Abia State government has strengthened its fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) by commissioning the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC), established by the state Government in collaboration with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.
The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has strongly condemned child molestation, rape and sexual assault, describing the acts as “an aberration” and “an abnormal behaviour,” in a renewed effort to strengthen protection for vulnerable groups against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Governor Otti, who spoke at the commissioning, has called for collective responsibility and societal reorientation to address the menace.
“Sometimes when I hear that a child is being molested, when I hear that somebody is a victim of rape and assault, it is an aberration. It is an abnormal behaviour. So I think the major job for all of us is to reorientate our people,” he said.
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While lauding the Ministries of Justice, Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, as well as Health, for their contributions to the actualisation of the project, the Governor stressed the need for decisive action and community vigilance.
“Let them understand that these are the kind of behaviour in those days when we were caught, you would be sent to the evil forest, and you would probably not come back .”
He expressed optimism that sustained advocacy and behavioural change would reduce cases of abuse.
“ I want us to get to the level, maybe in another year, where these places will not be useful anymore. When our people begin to behave well, you know some of them, when you catch them, and you begin to interview them, they will tell you they were misled, or maybe it’s an evil spirit that was controlling them. All those evil spirits we’ll banish them,” Governor Otti stated.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to infrastructure renewal, he added:
“I want to, by the time we come back here next year, all the buildings, all the facilities will look like our facilities. So we want everywhere to look decent and presentable. We can’t have our children studying in unsightly environments. So the students, just be patient. You will see our touch very, very soon.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, commended the Abia State Government for prioritising the protection of women and children.
She stated that no effort would be effective without an adequate policy framework and women’s economic empowerment, noting that economic vulnerability is one of the root drivers of Gender Based Violence.
The Minister emphasised that the Federal Government had designated 2026 as the year of social development and the families, adding that when women are empowered, their exposure to violence and dependence are reduced significantly.
Speaking, the head of the Section of Peace, Governance and Migration at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ruben Alba Aguilera, emphasised that prevention and protection remained central pillars in addressing GBV.
He stated that the EU had invested over N2 billion in supporting Sexual Assault Referral Centres across Nigeria, urging the Federal and State governments to ensure the sustainability of the centres beyond donor funding.
In her remarks, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, described the centre as a symbol of hope, protection and accountability for survivors.
“Today, we say clearly that help is here,” she said, urging survivors to report cases promptly.
Mrs Otti also commended the support of the European Union and implementing partners for strengthening the justice delivery system, stressing that the true measure of the centre’s success would be in the healing of survivors, the prevention of future abuse, and the effective prosecution of offenders.
She further appealed for the establishment of additional centres across the remaining senatorial zones to expand access to critical services for all survivors in Abia State.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, said the facility was established to eliminate the trauma survivors often face when moving between institutions.
“With Nchedo SARC, survivors can now access emergency medical treatment, forensic examination, post-exposure prophylaxis, counselling, legal guidance and referrals to shelter and social services under one roof,” she said.
She noted that the centre, located within the Aba General Hospital, would operate round the clock and provide free and confidential services.
The initiative, supported by the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by relevant ministries to enhance coordination.
The event featured the signing of the Abia State SARC Memorandum of Understanding by the Ministries of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Health, Justice and Women Affairs to facilitate better cooperation in the operations of the centre.
The effort aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises social investment, institutional reforms and the protection of vulnerable groups across Nigeria.
