HRM Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo Advocates Stiff Penalty Against Child Abuse

Palace Of Eze Upata Kingdom
Information Unit
Edeoha Town – Ahoada East LGA
Rivers State – Nigeria

Press Release

Otuwarikpo Advocates Stiff Penalty Against Child Abuse

The Chairman of Ahoada East Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo is concerned over the increasing rate of child rape, child labour, teenage pregnancy, child trafficking and other forms of maltreatment against children in the Ahoada East Local Government Area and across other local government areas of Rivers State.

It is disheartening to note that despite series of campaigns embarked upon by him and other well-meaning individuals and organizations, such acts were still prevalent, especially at the rural level.

This is why the Eze Igbu Upata III of Upata Kingdom resolved and mobilized a group of youths to storm the hideout of a rape suspect, Franklin Orlukwere and apprehended him. The suspect has since been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution as a deterrent.

Recall that Franklin Orlukwere, 40 years of age on June 10th, 2019 joined the long list of rapists by defiling a 10-year old Basic 3 pupil. The Monarch who maintains a zero tolerance for crime condemned the act he described as barbaric.

Before now, the King had called for the strengthening of the Child Rights Law to pave way for effective management of cases of child abuse. The worry is that the menace had taken a different dimension which needed the urgent attention of key stakeholders at every level of governance. The amendment of the Child Right Act, spelling out of stiffer punishment should be meted out to offenders and their collaborators.

However, it is the sacred duty of government and the family to ensure that the girl-child is well protected from abuses and undignifying treatments. Because, a lot of violent assaults had been committed against the child on daily basis without the culprits being brought to justice.

It is to this effect that the Palace of the Eze Upata wish to collaborate with other key stakeholders to ensure the amendment of the Act to give it more teeth to bite. Teenage pregnancy is another prevalent issue and it is high and has led to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and Vesico Vaginal Fistula, VVF, among the teenagers.

It is noteworthy to say that the Upata King would wish to call on advocacy groups to put in motion arrangements on how best to sensitize the populace on ways to protect children from all forms of child abuse and neglect.

Signed:

Comrade Oyagiri Monday
Special Assistant on Media
15 /06 /2019