The Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, has called for laws that will ensure stiffer penalties for rapists, child abusers and predators.
Mrs Akeredolu spoke in Akure, the state capital, during a “Walk Against Rape” to raise awareness about the increase in rape cases in Nigeria.
The walk is coming on the heels of the high rate of rape and child defilement incidence in Ondo State which has been a concern to Mrs Anyanwu Akeredolu.
The awareness walk which began from the Deji’s palace at Oja Oba to A division police station in Akure had personalities from the Ministry of Women Affairs, FOWOSO, BRECAN, BAAF, FOMWAN among others in attendance.
The Governor’s Wife who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Titi Adeyemi, said all hands must be on deck to nip rape in the bud in society.
She further said the sensitization programme should serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of the social vice in the state saying the office of the first lady was ready to bring all cases of rape in ondo state to a logical conclusion.
The Deji of Akure,Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, also assured that Akure kingdom would synergise with government and relevant non governmental organizations to eradicate rape and child defilement in the state.
Stakeholders including Special Assistants to the wife of the Governor on Gender, Research and Documentation, Tope Daniyan, Social Media, Roland Iheloghara described the awareness walk as apt in eradicating the scourge of rape in Ondo state.
The Special Assistant to the wife of the Governor on Media, Tobi Fademi said the awareness campaign was held simultaneously in all the 18 local government areas of the state.