Society :BIZARRE: A man impregnates daughter after his brother abused her too
By Juliet Ebirim
Chioma, a secondary school student had always nursed the dream of becoming a medical doctor.
This dream would have been dashed if her mother had succeeded in marrying her off to a rich chief. Her mother’s wish was borne out of the abject poverty and untold hardship they’ve been subjected to since her father abandoned them and ran off with another woman.
Chioma’s mother felt it was the best step to take given the circumstances. Sadly though, the chief turned out to be an irresponsible animal who raped and violated the poor girl right in her father’s house before she even got married to him. A child rights lawyer got wind of the situation and brought all those involved to book. They attended to her and fortunately today, she was able to achieve her lifelong dream.
The above was encapsulated in a short drama presented on Monday at the Institute For International Affairs in Lagos by Harmony Life Family Magazine 2nd Save a Child Seminar tagged ‘Child Sexual Abuse/Trafficking; The Implication on our Society’.
It was a day the audience was petrified by stories of abuse of the girl child. And it was a day many resolved to fight the menace. What with the story told by Mrs Itoro Eze-Anaba of a girl whose father freely gave away to his brother to abuse and after the man was done he(the father) descended on her with utmost alacrity, abusing her too.
Animals in human skin, Fela would say. The event was a huge success. Speaking about the rationale behind the event, the editor of the magazine, Mercy Ighofose, said the seminar was aimed at creating awareness about the high incidence of child sexual abuse and trafficking in the society, and how to reduce the problem. She said:
“Every day, children are being sexually abused in the society and the issue is not getting enough attention from policy makers and enforcement agents. It is important that awareness be created on the dangers such abuse pose to the development of children and the society at large, hence the need for this seminar. Harmony Life Family Magazine is passionate about saving the lives of children in the society by organising this platform and we hope to have a Save a Child Foundation where children who have been abused can find shelter. I hope to see a society where child sexual abuse is drastically reduced”.
Furthermore, she said “This is an annual gathering for both young and old. Everyone who belongs to a family is affected in one way or the other, when the child in that home is threatened except if you are a pedophile or child molester. Harmony Life Family Magazine cannot stand any form of violence against children in our society. The magazine seeks to reduce drastically this societal menace hence the theme ‘Child Sexual Abuse and Trafficking: The Implication on our Society’.
This seminar seeks to work with the government and well meaning individuals to provide not just a speaking platform, but a convenient shelter to many children escaping abusive situations”.
Renowned public affairs analyst, Prof. Pat Utomi, wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola and Mr. Gamaliel Onosode were special guests at the seminar.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Pat Utomi applauded the efforts of the organisers in his welcome address: “The publishers of Harmony Magazine amaze me with their courage and commitment.
The society is challenged and needs to find a few good people to push us in the right direction. Indeed, the whole business of being leaders is not a function of the title you carry, but a function of your ability to have a burden that translates into a vision, in which you have a sense of sacrificial service towards others so as to create a path that society can travel. History has taught us that it doesn’t take an army to make a difference. With a few well meaning people, I am confident that we can create a future that our country truly deserves”.
Speakers at the event include, Mrs. Bose Ironsi of Women’s Right and Health Project (WRAHP), Mrs. Akomolafe Kehinde who represented the Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) and Mrs. Itoro Eze Anaba of the Partnership for Justice, Mirabel Centre.
Mrs. Bose Ironsi attributed the existence of baby factories to poverty, lack of information, low level of education and delay in justice administration. Said she: “Raising and rearing children is a collective responsibility. We need adequate parent/child relationship and effective parent/teacher relationship. Parents Teachers Associations shouldn’t only be interested in the structure of schools, but the characters and manners of the children. Let us not just focus on the girl child alone, but also on training the boys to be responsible and disciplined”. She quipped.
Also, the Managing Partner of Mirabel Centre, Partnership for Justice, Mrs Itoro Eze-Anaba lamented that 420 people between the ages of 18 months and 17 years old have been treated for rape at the centre between July 2013 and November 2014, “A young lady was abused for years by both her father and her uncle.
Her uncle was paying her father for sleeping with her. When her uncle travelled out of the country, her father started sleeping with her and when she summoned the courage to report to the family, she was taken to the church for deliverance. Between her father and her uncle, she had seven abortions and her womb was removed. Another incident was that of a three year old whose teacher, a woman, inserted a spoon into her private part. A four year old girl was sexually molested by another four year old in the school.
A teenage girl, an only child was sexually molested for years by her father, without the knowledge of her mother. She finally summoned the courage to tell her mother who confronted her father. He beat both of them so severely that she lost the pregnancy which she did not know about and both of them were hospitalized”. On her part, Mrs. Akomolafe spoke about the preventive measures against child trafficking and abuse,.
Her words: “There should be proper sensitization, awareness programmes, constant discussion and disemmination of information on human trafficking and child abuse.
We should all beware of traffickers and their tricks. The way forward is for parents to acquaint themselves with the laws involved. Cases of abuse should be reported and prosecuted to serve as deterrents”.
Awards were presented to the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola represented by Mrs. Abiodun Opeifa, wife of the Lagos State Commissioner of Transport for her impact and contributions towards the general wellbeing of the Nigerian Child. Mr. Gamaliel Onosode (OFR) also received an award for his contributions and impact towards the educational development of the African Child.
Other guests presentat the event include Mrs. Julie Okoigun of Arco Group PLC, Mr. Bolaji Gbolahan, Mr. Stephen Ighofose, Lolo of Wazobia FM amongst others. The event was anchored by popular comedian, Kofi and had participants from various walks of life including youth corp members and students from various schools namely Greensprings Schools, Princeton College, Vivian Fowler Memorial College, St. Jude’s College, Chrisland College amongst others.
