DELTA SOLICITOR-GENERAL, EREBE URGES ORIENTATION BUREAU TO INTENSIFY CAMPAIGNS AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE, ILLEGAL MIGRATION

The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General, Delta State Ministry of Justice, MOJ, Omamuzo Erebe, Esq, has again emphasized on the urgent need to curb rising cases of illegal migration, sexual abuse/child rape and use of narcotics in the state and across the country.

He said his ministry decided to set up two special units to focus mainly on; sexual abuse and illegal migration, to prosecute offenders, adding that his ministry will continue to collaborate with major stakeholders to curb the menace, while urging Delta State Orientation Bureau, DSOB, to intensify efforts on result oriented strategic campaigns to reorientate the minds of citizens, especially the youth population on the dangers of social vices.

Erebe, made the assertions when he received on courtesy visit, the Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation Bureau and Executive Assistant on Communications to Delta State Governor, Dr Wilfred Latimore Oghenesivbe in his office on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital.

The Solicitor-General noted that the rising cases of child sexual abuse, rape and defilements is becoming alarming, pointing out that apart from social deviants, some biological fathers who ought to protect their girl child and inculcate moral values in them are involved in child rape, saying that his ministry is handling multifaceted criminal cases of child sexual abuse, defilements, illegal human trafficking and forced labour.

He, however assured that the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori under his MORE agenda promised to introduce reforms and policies that would help curb the menace, while urging stakeholders at local government, state, national and international levels to partner with the State government through the Orientation Bureau for the creation of massive awareness about the dangers and legal implications of human trafficking, rape and use of narcotics across the three senatorial districts.

The Permanent Secretary commended the management and staff of the State Orientation Bureau, especially the new CEO, Dr Oghenesivbe, who he described as a communication strategists par excellence, and a good ambassador of the Governor’s MORE Agenda, adding that with him as the Head of Bureau, greater results shall be accomplished in the areas of effective sensitization and far reaching media campaigns against drug abuse, rape and illegal migration in the state.

“This visit is timely, and we are ready to collaborate with Delta State Orientation Bureau, DSOB, to curb the menace of child defilement, rape, drug abuse and illegal migration. As you sensitize the people, we shall continue to prosecute offenders and keep them away from responsible citizens.

“We are handling several cases in Court across the state, and we are doing our best to keep these criminals and social deviants behind bars, they don’t deserve to live among law abiding citizens.

“There are several cases wherein biological father defiled and raped his girl child, some of whom are children between age 5 and 10 years. It’s very sad.

“We’ve set up two special units to tackle illegal migration and sexual abuse. It very important that We join hands together to win the war against drug abuse, illegal migration, rape and sexual abuse. Rapist can no long escape under the amended laws.

“Let me also use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for nominating a legal icon and learned silk, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Delta State. We at the Ministry are very happy.

“I have no doubt in my mind that with Dr Wilfred Oghenesivbe, Esq, a Communication Strategist and Justice of the Peace, JP, as Head of Bureau, the DSOB will accomplish tremendous results,” Erebe said.

Earlier, Oghenesivbe told the Permanent Secretary that his visit was to familiaze himself with hin and his team in the ministry, and to also draw his attention to some Nongovernmental Organisations, NGOs, engaging in drug abuse and other campaigns in the state without collaborating with the State Orientation Bureau, adding that the Bureau is saddled with the responsibility of championing campaigns and reorientation programmes.

Oghenesivbe assured that DSOB is willing and ready to partner with any Ministry, Department and Agency, as well as NGOs, but that it will be out of place for the Bureau not to be involved in any kind of campaign or sensitization programme or exercise within Delta State.

He commended the Solicitor-General for the huge successes recorded by the State Ministry of Justice in prosecutorial matters relating to illegal migration, rape, child defilements and other criminal matters.

“The MORE agenda of His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, captured the youth to a large extend, and the Delta State Orientation Bureau campaigns and sensitization programmes shall also target the youth audiences across the three senstorial districts.

“It is therefore, very important for us to visit you and your legal team to enable me and management staff of the Bureau to tap from your wealth of experience as the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General.

“We shall work with the information you provided. As a Bureau, we are ready to partner with your Ministry and other major stakeholders including Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as Nongovernmental Organisations.

“But it will be out of place for MDAs and NGOs not to involve the Bureau in their campaigns and sensitization programmes. Infact, we are the engine room of awareness creation in the state. We are the first bus stop in terms of collaboration and partnership in campaigns and sensitization programmes in the state.

“We are humbled by the wonderful reception accorded us, and we shall do the needful to upscale campaigns against drug and sexual abuse, illegal migration and other social and criminal vices in the state,” Oghenesivbe assured.

Heads of various legal units of Delta State Ministry of Justice, and management staff of Delta State Orientation Bureau, were present during the courtesy visit on Tuesday.