Abia records 7 GBV cases in one month – Commissioner

The Commissioner for Information in Abia, Okey Kanu, says the Nchedo Sexual Assault and Referral Centre recorded seven cases in one month.

Mr Kanu disclosed this at the Government House, Umuahia, while briefing reporters on the outcome of Monday’s State Executive Council meeting.

He said the cases comprised six sexual violence and one domestic violence, involving five minors, aged between 10 years and 14 years, and two adult women, aged between 25 years and 40 years.

According to him, the cases included alleged rape and domestic violence against a pregnant woman.

He said the centre provided medical and other support services to the survivors, including medical intervention and surgery for a 10-year-old survivor who sustained severe vaginal bleeding following alleged abuse.

Mr Kanu said the cases had been documented for appropriate protection, investigation, referral and legal processes.

“This administration is committed to ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence are brought to justice, no matter what it takes,” he said.

The commissioner said the development underscored the administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that survivors received the necessary support.

Malaria control

On malaria control, Kanu said the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets across the state would commence in October, adding that the nets were currently being received in the state.

He said the distribution would be launched by Governor Alex Otti, adding that consultations were ongoing with stakeholders across the 17 LGAs to ensure a seamless process.

Mr Kanu said the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, would commence larvae source management activities before the end of September.

He said the exercise would focus on Isuikwuato and Aba South LGAs, whose available meteorological data showed the highest levels of mosquito larvae breeding in the state.

The commissioner said the health ministry had also hosted the Optometry and Opticians Registration Council of Nigeria for an accreditation visit.

He also said the National Board for Technical Education had visited to accredit facilities for optometry and nursing training at the College of Nursing Sciences, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia and the Abia College of Nursing Sciences, Abiriba campus.

He said that the Week 38 Health Advisory focused on diphtheria prevention and control, pointing out that no case of the disease had been recorded in the state.

He said the state’s Public Health Department had instituted an outbreak prevention and preparedness plan.

Fourth cohort of Abia TechRise

Mr Kanu said that preparation for the fourth cohort of the Abia TechRise programme had commenced, following Mr Otti’s approval.

He said the first three cohorts of the programme produced 2,210 graduates, with 88 outstanding graduates securing automatic employment into the Abia Civil Service.

On agriculture, the commissioner said the local government agricultural intervention programme was also progressing across the 17 LGAs.

He said the participating LGAs recently received about 2,040 pullets under the ongoing poultry intervention programme.

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Mr Kanu said that most LGAs had commenced harvesting habanero peppers from their farms, while all agricultural value chains under the programme are being monitored for productivity and sustainability.

He further said that the state’s Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Programme had commenced with fasting and prayer from Monday to Wednesday.

According to him, participants are expected to fast daily between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., while the programme would climax with a Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Service on Thursday.

Mr Kanu announced that Abia would host the 2026 World Igbo Day on 29 September, adding that the event would feature a keynote lecture, entitled “The Igbo Charter and the Development of Ala Igbo”.

He said the event would feature wreath-laying, an interdenominational service, march-past, traditional dances and speeches by South-East governors and other Igbo leaders.