By Nkechi Okoye-Adewale

I have not had the opportunity to pour my heart out on the deafening silence on sexual assaults and gender based violence in recent times. In the last few days, we have had some events that have highlighted sexual violence in homes even among educated people.

For many, the case of Pius Anglo, the Channels TV reporter who beat his wife weeks after she had a baby is still fresh. But there many more cases like this, not everyone is willing to come out and speak on their domestic situation but sexual assaults are real.

During the week, I saw Vice President Yemi Osinbajo speaking at the virtual 6th Network Conference of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCS), and I was really excited that someone so high up was paying attention.

Surprisingly, the VP’s video or speech did not make the headlines and I think this is due to cultural and traditional problems that we have to address. In the video, the VP said Nigeria has 29 referral sexual assault centres for survival of sexual assaults in 17 states. SARCS is funded by the DFID, EU, British Council, etc.

What comes to mind though is what are our own agencies and even the private sector doing about this? In the case of the Channels TV reporter, Governor Samuel Ortom settled their dispute but failed to resolve the lingering problem of sexual violence and this is what we do all the time, after a man beats his wife or girlfriend we beg her to remain in the relationship that the mistake will not repeat itself but more often than not, we see that it does repeat itself.

Really, I do not understand why we encourage women to remain in abusive relationships, why we make it look like it is a norm, why we think that everything will just return to normal. Well, I have news for you, the moment a man beats his wife something changes in that relationship. Whether he does it again or not the scar is there. This is why we should advocate for more sexual assault referral centres to help victims who cannot come to social media and tell it all.

That is why the role of people like Prof. Osinbajo cannot be overemphasized. We need both government and private sector to pay attention to sexual incidences. When a staff comes to work with a black eye, something needs to be done, even if the victim says no.

The reason why victims are afraid to speak is because they fear that they will be killed or their family hurt if they do. They are sometimes in a mental and psychological state of mind that makes it impossible for them to make the right decisions.

Here’s what the Vice President said, “The state of affairs today remain quite dire, the COVD-19 pandemic and the lockdown appears to have further exacerbated sexual and gender based violence cases, not just in Nigeria but across the world.

“There is evidence that pre-existing gender bias social norms combined with increased isolation and economic stress rendered vulnerable women and children even more vulnerable to abuse. In June 2020, the Inspector General of Police disclosed that the police have recorded about 717 rape incidents across the country between January and May 2020 and that 799 suspects have so far been arrested and that 631 cases have been conclusively investigated and charged to court while 52 cases are still under investigation.”

This shows that there is more work to be done and one man or even a handful of people cannot get this job done alone. We need to all identify that sexual assault and gender bias is a problem and only then we can tackle it head on.

_Nkechi Okoye-Adewale is a sexual assault advocate with over 10 years experience working across Nigeria. She writes from Lokoja, Kogi State_


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffRfKHdAb64&feature=youtu.be

the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has consistently shown himself to that leader that you can depend on to address the issues as they affect the average Nigerian despite gender or religion or tribe

True tho,Osinbajo is one advocate to be reckon with,how I wish we have 10 of his type at the helm of affairs,I know things would have gone much more better in Nigeria by now

You mean the house boy? Osibanjo has consistently shown that he lacks the wisdom to rule this great country, Nigeria.

If he can watch his boss rule this country this badly & give unending excuses for the failure, he will also fail if he is president.

The useless VP can't even rule a state better than Fashola yet some are pushing the paperweight politician to contest for primaries. El'Rufai will just crush his ugly face.

...

nettpen:
You mean the house boy? Osibanjo has consistently shown that he lacks the wisdom to rule this great country, Nigeria.

If he can watch his boss fail this badly & support the failure consistently, he will also fail if he is president consistently.

I think you need to reflect your mind to the time osinbajo was acting President. Even if you were away then, your relatives will tell you. Don't come here and spill what you don't know.

It will be good if Nigeria can have at least 5 to 7 people who speak on sexual assault like that of vice president yemi osinbajo then it could have better

Interesting, we pray for more of Osinbajo in nation Nigeria, very soon we will overcome all.

