Cocodia advocates against gender-based violence, pays medical bills in FMC

[Abigail pereowei]

Chairman of the Collins Cocodia Foundation, High Chief Collins Cocodia on Tuesday joined in an advocacy walk to create awareness against gender-based harassment, discrimination, rape, domestic violence and general abuse against women.

The advocacy walk which ended at the Bayelsa state Police command where participants were received by the state police commissioner, CP Ben Okolo, was organized by Collins Cocodia Foundation in collaboration with the DO Foundation, the Bayelsa State Gender Response Team and the Nigerian Bar Women Forum.

It was gathered that the walk was in commemoration of International Women's Day and to create more awareness on the need to promote and protect the rights of women and their welfare.

Speaking during the rally, High Chief Cocodia thanked CP Okolo for the support he has given to advocacy groups and for being a gender champion.

"We felt that there is a need to appreciate him and also to encourage him to do well for the women because we are aware of so many cases reported to the police and uptill now no prosecution has been done."

On his part, CP Okolo lamented that victims do not want to pursue their case regarding domestic abuse after lodging complaints at the station.

"Once you are not ready to pursue your case to a logical conclusion, investigation and prosecution become a wasteful exercise," Okolo said.

He advised that there is the continuous need to create awareness on the importance of not only reporting but following through cases to ensure justice is done.

The team also visited the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, and presented gift items and cash to expectant mothers.

The Collins Cocodia Foundation also paid the medical bills of some patients who have been discharged but were held back for failing to clear their bills.

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