LASU's V.C Worries Over High Rate Of Rape Cases In Nigeria, Calls For Adequate Protection Of Female Children, Others - EDU-BIZNEWS

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Thursday, November 7, 2024

LASU's V.C Worries Over High Rate Of Rape Cases In Nigeria, Calls For Adequate Protection Of Female Children, Others







Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University Ojo, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has expressed concern over disturbing high rate of rape cases in Nigeria, calling for adequate protection for female children as well as adult and aged women who are the major victims of rape in rural and urban communities. 

The Vice-Chancellor made the call during a formal public presentation of  findings by the National Research Fund Grant Rape Research Team powered by LASU Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 

She  described the study as "an unprecedented, most comprehensive, and most profoundly empirical study on rape in Nigeria", urging all relevant stakeholders to give the outcome all the seriousness it deserves. 

"Rape, you will all agree with me, is a global social and public health problem. In virtually all cultures, violent sexual engagement and defilement of all categories of females is a disturbing reality"


"Hence, this study’s outcomes and recommendations must be taken seriously by all stakeholders in Nigeria, including government agencies, lawmakers, advocacy groups, community leaders, school administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, religious leaders, individuals and the public.", she charged 
 
The 8-man team, which had as its principal investigator, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Professor of Economics, Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan, had presented its key findings at the first-of-its-kind dissemination seminar held on Wednesday, 6th November 2024 at the ACEITSE Lecture Hall, main campus, Ojo, in the presence of members of the university management, staff and students, and the media. 




Co-ordinator of the team , Prof. Onipede Wusu who presented the detailed journey of the project  titled *"Emerging Patterns and Determinants of Rape: Comparative Study of Rural-Urban Communities in Nigeria",  recalled how the project formally kicked off in April 2021 with funding from TETFund and concluded earlier this year, producing some interesting findings. 




He explained that the team used a mixed-method approach to generate and analyse quantitative and qualitative data on emerging patterns and determinants of rape among females in rural and in urban communities in 12 Nigerian states, with findings suggesting that rape incidence is generally higher in rural than in urban communities in Nigeria. 

More interestingly, outcomes of the research also suggest that family members and neighbours are the principal perpetrators of rape 

He listed childhood sexual abuse experience, ethnicity, childhood family situation and background as critical risk factors of various forms of rape. 

The research findings, which were later presented by each of the eight members of the team, established that there are evidences of childhood sexual abuse, rape among young females, women of reproductive age, elderly females and marital rape in rural and urban communities.

The findings concluded that to constrain the incidence of rape in Nigeria, effective child protection law, sustained campaigns against sexual violence and harmful lifestyles as well as family sanctity are imperative. 



A high point of the programme was the unveiling of the project policy brief by the Vice-Chancellor for the benefit of the university, the state, and nation at large. 

Members of the research team who were drawn from five departments from two faculties include Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan, Prof. Onipede Wusu, Prof. Folashade Airat, Dr Ibrahim Rotimi Aliu, Dr Adijat Olateju, Dr Alausa Waheed, Dr Busoye Olupooye, and Dr Sakiru Raji.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Olufemi Lawal and Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Gabriel Akindoju, who was represented by Prof. Jimoh.

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