A nonprofit and non-governmental organization (NGO), Protect the Child Foundation (PTCF) has called for full implementation of relevant laws and more efficient prosecution of cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and other crimes targeted at the vulnerable population in Kogi state.
Founder and Executive Director of PTCF, Barrister Elizabeth Ebulejonu Achimugu, made the call when the NGO paid advocacy visit to the Kogi State Ministry of Justice in Lokoja on Monday.
Protect the Child Foundation (PTCF) team were received by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Muiz Yinus Abdullahi, SAN, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Director, Directorate of Gender-Based Violence, Barr. Juliana Jonathan Omale.
Barr. Achimugu explained that the advocacy visit was in continuation of implementation of its “Project Ebulejonu” aimed at advancing the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
She revealed that the advocacy was the second phase of its ongoing sensitization, advocacy and skill acquisition and empowerment support programme as part of its multi-pronged approach in the fight against SGBV in Kogi State.
She highlighted the importance of collaboration with relevant stakeholders – Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NGOs, traditional and religious institutions to combat SGBV cases especially among the uneducated and economically disadvantaged population.
“This is bearing in mind that anybody can be a perpetrator and anybody can also be a victim of SGBV irrespective of ethnicity, religion and geography,’’ Barr. Achimugu said.
Barr. Achimugu called for change of mindset, more sensitization in rural areas, preventive measures and the need for unrepentant perpetrators to be sent to jail so as to demonstrate the zero-tolerance stance of the government against SGBV in the state.
The Acting Deputy Director of GBV Directorate in Kogi State, Barrister Juliana Omale, on behalf of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice thanked the organization for the visit and expressed the Ministry’s readiness for collaboration and partnership in terms of training, sensitization and creation of more awareness about SGBV.
She used the opportunity to share some of the efforts of the State Government in the fight against SGBV such as the passage of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022, creation of a dedicated GBV Directorate in 2024, capacity-building for law officers and the Nigeria Police for prosecution of GBV cases as well as criminalization of harmful cultural practices in the state.
She further disclosed that the Kogi State currently have 9 family Courts in addition to some of the Magistrate Courts tasked with the handling of GBV cases.
She, however, identified the culture of blaming and shaming of victims/survivors, inadequate funding and ignorance of existing legal mechanisms for protection as some of the challenges militating the tackling of SGBV cases.
The Protect the Child Foundation Team appreciated the efforts of the State Ministry of Justice, presented some of its advocacy materials with a call for the Ministry to do more in stemming the tide, while assuring of its readiness for collaboration and partnership to curb SGBV cases in Kogi state.
In a related development, the NGO took its engagement to the Palace of the Maigari of Lokoja, his Royal Majesty, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV.
The Maigari welcomed PTCF Team to Lokoja, a town known for being a mini-Nigeria because of its multi-ethnic composition.
He expressed delight that Protect the Child Foundation is implementing its ongoing Project Ebulejonu in Lokoja and Idah, the two strategic Local Government Areas in Kogi State which would complement the efforts of the State Government in areas of child education and empowerment of women.
He recommended the need for synergy between PTCF and State Government because of the laudable impact of PTCF projects in Kogi State. He said, the implementation of the programme is going to help a lot in Lokoja.
The Maigari acknowledged few incidents of child marriage and reluctance in reporting cases of SGBV among the residents.
Notwithstanding, he revealed that the Palace in collaboration with relevant government agencies have emplaced measures such as use of royal counsellors, wards heads, vigilantes to proactively resolve cases of abandonment of children and wives, domestic violence, cultism, early marriage among other vices in Lokoja and environs.
The NGO team lead, Mrs Achimugu commended the effort of the Maigari and requested his Majesty to extend sensitization and other measures in protecting women, children and PWDs to rural communities where most of the vices are perpetrated.
The Executive Director of the organization expressed profound gratitude to the French Embassy for its support and impact in Kogi State through the PROJECT EBULEJONU.
