How Nigeria’s Most Beautiful Student Declares War on Rapists At Unizik Empowers Over 5,000 Female Students

Queen Jasmine Cutting the campaign cake with Elder Chris Eluemuno, Chairman Ohaneze Anambra guests at the event  

Queen Jasmine Mbaonu flanked by Mr John Nwosu *(left)and her manager , Mr Alex (right) during the campaign at Unizik Awka

 Odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com reports that barely three weeks after a female student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka was allegedly ravaged by a rapist who is a transporter in the university community, the Most Beautiful Student in Nigeria (MBSN) Queen Jasmine Mbonu has launched a campaign against rapists tagged “Rage Against Rape”. She described rape as an evil monster that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society which according to her, “nothing serious is being done to contain the heinous crime against God and humanity”. She added that “we all know that a person raped is a person dehumanized, striped off all dignity, esteem and essence of loving”, stressing that “to rape a person is to kill the very essence of that person.”

 

Queen Jasmine, a 200 level student of Modern European Languages in the varsity described as shocking, and abominable, the alarming rate of rape cases in our society even as she revealed that parents rape their wards.

Her words: “Uppermost in my mind is the project of how to restore and uplift the dignity and honour of womanhood that has been under severe attack and torment especially through the inhuman menace of rape. Rape is one terrible crime against humanity that is occurring everywhere around us: in the homes, schools, offices, churches, markets, farms, etc. It is shocking and terrifying to note that fathers rape their daughters, brothers their sisters, pastors their faithful, and masters their maids. Not only men rape, women also rape boys.”

She added that nipping the ‘monster’ at the bud from its causative factors; adequate punishment for the offenders, as well as rehabilitation of the victims would go a long way in stopping the menace.  

She said: “This fight must be comprehensive, must succeed and we must be passionate about it. We have to look at the various causative factors, the places where it occurs, how it occurs, who the victims are and expose and punish the perpetrators. We also need to identify and rehabilitate the victims, spark back life into the victims, empower the vulnerable on how to stand up against the monster, proffer solutions on how to prevent its occurrences, then build and strengthen the society and institutions against it. That is what we have come to start today by joining some of our heroes past who have done quite well towards this direction, and to be prepared to sustain this rage to drive the siege against rape. It is a war that must be won, for us all to be safe in the future.”

In his speech, the chairman of Ebube Foundation, Mr. John Nwosu, described rape as a societal ill which needs to be addressed urgently, adding that rehabilitation of perpetrators would go a long way in curbing the menace.

Hear him: “Rape is not too common in our society but countries like South Africa where it has done enormous damage to the society. As a matter of fact, it has gotten to a point now in South Africa where we are having 50% of ladies in the area refusing to get married because of the incidence of rape. So any strict law is acceptable to me but I think the most important thing that needs to be done is awareness; changing the societal thinking about it because nobody comes forward to report about it. It is just like the IVF issue whereby husbands chase away their wives who have the health challenge because of poor awareness programme done on it. Though, it’s prevalent in the north.”

Contributing, the CEO of Tetrazzini Group worldwide, Prince Okonkwo Donatus said that gainful employment of youths would make remarkable impact on reducing the scourge of rape. He however lamented that the federal government places no premium on the affairs that concern the young people.

His words: “The Nigerian government is a failed one. It has no interest in the youths. Did you see any youth programme with this government, either at the state level or federal level? This is the only country that the youths are on their own. It’s most unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Tina Okoye, the erstwhile Sub-Dean of Faculty of Arts said that indecent dressing on the part of girls contributes to the rising case of rape, even as she confirmed that men are equally raped.       

Hear her: “Men are raped. Male students from this campus can substantiate my claim. I have got complaints from male students who almost suffered rape in the hands of female students.”

Anambra State commissioner for youths and sports, Dr. Edozie Aroh pledged the support of his ministry in the empowerment of the youths since it falls under his ministry.

Joining in the condemnation of the rising incidence of rape are Queens Obichie Doris, Obiedelu Ijeoma, Chichi Mbagu, who are the Face of Unity Diaspora, Face of Unity Southern Nigeria, and, Face of Unity Nigeria respectively.

The highlight of the occasion is the empowerment of over 5,000 thousand female students who are to be trained in various areas of skills acquisition. The event was laced by the crème de la crème of the society including the President of Oha-Na-Eze Ndi-Igbo (Anamba State Chapter), Elder Chris Eluemuno who chaired it.

This event was recalled by odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com as it happened precisely one year ago.