President Muhammadu Buhari has decried the recent rape cases involving young girls across the country, while pledging to continue to fight against gender based violence.
The President said this in his June 12 Democracy Day Speech on Friday, while acknowledging contribution of women to national development.
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President Buhari stated that he has directed the police to ensure perpetrators of rape and other sexual violence were arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
He said;
Nigerian women remain a particular treasure to this nation and for this reason this Administration has continued to give them a place of pride in the affairs of our country.
I am particularly upset at recent incidents of rape, especially of very young girls. The Police are pursuing these cases with a view to bringing perpetrators of these heinous crimes to swift justice.
President Buhari also commended women in the country for their courage, enterprise, and resilience, as well as their contributions to national development.
He assured women of his administration’s determination to fight gender-based violence through the instrumentality of the law and awareness creation.
The President also commended the efforts and contributions of the younger generation to the development of the nation.
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According to him, the youth population remains a source of strength in achieving development objectives.
President Buhari promised that the Federal Government would continue to concentrate on developing their skills, providing them with opportunities to express their entrepreneurial, research, and industrial capacities, as well as ample opportunity to take leadership positions in the service of the nation.
On the well-being of people living with disabilities, he said;
Government recognises their contributions to development. I have directed that all relevant government agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of persons with disabilities in the formulation and implementation of their policies and programmes, and where suitable their employment.
