FIDA caution youths against rape, drug abuse in Rivers State

Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu

The International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA has cautioned youths in Rivers State against engaging in rape, drug abuse and other violent crimes.

The Acting Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA, Rivers State Chapter Nnenna Igbokwe said this call during a one-day Sensitisation programme against Drug Abuse, rape and violent crimes against persons in Odiokwu community in Ahoada West Local government area of Rivers State.

The Acting Chairman of FIDA in Rivers State Nnenna Igbokwe said drug abuse is one of the leading causes of sexual violence against women and task youths to desist from such vices.

”Rape must stop. It’s causing a lot of havoc in our society especially our young ones because this time around we’re not just talking about the adult we’re talking about children. We hear a lot of defilements, five-year-old, three-year-old even a baby in diapers is also being defiled, so it’s something everybody should talk about. Just like the definition of rape, you hear that rape is an act of sexual violence perpetrated by force and most times we have come to realize that you can use drugs to influence the person” she said.

Also speaking during the sensitization programme, a leader in Odiokwu community Ikechukwu Obuzor said the sensitization programme will enable the youths to know the dangers of drug abuse in society and how to avoid it.

”We’ll continue to talk to them, we’ll continue to engage them until we succeed in changing their orientation” he said.

On their part, the Spokesperson of the Rivers state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association Doctor Irene Obuzor and the President of Odiokwu youth Association Kenbeth Ogbonna said the event was aimed at educating the young ones on the dangers of drug abuse.

Our correspondent reports that the programme was attended by secondary school students, as well as youth corps members in the programme.