We are in very unusual times, no doubt.
In the midst of the rampaging COVID-19, there are very troubling multiple reports of rape of our ladies by ill-mannered men in parts of the country.
Then in far away from the USA, the citizens, just like the rest of the world, are enraged over the painful murder of George Floyd in the hands of Minneapolis Police officers.
These two events, the rape in Nigeria and the rage in America, have led to calls, both locally and globally, for the strengthening of laws to stem the crimes in their tide.
Such calls are another proof that the 7th Abia State House of Assembly, ably led by Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, is a visionary House always ahead of the times and tides.
Precisely on 8th October 2019, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, introduced two Bills to the House:
1. “The Abia State Equal Opportunities Bill” to deal with all forms of discriminations against persons based on gender, ethnicity, religion, etc, discriminations that have caused avoidable and needless polarisations all over the world as currently being witnessed in America. With this Bill passed into law, all those who feel discriminated against, especially our women who are victims of a largely partrichical society, can now seek redress based on the Law.
2. The other Bill which the Speaker introduced that same day is “The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill” which spells out specific punitive measures against all forms of violence against persons that include but not limited to spousal violence, parental/guardian violence, political violence, sexual violence etc.
Both Laws as passed are robust enough to appropriately protect the weak and the vulnerable in the society, and at the same time, adequately deal with violators and serve as a deterrent to others.
Should everyone take advantage of the laws, we can safely conclude that Abians are adequately protected from discriminations and violence of all forms thanks to the visionary and proactive 7th Abia State House of Assembly as led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji.
Don’t let that hammer fall on you!
#SayNoToRape
#EveryLifeMatters
– Jude Ndukwe
