said the walk was also to show that FIDA stood for justice for the vulnerable and also to ensure that the rights of the vulnerable were protected.
She urged parents to comply with the government’s directive that all children of school age must be registered in school.
“Don’t make children slaves by asking them to hawk during school hours. This can expose them to sexual molestation or deprive them of education.
“Monitor your children’s movement and don’t allow anyone you can’t trust to take them away for sexual slavery,” she said.
The NUJ Chairman, Plateau State Council, Paul Jatau, said it sounds incredible and appalling to hear that a 50-year-old man had sex with a minor.
“Some men even have incestuous relationship with their own daughters and even going to the extent of impregnating them. Plateau is a land of honour and integrity. So, this sordid scenario should not be allowed to continue, here and anywhere”, he said.