TheRareGem1:


I think you need to reflect your mind to the time osinbajo was acting President. Even if you were away then, your relatives will tell you. Don't come here and spill what you don't know.

Few months of ating president is not enough to determine his ability. He should become a state governor & outperform someone like Fashola then we can take him seriously.

We have many academicians that have been unable to defend their certificates in public offices when giving the chance to do so, Osibanjo is just one of them.

Osibanjo will as president in 2023 will just be an extension of Nigeria's problem past the election year.

Who go even give this house boy party ticket self? Tinubu knows better please.

Sexual assault is an act we must stand against in Nigeria..

Do you mean Osimumu?

The VP is a true leader. The welfare of the citizens is a great concern for him.

We really need more people like him as our leaders

TheRareGem1:


I think you need to reflect your mind to the time osinbajo was acting President. Even if you were away then, your relatives will tell you. Don't come here and spill what you don't know.

That guy is hopeless. His own case is one of ethnocentric and primordial hatred for the Yoruba ethnic group Osinbajo originates from.

Him and his IPOBian brothers would still only have negatives to say about Osinbajo eleven if the VP personally rescues their entire household from certain death. Sad guy.

I don't think anything good can come out from this your brain at all....or probably you were not yet born when Osinbajo was the acting president, a short moment anybody can never forget for a great change.

nettpen:
You mean the house boy? Osibanjo has consistently shown that he lacks the wisdom to rule this great country, Nigeria.

If he can watch his boss rule this country this badly & give unending excuses for the failure, he will also fail if he is president.

The useless VP can't even rule a state better than Fashola yet some are pushing the paperweight politician to contest for primaries. El'Rufai will just crush his ugly face.

While wise people are talking, other side like you should keep quiet..!!!

nettpen:
Do you mean Osimumu?

Is obvious the writer can not place the difference between sexual assault and domestic violence as she is using the channel tv guy issue as example .And going forward to make sexual assault as a one way thing.I have seen men abused plenty in marriages and they keep quiet because the society will view them as weak or useless man

Thunder1010:
While wise people are talking, other side like you should keep quiet..!!!

Bros, Don't mind that small boy.


People like him actually hate themselves,
Now tell me why he won't call other peoples names

So we never had any sexual assort advocate before Osibanjo? Now Osibanjo is now the standard. Propagandist anywhere you go.

This mediocre VP should never dream of becoming president o. What he & his boss have achieved since 2015 is pain & sorrow. We don't anymore of it.

Bye bye sir, go and win your local government & be their local government chairman.

After 2023 Osibanjo should just relegate himself to Local government chairman.

nettpen:
Do you mean Osimumu?

Are you not ashamed of yourself? All you do on every thread is insult the VP and shout why he should never be President. You never suggest your own choice or proffer solutions as per candidates likely to take Nigeria to the next heights.

Most intelligent Nairalandera will know this is because you are a hardcore IPOBian "Zoo must fall" disciple with no interest in a better Nigeria

When a man only focuses on the problems, while never offering solutions, it is clear he is not interested in a change for the better or deliverance of solutions.

May God save all Nigerians from the two main troublemaking and destructive groups threatening our national peace and security today.

I.e you IPOBian devils and Northern terrorists, bandits and militant herdsmen.

OneTemplate:


Are you not ashamed of yourself? All you do on every thread is insult the VP and shout why he should never be President. You never suggest your own choice or proffer solutions as per candidates likely to take Nigeria to the next heights.

Most intelligent Nairalandera will know this is because you are a hardcore IPOBian "Zoo must fall" disciple with no interest in a better Nigeria

When a man only focuses on the problems, while never offering solutions, it is clear he is not interested in a change for the better or deliverance of solutions.

May God save all Nigerians from the two main troublemaking and destructive groups threatening our national peace and security today.

I.e you IPOBian devils and Northern terrorists, bandits and militant herdsmen.

I'm a patriotic Nigerian & know house boy will be allowed to rule this great country, Nigeria.

We have more capable hands than this thing that calls himself a VP. Fashola is 100 times better than this political pussy.

nettpen:
After 2023 Osibanjo should just relegate himself to Local government chairman.

