I PLEAD TO SPEAK TO YOUR HEARTS BRIEFLY

This weekend has been totally enlightening in the Rape testimony of Busola Dakolo perpetrated by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA and I can only hope that we all have learned one or 2 things from the whole case.

First, we must know that there is a time for justice, a time that a voice will speak and it will open doors and address the situation of those that have been oppressed for years and for those that died being oppressed. It does not matter who speaks or who is used, it could be a young homeless boy or girl that brings the case to light or a celebrity figure, what matters is that the issue is highlighted and resolved.

Did you know that In many prisons around the world, prisoners of sexual crimes are seen as the worst offenders/criminals and other inmates usually deal with them terribly, many of them are raped while in prison and some killed because they believe that they don't deserve to live, a whopping 7 in 10 criminals admit that they have been sexually molested at some point in their lives and attribute their present predicament to that harassment.

While following the case, I have heard, seen and read some of the most insane and ridiculous comments and stories ever in my life. From people reliving their childhood horrors to people rubbishing the pain of rape and those defending the edifice- the church and its leader with over 30 other rape testimonies against him.

I have also read the lovely and constructive arguments on the need for a commission with executive powers to address and investigate vigorously into cases as sexual crimes, and validate evidence as old as 20 years and expert witnesses while enacting better and firmer laws to condemn such acts and bring to books those guilty of the crime in Nigeria as we have been so weak as nation in resolving rape cases in courts, a terrifying low number of 18 Rape cases have been said to have been tried in courts in Nigeria... can you imagine?

I am however even more disgruntled that so many people do not see the importance of this situation. Like it or not it is the beginning of a revolution towards the ills of our society that has kept us derived of necessary rights and mingled with our right reasoning and mental capability to easily differentiate between right and wrong which in the long run has kept our nation in a ridiculed stance and left us with unreasonable corruption.

This situation seeks to address parental issues and neglects in our society, it brings to focus the roots of ills in the people and with the large section of men and women who came forward to speak of Rape at different times in their lives, it should be noteworthy that we need to work on this aspect as a nation in order to get to the next. A win in this area is a win for all, it's a win that says we can do it and take our nation and people out of deprivation that has existed in a multi-faceted level. We must also know that just because we deal with this now, does not mean we ignore the rest of the nation's problems, but a win in this area will mean that we will win and make great changes in other areas that call for change.

I have read some comments and I have seen people who dream of holding public positions someday talk recklessly without empathy for the situation or people involved. I have seen many fighting and speaking for church, forgetting that God does not love injustice, God alone has destroyed the universe because of injustice and filth and guess what, he saved only one man, why? Because he was the only one found amongst men to be JUST - Noah. God who also created the universe is aware that some people will not go to church, mosque or the synagogue but he still gives them their rights like he has promised every one of us - they still live and have access to his good favors. So you who sees wrong and says a church or a Pastor is all you want to fight for and you ignore the lost souls he has called you to save, heal and protect, how do you expect him to entrust you with other lives, outside the church, those that are not Christians because like it or not God is about the hearts of his people and the people he has created are vast in one nation alone , talk less of the world.

It costs nothing to show empathy to victims and say no to the sexual ills of society. Some roots of depression are as a result of sexual molestations and some have led to death, some leave people permanently damaged mentally and otherwise.

A call for change does not come as anyone has scripted it but when its time, its time. Whether you support it or not. Whether it affects you now, your relatives, your future children or not, we must seek to be just.

Your boy or Girl child deserves a voice to speak for them even if you cannot. Let's walk away from the past and embrace the new.