Chioma, a secondary school student had always nursed the dream of becoming a medical doctor.
This dream would have been dashed if her mother had succeeded in marrying her off to a rich chief. Her mother’s wish was borne out of the abject poverty and untold hardship they’ve been subjected to since her father abandoned them and ran off with another woman.
Chioma’s mother felt it was the best step to take given the circumstances. Sadly though, the chief turned out to be an irresponsible animal who raped and violated the poor girl right in her father’s house before she even got married to him. A child rights lawyer got wind of the situation and brought all those involved to book. They attended to her and fortunately today, she was able to achieve her lifelong dream.
The above was encapsulated in a short drama presented on Monday at the Institute For International Affairs in Lagos by Harmony Life Family Magazine 2nd Save a Child Seminar tagged ‘Child Sexual Abuse/Trafficking; The Implication on our Society’.
It was a day the audience was petrified by stories of abuse of the girl child. And it was a day many resolved to fight the menace. What with the story told by Mrs Itoro Eze-Anaba of a girl whose father freely gave away to his brother to abuse and after the man was done he(the father) descended on her with utmost alacrity, abusing her too.
Animals in human skin, Fela would say. The event was a huge success. Speaking about the rationale behind the event, the editor of the magazine, Mercy Ighofose, said the seminar was aimed at creating awareness about the high incidence of child sexual abuse and trafficking in the society, and how to reduce the problem. She said:
“Every day, children are being sexually abused in the society and the issue is not getting enough attention from policy makers and enforcement agents. It is important that awareness be created on the dangers such abuse pose to the development of children and the society at large, hence the need for this seminar. Harmony Life Family Magazine is passionate about saving the lives of children in the society by organising this platform and we hope to have a Save a Child Foundation where children who have been abused can find shelter. I hope to see a society where child sexual abuse is drastically reduced”.
Furthermore, she said “This is an annual gathering for both young and old. Everyone who belongs to a family is affected in one way or the other, when the child in that home is threatened except if you are a pedophile or child molester. Harmony Life Family Magazine cannot stand any form of violence against children in our society. The magazine seeks to reduce drastically this societal menace hence the theme ‘Child Sexual Abuse and Trafficking: The Implication on our Society’.
This seminar seeks to work with the government and well meaning individuals to provide not just a speaking platform, but a convenient shelter to many children escaping abusive situations”.
Renowned public affairs analyst, Prof. Pat Utomi, wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola and Mr. Gamaliel Onosode were special guests at the seminar.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Pat Utomi applauded the efforts of the organisers in his welcome address: “The publishers of Harmony Magazine amaze me with their courage and commitment.
The society is challenged and needs to find a few good people to push us in the right direction. Indeed, the whole business of being leaders is not a function of the title you carry, but a function of your ability to have a burden that translates into a vision, in which you have a sense of sacrificial service towards others so as to create a path that society can travel. History has taught us that it doesn’t take an army to make a difference. With a few well meaning people, I am confident that we can create a future that our country truly deserves”.
Speakers at the event include, Mrs. Bose Ironsi of Women’s Right and Health Project (WRAHP), Mrs. Akomolafe Kehinde who represented the Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) and Mrs. Itoro Eze Anaba of the Partnership for Justice, Mirabel Centre.
Mrs. Bose Ironsi attributed the existence of baby factories to poverty, lack of information, low level of education and delay in justice administration. Said she: “Raising and rearing children is a collective responsibility. We need adequate parent/child relationship and effective parent/teacher relationship. Parents Teachers Associations shouldn’t only be interested in the structure of schools, but the characters and manners of the children. Let us not just focus on the girl child alone, but also on training the boys to be responsible and disciplined”. She quipped.
Also, the Managing Partner of Mirabel Centre, Partnership for Justice, Mrs Itoro Eze-Anaba lamented that 420 people between the ages of 18 months and 17 years old have been treated for rape at the centre between July 2013 and November 2014, “A young lady was abused for years by both her father and her uncle.
Her uncle was paying her father for sleeping with her. When her uncle travelled out of the country, her father started sleeping with her and when she summoned the courage to report to the family, she was taken to the church for deliverance. Between her father and her uncle, she had seven abortions and her womb was removed. Another incident was that of a three year old whose teacher, a woman, inserted a spoon into her private part. A four year old girl was sexually molested by another four year old in the school.
A teenage girl, an only child was sexually molested for years by her father, without the knowledge of her mother. She finally summoned the courage to tell her mother who confronted her father. He beat both of them so severely that she lost the pregnancy which she did not know about and both of them were hospitalized”. On her part, Mrs. Akomolafe spoke about the preventive measures against child trafficking and abuse,.
Her words: “There should be proper sensitization, awareness programmes, constant discussion and disemmination of information on human trafficking and child abuse.
We should all beware of traffickers and their tricks. The way forward is for parents to acquaint themselves with the laws involved. Cases of abuse should be reported and prosecuted to serve as deterrents”.
Awards were presented to the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola represented by Mrs. Abiodun Opeifa, wife of the Lagos State Commissioner of Transport for her impact and contributions towards the general wellbeing of the Nigerian Child. Mr. Gamaliel Onosode (OFR) also received an award for his contributions and impact towards the educational development of the African Child.
Other guests presentat the event include Mrs. Julie Okoigun of Arco Group PLC, Mr. Bolaji Gbolahan, Mr. Stephen Ighofose, Lolo of Wazobia FM amongst others. The event was anchored by popular comedian, Kofi and had participants from various walks of life including youth corp members and students from various schools namely Greensprings Schools, Princeton College, Vivian Fowler Memorial College, St. Jude’s College, Chrisland College amongst others.
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