Keep talking obsessively and hatefully about Osinbajo not being President while you ignore the fact that Igbos are on the way to becoming the boko Haram of the South in the eyes of most well-meaning Nigerians from the South.

Did you miss how Wike ruthlessly massacred and put down your brothers while, most importantly, other Nigerians watched unconcerned and without comment perhaps in tacit agreement Igbos and IPOB deserve whatever they are getting?

Keep hating on the few good guys like Osinbajo we have today. It is the antics of people like you that has convinced other Nigerians Igbos do not mean well for Nigeria and are only hateful enemies of progress.

Thunder1010:
While wise people are talking, other side like you should keep quiet..!!!

For your mind now U na wise man abi? That's Y you keep supporting Osimumu, because in ur head, Osimumu is a wise man. Upa banza.

nettpen:


I'm a patriotic Nigerian & know house boy will be allowed to rule this great country, Nigeria.

We have more capable hands than this thing that calls himself a VP. Fashola is 100 times better than this political pussy.

Mumu. You think throwing the name of Fashola randomly in the mix will hide the obvious fact you are an anti-Yoruba ethnic bigot?

What would Fashola do differently if in Osinbajo's shoes? Fight, defy, shame and undermine PMB publicly just to prove to bigots like you he wants the best for Nigerians?

Is it not the same Fashola who took the bridge-building and diplomatic approach when Tinubu was initially against his second term ambition? Why was Fashola not openly fighting Tinubu and the ACN big boys, during that face-off, as you Igbo bigots always insist Osinbajo should do against PMB?

OneTemplate:


Keep talking obsessively and hatefully about Osinbajo not being President while you ignore the fact that Igbos are on the way to becoming the boko Haram of the South in the eyes of most well-meaning Nigerians from the South.

Did you miss how Wike ruthlessly massacred and put down your brothers while, most importantly, other Nigerians watched unconcerned and without comment perhaps in tacit agreement Igbos and IPOB deserve whatever they are getting?

Keep hating on the few good guys like Osinbajo we have today. It is the antics of people like you that has convinced other Nigerians Igbos do not mean well for Nigeria and are only hateful enemies of progress.

Igbos are not your problem o. If people that don't support Osibanjo are ur problem then it should be Deltans & people from SS & people from SE.

I'm full blooded SS man. Delta state if U must know.

Ur Osibanjo is a disgrace know that and know peace. Owi banza.

The VP is a good leader, he knows where our shoes pinches

nettpen:


Igbos are not your problem o. If people that don't support Osibanjo are ur problem then it should be Deltans & people from SS & people from SE.

I'm full blooded SS man. Delta state if U must know.

Ur Osibanjo is a disgrace know that and know peace. Owi banza.

Lol. Whatever. Osinbajo is the next President of Nigeria, after PMB, if Tinubu is not running.

OneTemplate:


Mumu. You think throwing the name of Fashola randomly in the mix will hide the obvious fact you are an anti-Yoruba ethnic bigot?

What would Fashola do differently if in Osinbajo's shoes? Fight, defy, shame and undermine PMB publicly just to prove to bigots like you he wants the best for Nigerians?

Is it not the same Fashola who took the bridge-building and diplomatic approach when Tinubu was initially against his second term ambition? Why was Fashola not openly fighting Tinubu and the ACN big boys, during that face-off, as you Igbo bigots always insist Osinbajo should do against PMB?

Fashola has ruled Lagos, Osibanjo can't rule a community. That the difference.

When U talk about good leaders in Nigeria, the name Osibanjo would not even be found in the last page.

nettpen:


Few months of ating president is not enough to determine his ability. He should become a state governor & outperform someone like Fashola then we can take him seriously.

We have many academicians that have been unable to defend their certificates in public offices when giving the chance to do so, Osibanjo is just one of them.

Just hear yourself please. Not making any sense at all.
You can't be helped.

OneTemplate:


Lol. Whatever. Osinbajo is the next President of Nigeria, after PMB, if Tinubu is not running.

Lol. They are the same. Osibanjo is Tinubu's boy. So if I am not supporting Osimumu it simply means I will not support Tinubu. Owi banza.