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Expert Seeks Solutions To Sexual Violence

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The Executive Secretary of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, has said that the culture of impunity under the societal influence of patriarchy is hugely responsible for the spate of sexual violence in the country, and proposed equitable measures to address its scourge.

Speaking in a chat with our correspondent on Tuesday, Vivour-Adeniyi noted that sexual violence would greatly reduce if the culture of impunity was undermined and perpetrators were duly reported to authorities and consequently held accountable.

She said, ‘‘We find that the culture of impunity encourages the festering of sexual violence and so when we report cases formally, that’s one of the ways we can break the culture of impunity and hold perpetrators accountable.’’

According to her, every member of the society is a ‘‘mandated reporter’’ tasked with the social responsibility of speaking up against any act that threatens social order, and survivors of sexual violence need to be believed, and not be blamed or shamed in a way that could soft-pedal abusive acts, pamper or shield the perpetrator.

‘‘Survivors of sexual violence experience all different forms of post-traumatic stress disorders, and so it’s important that we encourage survivors to approach professionals like psychologists, to access help after the unfortunate incident and receive psychosocial support.

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READ ALSO: Sexual Assault: Court Sentences School Bus Driver To Life Imprisonment

‘‘As members of the society, we have the duty to encourage survivors to speak up and report cases; we have a duty to protect the identity of survivors of sexual violence; we have a duty to ensure that we don’t victimise survivors; we don’t name and shame survivors, rather we protect them, ensure confidentiality is guaranteed, and instead of putting the spotlight on the survivor, it shifts to the abuser,’’ Vivour-Adeniyi remarked.

She also enjoined governments at all levels to take a multidisciplinary approach to address sexual violence whilst devoting appropriate funding to people and institutions that respond to sexual violence, stressing that the matter was far from being just a women’s issue, but that of a public health concern with security and economic ramifications.

In preventing sexual violence, the scholar urged the government and stakeholders to strengthen the education system, as well as ‘‘the law enforcement, the social welfare aspect, access to justice, provision of legal assistance, provision of empowerment when necessary, and rescuing.’’

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JUST IN: Military Yields To Pressure, Frees Abducted Lagos Editor

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Military authorities, on Thursday, yielded to pressure and released the Editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, who was abducted from his home in Lagos State on Friday, March 15, 2024.

The PUNCH can confirm that he was released to some media stakeholders, including Yomi Odunuga of The Nation newspaper and Iyobosa Uwugiaren of Thisday Newspaper in Abuja on Thursday after sustained pressure from the media.

They were asked to guarantee that they would make Olatunji available if needed again.

READ ALSO: Alleged Defamation: Foremost Edo-based Human Rights Activist Granted Bail

The International Press Institute, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Olatunji’s employers had in separate statements, faulted his incarceration, asking authorities to either release the editor or charge him to court.

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Recall that Olatunji, a former Kaduna State correspondent of The PUNCH, was abducted by men in military uniform from his home in the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos State.

The IPI, on Wednesday, said it traced Olatunji to the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The DIA is an agency under the command of Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who reports to the Chief of Defence Staff.

The PUNCH learnt that media stakeholders will address journalists by 11am in Abuja on the development.

 

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Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, 29th March and Monday, 1st April 2024 as public holidays to mark the 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said the Minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

READ ALSO: NAF Destroys Several Illegal Refining Sites, Berges In Rivers

“He calls on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

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“He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

“This, he said, is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all”, the statement added.

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PHOTOS: Tinubu, Governors Pay Last Respects At burial Of 17 Slain Soldiers

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The remains of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers, 13 soldiers, slain by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30 p.m., were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.

In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are also present.

READ ALSO: Labour Party Reserves 2027 Presidential Ticket For Peter Obi

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Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) also attended the ceremony.

President Bola Tinubu joined the solemn assembly at exactly 04:10p.m.

Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel, as well as those of other military officers, are also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.

Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.

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