Tina Amanda
As the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA continues in its campaign against harmful traditional practices meted out on widows and female children, the Ekpeye Council of Chiefs and Elders in Ahoada East local government area of the state has pledged their commitment to such campaigns.
His Majesty Eze Felix Otuwarikpo, who stated this during a sensitisation outreach in Ahoada East, organised by FIDA, gave his support to the passage of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act VAPP Bill.
He noted that Ekpeye, as an ethnic nationality, would develop more when the people accept the wind of change, to abolish the negative aspect of its culture.
“The society is changing; the Ekpeye society cannot be stagnant while other parts of the world are moving forward.
” As much as traditional rulers are fighting against these things, it will be faster if FIDA lends its voice to Advocate strongly to the abolition of some of these practices.
“As traditional rulers, sometimes when we talk to our people, they may not understand, but when the legal perspective is injected into the discourse, it will add more meaning, and it will boost our current effort of stamping out all those harmful practices.”
Eze Otuwarikpo further assured FIDA that the people of Ekpeye would continue to partner with the association to fish out culprits, adding that when a perpetrator is prosecuted and sentenced, it will discourage others from continuing in such crime.
On her part, Chairperson FIDA, Ngozi Ighosevbe, thanked the Ekpeye Council of Chiefs for its commitment in ensuring the right of its people is protected while reiterating FIDA’s continuous effort in fighting for Justice to the voiceless in the state.
“The council of chiefs has committed to supporting this bill, at whatever point the public hearing will be heard they have indicated that their communities will be represented, which is a very good start for us an association. Working together with the elders of our communities to see how we can eradicate the Pretoria of violence that is taking the order of the day in our midst.”
Our reporter Tina Amanda gathered that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act VAPP bill is awaiting public hearing at the state House Assembly.
