Author: PositiveNaija

Itoro Eze-Anaba has emerged the 4th Commonwealth Point of Light award recipient in honour of her support for victims of rape and sexual assault, recognised and honoured by the Queen of England, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Itoro Eze-Anaba founded Nigeria’s first sexual assault referral centre in 2013 and since then has helped over 3,100 victims of rape. ‘The Mirabel Centre’ has established itself as a key service provider for victims of sexual assault in Lagos State, with an increasing number of clients accessing the centre, indicating a growing awareness amongst members of the public of the existence of the centre and the crucial services it provides.

On receiving the Commonwealth Point of Light award, Itoro Eze-Anaba said:

“I am delighted that a Point of Light has been awarded to highlight the importance of tackling rape and sexual assault. Rape is evil, degrading and dehumanizing.

On behalf of the dedicated, tireless and resolute team that is determined to give voice to the voiceless, strength to the weak and hope to the hopeless, I am sure that this award marks the beginning of a joint effort to uproot this evil that relentlessly battles for our future. This award is a reiteration of our message of NO TO RAPE!”

Each Commonwealth Point of Light receives a personalised certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.

According to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright:

“Itoro has shown impressive dedication to supporting victims of sexual assault and rape. She has provided a safe haven for over 2,800 survivors of this heinous crime and has encouraged thousands of others to break the silence on rape and seek prosecution of perpetrators, reducing their impunity.

The Mirabel Centre is a project of Partnership for Justice where rape and sexual assault victims can access free forensic medical and counselling services.”

In the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London on 19-20 April, volunteers across the 52 Commonwealth nations are celebrated for their inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.

Nuzo Eziechi has won the inaugural Nigeria Integrity Idol, a reality TV show, which celebrates the most honest public officials in Nigeria.

Nuzo Eziechi, an official at the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) emerged overall winner of the 2017 Nigeria Integrity Idol amongst four other finalists, 150 nominees and over 11,000 votes. The four other candidates featured in the final were: Igbolo Magdalene, Ogumelen Justina, Yemi Kale and Tubokenimi David.

On receiving the prize, Nuzo Eziechi said:

“We all have to be integrity idols and do the right things, even when no-one is watching.”

Eziechi was chosen for her honest and responsible approach to work, ensuring standards even in challenging circumstances. Eziechi says she refuses to take bribes from anyone. Nuzo Eziechi serves at the Bureau of Public Enterprise, Abuja where she carries out her duties (HR policies and Business Strategy alignment, workforce planning, learning and development) dutifully and has become a role model to many in her work environment.

According to her:

“I live by the values my parents taught me; not to play by my own rules or take shortcuts in everything I do”.

Blair Glencorse, who is the founder of Accountability Lab — the NGO behind the initiative said:

“It was fantastic. Huge amounts of positive energy and a real women’s power feel with four of the candidates female.”

Integrity Idol started in Nepal in 2014. The competition is now conducted by volunteers in Liberia, Pakistan, Mali and South Africa.

The event is based on “faming, not shaming.” Instead of focusing directly on corruption, they highlight integrity.

Blair Glencorse believes that:

“The more we can show that government officials can be celebrated for doing the right thing, the more it will help the public understand what they should expect from them.”

Each country narrows down five candidates who are filmed and interviewed for national television and radio. Throughout the week citizens vote online and via SMS.