Edo Permanent Secretary decries delay in prosecuting Vera Omozuwa’s killers
By Elvis Omoregie
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Edo State, Mrs. Barbara Nekpen Osobajo, has decried delay in the prosecution of the killers of late Vera Uwaila Omozuwa who was raped and murdered while reading in a church in Benin City.
According to her, it’s saddened to note that over two years since the death of the young girl, judgement has not been served and her perpetrators still enjoy the breath of the earth.
Mrs. Osobajo expressed her reservation when some members of the United Nations Global Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality #HeforShe led by the Edo State Focal Person, Comrade Ehis Agugu paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Benin City, the state capital.
The visit was to discuss opportunities for supporting the ongoing efforts of the Ministry to promote gender equality in the state, as well as intimate her office about the four broad-based goals of the #HeForShe Movement.
The Permanent Secretary thanked the #HeForShe Champions for supporting the Edo State Movement for Gender Equality in all areas of politics, economy, social development and all.
According to her, It’s delightful to see men of calibre as HeForSHe Champions and the Ministry will be looking into the issues raised, but the most important thing is that, it is good to know we all have this support for the women of Edo State, and that, if this is properly done, she sees it outliving everyone in the state.
She also sees a possibility of the younger generation getting to know that inclusivity is the name of the game right from when female children are born, they already know their right in society and they know that there’s nothing they can’t become and with the support of the male gender, women will be able to achieve their highest potential in all aspects of life.
Earlier, the State Focal Person of the UN Women’s HeForShe Initiative, Comrade Ehis Agugu, told the Permanent Secretary how far the unique group has gone and the areas her Ministry can support the group.
He commended Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration for the relentless efforts at ensuring that Edo State remains uninhabitable for rapists and other perpetrators of criminal activities adding that the HeForShe Champions in the state have resolved to act as volunteers to pursue justice for victims and survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
