As Idia Ize-Iyamu Throws Weight Behind Husband’s Promise To Banish Sexual Assault, Empower Women -By Isaac Asabor

When Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100-level microbiology student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Edo, was reportedly murdered inside a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) near Ikpoba Hill in Benin, in Edo state, sympathies undeniably poured in from many Nigerians that were no doubt touched with the way and manner she was gruesomely murdered.

The gruesome development widely generated reactions on social media with many Nigerians calling for the arrest of Vera’s attackers using the hashtag #JusticeForUwa. Joining the fray, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship aspirant in the state under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the incident as “saddening”.

He tweeted, “I am deeply saddened to learn about Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100 level student of the department of Microbiology, UNIBEN, who was the victim of a brutal rape and murder that took place on May 27 in Benin. My deepest condolences are with her family and friends. #JusticeForUwa.

There is no denying the fact that Ize-Iyamu is averse to sexual assault in all its ramifications. The reason for his aversion cannot be farfetched as Sexual assault occurs commonly in the State, and has become a huge challenge to the entire womenfolk in the State. More worrisome is that it has particularly become pervasive since the inauguration of the ongoing government that is been led by Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

It is against the foregoing backdrop that many Nigerians, particularly Edolites, were not surprised when his wife, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu’s appeared as a guest on Television Continental (TVC) on Thursday, September 3, 2020 where she revealed her husband’s plan to establish a special victims unit to combat sexual assault and care for survivors of rape and other gender-based violence if elected as Governor on the 19th of September.

As a professor of Orthodontist, she recently flagged off a free medical outreach across the three senatorial districts of Edo State to provide access to quality healthcare to residents of communities lacking health centres and personnel.

Speaking to her supporters after her appearance on TVC, she said, “I told my listeners, and by extension, the Edo people that my husband’s administration will prioritize the care and empowerment of vulnerable groups in the state.

“Pastor Ize-Iyamu is a compassionate man who is a strong believer in the capacity of women to inspire change in the society and contribute to growth and development when provided with an enabling environment and offered the right support, and I thank him for making me an empowered woman.

“I recall his continuous support and encouragement in my journey to being a Professor following our marriage in 1992 when I had just completed my university education.

“My husband, Pastor Ize-Iyamu supported me all the way, he told me not to rest on my oars. He actively supported me in my academic journey to becoming a Professor”.

Ostensibly throwing insight to her commitment to the cause over the years, she said at a time in her career that she had to go for posting for two years, and her husband not only allowed it, but also made sure she had all that she needed. She added that there were times when the cost of research became a challenge as funding for research in this part of the world is almost non-existent, and her husband would ask how much she needed to complete her research and provide the funds.

She disclosed that even when she grew tired, her husband encouraged her and gave me the moral support to continue publishing, and added that he always reminded her of the mantra ‘publish or perish’ and encouraged her to keep going.

While assuring Edolites that her husband is capable of banishing the social menace from virtually all communites in Edo State, She assured that she is confident that Pastor Ize-Iyamu has plans to offer similar support and empowerment to all Edo women in their chosen endeavors if he emerges as the Governor.
Being on a better plinth than anyone else in the State to tell Edolites about her husband’s personal qualities and capabilities, she said, “On my husband’s involvement in politics as a clergy, I stressed on the importance of having righteous and honest leaders in political office. Even the Bible tells us that, ‘when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.’

“And again, my husband’s spirituality and proven integrity are not his only strong suits, but also his wealth of experience in public service as a former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government, as well as his credentials as a homegrown politician who knows the true problems of the people and the right solutions to them. When I was moving up academically, my husband supported me 100 per cent, now that he is pursing politics, I will support him a 100 per cent. Thank you for your support and prayers”.

In a similar vein, she also represented her husband at the Women Rally from Ward 1 to 10 of Esan Central and Esan West Local Government Areas of Edo State respectively, where she delivered the message of empowerment initiative from the Simple Agenda to empower one woman per ward in both Esan Central and Esan West (20 women) and five widows who desperately need urgent financial intervention.

Against the foregoing background, she requested that their names be forwarded to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for immediate empowerment before the September 19th gubernatorial election.

Ostensibly testifying about the success of her campaign, she disclosed that she informed the women of the plans by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to provide loans for market women and that she will stand as guarantor for beneficiaries of the soft loans.

On youth empowerment, she intimated the women of the plans by her husband to provide gainful employment for youths of Esan land through Private and Public Partnership.

On their non-functioning health centre and hospital, she promised them that when Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu assumes office as Governor of Edo State, the complete overhaul of the health facilities would be a priority to him for the good people of Ogwa.

She took the opportunity to remind the people of the closure of the School of Nursing, School of Midwifery and the School of Health Technology in Edo State by Governor Godwin Obaseki has deprived the institutions of producing health professionals which the schools normally produce. She told them that a vote for APC will ensure Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu comes in to clean up the mess in the Health sector of the state.

She in the same vein appealed to the women on the need to vote beyond party divide by voting a man that is prepared for the job of good governance in the person of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. She said she sensitized the women on how to vote, urging them to look out for the broom and APC logo on the ballot paper as well to defend their votes.

The highlight of the day was when she joined her husband briefly on the campaign train.