Funmi Lawrence
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) in partnership with Luminate and Google have continued to raise awareness on
demystifying the myth around rape and sexual abuse in the country.
Mrs Mbanam Uku, Coordinator of
Homevida, a core programme of PPDC made this known at the 10th year edition of the Nigeria Integrity Film Award in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mku said that the platform had provided incentives for young scriptwriters and filmmakers to promote integrity values using film, while influencing the wider public.
“For nine years, we have put a spotlight on issues around corruption, cyberbullying, digital
economy, Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance (TAGG) amongst others.
“Currently, we have over 24 short films on our platform and some of the participants who
passed through the Homevida platform have moved on to become household names such as
Bunmi Ajakaiye and Uche Odoh, Tomi Odunsi, Tomi Adesina, Chris Odeh, Damilola Orimogunje amongst others.
“Today’s awards marks a decade of addressing societal issues and awarding creative talent. We hope that our short film will change the narrative surrounding rape and encourage victims to speak out and seek justice.
Mku added thst the competition which led to awarding the best poetry was aimed at raising awareness on the issues of rape and sexual abuse and also providing rehabilitative solutions to those who have been victims.
She, therefore urged the government to adopt effective policies that would be put in place to punish the perpetrators.
She added that the winners would also be awarded cash prizes worth N750,000.
Mr Chibuzor Ekwekwuo, Board Chairman, PPDC and founder of Homevida, said the platform had created an opportunity to identify and empower many young talents , thereby using the gains to reshape social narratives as it was founded to promote the ideas of the society.
He encouraged the youths to take advantage of their talents for national development.
Also, Mr Charles Abani, African Director of Development, Chemonics International, said the partnership with Homevida would continue to strengthen transparency and accountability in media.
He said the organisation had also supported by giving awards to films that portray accountability, integrity and transparency to speak on crisis thereby having the Nigeria we all want to live in.
One of the awardee, Mr Kenneth Olusanya, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Irem on spoken words award said the message was to see that those involved in sexual abuse get to speak out.
” It is not about going out and winning an award, we also want sexual abuse to stop. 90 per cent of sexual abuse people know their attackers but don’t speak out. This must stop in our society.”
Other awardees are Miss Moyinoluwa Ezekiel, Adetola Adetayo and Adetola Aderinale.
